Jim's Ride Across America: Day 59 Mckenzie Bridge, OR to Corvallis, OR

Yorktown, VA to Corvallis, OR, Completed 4,056 miles
Average 71 miles/day, Estimated finish July 12. 2015

Biking Detail McKenzie Bridge, OR to Corvallis, OR

Day 59 Thursday, July 9

Left McKenzie Bridge at 6:15. First ten miles had a nice shoulder then quickly changed to recently paved road with pretty small shoulder. Still managed to average between 14-17 MPH. Passed several filbert (hazelnut) farms. Didn't realize this area famous for their hazelnuts. Trees are just off the banks of the McKenzie River. Didn't realize what kind of trees they were until after we had passed the area.

Stopped in Vida, at the Vida Cafe, for breakfast. Very friendly little cafe with good food, breakfast links not the ordinary variety...very tasty. Recommend this as a planned breakfast, lunch or dinner spot! Not a much else along this stretch for food so nice to find something fun and worth the stop! Passed a couple of Christmas tree farms near Leaburg...also on the banks of the McKenzie. Somewhat of a surprise to see in this area!

Glad to turn off 126 unto Camp Creek Rd at Walterville. Nice ride along the creek and up on McKenzie View Drive. Lots of large nice homes...short commuting distance to Eugene. Got to the intersection of McKenzie Rd and Colburg Rd and celebrated getting to Map #1, last map of the Transamerica Trail!! Miles of wheat fields between Colburg and Peoria. Picked up a nice tail wind after Coburg which lasted for 24 miles or so. Was able to boost my average speed to 15.8 mph for the 86 miles.

Enjoyed the cooler weather today! Mid-day only 66. Ride was actually little too cool for most of the morning. Haven't said that in several weeks!!! Maybe the heat wave is coming to an end!

Made it to Corvalis by 1:30 and ready to call it a day at 86 miles.