First Day - Driving from Medford to Mt. Vernon

Michael and I are off this morning for our tour of the Old West Scenic Bikeway. We'll over night at the Bike Inn in Mt. Vernon and be riding to Bates tomorrow. We really don't know how much connectivity we'll have (cell-wise) but we'll be shooting pics and blogging for upload when we can.

Wish us good fortune!

Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway in Cottage Grove, Oregon

Training continues on the 35 mile Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway.

Steve, Janet and Michael at the Mosby Covered Bridge.

Janet crossing the Dorena Covered Bridge, arguably

the prettiest of the three we saw this day.

The bridged along the route are pretty hefty due to

this being a Rails to Trail path.

Janet and Michael on the return trip.

Steve and Janet riding one of the many shady stretches

along the Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway.

Steve

Steve and Janet at the end of the Currin Covered Bridge.

Janet, Steve and Michael relaxing at one of the many

rest stops along the north shore of  Dorena Lake.

Steve and Michael on the return trip road section.

The Mosby Covered Bridge from the bikeway.

Rails to Trails bridge adjacent to the Mosby Covered Bridge.

The mouth of the Mosby Covered Bridge.

Heading out to the Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway

Bringing 3 trikes can pose some challenges. Here you see Janet's trike on the back of our car hanging vertically on a Thule trunk rack, Steve's on top of Michael's car on a Thule roof rack which we modified to hold a trike, and finally Michael's trike hanging on the back of Michael's car.

Michael's ICE trike loaded on a  www.hitchrider.com bike rack. This is an awesome set up. Easy to load and very stable in transit. Bill at Hitch Rider has excellent customer service. Check them out for any hitch mount bike rack set ups.

Training ride in the Applegate Valley

                           Steve and Michael near Murphy, Oregon on a 32 mile training ride.

Michael and Steve on their ICE trikes

Michael and Steve riding the Bear Creek Bike Path

from Central Point to Ashland.

Michael's ICE Sprint decked out with his

B.O.B. Yak trailer.

Steve's Trice QNT fitted with his Maya trailer.

Old West Scenic Bikeway

Michael and Steve plan to ride the Old West Scenic Bikeway later this year. This blog will initially serve as a planning site and probably grow to be a blog of the ride, resplendent with beautiful photography/videography and highly imaginative commentary.

Route
Oregon Scenic Bikeway

Miscellaneous Facts/Issues

• Travel Distance from Medford to John Day, Oregon - 365 miles 
• Temperature in John Day in early Sept.(from 2012 report) highs in the low 80's, lows in the low to mid 40's at night.
• Cool link for info on renting cabins, yurts and teepees at Oregon State Parks
• http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles/publications/Yurts_cabins_tepees.pdf

Places we might stay

• John Day Area
• Kam Wah Chung State Park
• Dreamer's Lodge In John Day, Oregon - Rating 4/5 - Older decor but clean and friendly  $72/night 
• America's Best Value Inn - In John Day, Oregon Rating 4/5 - $65/night
• Other Areas (to be categorized)
• Bike Inn – Mt. Vernon, Oregon
• The Mountain View Motel & RV Park
• Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
•  Bates State Park   $5/night

Places along the way (with mean min/max temps for July, Aug. and Sept.)

• City of John Day (45/85 Jul - 45/85 Aug - 38/76 Sep)
• Prairie City (45/85 Jul - 45/85 Aug - 38/76 Sep)
• Bates State Park (44/85 Jul - 43/85 Aug - 38/75 Sep)
• City of Long Creek (48-86 Jul - 47/86 Aug - 40/77 Sep)
• Monument (49/85 Jul - 48/85 Aug - 42/77 Sep)
• Kimberly (51/85 Jul - 50/86 Aug - 42/77 Sep)
• Dayville (48/86 Jul - 48/87 Aug - 41/78 Sep)
• Mt. Vernon ( 46/85 Jul - 45/85 Aug - 38/76 Sep)

Things to Bring (very complete list for long tours)

• 2 Tents/ground covers (I snore)
• Min. 2 water bottles each
• Sleeping bags and ground pads
• Cook stove/fuel, plates, knives, forks, cook pan/pot, dish soap, zip lock bags
• Water filter, water filter tablets, and bladder bags
• Camp chair (super light weight/REI brand)
• Head lamps, solar lanterns, flashlights, lighters and maps
• Rain gear, sun screen, mosquito repellent/candles, ear plugs (Steve snores)
• Camp food/snacks for riding
• Personal hygiene 
• soap/shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, vitamins, micro fiber clothes, small kitchen towel
• high absorption micro towels, Ibuprofen
• 2 changes of clothes, hat, bandana, flip flops/crocs
• Sunglasses, drain stopper and clothes pins & line
• Chargers for cell phones, camera battery, and USB light for trike
• Light weight hammock, micro clips for hanging stuff

Tools and Parts

• Tools (multi-tool, pliers, C-wrench, allen wrenches, multi-tip screw driver)
• Batteries for lights (trike mounted, flash lights, head lamps and lanterns)
• Tubes, levers, patch kit and pressure gauge
• Brake/shift cable
• Chain and cable lube
• Bungies and/or web strapping
• Zip ties and electrical tape
• Chain quick links
• Nuts, bolts, hose clamps and bailing wire
• Heavy needle and thread (mesh seat repair)

Sights to See

• Old West Scenic Bikeway Map and Cue Sheet