| Date: September 20, 1999 | | Location Canada to Mexico - #11 - Bay Center to Astoria | | Where: Astoria, Oregon | Monday - Jim writes
Crossing the Columbia
This morning we packed our dew soaked tent & rain fly and rode into the morning mist. Biding farewell to our cycling friends Doug, John & Linda (their tour ends today); we choose a shorter route toward Astoria and stopped in Naselle for 2 hot mochas and a muffin. Next we turned toward the Columbia and the BRIDGE.
The Astoria Bridge at over four miles in length is the longest continuous three span bridge in the world. It took four years to construct.
We stopped at the rest area to put on tights for warmth and bright neon yellow wind breakers for visibility. Taking a "deep breath" as the cycling guide suggested we approached the north entrance. To the south the bridge, disappeared into the fog.
It's an ordinary concrete roadway at first, with a narrow, probably 12", bike lane striped on either side. It has a normal mix of traffic - cars, pickups, motor homes and log trucks. There is more bike lane debris than usual. About every half mile is another dead duck, gull or tern. There was also a child's blue plastic sand bucket. I missed it with my front wheel, but my right side low rider pannier caught it and sent it tumbling right in front of Jeanette's bike. She dared not swerve right or left so chose to plow right over the top of it. On we rode.
The bridge is flat for 3 miles, and near the surface of the mighty Columbia. Ahead I can begin to see the Oregon side where the bridge climbs steeply to arch over the water and allow ship passage. The arch is so steep that from our perspective it looks like a draw bridge, in the upright position. Cars coming and going up and down the slope are our only confirmation that there is a top. On we peddle.
Shifting down as the bridge steepens, our speed slows, and we try not to wobble as we climb high above the river. (Did I mention that Jeanette has a fear of heights?) Finally the bridge crests and we descend circling around, down to the street level of Astoria. Drenched with sweat and pumped with adrenalin we are victorious. Jeanette still under full steam marches into the bridge office to demand that they sweep the bike lane of dead ducks & buckets.
Tonight we are comfortably situated in an Astoria motel, drying out the tent and enjoying the warmth of indoor living while Jeanette trys to fight off the same sore throat and cold that have plagued me since last Thursday.
In the morning we begin our Oregon section. We have now completed 500 miles, which means that we are a quarter of the way to Mexico.
|
|
|
