Cambridge, ID

Hello from IDAHO!!! Its great to be in the next state.

I was having some knee issues (right knee) at the end of the day yesterday--I took some painkillers, and it went away, but it came back this morning. It was getting kinda bad, but it wasn't hurting off of the bike, so I thought it must have been bike related. I moved my right cleat back a little bit, and the pain was almost instantly gone.

A list of pains so far:
Crotch numbness-- solved by getting a new Brooks Saddle-- it has been amazing
Foot numbness-- solved by the saddle, maybe (more bloodflow to the legs?) or maybe not riding as hard
Knee-- caused by the changed position when I put on the new saddle, but fixed by the cleats

SO MUCH STUFF HAS HAPPENED and I don't have time to write about all of it.

Friday: Austin Junction, OR to Halfway, OR (108 miles)
-we rode into town late, but there was a REAL LIFE RODEO that was going on that was amazing
-we only got to see two guys trying to rope down a horse, but it was pretty cool. Michael got a video
-there were these amazing canyons that we rode down from Baker City to Halfway were unlike anything I've ever been in before. It was downhill all the way, and we had a great tailwind so that pretty much pushed us along. At some points, the crosswinds were so bad Michael got blown over with his bike when we stopped
-small-town America is exactly like it is in the movies--everyone is white, nice, and wears a cowboy hat

Today: Halfway, OR to New Meadows, OR (100+ miles)
-started off heading into Hells Canyon, gorgeous scenery, rode along the Snake River
-saw a wildfire being put out by firefighters, two helicopters were involved. They flew down ~10-20 feel above the river, dipped their buckets in, then took off and dumped the water
-right now, the librarian at the library I'm in is calling people to let them they have books that are overdue. AMAZING. Take that yuppie suburbs.
-I'm really hungry
-My legs feel a lot better now that I've fixed my cleat position.
-I just rode myself into the Mountain Time Zone! Time to change the clocks forward an hour.
-I am falling in love with sunscreen, it helps a lot

I am losing track of time being on the road day in and day out. Also more good news, I think Michael is going to shift around some rest days to try to take a day off in Missoula, then I'll probably ride with him all the way to Colorado.

I'm doing great guys, its great to be out here. Miss you all.

Baker City, OR

Hello from Baker City. All has been well, except Daan going home. Luckily, I met up with a guy on the road from James Madison University, and he's also heading East. I plan on riding with him for a while. His name is Michael, you can read his blog here: http://dubobikingxc.blogspot.com/

Wednedsay - Bend, OR to Mitchell, OR (90 miles, one 4700' pass)
Thursday - Mitchell, OR to Austin Junction, OR (~100 miles, two passes, 4500' and 5300')
Today - Austin Junction, OR to Halfway, OR (~100 miles, two passes, 5200' and 5000')

The miles have been going well and I've climbed five passes over the past three days. Big ones too, 5000+ feet. I think the road keeps going up and up until I'm in Kansas. The scenery has been amazing as well, everything seems to change between each pass.

Highs: There was a pet bear in Mitchell, each climb seems to be getting easier, almost to Idaho! Also having someone to ride with again.

Lows: I got sunburned yesteday! Both arms and the top of the knees. It kinda hurts, its the first time I've ever been burned there. It made me buy some sunscreen--seems to be working. Getting charged $5 for a milkshake after I ordered one last night. It was good, but not that good.

My goal is to be in Missoula, MT by July 4th. Wish me luck!

Prineville, OR

Hello from Prineville, OR, the second time I've been to this quiet town. Just making my stop here for lunch today. Left from Bend this morning at 10:00, said bye to Daan. Hopefully he has a good bus ride home.

My goal for the day is Mitchell, OR.

Everyone out there, please be careful driving your cars. It can mean someone's life. We'll miss you, Corinne.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/corinnecrawford

Redmond, OR

Well, we've already been through this town, but Daan and I unfortunately had to hitch a ride back. We got as far east as the Ochoco Pass (about 30 miles east of Prineville, OR). Let me recap the past few days.

Saturday - rode from Blue River, OR across the McKenzie Pass, through Sisters, OR, to just east of Redmond, OR. We "stealth-camped" as its called, just off the side of the road on a side-street. We weren't bothered at all, so that was good. Total mileage was around 80 miles or so. Had to end the day because Daan was getting pain in the knee, and we were both tired. This was the same pain that he once had that stopped him from running about a year ago. Not good news.

Sunday - Daan's knee pain wasn't any better in the morning, so we decided to call it a rest day. We made it to the next campsite, at the Ochoco Creek State Campground (or something similar), while spending some time in Prineville, OR along the way. Apparently Prineville is the oldest town in Eastern Oregon.

Today - the knee pain still didn't get much better... sadly. We made it about 20 miles out of the campground nearly to the top of the next 4700' pass, but then his pain was too much--couldn't turn the pedals over anymore. Sad Day.

We ended up spending the next five hours or so trying to hitch-hike, which was a LOT harder that we expected. I guess it was because we had so much gear, we needed a big truck to pick us up. Luckily America loves their trucks. In the meantime I read a book while waiting for cars to come. Thanks to a gent named Eric who picked us up, and drove an extra 40 miles to get us back here to Redmond, OR.

So, what does this mean? Daan's going to head back home, maybe? We're still not sure. I think I'm going to load up on all the stuff that Daan was carrying that I need (cooking gear, etc.) and keep going. Maybe Daan will join me back up in Colorado with Jamie, but we'll see.

It's going to suck continuing alone. A lot. I'm not sure what my choices are though, I guess I could go back to Berkeley, but I really want to finish out the trip. So far it seems that everyone else that has been touring out on the road has been doing it solo.

Lets hope that knee gets better.

Eugene, OR

Just got back to Eugene, OR, from visiting the pacific coast. We rode a super long day yesterday, ~110 miles, but thats good because the legs were feeling good until the last two miles. Today we head east to the base of a 5000' climb! yikes. Biggest I've ever done was Mt. Tam, around 2000'.

Highs: Seeing the Pacific Ocean
Lows: breaking my stem (but at the train station, right next to the bike shop), losing my wallet on the train (but getting it back, missing all the cash)

To the Atlantic!

got the BoB

So Jacob woke me up nice and early this morning--around 7:30 am. The good news was that he was here to drop off the B.O.B., the trailer that I'll be using to carry all my stuff around for the rest of the summer. I went on a short ride with it (20-25 miles), and man, my legs feel a lot more tired than normal. I guess thats what happens when you ride with an extra 25 lbs. I still need to pack up my room a lot more, but I'll be ready soon.

first post!

I mainly made this blog to chronicle my trip across the country this summer. I'll update it as frequently as I can, letting people know where we are and that we're OK. Hopefully I'll have some stories to share along the way too.

Right now, though, I'm busy packing for the trip, packing up my room, and trying to hang out with as many people as I can until we leave. The train leaves at 9:00ish Tuesday night (6/19/07). I'm also wrapping up everything at work-- my last day is Friday. I looked back at my first timecard, and it was marked 6/16/05. Seems fitting that my last day is 6/15/07.

Back to packing!