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-Keith Pelczarski
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Day 9: Wheatland to Corvallis
This morning started with some good coffee and an egg sandwich made from fresh eggs that Jeff gathered (thanks to Jeff and the chickens). I got myself ready for another afternoon start, then said goodbye to Jeff. He offered again to let me stay another night, which was really tempting, but I jumped on the bike and headed off.
I started riding on Rte 221, but it was a little too busy and there wasn't a good shoulder. I fired up the iPhone and figured out a less-busy path. Unfortunately, the iPhone map didn't warn me about the gravel road with the crazy steep grade. I might've been able to handle the gravel by itself or the grade by itself, but together they were more than a match for me. Instead of doubling back 5 miles to the busy road, I (literally) pushed onward. It was a challenge, but I made it through only stopping once to rest.
The gravel and grade behind me, I found some sweet downhill action on the other side. The miles started flying by, and I even passed a procession of combine harvesters rolling along the road. Here's a shot I snapped of one as they passed:
There were lots of beautiful fields in the Willamette River Valley, and soon I found myself in Independence, OR. I stopped at the Ragin' River Steakhouse, where I enjoyed the 8 oz prime rib special with a baked potato. After dinner I checked in with the home team on the phone. I miss them terribly, but it's good to talk on the phone.
More pedalling followed dinner, along with more spectacular farmland. And bugs. I didn't any of them today but did get one in my eye. I pulled into Corvallis around 8:30 and checked into the Holiday Inn Express, since there's no good camping nearby. I think tomorrow will be another hotel night in Eugene, but after that I'll be on the coast where the number and quality of campsites picks up again.
I did 45 miles today, and averaged about 14 mph while rolling, even with the uphill pushing factored in. I hope to extend the legs again as I get further along, but for now I'm happy with my progress and feel like I've made good choices given the lay of the land. Tomorrow I'll head down to Eugene, another 45-50 miles, and Friday I'll do the 60 miles from Eugene to the coast. Yeehaw!
:: Keith 23:06 [link] :: ::
