A day in the life of a cycle tourist.

The Oregon coast just north of Bandon.

Another beautiful view, as seen by the saddle of a bike.

Ray and Russ, watching the waves come in.

Thursday, September 17th

Here is a brief snap shot of what my days are like;

Wake at 2 am., 3 am., and/or 4 am due to foraging animals (raccoons, skunks, or bears) or by territorial creatures crying in the night (coyotes or great horned owls) all creatures confirmed by Park Rangers sightings.

The other thing that may wake me in the night is a full bladder or a series of night sweets. (I really should have planned this tour a few years ago to avoid some of the menopausal symptoms common to a women my age.

Fully awake by 7-8 am, take down tent and pack up gear. Load up the bike and eat a quick breakfast (powerbar or banana). Ideally I want to be on the bike before it gets too hot or too windy.

I generally try to ride for 10-15 miles, depending on the weather conditions and the terrain before stopping for a true breakfast or lunch, usually in a local diner. Refuel and fill water bottles. Ride another 20-30 miles and repeat food stop for dinner. Ride the last 10-20 miles into a camp ground. Unpack, shower, star gaze, read, rest and repeat in the morning.

One specific note on showing at camp grounds:

It costs $1.00 to get clean. 3.5 minutes of water costs 50 cents. The water is not always hot, and is seldom warm. In the beginning of the adventure, I would deposit my 4 quarters and hope to complete a clean sweep of the body before I found myself standing in full lather and no more quarters to dispense.

Have no fear, I am a quick learner.

I now deposit two quarters, get fully wet and completely lathered, and scrub my feet and legs (these parts are especially dirty from all of the sand and dust of the road). I might shave my legs if necessary, so far only twice in two weeks (yuk!) After, and only after these tasks are complete, do I deposit the last two quarters for a full 3.5 minutes of rinse.

I can tell you, 7 minutes in the shower is not enough time to wash off 60 miles of road grime and 8 hours of sweat.

Taking a shower with no time limit and an abundance of warm flowing water is just one of the things I look forward to indulging in once I return home.