To our followers, click on our Photo tab, to see many more pictures as I create albums. Click on an individual picture in an album to see detail including captions.

Day 2 From St Helens to Welches, at the base of Mt Hood

77 Miles and 1667 feet of climbing.

Our second day was very busy starting with a ride to Vancouver WA VA hospital. After spending 2:30 min at the VA hospital (for me this visit makes the whole adventure worthwhile) we head toward Portland, passing East of Portland, where we met Pat's son and two friends Emily and Liza who road with us for a good portion of our ride taking us on some great bike paths.

On our way to Vancouver WA we crossed several bridges, this one was St John Bridge over the Willamette River.

We were not allowed to take pictures at the VA, but our host took pictures and will send them to me. I will post them when I receive them. At the VA, we were introduced to a group of live-in vets. Tom presented to the group a talk about what we are doing. Jim also discussed his experience in Vietnam. Then we each individually personally introduced our selves to each vet who would related fascinating stories to us. There were also two vets (Hoppi and Ratman dressed in leathers) from Combat Veterans International, a motor cycle group who support the VA and wounded worriors. As we reached out to each vet, they would break out into a big smile, tell us how they appreciated what we were doing, then would related their own stories.

There we vets from WWII, through some of the latest conflicts. I met Ozzie, who is a Tuskege Airman. Some of you may be familiar with the all black fighter squadron, in WWII from the movie.

More stories and pictures to come about this visit.

Dale with grant, who recently had a stroke. He just turned 60 and is planning to run a marathon this year.

Group picture outside VA Hospital

After leaving VA, we met with Pat's son who lives in the Portland area. Liza brought some home made cookies, and we took a little break along the trail.

From left to right front, Liza, Emily, Paul. From left to right back Tom, Ed, Dale, Pat, Jim

Once we reached St Helens, friends of Dale,  Bob, Chief of Police in Battleground WA,  and his wife took us to dinner. Bob and his wife recently moved to this area from the Southern CA.

Day 1 Astoria to St Helens

Thanks to the Astoria Police Dept, who met us in Astoria and assisted us in getting started. We finally started to roll out of Astoria around 10:30 on our way to st Helens, 69 miles, 3100 feet of climbing. It took us awhile to get organized and ready. Being anxious about starting, it was a bit comical to watch us futzing around trying to get dressed and bikes set up.

June 18th Portland Night Before Departure from Astoria

June 18th, Dale's Niece Gayle and her husband Steve Meyers hosted us with a great barb-b-q  of pulled pork

Gayle and Steve with their new 6 over 60 T shirts

To All those following us on this blog, thank you for your patience, as we have not had internet access for several days, as well as no phone service.  We are also working out the logistics of our daily routine, getting up  at 5AM, breaking down our camp sites, leaving on the bikes at 7 or 8, and arriving at our next destination between 4 and 6 PM, setting, getting dinner etc. Please be patient, we will catch you up. Also, I am uploading pictures to new albums under our Photo tab by upload date. Pictures are uploaded then later I will add them to posts.

Astoria to St Helens - 65 miles, 3000 ' of climbing

Weather started out 61 degrees, partly cloudy. 1:30 in to the ride we hit rain. Ride went well, just cold and wet.

Bob and Lynn, friends of Dale who retired from Irvine to this area took us out to dinner.

Astoria looking out toward the ocean

Donation Challenge

I received a phone call from Bonnie Campbell, who read our article in the Orange County Register Irvine World News, and wishes to donate $1000.

She offers to donate $1000 if others will match her. So we will be looking for $1000 donations!

Anyone up for the challenge?

Also consider the Helmet Man for all motor sports, biking, snowboarding etc. helmet needs!

The Helmet Man  (see our sponsor tab) will donate $5.00 for EVERY bicycle helmet sold during the ride.

We are anxiously awaiting our start on June 19th!

Below is picture of the team in our new jerseys, taken by Dave Verdecia after our Thursday training ride.
Left to right Pat, Tom, Jim, Dale, Ed

Tuesday Night meeting 6/4/2013 wrapping our plans up.

Left to right Tom, Darryl, Ed, Dale, Pat, Jim