Day 62 Arch Cape, OR to Astoria, OR

Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR, Completed 4,245 Miles
Average 71 miles/day, Completed July 12, 2015

Biking Detail Arch Cape, OR to Astoria, OR

Day 62 LAST DAY Sunday, July 12

Left Arch Cape at 9:00 AM after a wonderful breakfast at Bill and Lyn's. What a great ending to our journey to spend time with friends 30 miles from the finish line! At their suggestion we stopped at the Sleeping Monk coffee shop in Cannon Beach and got a latte for the road. There was a big line when we got there but we waited and got our vanilla lattes and they were worth the wait. Also had a maple bar, pretty good!

Biked through Seaside then climbed up away from 101 on the Lewis and Clark road. Pretty good climb up to 9% but nice to have last 13 miles off of 101 in route to Astoria. Little tricky along latter part of that route with some unmarked turns. Then got to the turn off for the Old Bus 101 bridge into Astoria and saw the detour sign. Bridge was closed. Ended up having to travel the much busier 101. Routing after the bridge was pretty tricky as well. Finally got to the finish line at the Columbia Maritime Museum about noon. 

Disappointing that no place to dip the tire as a ceremonial finish as we did before leaving Yorktown. No signage as to the official ending spot but at least got a  photo at the Maritime Museum!  Ended up staying the night in Astoria at the Holiday Inn right on the Columbia River. They had a great spot for the tire dipping so did get the photo shot after all. Feels so good to be done. 

There were actually some times I really wondered if I could make it...but kept telling myself just one day at a time. And, of course, could not have done it with out the encouragement and SAG support from Margie. A true team effort and wonderful way to have commenerated our 45th wedding anniversary!  Margie gets to pick the trip for the 50th!!!  Will enjoy the evening here in Astoria before heading back to Poulsbo, with a couple of family visits along the way.

Lyn and Bill Gordon wishing me a safe ride on last 40 miles to Astoria

Espresso and a maple bar at the Sleeping Monk in Cannon Beach, Or

One more small climb

Bridge across Columbia River is closed, need to detour to HWY 101 (boo!)

Arrival at the Columbia Maritime Museum in Astoria (official end of Transamerica Trail)

Talking to another biker at finish in Astoria

Photo op at Finish

The Maritime Museum

Margie and I celebrated at the Fort George Brewery a block away

Official tire dip in Columbia River, ride over and adventure complete!