Corvallis was the place for this year, which was a homecoming of sorts for Susan and I from the college days. It was nice to be back on campus, this time sleeping under the stars.
Our friends got down a little early and organized a nice spot on Peavy Field which was a great grassy spot with a few trees for shade. The weather was fantastic throughout the weekend! The Community Cycling Center had organized a Bike Camp for the kids, so we had both Abby and Amelia in Camp so Susan and I could ride the long route (68 miles, 4,200 feet of climbing). Abby had enjoyed the program of the week long experience before but this was our 6-year old's first organized bike activity. The confidence they build in the camp is well worth the price of admission. It also turned out that I knew some of the instructors, our transportation world is so very small, so we knew that they were in good hands and the girls had an absolute blast. Abby's group did just over 15 miles and Amelia did 7, travelling from park to park in the City of Corvallis and enjoying the playgrounds and camaraderie of being with kids their own age.
The Cycle Oregon weekend sold out this year (2,200 strong)! The food at the dorms was sufficient to get us going. I agree with the Path Less Pedaled that it would have been a lot better with just a touch better coffee (we are Portland coffee snobs). Where was Nossa Familia or Trailhead when you need them?
The food at the lunch stops was fantastic and this was cheerfully offered by Cycle Oregon's fantastic volunteers. Definitely something I will enjoy doing when the kids are out of the house.
The Sunday ride was special for the family. After having it for six years (we bought it from a friend), we finally pulled the tandem from the back of the garage after mounting the stoker kit for Amelia. Susan had completed a test ride last week, so Amelia was ready to enjoy the ride and was pushing for the middle route (36 miles). Abby was a bit reluctant at first to commit to the 36 miles (it would best her previous long from last summer), but after seeing deer on the side of the highway and turkey vultures a few minutes later, she exclaimed "this is the experience of a lifetime!"
A few more photos from along the route.
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| Jay Graves of the Bike Gallery offered to let me borrow his dream machine. This bike looked fast just leaning on the support van. Bike Gallery's support of Cycle Oregon is a big reason I have bought Trek bikes and ride them with pride. |
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| Susan and the kids at the Thompson Flour Mill, an Oregon State Park. |
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| Abby gets a little help on the home stretch. |
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| During the last mile, we kept promising ice cream to the kids. Cycle Oregon didn't disappoint! |
