AN END TO SILENCE!

We finally have some words from Chuck himself, who managed a little internet time in his busy schedule of riding his bike and hanging out with new friends. So here you go.

"

Dayville Oregon Presbyterian Church 10:20 PM July 22. As opposed to what you might derive from the media. The American people at least the one's that we've met are a wonderful lot. Leah and I have been barraged by friendship and kindness every day we've traveled . On the train, on the bus to Florence, and at just about every stop. My friends John and Terre DeVilbiss had just left after treating us to a sumptuous dinner breakfast and lunch when Leah had a compression flat on the down side of Santiam Pass. Neither pump appeared to work on her valve. So she sticks out her thumb and after a short while an ex bike mechanic pulls over looks at the pump and then looks at mine, shows me how to convert it and we are in business again. Then the bike shop in Sisters with the big friendly mechanic with the perpetual smile says you don't want to follow 126 out of here there's too much traffic take Goodrich road which was a bikers paradise. And then there was the Cafe in Mitchell this morning that made me enough Ice cream pancakes that even I couldn't finish them and threw in a gigantic club sandwich to boot. The lady in the store next door to the restrante emptied an alcohol container so I could have something to replace my leaking DR Bronners bottle. For free, wouldn't hear about taking money. And finally as if generosity were infinate we are told that the Presbyterian Church around the corner from our chocolate shake stop in Dayville OR lets bikers stay for free, including showers, staying in the church or camping on the grounds (and the miracle) the use of both ( listen to this ) a washing machine and computer.

Folks who are following this blog. If you know me you know you are not dealing with a Polianna kind of guy. When there's a problem I am the first to let you know. But out here in the great Oregon hinterland there are a bunch of people with hearts of gold.

So let me give you a brief discription of the traveling we've been doing. We wake up by at least 8:30AM. Try to figure out how all this stuff can fit into the panniers, go find some kind of wonderful breakfast and a sandwich for lunch. Then we either go downhill until we have to go over a pass or go directly up hill over a pass. We are talking basin and range country here and the raw beauty is sometimes overwelming. Then at the top of the pass there is the death defying downhill that makes the uphill suffering worth it. We usually get to where there is something worth getting to by 7PM or so. And set up camp.

The towns are often almost non-existent with populations of a hundred or so not unusual. People do real work like agriculture, concrete contracting (I 've met 2 contractors today) or run or work in resternts. I've seen a lot of the kids riding horses. In short it's out of my wildest dream as a suburban NY city kid.

Thanks to Ken Shouer my former colleague at BLM I am currently listening to the history of american thought a setries of 30 odd lectures. On a trip to South Dakota I listened to the Post Alexander era in 20+ lectures. In short I am learning all kinds of stuff and loving it. However in reflection I have to say that these are totally useless trying to get over a pass. The thought process is somehow numbed by the exertion of the legs. For passes I recommend James Brown , Motown, or my daughters mixes of modern rap and rock.

Finally a tribute to Jason. Because we have long periods of time without cell phone contact he somehow manages this blog on just the scantiest information. Not only that but the greater tribute is that more than 300 miles on often nasty chip seal pavement, my bike is still running like a singer sewing machine even though I'm carrying 40 odd pounds of gear food and water (at least a gallon) and a still 180+ lb body on it. Jason you do good work and especially as I descend those 1500 foot descents I really appreciate it..

Many Thanks,

Chuck"