The Wingnuts Wanderings

9 days total, 8 days riding , one rest day Camped 5 nights, hotel/motel/Holiday Inn 4 nights. 384.6 miles, 16,110' of elevation gain.  The tour began in Astoria Oregon on July 1, 2023. Almost a month after I really wanted to start. Three days south along the coast to Pacific City. The scenery was astounding 

 Decisions! Who gets to decide? What contributes to that decision. What about the doubts and the indecision. The more you think about it the harder that decision becomes.  I have had the urge to travel for awhile now. Originally I was going to convert a van into a rolling home and wander widely. The pandemic and more indecision made that path lead to a dead end. For years I have followed people who rode the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 75% off road bicycle touring route. I have often thought about riding it myself. Although cyclists complete the route solo, it is recommended you don't because of the remoteness of the route. Someday maybe. Another decision. April of 2019 I retired and in May of that year I started my first cross country ride. 3/4 of the way through The Trans American Trail I detoured in Kentucky north missing the last 1200 miles of the Trans Am. Why not go back and ride it from end to end. Really? More decisions. The bike was ready, I have all of the gear. Ju

My last three rides have all been great rides. One was wet and cold. I was miserable the entire ride. It was great because I was riding to see my girl Fred. My next to rides were the perfect examples off  why I love to ride my bike. After a fantastic afternoon at the laundry mat and breakfast together with Kathy the next morning it was time to ride.  The day started brisk,quickly warming into the 60's. Shortly after starting the road turned to dirt. After yesterday's rain the surface had a nice green sheen. Slicker then a witches t&# in June. Up the road aways after the surface had changed to broken black top and a quick descent. The first cover bridge of the day. My route followed the Connecticut River Valley north on state and local roads through some of the most beautiful countryside that I have seen. Maybe it's bias but New England is special. I had to climb for a considerable distance. I enjoyed it all. At low speed so much more is experienced. The reward for a

I entered New York along the border of Lake Erie. The climate here is greatly influenced by the lake. In the spring and summer temperature is moderated by the lake and in the fall it stays warm longer for the same reasons. Perfect weather to grow concord grapes. The landscape was dominated by grapevines and vineyards. Up My first night I camped at Evangola State Park. A very nice park. There was a spectacular sunset that evening. From here it was a short day to Buffalo. I did pass through Hamburg NY. There claim to fame is that the hamburger was invented there. I spent two nights at Hostel Buffalo/ Niagra in the theatre district of the city. A very nice hostel nestled down town housing a very deverse clientele. I walked around a bit and wondered over the old architecture. City Hall was spectacular. Hostel Buffalo/Niagra. My ride out of Buffalo was going to be interesting. The ACA route follows a coarse through Canada. B

The hills of Kentucky are not for the faint at heart. Short and steep, long and steep, winding and steep. I think you get the point. Don't  get me wrong.  The best part about the climbs are the descents. The twist and turns and blind descents are a blast to ride. Unfortunately most of the downhills into these deep hollows are followed by a climb back out!  The route I'm  following does a fantastic job of keeping you on quiet backroads and away from the busy major roadways.  I crossed the Ohio River onto Indiana to avoid the  Louisville KY metro area. I passed several large factories, an aluminum plant,a paper mill and old abandoned coal fired power plants. Coal is dead. (sorry Donald) There are so many old barns to see. Some are in better shape then others. It is just a matter of time before mother nature reclaims some of them. The stories they could tell. I have stayed at a variety of hotel/motels along the way. Some are forgetable, others