Bliss on Two Wheels: An Odyssey in Oregon


I have a shameful secret to impart: until last week, I had never been on a bicycle tour. I'd done long day rides and a bikepacking expedition or two, but never a real tour. So when the chance was offered to join our Oregon Coastal Odyssey ride, I signed up immediately. At first, I was overcome by nerves. What if I couldn't do it? What if the hills were too steep, the other participants more serious cyclists than I? What if I became horribly lost?

From the emails I get from other first-time bike tourists, I know I am not the first to be plagued with these doubts. After my first tour with Adventure Cycling, let me go on the record as saying, "seriously, don't worry about it." This tour was one of the best weeks I've ever had! Yes, some of the hills were steep and some of the days were long. But I was surrounded by such wonderful people, incredible scenery, and attentive staff that I never stopped smiling! I mean I literally never stopped smiling. At one of the rest stops I hopped off my bike to get a delicious snack and one of the staff members came up to me and asked if I actually smiled all the time in real life, or if I was truly having that much fun. Even the weather cooperated, giving us sunny skies and a strong tail-wind.

The biking was phenomenal every day, giving us sights from orchards to Christmas tree farms, craggy cliffs tumbling to the ocean, to sand dunes stretching as far as the eye could see. But I think what truly made this tour unforgettable to me was the camaraderie. Whether it was teasing me in the morning for missing breakfast to get that ever-important 5 extra minutes of sleep, cheering each other on as we climbed up the final few feet of a hill, or telling stories around the dinner table at camp, laughter was never more than a moment away.

"Remember, there's no rush," my friend Max reminded me as we stopped at a pullout to take more photos, "all we have to do today is set up a tent."

If you've ever thought about taking a bike tour but didn't, because like me you were plagued by doubt, believe me: take a chance! This is one adventure you won't want to miss.

Have time for an adventure this fall? We still have options! Check out our Great Lakes, C&O Canal, or our Florida Keys tour for a week you'll never forget!

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ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team -- Mo, Paul, Madeline, and Arlen -- tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's Tours Department. We've just announced our 2012 Early & Epic Tours!

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/09/bliss-on-two-wheels-odyssey-in-oregon.html

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