Day 1: To Susan Creek campground

June 20, 2006

We started the day with a big pancake breakfast. Sunny and cool when we got on the road shortly after 9AM. Our first stop was at Rochester covered bridge 4 miles from home. Kelly and Jacinto had never seen a covered bridge before.

Kelly and Jacinto at Rochester Covered Bridge

10 miles south of my house we turned onto North Bank road which goes 17 miles upstream along the North Umpqua river. It follows the river but has very big hills.

Hay bales wrapped in plastic to keep the hay moist for cows.

Our first good view of the North Umpqua river.

Kelly and Jacinto are faintly visible ahead on North Bank road.

Coming into the town of Glide we took a short stop to see the colliding rivers. Then we stopped for a late lunch at a place called Munchies. I ate a 10 ounce hamburger and a blackberry milkshake. I love the bike tourist diet...

Colliding rivers. North Umpqua River comes in from the top. Little River comes in from the bottom.

A few miles past the town of Glide the river valley gets much narrower and steeper as we enter the low Cascades. The predominant tree changes from Oak to Douglas Fir. We're in the mountains now.

Entering the low Cascades, where the predominant tree is Douglas Fir.

Today's destination is the Susan Creek BLM campground 12 miles east of Glide. It's the only campground in the area with showers and we got the last campsite with a view of the river. The elevation is only 900 feet but it definitely looks like we are in mountains.

We weren't hungry after our huge late lunch so we just snacked for dinner. Later Jacinto and I hiked 1.5 miles each way to see Susan Creek falls. It was late when we got there but it didn't get dark until 9:30PM. I love the long days near the summer solstice.

Today was sunny with light winds and a high temperature of 72F. Perfect bike touring weather. There is a warming trend for the next several days.

Distance: 44.7 miles (71.5 km)

Climbing: 1968 ft. (596 m)

Average Speed: 8.3 mph (13.3 km/h)

Maximum Speed: 37.9 mph (60.6 km/h)

Hiking 3 mi. (4.8 km)

Today's ride: 45 miles (72 km)
Total: 45 miles (72 km)

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