The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway

For the last few years I've led a trip where we ride the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. Today was the day we did that again. We started off from Wilsonville rather than the official start in Champoeg Park. It gives us a few bonus miles, and I don't have to drive. ;-) We started out just past 6:30 AM.

It was a great day for a ride. We rolled through the Willamette Valley on a beautiful sunny day.

We only had one mechanical issue on the ride, John Henry picked up a piece of glass along River Road just south of Salem. That is my least favorite part of the route for a variety of reasons.

We weren't the only people out enjoying the weather.

After spending so much time in the deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah the last few weeks it was nice to be back in the Willamette Valley. The grass seed harvest is just beginning and the Dutch Clover and mint fields filled the air with a pleasant aroma.

It was a little warm, and we stopped frequently for more water, and an occasional frozen treat.

John Henry and I ride longer distance routinely, but Paula had never pedaled 150 miles before. She did well, and always had a smile on her face.

We continued to pedal southward.

We arrived at Armitage Park, just north of Eugene, and the official end of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway.
I figured it was worth a stop to record Paula's accomplishment. Dave and John Henry were ahead of us a bit and missed being in the photo. Congratulations to Paula on a job well done!

Despite arriving in Eugene before Paula and I, the others were unsure of the route to our over night lodging. After a mile or so we hear "follow those people!" from a parking lot as we pedaled by, . He who laughs last!

We all pedaled in together. Dave's wife was waiting there. His plan all along was to leave us at this point and attend a family event. The plan was for the rest of us to check in, shower, and then ride a couple of miles back to McMenamin's North Bank for dinner. John Henry said he was done on the bike for today and would just walk a few blocks to a Thai place he saw on the way in.

Paula and I decided that food and drink along the bank of the Willamette sounded just fine.

Dinner was surprisingly good, and the laid back evening with a a river view was nice. All good things must come to an end however, and as the sun set we made our way back.

Time for sleep, tomorrow it is time to ride back!!


...............road bike.......rollers.........mtb.....lifecycle........total
Today................153...........0..............0..........0.............153 Jan..................93..............0...............0.........0..............93 Feb................411..............0..............0.........0............411 March.............653.............0..............0.........0............653 April..............696..............0...............0.........0............696 May...............900...............0...............0.........0.............900
June..............435...............0..............0..........0...........335 Total...........3301.............0...............0..........0.............3301