September 25, 2024 – Change of Plans in The Dalles

    I've been thinking about quitting the trail since Crow Butte, Washington. But I just kept on riding despite my anxiety and all the traffic. I got on a back road yesterday (John Day Dam Road) that led me to Maryhill State Park. I really thought I was going to quit yesterday. I took a break at the Riverside Mini-Mart in Roosevelt, WA. I called AAA, and I asked them to send out a tow truck and drive me to a bicycle shop in The Dalles. I waited for over an hour and the tow truck driver called me. I could tell he didn't want to make the hour drive from The Dalles to Roosevelt. I could just tell by the tone of his voice and by what he said. So, I told him to cancel the tow. I would ride the 60 miles to The Dalles from Roosevelt. My bottom bracket was completely shot, and I was grinding with every stroke of the pedal, but screw it. Go big or go home, right? So, I rode from Roosevelt to Maryhill State Park, and from Maryhill State Park to The Dalles today.

    I went to the SPR Bicycle Shop after getting a bottled coke and Haribo gummy bears from a C-Store. The owner of the bike shop is named Calvin. He's a really good dude who has owned the bike shop for 13 years. He couldn't believe I was riding with a bike in such bad condition. The bearings and the cranks were super wobbly. But, thank the good Lord the cranks and bottom bracket spindle weren't damaged too badly. And praise God! Calvin had the right bottom bracket bearings and fittings for my bicycle. He fixed the bike on the spot, and he showed me how the locals ride from The Dalles to Portland. There is a broken trail that is used. So, from his advice and encouragement, I'm going to go for it. I'm going to bike to Portland, which will be the finale of the bike ride. Calvin told me that there is no rail trail from Portland to Astoria. All the routes are high traffic and dangerous. So, I will get a rental car in Portland and drive to Astoria, OR to completely finish the trail. Also, I want to see the Pacific Ocean and coast as Lewis and Clark did some 200 years ago. I can't wait to finish the trek! Washington D.C. to Portland, Oregon. I feel like that will be a completion to this epic ride! 

    It's raining right now in The Dalles. I'm charging my gadgets and writing this journal entry waiting on the rain. I just ate a a Burgerville, and that is where I'm currently chilling. The rain looks like it's almost stopped. Time to get down this bike trail. Portland is only 80 or so miles away. I should make it there the day after tomorrow.