Seattle to Portland '17
I met a guy at Hotter 'n Hell last year with a Seattle to Portland T-shirt. I knew about the ride but this got me interested. I didn't have anything else planned for the year so this turned into my destination.
This was only a one day event and the family wasn't going so I had to plan other riding and activity.
Day One:
Eugene, One of my favorite coworkers, left us about 6 months ago. Fittingly he lives close to Eugene, OR. So the first stop off the plane had to be Eugene.
Day Two:
Pick up my Rental Bike and visit Mt Tabor. I can remember driving in this park before and I tried to explore all roads in all directions. It was extra great because cars aren't allowed in the park on Wednesday
 |
| Looking toward Portland downtown |
 |
| Mt Hood |
 |
| That's not going to happen |
 |
| Mt. St Helens |
 |
| route map or Mt Tabor and visiting a area I lived one summer. |
Day Three:
Seattle to Portland is a one way ride. So, I'm taking AMTRAK to Seattle.
 |
| Wow, they have payphones! |
 |
| Nice of AMTRAK to leave me down by the water in downtown Seattle. |
 |
| A bike traffic signal. We have to obey traffic signals? |
 |
| Not shy at all. |
 |
| A bit of time before I can check into my hotel. I better take a one hour harbor cruise. |
 |
| On the way to the hotel I found this interesting landmark. |
And had the best meal ever at Din Tai Fung.
Day Four:
Greg, an ex-coworker that I started with in 1990, lives North of Seattle. He took the day off and we went for a ride around some country East of Seattle.
 |
| Scenic with a few cool downhills |
 |
| I probably should have rested more considering what I was doing the next day |
Day Five: Seattle to Portland
 |
| 4:45 AM start |
 |
| Where did everybody go? For a 200 mile ride I wasn't alone too much. |
 |
Hey, here are some people.
I rode with a number of people off and on. I kept running into Phil and his friends. He has lived in Dallas and has done the hh100. And Jim who I talked to on the bike and for a while at the 150 mile rest stop. And, no I don't have a picture of any of them. |
 |
| Crossing the Columbia River into Oregon |
 |
| Crossing the Willamette River (and looking onto Downtown Portland) |
M....F***er!
So, I passed a wavering townie rider in Portland on the left without announcing myself. This turned into me being called MF'r at least 4 times. I really didn't get close to this guy; but I've now been accosted on the bike in the most chill city in North America. Hmm, maybe I am a MF'r. Sorry for the folks who have to ride with me.
 |
| 206 miles later thankfully. (I took this after I finished) |
 |
| Woo! One day finisher. There was a two day option too. |
13:12 overall time
perfect weather
 |
| From the dump truck. |
Day Six:
Rest day! Everybody needs one sometimes. Went to see "Baby Driver" then met Cindy and Steve, my step-sister and her husband, for a long lunch. It was good to catch up on the Oregon family.
This day ended in Astoria, OR.
 |
| The Atomic Motel. It served me well. |
Day Seven:
Back to the bike. Let's ride down Hwy 101!
 |
| translation: Park with restroom; but it was nice. |
 |
| Wrong side of the blue line and you are a goner. |
 |
| So much climbing in Ecola State Park |
 |
| The climb was worth the view |
 |
| This was creepy |
 |
| Extreme NW corner of OR |
 |
| Looking back on Astoria |
 |
| 102 great miles. Actually there is too much traffic on 101. |
 |
| Grabbed the hotel bike to catch the sunset |
Day Eight:
 |
| Astoria Column |
 |
| View from the top of the column |
Day Nine:
Heading home
 |
| Be early and first in line |
 |
| To get delayed and spend 5 hours in the Portland airport. Better than many airports and AA gave me money for lunch. |
