Oregon Bicycle Ride
My First 7-Day Bicycle Tour
by Jim Luparello
  		   


Planning Stage
What do you say to a 29-year old daughter who thinks it would be fun to go on the Oregon Bicycle Ride? Sandy Green from Scenic Cycling Adventures puts on this event each year. I was breaking all my rules of self-preservation. I don’t camp, this is a camping trip. I have never gone on a 7-day tour, always the first time. I’m worried about the hills, it’s sag supported. I have no tent or sleeping bag, etc. and my wife didn’t want to come. Everything that would discourage a sane person was before me. The other side of the coin was the opportunity to fulfill a long-term dream of mine to be on tour and an opportunity to ride with my daughter Gina.

No matter how inexpensive the vacation is you must allow for the unexpected. Gina needed to purchase a road bike, she found a new Torelli with a triple crank set. I purchased a Bianchi Touring Bicycle with a triple crank set. The extras start adding up such as new tent, sleeping bag, etc. My $600 tour blossomed to four figures. One good thing for me was I could use some items again and again.

We started caravanning with BCI members Wayne & Nancy Broadhag, and Dennis & Mary Miller starting in Marysville, California. On our long ride through Oregon we were following a Semi-Truck with 10 other cars. The truck driver refused to move over. After many slow miles, one by one we passed the truck. As I went by the truck, the driver let me have it with his duel air horns. I said to Gina I wonder why he did that? Later I found out that when Wayne passed the truck he beeped his horn. Miles later we pulled into a rest stop for a few minutes. As we started to merge back into the highway I could see that same truck coming down the hill. I had thoughts of Dennis Weavers’ movie "Duel" dancing in my head as we hurried into the traffic flow to get out of there.

We pulled into the school parking lot where everyone was unloading his or her gear. About 180 riders were registered for this ride and there were tents set up everywhere.

We were told breakfast was to be served at 6:30 a.m. every morning with the majority of riders usually leaving between 7:00 am and 7:30 a.m.

My schedule for the trip: I usually woke up at 5:00 a.m. and by 5:40 a.m. I was taking down my tent. After a few days of this everyone in our camping group could tell I was up. Dennis would say first he hears a long zip, then another zip, footsteps, then zip, zip.

Day one…Bend to Primeville
The ride today was mostly lower desert with some climbing (1,350 feet). Gina and I completed the 63 miles that day. My thoughts were how am I going to ride like this everyday. Gina was not prepared for the hills and wanted to call it quits. Going home early was one of our options.

 

Day two…. Primeville to Sisters
Another 63 miles and Gina decided she would start off riding and take the sag if need be. Many BCI members and other riders were giving her support and encouragement to continue. That beautiful tree lined morning we rode 2000 feet to the summit. How proud I was of her and myself in our accomplishment.

I met up with Gina at the next rest stop as we rode to the finish. Gary Anderson riding his recumbent seemed to be always there at the right time helping us out. She decided to continue the trip. She would ride at her own pace, take photos when she wanted and take the sag if needed. A winning combination for an enjoyable tour. This was the turning point of her riding, because each day after this Gina was able to complete the toughest climbs of the rides.

That night I had my first ½ hour massage and felt like 19 years old. Another BCI member Penny Poorman got really into these massages. Every time she came back into camp she had bedroom eyes, all glassy and with the biggest smile. Gina seeing how she enjoyed it so much started having a massage after two days of riding.

Each night Tommie Kozlov, Nancy, Mary and Penny would brighten up our campsite like lighting bugs. I also noticed more and more riders sporting Beer View mirrors, Dick Bird has been busy at the campsites. One evening Wayne & Nancy picked wild blackberries and we had fresh berries and ice cream, what a treat!

Our daily breakfast consisted of hot oatmeal, eggs, potatoes, coffee, juice, you name it they had it for us. An outstanding cook prepared our dinners with such succulent meals as Salmon, Tri-tip (2-3 inches thick), ribs, chicken, and low fat dessert (just kidding).

Each rest stop was always stocked with huge quantities of food. Portable showers were trucked into each campsite. Hot clean and sanitary was the name of the game.

One of our three sag drivers motivated us each day by playing a variety of music on top of his car, from rock-roll to classical. Direction arrows were sprayed on the road each morning to indicate when to turn with additional signs pointing the direction.

Day Five
Our layover day on Thursday (day 5) was in Oakridge. The people in Oakridge were the kindest and sincerest people I have every met. The Kiwanis Club just enjoyed so much in cooking our breakfast for two days. The ladies told me they stayed up all night just to prepare us a good meal. Hospitality is still alive in America what a great country we live in.

Day Six
Day 6 was truly the hardest day with a 5100 feet elevation gain. It was so beautiful riding along the river with towering pine trees casting their shadow on you. We have been blessed with 6 days of sunshine and the forecast for the 7th day is the same.

For our first bicycle tour we picked a 1st class tour company to go with. Some of the lessons we learned are to never give up. When you set your mind to something, give it your all. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Ride at your own pace not someone else’s, take the sag if you need it, and just enjoy yourself. Oh yes! I also discovered Blizzards, at Dairy Queen and now I’m in love.
 
Updated on Sunday, 08-Jan-2006 17:27:56 EST