Day 3,Corvallis- 80 miles,

I said goodbye to the beautiful Oregon coastline this morning and turned inland for the Salmon River Gorge. Weather stopped me short of my destination the day before which left me with the problem of figuring out new accommodations wherever I might stop. The weather was horrible. Winds and rain continued through the night and into the morning hours as I began a slow climb up Slab Creek Road, the old HWY 101 of many years ago. The surroundings of lush and dense green forest and incredible silence gave me an eerie almost mystical feeling as I slowly climbed the one lane winding road of old. Not a car to be seen.

Slab Creek Road

About an hour into the hills I felt a sudden drop in the temperature. Seconds later a deluge of rain came pouring out of the black sky above and brought me to a complete stop. I put my feet on the ground, straddling the bike and opened my Gortex rain coat. I bent over the bike handlebars and pulled the coat over my helmet and torso to create an emergency tent. The rain came down with unbelievable density and I could do nothing but cower under my coat. After about 45 seconds the rain stopped as quickly as it had started and it got even colder! I straightened up just in time to realize that the colder air was introducing a huge hail storm as a chaser to the rain. Back to the tent I went while dime sized hail pelted my back and bike for a good 45 seconds to a minute. I couldn't help but laugh at my predicament and the when the hail passed I got myself together and continued. I also realized Seth from the night before knew of what he spoke. In order to provide you with a glimpse of  my intellectual prowess, I immediately started a downhill section and picked up speed......so  much so that I rode myself right back into the hail storm! Good times.

I made it to the major east west road leading up to the summit of Spirit Mountain at a three building town called Otis. Convenience store, gas station from the Gomer Pile days and a hunting shop. I was soaking wet, cold and in desperate need of coffee. I entered the convenience store, poured a cup of joe and spent the next five minutes looking for someone to pay. I eventually found him outside around the back working on a Ford Explorer engine with some buddies.

View of the mountains I had just emerged from in Otis

The remaining morning was spent getting to the top of Spirit Mountain and the town of Grand Ronde where the Spirit Mountain Casino and Lodge is located and run by the guess who? The Grand Ronde Indian Tribe. I hit a diner, put down the fattiest, biggest burger I could order and made a decision. In order to make up for the miles lost the day earlier and get to Corvallis, I would have to put in about 26 miles more then I had planned for the day. I decided to give it a shot. I took over the diner bathroom and changed into dry clothing.

I reached the Willamette Valley and turned south for a flat ride in Corvallis. A flat, 30 MPH headwind with stinging rain  made it a darn fun one to! My hosts, Mike and Brandy Schuyler(pronounced Skyler) were ready and waiting for my arrival, so much so that they had the opportunity to stand outside and watch me ride by their house and head off into lost land. Mike jumped on his trusty mountain bike and corralled me.

Lunch for long Haul!

80 miles in one day on such a heavy bike was not a great idea. I'm sure I will pay some for this effort tomorrow. We all took a walk later into downtown Corvallis by the university and had dinner at a vegetarian establishment. Yes you heard me! The food was delicious and the company was great. My host Mike is a retired University of Oregon Chemistry Professor and Brandy a retired software developer. Both share a palpable appreciation for and excitement of adventure cycling and have traveled the globe biking and camping in places I have only seen on the Nat Geo Channel! They are both very active and maintain a fitness regimen that is apparent in their appearance and their personalities. I was lucky to get the opportunity to stay with them.

Tomorrow is 45 miles in Eugene.