2005 Cycle 2

RIDE DAY 27– I HATE LOVE THOSE DOWN HILL RIDES

2005-05-06T02:54:00.002-04:00

Dateline: Government Camp, OR to North Portland, OR

May 4, 2005

I changed my mind. I love those down hill rides. This morning we started out at Government Camp. Before we had peddled once we were 13 ½ miles down range toward Portland. The ride was so easy we had to stop for 45 minutes for coffee to keep from falling asleep on the bikes.

We stopped for lunch about half way down at a little place that was part gas station, part restaurant. Evidently old men on bicycles are rather rare around these parts. It took us about 45 minutes and three conversations to even get in the door. Inside, in addition to a good sandwich and great home made chicken noodle soup, we had great service and some more talk.

A dad was having lunch with his 8^th grade daughter. When she heard about our bike rides and Joe’s 3008 mile stilt walk she was ready to go off with us. Her dad was too. He did direct us down to the riverside bicycle path so we could avoid Portland rush hour traffic.

The cycle path was a treat. Flat, great scenery and no traffic. When we were past the airport we saw a young woman cycling past as we stopped to take pictures. A few miles later we saw her over on the bike path after we returned to the road. Somehow she got ahead of us and stopped to rest. We stopped to talk to her as we do to all cyclist and almost everyone else. She loved our stories and asked us to stop at her friends art gallery and coffee shop just down the road so she could hear more.

How are friends made? This is how. We had planned to ride on through Portland about 20 miles but got talking and had to find a hotel nearby. We got to visit one of the houseboats along the river. Then we got an even bigger treat. They got us a ride on a 40 foot sailing yacht. We went up the river several miles and even got our first clear view of Mt. Hood.

Who is Rocinante? Look it up. However, that is the name of Joe’s bicycle. It was also the name of John Stienbeck’s camper when he was researching “Travels With Charlie”. Tonight we saw a sailing boat named ‘Rocinante’. This world is getting way too small. On top of that we made six new friends. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.

Remember folks, we are doing all this for various causes. (In addition to having fun.) All you Relay For Life Folks should be getting pledges against my mileage. I already have over 1200 miles in so about $0.10 per mile or even $1.00 per mile should be a good goal. I hope to walk over 25 miles on June 17^th (my 65^th birthday and the day I have to go on Social Security) so get busy and get those pledges in. I will ride and walk for all of the teams but it will be up to you to get the pledges.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 26– I HATE THOSE DOWN HILL RIDES

2005-05-06T02:54:00.001-04:00

Dateline: Madras, OR to Government Camp, OR

May 3, 2005

My world has been turned upside-down. Up until today I have labored under the false impression that down hill coasts are favorable to cyclist. That is true if you don’t know how far you have to climb and you don’t have a GPS to tell you how far you have already climbed. When you know you are far from the top of the mountain and you have started to plunge 500 feet or so, it is not really good news.

Today we started out at about 2,700 feet. We climbed up to about 3100 feet and then plunged into the Deschutes River Gorge to 1395 feet. No! No! No! Our goal today was Government Camp at the top of the route across Mt. Hood at 4100 feet. Any drops before that just means we have to earn that altitude again. I think I learned one disadvantage of a GPS.

The bottom of the gorge was the entrance to Warm Springs Reservation. We stopped at the local store to buy supplies. We stopped to watch a logging operation. We stopped at the Warm Springs Reservation Museum. Could it be we are resisting that huge climb ahead? If so, the museum is worth the delay. This is one of the most beautiful museums I have seen anywhere. Well worth your time.

We finally got to 4100 feet but, alas, we still weren’t to Government Camp. We had to go back down 350 feet and then back up. Total elevation gain today – 4500 feet.

At Government Camp (I know many of you can’t believe I actually stayed in a town of that name) we got a room in a ski lodge. Nice room and we had a nice steak across the road at Charlie’s Place. Charlie held court at the bar.

Internet connection was the slowest yet but I did have a great phone conversation.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 25– ACHES, PAINS AND RELIEF

2005-05-06T02:54:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Bend, OR to Madras, OR

May 2, 2005

What a strange day. The ride from Bend was nice. Mostly level but up in the 4,000 + foot range. The weather was a little cold and both of us started to lock up. Old age I guess.

Between backs, shoulders, knees, cold, rain starting and finding out that the warm springs in Warm Springs are 11 miles off the route, we decided to stay in Madras, OR. That will make it about the same distance to Government Camp tomorrow but make today about 22 miles shorter.

We both decided our poor aged muscles needed a massage so, after we checked into our motel we went to the local “Spa’. Never been to a spa before. Didn’t have enough hair for them to style.

Long story short. We both had steam baths, saunas and massages. I think both of us will survive now. I don’t know how all this pampering and luxury will soften our resolve to continue though.

Everywhere we go people listen to our stories. It is amazing to watch them switch from polite listening to rapt attention as they realize what we are telling. It is almost like a light switch being thrown. Every day we get more and more email from people we meet along the route. Our nights get shorter and shorter just trying to respond to our first time writers. Keeping up with the regulars is impossible. I will do better.

Remember, we are doing all this for various causes. (In addition to having fun.) All you Relay For Life Folks should be getting pledges against my mileage. I already have over 1200 miles in so about $0.10 per mile or even $1.00 per mile should be a good goal. I hope to walk over 25 miles on June 17^th (my 65^th birthday and the day I have to go on Social Security) so get busy and get those pledges in. I will ride and walk for all of the teams but it will be up to you to get the pledges.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 24– A SHORTER DAY

2005-05-01T19:51:00.001-04:00

Dateline: Chemult, OR to Bend, OR

May 1, 2005

We got up early after a great night sleep at the Dawson House Lodge. We were going to get an early start but there was fog, the temperature was 38^oF, the breakfast was great and we had good company. (Translation: Nice people willing to listen to our wild stories.)

We finally got on the road about 9:00 and were 23 miles down course by the time we got started yesterday. We were 1/3 of the way to our target destination in two hours. That would put us there by 3 pm. We even started discussing a run for our first century (100 + mile day). More on that below.

We have been cycling at altitudes above 4,000 feet for more than five days and thought we were about to go down for a while. We will need to get back down to almost sea level by the time we reach the Columbia River. We must be some ways from it because we actually had a 500 foot climb before we started down.

I got a crick in my neck and a little later the weather started acting up. High winds (always from the front- Universal Law) lightning and rain all around us. Our original 80 mile goal and our revised 106 mile goals got shelved in favor of a motel in Bend, OR with a hot tub and shelter from the rain. Total - 64 miles. Guess we will do some technology training tonight.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 23– THE HIGH PLAINS – 80 MILE DAY

2005-05-01T19:51:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Klamath Falls, OR to Chemult, OR

April 30, 2005

Today was Joe’s turn to have bicycle problems - two broken spokes and some brake problems when we started out this morning. We tried field repairs but decided we would be far better off getting professional attention. That was a good decision. Although we didn’t get out of town until 10:50 AM but we still made our 80 mile goal before 5:30 pm.

Despite stopping to eat and visiting the Collier State Park Logging Museum and resting every 10 miles (a new and very successful tactic) we still averaged over 11 miles per hour real time. Two new records for this trip today. Longest mileage and best rate. Not bad for two Kranky Old Men.

The logging museum was amazing. It was an outdoor history of the northwestern logging industry. Those old lumberjacks sure earned their wages out here.

We found the Dawson House Lodge, a B & B and motel, in Chemult. It was constructed in 1929 with much the same design as the old west hotel we stayed in when we were in Canby, CA. The difference is this one has been beautifully redone into a true Bed & Breakfast. The Dawson House Lodge is high on my list of recommendations too but for different reasons than the Canby Hotel. This beautifully redone building has baths in each room and is hosted by a lovely and friendly couple, Pam & Harry Stayner. Give them a visit if you are ever near Crater Lake on Oregon Highway 97.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 22– A CATCH UP DAY

2005-04-30T02:21:00.002-04:00

Dateline: Klamath, OR with side trip to Crater Lake NP

April 29, 2005

Joe had family to visit with and I had things I had to do this morning to catch up on laundry, administrative stuff and etcetera. On top of that we found that we wouldn’t be able to bicycle up to and over Crater Lake as we planned so we decided to stay another night in Klamath Falls.

We rented a car and drove up to Crater Lake. Thank Goodness we didn’t try to bike it. I have no doubt we would have made it but we might have frozen in the process. Just think what people would think thousands of years from now when they found our bodies frozen to our bikes.

I had been to the park several times. This was Joe’s first. It was a treat for both of us but there sure is a lot of s _ _ w up there. Does it ever melt? The temperature was 39 so we didn’t stay too long but we did get some great pictures.

<>Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 21– ONE MORE STATE

2005-04-30T02:21:00.001-04:00

Dateline: Canby, CA to Klamath, OR

April 28, 2005

We tried to get out of Canby early since we had 80 miles to go but we had to stay long enough for pictures and a great breakfast and then detailed directions for the one road we could take. Finally we hit the road at 9:30 in a cold drizzle.

Directions were their usual quality. The little ‘hump’ outside Canby was a 750 foot climb with a three mile passing lane. When I got to the top way behind Joe, Joe was talking to a California Highway Patrol officer. Seems that CHP has been keeping an eye on us for several days. I don’t know if we look that shifty or they thought we were going to have a heart attack. Doesn’t matter does it? I am glad they were there. I wonder if they will pass us off to the Oregon Police tomorrow.

Speaking of heart attacks. Later today Joe developed a knotted muscle in his back so we pulled off the road to rest. Joe laid down and I applied acupressure to the muscle. Meanwhile a couple from Washington sped by in their RV. In no time they were back thinking we had a major medical emergency and I was so dumb I was applying CPR with one thumb to Joe’s back. We made more new friends though.

After lunch, while we were still 33 miles from Klamath Falls, we found the wind again. Earlier than usual. Further from our destination than usual. On our longest ride so far. We couldn’t wait to get to our hotel but we did get in with plenty of light left. I think we could easily do a century without the wind. We may find out soon.

My day was capped by a great phone call this evening. I hope to get more like that and soon!

Cliff

RIDE DAY 20– ONE HORSE TOWN

2005-04-30T02:21:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Fall River Mills, CA to Canby, CA

April 27, 2005

We had a great breakfast at the old hotel in Fall River Mills before going to the post office to mail off some things. While we were there we got talking to the postal clerk. She was so interested in our story that she got the Postmaster out to talk to us. While we were talking to the Postmaster she called the local paper. Before long we were being interviewed and photographed for the next addition.

The postmaster gave us a calendar with local information and even mailed it back to Kentucky at his expense. Just one more example of the great people we meet along the route.

When we stopped for lunch our server called ahead to the hotel in Canby to make sure we could get a room since that was the only choice for over 100 miles. They assured her that they would have plenty of room for the two bikers and we wouldn’t need any reservations.

As we left lunch there were dark clouds to the west of us and we hadn’t gone too far before there was lightening a few miles away behind us and hard rain in front. We suited up for the rain but dodged almost everything. I got wetter from sweat from wearing the rain gear than I would have from the rain we hit.

We crossed two passes today, both higher than any previous on this ride. The second one was 5173 feet. I felt disappointed. If you are going to climb that far you should at least get the other 107 feet and be a mile high.

Canby, CA – What a town. The Canby Hotel is right out of Gunsmoke. The first floor is a bar, restaurant, dance hall and pool hall. Upstairs are the rooms. The bathroom and toilet are down the hall. This is surely the very last of the old west salons. What a treat. I don’t think we could find this anywhere else except an old movie set.

The owner of the Canby Hotel is Jim Tavernetti, a true blue old cowboy. He greeted us like lost sons and we talked way into the night. Jim, in addition to being a horse breaker, appeared in hundreds of TV westerns including 80 episodes of Gunsmoke. He was also in several movies and doubled for John Wayne a few times. We have a great new friend in Jim. He wouldn’t let us pay for the room or our supper. On top of that he donated $100.00 to the Appalachian Heritage Monument. Thanks Cowboy Jim! The staff was great too. What a warm welcome. Khrystie too! You rock!

I promised Jim I would come back for a visit and I will. You should too. You can’t miss it if you get to Canby, CA. This is a must.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 19– THE HIGH CONTINUES

2005-04-27T02:21:00.001-04:00

Dateline: Round Mountain, CA to Fall River Mills, CA

April 26, 2005

Early start this morning. Can you believe? We hit California 299 east toward Burney, CA. As we were climbing toward Hatchet Pass at 4367 feet we got our first clear views of Mt. Shasta. WOW! The climb though is brutal. For about 3 ½ miles it is about 4 ½ % grade. What a climb.

When we got to the top of Hatchet Pass there was a 6 ½ % decline into Burney. It was wilder than a Saturday night drunk. We spent two hours hard labor climbing that mountain in a spectacular 11 minute plunge into Burney.

After lunch at Burney we headed off to see Burney Falls. It was 12 miles out of the way but worth every inch. Not only oes the water come over the falls; it squirts out everywhere. I’ve never seen anything like it.

We got talking to the park Ranger working the ticket booth. I think she and one of the park visitors were ready to wheel away with us. I know the men at the restaurant in Round Mountain were. Whose dream are we living anyway.

The ride over to Fall River Mills took us over several smaller 100 – 150 foot climbs to a final 800 foot climb just above town. Steep but I am finally getting my biking legs so Joe and I both made it to the top without stopping. I may well make a bicycler yet.

Our first order of business was to get a motel. We did! While we were checking in four golfers came up. They were betting each other about our age. Three said we couldn’t be old since we had biked over the mountain while they golfed in a cart because of the course terrain. The fourth one was betting old. He won but only on calendar years.

We had a great meal including a wild rice salad. This is wild rice country. The salad was great and Joe got the recipe.

In two days we will be in Oregon if everything goes as it has so far. We may well have to become Urban Outdoors Men again and sleep under a bridge or in a culvert but we will get to Oregon.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 18– GETTING HIGH, OLD WIDOWS & FULL MOONS

2005-04-27T02:21:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Red Bluff, CA to Round Mountain, CA

April 25, 2005

We slept in this morning after two very late computer sessions. Joe lost one night’s work but he made it up last night. After a late start to the day we spent more time doing administrative tasks and getting directions into the mountains. We were looking for a business services company but stumbled into a government jobs training facility by mistake. I couldn’t make them understand that we were not looking for a job in Red Bluff and we sure weren’t looking for any training.

We had to ask many people before we found someone who agreed with our ideas. I call that ‘yes mining’ but it works most of the time. When it doesn’t we blame it on the person who agreed with us.

We finally got on the road about 11 am starting out on freeway and switching to very rural roads. One road was so rough it could have been improved by a coat of cheap paint.

We passed, or rather stopped at a candy place. Their featured item was chocolate covered prunes. A plum bad idea if you ask me, but I did think up a slogan for them anyway. “Not for your regular guy.”

When we got to California 299 about seven miles east of Reading we had already gained 550 feet of altitude. In the next three hours we gained another 1500 to end up the day at 2100 feet elevation. Our climb for the day was much more than that.

We got to Round Mountain about 6:30 pm, real bad planning on our part since there is no lodging there and the next lodging was 22 miles and a 2300 foot climb away. We are stuck. Joe asked if we could camp on the hill behind the store / gas station / restaurant and they said we could if we went up higher on the hill. Meanwhile I was begging the clerk to tell me the names of old lonely widows who might want to hear our tales, tall tales and outright lies in exchange for a sleep on her couch or even her nice soft floor.

Joe told me to shut up and come on before they changed their minds about letting us camp. I thought about pulling out the old emergency statement: “Where am I and what am I doing here?” That usually can get you a place to stay for the night, especially if you wave your arms about and roll your eyes wildly. I didn’t do it though because I hadn’t briefed Joe that he would have to play the part of nurse / attendant in order for us to both get a place to stay.

We ate sardines and cheese and went to bed in a briar patch way before dark. I don’t know what the dew point was but the top of my head got wet. Between the full moon and the police shining their lights on us several times during the night we didn’t get too much sleep but we sure got an early start this morning. I think the police were afraid to find out what was up there on that hill. They left us alone anyway.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 17– FLYING ACROSS THE FLAT LANDS

2005-04-24T21:30:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Oroville to Red Bluff, CA

April 24, 2005

Today’s ride was within a 100 feet of elevation range. Most of the day had a light tail wind. (NOTE: Tail wind is a cyclist dream/myth.) We were able to cover lots of ground despite frequent and prolonged stops and side trips and still quit before 5 pm. This is my kind of cycling. I can go for hours at 15 – 17 mph and not get tired. My new bike helps too.

The three days off(?) helped too. I don’t know how I will do in the mountains but I am off and running here. Tomorrow we will see. We are approaching the Mt. Shasta / Lassen Volcano NP decision time. Either means 4,000 – 6,000 climbs.

When we talk to people along the way many are impressed with our goals. Others impress us. Yesterday we flagged down two cyclist for directions. They were on a 85 mile workout but they were running light. No gear except the bikes and them and one of the bikes was so light I could pick it up with two fingers. The rider built it himself. In fact, that’s what he does for a living. Richard Mon builds bikes for SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL riders. When I asked about having a bike built he politely told me he was booked up for several years and wasn’t even taking any orders right now. At my age I may well have found him too late.

We talked to a woman this afternoon about our ride. She was one up on us though. When she was 12 years old she rode from Fort Dix, NJ to Los Angles, CA. She was the only girl to finish the ride. I think it is too late for Joe and me to best that one.

The people we meet continue to be the story. Today we met three people who would have gone with us if we would wait a few days. Maybe they will meet us later. Seems like we are doing a lot of people’s dreams. Our goal is to inspire them to live their dream themselves.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 16 – ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2005-04-23T22:46:00.001-04:00

Dateline: Oroville, CA

April 23, 2005

Beth and B.J. saw us off in Sacramento this morning with hugs and a great breakfast. Heather, on the other hand decided to pace us for about 33 miles. Isn’t that great. An 18 year old girl out showing to old men 3 ½ times her age how to bicycle. She set us a good pace too.

Beth and B.J. picked Heather up at the 33 mile mark. Heather had never ridden that far. Have we created a new long distance biker?

We hit a little rain this morning. Nothing serious though. I didn’t even break out my rain gear. We had flat roads all the way so we covered some ground. This was our longest ride yet – 75.56 miles. We could have gonew farther, but why?

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 15 – AROUND SACRAMENTO AREA

2005-04-23T22:46:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Sacramento, CA

April 22, 2005

Sally got up real early to take me to the train back to Sacramento. Her knee is still giving her big troubles so moving, driving, everything is difficult. The only good news in that is it gives her time to work on her dissertation. Deadline soon. Joe had to get up early too so he could pick me up at the Sacramento station.

These Amtrak trains are great. Some of the seats have electrical outlets for computers. The trains also have wi-fi but I didn’t bring my wireless modem. The trains are clean, quiet and comfortable. Most of the trains are on time.

Joe met me at the train and we visited Ft. Stockton. They let school classes camp overnight in the fort and this time was a special treat since there was a festival with costumed enactors, typical crafts of the time and a lot of fun for everyone.

We did some GPS checking of the corners on a ranch for our friends in Sacramento. Later some of Joe’s friends came to visit and we all had supper with Beth and B.J.. What a treat.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

Cliff

RIDE DAY 14 – AMTRAK TRAIN & BUS

2005-04-22T01:32:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Oakland, CA

April 21, 2005

A GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Cliff III

Joe got up and drove me to the Amtrak station in Sacramento for my 5:25 AM train south. Thanks Joe. I’ll bet you didn’t have to get up that early when you made this trip 38 years ago. I ride the train to San Jose and then take the Amtrak bus (what am I missing here?) on to San Luis Obispo. From there on down to Arroyo Grande to pick up my truck and take it back up the coast to Oakland. I’m sure Bill & Gladys will be happy not to have to look out at it every day. Now Sally and Chris will have to take care of it for a few weeks.

The train ride follows the valley all the way down to San Jose. We could have biked all the way up from Monterey with hardly a hill but a little industry and one or two refineries is about all I can stand. The ride on Amtrak is interesting though.

Bill Paulsen met me at the San Luis Obispo station so I was able to get my truck easily and start back for the east Bay area to visit with Sally and Chris. We had a great meal and I will jump on the train back to Sacramento in the morning

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site ( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 13 – R & R IN SACRAMENTO

2005-04-22T01:30:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Sacramento, CA

April 20, 2005

The repair or replace question has been answered. Time, reliability and cost dictated replacement. The bicycle techs at REI in Sacramento bent over backwards to get my gear transferred and the bike set up for me without taking up a great and much needed rest day.

I got my new bike and sent the old one back to Poison Ivy Acres and picked up a few things needed for the next leg (wheel?) of the trip. This afternoon Heather, the beautiful 18 year old daughter/granddaughter of our hosts bicycled nine miles with us 60 + year old men. She stayed with us, but she used her bike as a single speed. She never shifted once. Sure was kind to two old men though. I’m asking for a rematch Friday. Heather is another of those who will be leading and improving this great nation in the years to come. She is even willing to listen to the Kranky Old Men’s stories.

We had a beautiful meal of huge boiled shrimp, asparagus and fresh bread followed by hours of tales, tall tales and outright lies accompanied by tears of laughter. It is going to be hard to leave here.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 12 – BACK TO LEVEL GROUND

2005-04-22T01:26:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Sacramento, CA

April 19, 2005

When we ask for directions or advice about routes even from bicyclist we have to apply a fudge factor. All estimates of the hills we will have to cross are at least 25% low. All distance estimates are 25% low or 25% high. Today we were lucky, I guess.

We were told we had one little hill to cross and would then drop down into the Sacramento valley for about 80 miles. The ‘little hill’ was 8% grade with a 1250 foot rise from Napa. It had three cousins, all in our way, toppig out at 1,000, 1,100 and 1,050 feet. We did get back down almost to sea level though and sailed along at 22 – 25 mph for miles. Total miles was only 74 but that was almost 50% longer than we have attempted to date.

When we got to Davis we asked a young UC Davis student for directions to the bikeway to Sacramento. He decided he would show us instead. This young man, Kien, led us over 12 miles to within six miles of Sacramento. What special treatment. Anyone worrying about the future of this country sure isn’ty meeting the young people we are. The USA will be in good hands for many years to come.

We finally arrived at Joe’s friend’s beautiful home/ranch on the east side of Sacramento. What a beautiful place and what lovely people.

Sacramento will be our R & R stap for a few days. I need to do something about my bike. It has almost 30,000 miles on it and is starting to show signs of age. Comes the age old question of repair or replace. I shall observe and report.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 11 – THE VALEY ET AL

2005-04-19T02:51:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Napa, CA

April 18, 2005

Why Napa Valley? Why not Davis or at least somewhere nearer to Sacramento or at least somewhere nearer than Napa? Well let me tell you, but later in this narrative.

We left Petaluna early this morning under clear skies. What a start. As we left Petaluna we were overtaken by a retired cyclist. (He was unencumbered by our 45 – 50 pounds of gear and our 20 – 25 pound front (no comments necessary) packs we carry under our shirts. It was obvious he envied our tours and would have gone wherever we were going. Instead he gave us revised directions to get along the way.

Getting to the Senoma Valley we crossed a little 650 foot climb leading to a great plunge and then a nice level run toward Glen Ellen, the location of Jack London’s home. The home was at the top of a 750 foot climb so I am a little less a Jack London fan now. The tour cured that reluctance though.

We spent over three hours in Glen Ellen and the Jack London Park so we were way behind getting down the road. My bicycle problems didn’t help either.

In the first hour from Glen Ellen I had a flat tire, my fifth of the trip. It was a new tube, new wheel liner and new tire so I was a little surprised but that is life and life is what we are doing. We stopped in Senoma for water and then went on toward Napa Valley. Another steep 450 foot climb with a great 550 foot descent into the valley. What a trip. I was passing cars going down the hill (mountain).

I have been having chain problems with my bike for days. When I shift between the inner ring and the second ring, sometimes the chain slips between the rings and gets jammed. Usually this is a minor problem requiring brute force, some excessive language and, occasionally the application of wrenches. I thought the mechanics back in San Francisco had addressed the problem but, alas, no. Today my chain locked up five times and the last time I went down. Hard! Enough!

We tried one bike shop in Napa but it was closed on Monday’s. That was my GOOD luck. We went to Bicycle Madness in Napa and told my sad story twenty minutes before closing time. They didn’t have a bike I wanted to buy but Scott Rose agreed to work on my bike.

NOTE: Scott is an exceptional person. Bicycle sales and repair is what he does for fun. His real job is a Paramedic.

Scott found the problems and fixed them all. Thanks Scott. Then, after I left my cycling gloves at the shop (way past closing time), Scott took them to the hotel so I could get them back.

Talk about hero’s. Scott has the extra challenge of a missing arm. Understand, this is just a challenge, not a handicap. Scott accomplishes everything he attempts just like you and me. He is going to study Nursing soon. I have no doubt he will be a great success and inspiration to his patients. Watch him. He is one of the special people Joe and I are collecting as we ride along. That spirit is alive and well in America. We will have many more to report as we go along. Watch for more.

Tonight, the lap of luxury. We are staying at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa. No spa so far but we will try to get a good night’s rest and make Sacramento tomorrow. My mechanical problems and family visits, not to mention my serious lack of bicycle training, have put us well behind Joe’s schedule but he continues to be my cheerleader. Thanks Joe!

Tomorrow we WILL make the 80 or so miles to Sacramento. I WILL get my bike fixed or replaced. (It has over 30,000 miles on it) I will go recover my truck and take it to Oakland. One less problem.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 10 – OVER THE BRIDGE

2005-04-18T02:19:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Petaluma, CA

April 17, 2005

Last night Sally and Chris finally escaped from the emergency room and met us at Scoma’s for an outstanding supper. The knee is braced pending further diagnosis but she and Chris met us for breakfast this morning before we cycled off over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Before we met Sally & Chris last night we rode the cable cars to China Town and back. We tipped the driver so he took us on a special tour.

The weather just gets better and better. This part of California is absolutely beautiful and there are cyclist everywhere. Sure is a change from back home. There are bike trails everywhere.

We had breakfast with Sally and Chris this morning after we went to photograph the Cable Cars and watch the tri-athletes train. Wow! The S.F. Bay water is cold. The knee is a little better but who knows for now.

When we finally got started I jambed my chain between two gears and had to loosen them to get it out. A business along the warf, Sports Basement, fixed my bike and wouldn’t charge me for the repairs. I was impressed. These stores are going places. Just watch.

We helped a five year old girl get her tires pumped up. I even let her and her brothers help. Have I created lifelong cyclers? I hope so.

We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and tried to follow the local bike trails onward to avoid freeways and restricted roads not to mention heavy traffic and (excessive) hills. The trails are great and we shared them with hundreds of cyclers. However, they are not very well marked at places so we spent way too much time looking at maps. We could have done better by using our highway maps and we couldn’t have hit any more hills if we tried.

As always we attract attention and get into conversations. Today many were cyclers or even drivers. The ‘real’ bikers are extremely interested when they see two men in their 60’s riding along with side-saddles, sleeping bags and tents. Some almost asked us to wait while they got their gear to come with us.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 9 – UNDER THE BRIDGE

2005-04-16T21:50:00.000-04:00

SPECIAL REQUEST: If you are reading this BLOG, please make a comment so I know who is tuning in.

Dateline: The Warf, San Francisco, CA

April 16, 2005

What a day. We started out with a light drizzle/heavy fog from the hotel in Half Moon Bay. The early part of the ride was the longest level ride we have experienced on this trip. We had over half of our ride today without headwind or hills. Wow! We can crank them out when we have favorable conditions.

We stopped for some supplies in Pacifica, CA and got talking to a guy at the Cingular phone store. Turns out he really wants to help us get into S.F. by the best way possible. He went top his car and brought in a pile of large-scale map to get us all the way to Golden Gate Park. There we got directions from some long distance bikers that got us right down to the base of Golden Gate Bridge. More people. More stories.

We will have supper with Chris and my daughter tonight if she gets out of the emergency room son enough. She ‘popped’ her knee while playing soccer this afternoon. Thank goodness my knee is still holding up.

We are hoping to get to Scoma’s for supper tonight. Depends but it is one of, if not the best sea food restaurant I have ever experienced. Loose weight? Even with all of our miles each day I don’t see how. We are eating good.

The weather did clear up just as we entered S.F. Beautiful, sunny and warm; a rare combination. The park is full to overflowing.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 8 – THEY CHANGED THE SCHEDULE ON US

2005-04-16T02:31:00.000-04:00

SPECIAL REQUEST: If you are reading this BLOG, please make a comment so I know who is tuning in.

Dateline: Half Moon Bay, CA

April 15, 2005

The City of Santa Cruz wasn’t too interested in refunding Joe’s fine from 1967 so we headed out early or at least tried to. We got a few blocks before I noticed my hands and head were a little cool. I left my helmet and gloves back in the hotel. Joe waited for me in a little restaurant while I went back for that essential gear.

We decided to mail off some things from the post office. Forgot it was April 15^th. Therefore, early start becomes typical start. We also got five opinions on how to get out of town from the first three people we asked. Couldn’t even pick the majority since they were all different.

We hugged the coast today as we left the Monterey Bay and headed north. This was a much less hilly day but we still ran into a scheduling problem. That headwind that has hit us every day at almost exactly 4 PM hit at 1:30 this afternoon. It wasn’t as strong as the past days but lasted the rest of the day. Only got into third ring on the steepest hills and there were few of those.

Joe’s 700 + mile ride in Kentucky before this one still keeps him ahead. I hit the hills a little faster but he goes on past me on the way up. We are getting closer though and when I shed about 20 more pounds of gear tomorrow we should be about even. One change of clothes should be enough shouldn’t it? One for riding and one for going to eat or visiting people. Works for me.

We met a young woman hitchhiking with her dog this morning. She was just outside Santa Cruz and headed to upper Oregon. Sure wish her luck.

We hardly found a soul to talk to today. Not more than three or four hours anyway. If Joe and I can’t get a conversation started, we are in real trouble. We might have to bike all day long.

Last night and tonight we have had great hot tubs to soak away our sore muscles. Great help. Gives us more time and people to talk to too.

<> Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.
<>Cliff

RIDE DAY 7 – END OF THE FIRST WEEK

2005-04-14T23:36:00.001-04:00

Dateline: Santa Cruz, CA
April 14, 2005

Despite a late start and a breakfast we will be working off all week we finally got out of Monterey, We spent almost all of the day on dedicated bike trails or in dedicated bike lanes. What a treat. The bike traffic picked up by about 100% too. Bike trails work.

Our ride took us through strawberry and artichoke country. Fields of 100, 200, 300 acres and some too big to tell. They were pulling huge plows in some fields with tracked bulldozers. WOW! If the big one comes here a lot of us are going to be hungry. Most vegetables are raised four or five crops a year depending on the weather.

Speaking of weather, it has been great. I tried to get sunburned but decided against it but I am developing ‘freckles’ on the back of my hand where the sun shines through the mesh of my gloves. I won’t mention my head, the sun and the vent holes in the helmet.

The FSU Rugby team is staying at our hotel in Santa Cruz. They are here for the Final 8 championships in Div. 2 Rugby. What a great group. When they heard what we were doing they cheered us. We had to have our pictures taken with the team. I don’t know if we are an inspiration to the team or just mascots though.

Tomorrow we roll back up the coast toward San Francisco after Joe tries to get back the $8.00 he was fined thirty-eight years ago for riding his bike on a restricted road. At the time it was almost 35% of his total assets for the next 11,750 miles of his trip. We avoided getting new tickets too.

No one would believe the response we are getting from the young people. We attract crowds almost everywhere we stop. That is a story in itself.

<>Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 6 – TAKING IT EASY

2005-04-14T23:36:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Monterey, CA
April 13, 2005

What a day. We went to Salinas after a blowout on the road. We went by an extraordinary wood carver who makes some of the most elaborate structures and carvings from old-growth red wood stumps.

As we got into Salinas I found a bike shop to do some much needed work on the bike while we visited the museum. Joe talked the Assistant Curator into letting us bring his bike into the museum and photographing it with the camper used in “Travels With Charlie.” I’ll let him post those stories. They are his and go back a long way. We did get very special treatment from the museum though.

On the ride back from Salinas traffic was heavy. We passed over four miles of traffic. Two actually tried to block Joe from passing although we were in the bike lane. That is not typical of this trip. In fact, that was the only trouble we have seen other than that we self-inflect.

Tonight we did laundry while we had pizza at a little Hungarian restaurant called PRONTO. Service was great and the food even better. Great neighborhood place.

<>Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

RIDE DAY 5 - WE NEED A 2 X 4 AND SOMEONE TO OPERATE IT

2005-04-14T01:18:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Carmel Heights, CA
April 12, 2005

We started fairly early (for us). After a hearty breakfast wev were on the road by 9:00 am. Goal: Monterey but two days late. We get stopped every few minutes by people, young and old who want to hear about our adventures. I’m going to print off some business cards with our email, BLOG and web information already on them so we can at least keep going.

We were on the road for over 10 hours today. Over four of that was stopping and talking. People even drive by and shout, “Are you Joe & Cliff?” We arte getting so good at these encounters that we have developed a routine. Abbott & Costello? Marx Brothers?

The sights are beautiful but after 15 or 20 hills with 300, 450, 750 or more of climb the poor old insufficiently trained legs start to complain. Those hills demand lower and lower gears as the day rolls on.

Now about the 2 X 4. You would thank that two people who (formerly) thought themselves reasonably intelligent would learn that strong winds from the north-northeast come in every afternoon at exactly 4 PM. Not so. Despite days of experience we are still out fighting those headwinds every afternoon. Today was even worst.

We had over twenty miles to go to get to Monterey when the wind started. Unfortunately some very steep hills decided to get into the act and make things a little more interesting. When the wind was a little to the side my spokes would sing. At one speed the tune would be “Crossing the River Jordan.” A little slower and it would be “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” A message?

At one point I was standing on my pedal in my granny gear and just stopped. Another time the wind gusted from the side and blew my bicycle over.

As the day wore on and wore us down I told Joe we would stop at the first motel we came to that had a room. That was a B & B called Tickled Pink. I think it was a honeymoon place but they, after finally deciding that two dirty, tired bicyclist wouldn’t upset their clientele too much, agreed to move a roll-a-way bed into one of the rooms. They didn’t have any rooms with two beds.

Tomorrow we are going to get lodging in Monterey just a few miles up the road. We’ll put our bags into the room and ride light to Salinas where we will visit the Steinbeck Museum and then return. I don’t know about Joe but my legs took a beating today.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site

( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

THE ONE SIDED HILLS

2005-04-12T22:59:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Gorda, CA
April 10, 2005

Plan for today. Ride from Cambria to Big Sur State Park, about 65 miles north. Actuality! First retreat was to stop at a park 16 miles south of Big Sur. Second (and final) retreat. We stopped at Gorda, CA and checked into a motel instead of camping at one of the others stopping places! What lead to these changes? First a late start to do some computer work & training. Second, stopping and talking to too many interesting people. Third, stopping to take to many pictures. Fourth, stopping to rest too often. Then, last but not least, the hills without a backside.

This stretch f the California is hilly, some very steep and long hills too. Most of those are fine. You get a great down hill rush on the other side. The big pay back. The other hills make you climb constantly for 10 or 12 miles but you never get the payback.

In this part of California the prevailing winds are from the northwest. In other words, a head wind. Today we had headwinds fairly constant at 25 to 35 mph. At one point they were so strong that we had to pedal down a steep 500 foot drop to keep from slowing down. The lesson? Leave early in the day to avoid the worst of the winds. Tomorrow we will be on the road early! We have about 65 miles to Monterey to cover.

We saw a woman bicycling in tights, socks and what could best be described as bloomers although I’m sure they weren’t.?I couldn’t resist asking her if I could photograph her. After the photo I told her I was researching a book, “You’re Only Old Once.” She told me she had cycled 30 miles. When I asked her age she said, “45.” I asked her how long she had been 45 and she answered, “Over 40 years.” She wouldn’t give me her name so I will have to refer to her as “Neat, Long-time 45 year old cycler on the California Coast.”

People continue to stop us to talk. Joe talked to a man walking from Texas to Seattle. Later in the day we met some people from Chicago who were interested in our adventures. They owned an adventure touring business conducting hiking and cycling tours in North America and South America. We were offered jobs as tour guides. Who knows?

We finished the day at Gorda General Store, Restaurant and Lodging. The sign promises whale watching. Alas! That is only in season. They do have a whale of a view though. (I should get a commission for that one.) We have nice facilities and had a great supper.

We spent the evening setting up and learning how to use the computer. Much was offered. Much was learned.

We will be back in touch Wednesday afternoon late when we get back into cell phone areas. Should have internet connection too.

<>Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

NOTE: Sometimes I have to post later than the date on the post. The daye is for the period indicated and represents (approximately) when I wrote it. Actual posting may be later, sometimes much later. What can I say

Day 3 on the Road

2005-04-11T11:09:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Cambria, CA
April 10, 2005

Keep on coming back to this BLOG and please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site ( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

What a start for a ride. We spent two nights with Gladys & Bill Paulsen in Arroyo Grande, CA. Joe knew them from has days at Vandenberg AFB back in the 60's when they ran a Methodist Summer Camp. He also spent the first night of his clasic bicycle trip 38 years ago with them..

Once again I have found new friends through my travels. The Paulsons are wonderful, gracious hosts. More than that they are warm, friendly people. Saturday I was honored to meet three of their six daughters. Along the way we will get together with two of the other three daughters. I look forward to that. If they are anything as special as Sherri, Denise and Carol I am in for a treat. It isn’t often one gets to meet so many people with such energy, friendliness and spirit. Without a doubt I will get together with these people again and soon.

We had a hard time leaving Arroyo Grande Sunday morning. Between Joe’s and my stories, the pleasant company and the delicious food (way more than I should have eaten), we didn’t get on the road until after 11 AM.

It didn’t take more than a few minutes for me to get us off the shortcut Bill had carefully mapped for us. I packed it away and tried to do it from memory. Our GPS got us back on track but not before I led us over some sharp hills to get our blood running. I did suffer a little for all the delicious and plentiful food over the past two days.

As we ride up the coast it is hard to believe our luck to be allowed to enjoy this great country at a pace that allows us time to enjoy the sights as we go along and still have time to stop to take pictures or talk to the interesting people along the route.

Today we went through San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and then on to Cambria. I had a few mechanical problems but I think they are behind us. Three flats in three days.

A few miles out of Cambria we got flagged down by David Dawson. More about him later but he and his Thai wife, Toy are very interested in Joe’s classroom from the road. They are going to Thailand to live and teach in a small village.

We will be out of touch for a couple of days as we head up the coast to Big Sur and then on to Monterey. No internet, no phone. No hotel.

<>please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

DAY ONE ON THE ROAD

2005-04-09T11:06:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, after a wonderful morning sendoff from lovely downtown Lompoc Joe and I headed out on our first day of the RIDE. As we headed out we realized we are well matched in intrest, temperment and cycling style and ability. Any minor differences in cycling strengths will balance out in a day or two.

The ride was beautiful and the feeling of freedom of getrting back on the road was great.

We hit rain about 70 % of the way toi our destination but how else would a ride like this start?

More later byt remember, Keep on coming back to this BLOG and please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site ( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff.

THE DAY BEFORE TOMORROW

2005-04-09T11:06:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Lompoc, CA

April 7, 2005

Today Barbara, Gene and I took my truck on up the road to a location I can get to by Amtrak when we have a couple of days off. It is also the place we will finish our first day on the bike trip. Then we accumulated some computer and camera gear and went to the beach for a little while.

My new friends Judy and Gene Stevens took the three of us to a chinese restaurant this evening and for a tour of the many beautiful murals around Lompoc. Gene is the Marketing/Advertising Director of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce. Gene was the major force behind the mural project in Lompoc and its success. In addition to a wonderful evening of friendship, Gene shared some interesting insite into downtown redevelopment. It all made for a great pre-ride evening.

Tomorrow morning we will get a send off downtown from 8:00 - 9:00 am followed by the ribbon cutting and then off we go.

This appeared in the Thursday, April 7, 2005 Lompoc Record

Bikers begin 14,000 mile journey
By Mark Baylis - Staff Writer

4/7/05 Before there was Forrest Gump running across the country, there was Joe Bowen biking.

When Joe Bowen sets his bike tire to the pavement of West Ocean Avenue in Lompoc Friday he will begin a year-long, 14,000-mile winding journey across the country.

Bowen, 62, will retrace the original journey he started near that corner exactly 38 years ago to the hour when he left Vandenberg Air Force Base and Lompoc on a bike with $43 in his pocket.

This time Bowen will carry a laptop computer and teach an on-line class to elementary students of his home state, Kentucky, and other participating states while proving retirement doesn't mean settling down.

The odyssey will take the former construction worker to 24 states and into Canada. Bowen will pedal north along the coast into British Columbia, then dip southeast into Nebraska; make several curly-cues southwest before shooting off directly east from New Mexico. He'll dip into Florida before winding back into Kentucky in May or June 2006.

Unlike some cross-country bikers, Bowen won't have a "sag wagon," or a car that accompanies him carrying his supplies. It will be him, 35 pounds of gear, a cell phone and a laptop for approximately 60 miles a day, five days a week.

For Bowen, who is sponsored by Kentucky's Appalachian Heritage Alliance, the trip is threefold: He wants to promote his home state, particularly eastern Kentucky, which is plagued with poverty and ill-reputation; use his trip as an education tool for school children; and enjoy the pure adventure.

"Since I left Lompoc 38 years ago, somewhere I came to the agreement with myself that I had to do this again," Bowen said with his bike in tow, having pulled into Lompoc Wednesday morning.

Bowen has tackled equally monstrous tasks before. He strapped stilts to his legs in 1980 and teetered 3,000 miles across America, raising over $100,000 for muscular dystrophy. He also stilt-walked in five European countries to raise money for philanthropic purposes. According to Guinness Book of World Records, he holds the world record for the longest stilt-walk.

Bowen will get a proper ship-off Friday from Mayor Dick DeWees, County Supervisor Joni Gray, a group of Lompoc fourth- and fifth-grade students and a local pastor. The bon voyage will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday at the parking lot at West Ocean Avenue and South I Street.

Bowen will be accompanied by a friend, Cliff Cantrell, until Seattle, who will teach him how to upload blogs, images and statistics onto a classroom Web page. Over a thousand students in Kentucky, and others in Phoenix and Seattle will follow Bowen's journey.

Students will use Bowen as a mathematical tool to calculate speeds and distances; to predict weather patterns, with Bowen reporting back on their accuracy; and in geological, historical and cultural lessons. For example, Bowen will be filing information on Lompoc's flower history and on the significance of William Randolph Hearst as he rides past Hearst Castle in San Simeon.

On his original trip, Bowen had to stop occasionally and pick up work wherever he could. He cleaned an entire truck stop outside Helena, Montana, and split firewood in Sacramento. He'll be stopping back at about a dozen homes of people who originally offered him work or a bed, including a couple in Sacramento, now in their late 80s.

"They're just tickled pink about all this," Bowen said, with his Appalachian drawl and signature grin. "I want to see if the American people will treat an old man as well as they treated a young man before."

The occasional aches, hunger pangs and loneliness won't bother him, Bowen says. His bike is a people magnet, and he loves meeting people. He expects his grandkids to catch up with him briefly in Wyoming, where they'll all have their bikes.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky media are eating up Bowen's trek, as well as the local luminaries. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher gave Bowen the first "Unbridled Spirit" award in March. Both the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives recognized Bowen in February for his contributions to the state. He brought his bicycle onto each floor.

Staff Writer Mark Baylis can be reached at 736-2313, ext. 105 or by e-mail at mbaylis@pulitzer.net

Keep on coming back to this BLOG and please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site ( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Cliff

GETTING CLOSE TO THE START

2005-04-07T02:48:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Lompoc, CA

April 6, 2005

I had a doctor look at the knot on my leg I got in January when I dropped 285 pound monument on the side of my knee. Dr. said I'd have to have a wooden leg ............but I could keep my foot.

The real story. He said it was an unresolved hematoma that would go away eventually and that anything he could do for it right now wasn't nearly as good for me as the bicycle trip. He said if it hadn’t resolved itself by Thanksgiving to have it looked at again. Now I have to go find something else to worry about. The doctor did say that he would have some of his patients down to see what people could do if they were willing to move.

Joe called this morning from Solvang, CA. He was getting ready to bicycle on up top Lompoc and invited me to join him. I was already set up with the doctor so I had to pass. Later Joe called and invited me to meet him and Barbara at an old Spanish Mission nearby. As soon as I changed my tire I sped out there. It was very interesting and I would have missed it if Joe hadn’t called it to my attention.

When we got back to Lompoc we were interviewed and photographed by the local ‘Lompoc Record”. The interviewer was 27 and in total awe that two Kranky Old Men could even think about doing this type of trip. We will see in the morning what he actually wrote.

This evening we were treated to supper and all at the Lompoc Rotary Club. That was an interesting experience. Some other time I will describe their version of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ as sung be the Lompoc Rotary Club. I will have to stop laughing first though. I’m sure they have been practicing for years.

Tomorrow it is Chamber of Commerce, take care of my truck including final decisions on what to take and what to leave (I have a feeling UPS will be taking some of my ‘stuff’ back home for me soon) , a visit to Vandenburg AFB and supper with the President of the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce.

On Friday morning, after suitable ceremony, Joe and I will start our ride. Keep on coming back to this BLOG and please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org/ ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

I hope all of you will make comments to this BLOG. It is easy, and, if you wish, can be anonymous. Instructions, if you need them, are located in the posting titled “HOW TO MAKE A COMMENT”. Look in the right column under ‘Previous Postings’. Please comment. This isn’t fun if it is a one way conversation. I, and everyone else reading this BLOG, want to know what you think. If you don’t want to comment publicly, just send me an email to certs@mindspring.com. I will try to answer as many as I can but it would be even better if you commented on the BLOG.

Special request: After you have visited the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site, please give your feedback. This project is important to Wolfe County, Kentucky and the surrounding area. It will succeed but it needs all the support it can get. Keep visiting the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site. There will soon be a link where you may make a contribution to this project and become a part of Appalachian history.

Come back soon.

Cliff

THE LEFT COAST

2005-04-04T20:13:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Lompoc, CA

April 4, 2005

I had an easy and pleasant drive from Bakersfield to Lompoc. That is Lompoc the city, not Lompoc the famous Federal Prison which is here also. The hardest part of the drive was stopping for fuel. Thank goodness I won’t have to do that again for a while.

On the drive today I wasn’t on any interstate highways. What a relief since most of the trip so far has been rushing along the “I” system. Great highways when you need to get a great distance in less than a great time but not much fun otherwise. I just set the cruise control as high as it will go and sit back and relax. Sometimes I’m tempted to nap one eye at a time.

Driving here this morning I passed a huge area that was absolutely flat. I’m glad I had a map and my GPS unit. Otherwise I wouldn’t have known that those farmers were plowing up Buena Vista Dry Lake. Just as a point of interest, how can ‘dry’ and ‘lake’ be used at the same time to describe one object? Anyway, if that’s a lake then those ‘fishermen’ were harvesting something that would go very well with shortcake and whipped cream.

After the ‘dry lake’ I crossed the Sierra Madre Mountains along scenic California 166. It was a beautiful drive but not as beautiful as the one along California 58 a few miles north across the Temblor Range I made back in January.

l watch and rMany of you have been bugging me about the bump on the side of my knee I got back in January when I was setting the monument stone in the Jo Ann Chenault Memorial Wildflower Meadow. It doesn't hurt and I have cycled and hiked hundreds of miles since I got it but the knot is still there. I called a doctor here in Lompoc to look at it since I am here so early. I think he will see me tomorrow. It is probably a ganglion but it doesn’t hurt to be sure. If it is, the doctor can probably aspirate it and I will go on as usual. If not, I can probably just worry about it until after the ride. Whatever, I want to get it taken care of before I start on the Anchorage to Key West ride in September. At an average of 110 miles a day I can’t afford any problems there. Regardless, as H. Caultinborn would have said (for those who lived through WW II), “I shall watch and report!”

I did bicycle to the beach and back today, a ride of 24 miles and walk my requisite 20,000 steps after my 150 mile drive. I may well live. I hook up with Joe Bowen Wednesday, April 6, 2005.

Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org/ ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Come back soon.

Cliff

STICKER SHOCK

2005-04-03T22:13:00.000-04:00

Dateline: Bakersfield, CA

April 3, 205

The first place I stopped to get gas in California the pump prices were $3.089, $3.239 and $3.389. I got back on the freeway and went on. I thought about finding a way around California but since our bicycle ride starts on the coast of California, I figured I didn’t have much choice but go on. I could continue until I found less expensive gas or I was running on fumes though. Fortunately Option A presented itself before I had to resort to Option 2.

I found gas at $2.899 a (US) gallon. The next surprise was when I cam out and the pump had turned itself off at less gallons than I knew it could hold. However, it wouldn’t pump any more. It just gave me my receipt. Turns out the pumps are programmed to turn off when the sale reaches $50.00. If you want more you have to re-enter your card and do another sale. I didn’t. I decided to watch for less expensive gas. I sure am glad I am almost to the end of my gas powered vehicle portion of this trip. As it was I was tempted to k my truck and bicycle on to Lompoc and the start of our bicycle trip but it was almost 300 rough miles and I only have four days to get there.

The high desert in California is in full bloom. They had more rain than usual so everything that can blossom has bloomed. There are miles of bright yellow flowers interspersed with many bright purple small bushes. The other plants are brilliant green. Usually all you see along I-40 and CA 58 from Arizona to Mojave is sand and a few dead looking bushes.

I have been cycling most days to keep in training (i.e. maintain seat calluses) and to get used to using clip less pedals. So far I haven’t fallen but I am assured that every cyclist falls at least once while getting used to them. I am also testing my right knee. I injured it in January and have tested it often and thoroughly since then. I don’t expect any trouble but I would rather find out now than way down the road.

<>Please visit the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site
( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

Come back soon.

Cliff

The Time Flip Flop

2005-04-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

Dateline: Flagstaff, AZ

April 2, 2005

Special Notes: I added click links in the right column to the Appalachian Heritage Alliance and to Joe Bowen’s ride to make it easier for you to visit those areas. Just click on the link and away you go. Make a comment on this site first though. Seriously, those links will make it easier for you to keep up with the progress toward accomplishing the Eastern Kentucky Heritage Monument. Keep in the loop.

Yesterday afternoon as I headed from Alpine, TX north to Albuquerque, NM I went from Central Standard Time to Mountain Standard Time. Tomorrow morning I will wake up still in Mountain Standard Time. By tomorrow afternoon I will be in Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Pacific Daylight Savings Time is the same as Mountain Standard Time. After all this settles out I will only be two hours earlier than when I started in Kentucky. However, Kentucky will be on Daylight Savings Time so it will be three hours later than I am. Confused? I am!

When I was in Dallas I was promised that the bike parts I needed would be in Albuquerque, NM for me today. I sure hoped so since I went hundreds of miles out of my way and missed my visit to Tucson. When I went to the shop to get them the word was, “What parts?” Panic!!!!

Turns out that that bike company has three branches in Albuquerque. (How impressed are you that I can spell Albuquerque without looking it up?) I finally got the parts and a tour of most of Albuquerque. I was on the road by 10:45 AM MST though.

Friday I went to Alpine, TX to revisit my long time friends Donna & Manning Davis from my former life in Atlanta. We got caught up on things personal and still had time to find solutions to many of the world’s major problems. I can’t wait until we can spend a few days together and solve the problems for future generations.

I made a big leap in my bicycling the other day. In my almost sixty years of cycling I have always used conventional platform pedals. The other day I got and installed clipless pedals. I tell myself I am just catching up with modern equipment but I think it is really my concession to ageing. More about clipless pedals later but only if you ask.

<>I understand there have been some major advances toward the Eastern Kentucky Heritage Monument since I left Kentucky but I am leaving the actual news announcement to those back home. They will post a comment on the BLOG and/or on the Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site ( http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org ) You can also find continuing information on Joe Bowen’s ride experiences and regular updates on the Monument Project on that site. Visit it often and please lend your support to this project.

I hope you will visit this BLOG site often to share my adventure with me. A BLOG works best when the viewers post their thoughts on the other postings and their opinions. You can do that with or without disclosing your identity. Lets all have some fun with this. Please respond with your comments and visit the site frequently. I will update as often as I can. When I can’t, you all will have to keep the BLOG interesting. I’m counting on you.

Cliff Cantrell

HOW TO MAKE A COMMENT

2005-04-01T23:18:00.001-05:00

April 1, 2005 – Albuquerque, NM

You may make a comment on any posting. All you have to do is click on the word ‘Comment’ at the end of the posting you want to respond to.

A new window will open with the comment form. You will type your comment in the square field directly under ‘Leave your comment.’

When you are finished, just select either ‘Other’ if you want to leave your name and/or web address or Anonymous if you don’t want to leave your name. Then click on “Publish your comment” in the blue bottom at the bottom. That’s all it takes.

This was published as ‘Anonymous’.

Cliff

Headed West

2005-03-30T17:21:00.000-05:00

The first day was a long one. I left Poison Ivy Acres just after 5:00 AM and drove 647 miles to Bryant, Arkansas. I wanted to get the heavy driving done early so I can take it a little easier when I get nearer to the start of the actual ride.

I had planned to stop at R.E.I. in Brentwood, Tennessee to get some more biking equipment but I left Rogers so early and forgot about crossing a time zone. I would have had to wait in the Nashville area for almost two hours for R.E.I. to open so I went on. I should have waited.

When I was between Nashville and Jackson, TN I got a phone call from the Tennessee Department of Vital Statistics. I had ordered a copy of my birth certificate to be sent to the Social Security Office and Tennessee needed a copy of my drivers license before they could process the request. If I had stopped in Nashville I would have just gone by and shown them the license and gotten the whole thing taken care of. As it was, I had to have a photocopy made, enlarged, enhanced and then faxed to the TN V.S. office.

This will show you how silly the whole thing is. I had to have a Social Security card to get my Kentucky drivers license. I took a copy of my birth certificate to the Social Security office to get a copy of my social security card so I could get that license. Then, when I went back to S.S. to apply for benefits, they wouldn’t take that copy of my birth certificate. Therefore I had to apply to Tennessee to get S.S. a stamped copy of the birth certificate. Tennessee required a copy of my drivers license I obtained using the social security card I obtained with an uncertified copy of my birth certificate. On top of all that, S.S. would not accept my U.S. Passport that had required a certified copy of my birth certificate before it could be issued. Is the circle complete? Does any of this make sense? Are S.S. and the U.S. Passport Office part of the same government? Could this make a comedy routine if anyone would believe it?

Be sure to visit www.AppalachianHeritageAlliance.org
often to view progress on the monument
and Joe Bowen’s ride.

Keep watching this site. Keep posting your comments. The ride is about to begin. Thanks for your interest and support.

Cliff

The adventure begins

2005-03-29T20:10:00.000-05:00

This is Phase II of Cliff Cantrell’s 2005 adventures. I am bicycling with Joe Bowen for the first few weeks of his epic 14,000 mile bicycle ride through the United States and Canada. My portion will take me through California, Oregon and part of Washington.

I am doing this ride to help make people aware of the opportunities for travel and living that exist in eastern Kentucky in support of The Eastern Kentucky Heritage Monument and for Relay For Life. However, the main reason I am doing this is that I love cycling.

Fore more information on the monument, eastern Kentucky and Joe Bowen and his ride please visit http://www.appalachianheritagealliance.org

I hope you will visit this BLOG site often and share my adventure with me. A BLOG works best when the viewers post their thoughts on the other postings and their opinions. You can do that with or without disclosing your identity. Lets all have some fun with this. Please respond with your comments and visit the site frequently. I will update as often as I can. When I can’t, you all will have to keep the BLOG interesting. I’m counting on you.