Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Harris beach sp brookings, or to elk prairie sp, ca
69 miles + 10 miles self inflicted detour for rick (short cut) 2 climbs one at 1250 and one at 800. Confuse but never lost, do a good turn daily.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Saturday, May 30, 2009
California here we come
Last night after a great meal of bb q chicken, pena pasta, foil roasted red potatoes wit alf redo sauce, french bread, cherry pie, a nice hot shower, doing laundry, and talking with a fellow biker, I fell a sleep blogging. What a day!
Today we reach California which means I will have bicycle through 15 state only 35 more to go! I think the next state will have to be Hawaii.
The northwest is a great place to ride. The people we met along the way made it most enjoyable. Our friends at the port orford rv park were there when we needed them. If you tell them rick and joe sent you they will have coffee and homemade muffins for you in the morning. Just kidding they do that every morning. Joe made it to the bike shop and was able to get his rack fixed.
Now it is time to get going 60 + miles down the road to home.
Ben thanks for writing. I hope you and the other scouts are enjoying this virtual ride. How many troops can say that they have been on a virtual outing?
Rick Marson
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Friday, May 29, 2009
Day 9 port orford to brooking s, or
55 miles 6 climb one at 800 ft fought the wind all morning and the hills in the afternoon. It was cold and foggy follow the w
190 the two days prior now I am beat.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Day 8 winchester bay to port orford, or
83 miles 8 climbs 7 of which are part of the 7 devils. Rear rack failure. Tent damage when rack failed.
We had a long hard day of climbing and after getting a bite of fish and chips in Bandon at 4:30, so we decided to press on which would put us in ridding distance of Ca. It was 6pm when joe called to confirm we were good to go all the way to the camp site pass port orford. We both agreed we were good to go.
In fact I was spending sometime smelling the flower on the trip as our new friend grandpa john told us to do when we visit him in lincoln city.
Minute later joe called back which went to voice mail. When I got it joe just said, "call me!".
When I got back to joe, he said his rear rack sheared off and the tent is destroyed. The rack holding all his gear snapped sending the gear to rotate backwards landing on his tent and stopping him as he was beginning to decent at a speed of 30 mph. By the time he stopped two holes were rubbed into the tent. He went on to camp after he lashed the rack back to the bike, then set up the tent to find the holes could be repaired. He was lucky because if the rack had gotten caught up under his wheel he could have flipped the bike at 30 MPH.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
The bike shop
The bike shop the best in town and the onlY one we have found for miles of newport, was a bike saver and maybe a trip saver. My rear derailed was having problems adjusting and it would slip at times when I changed gears. When I went into the shop the man running the shop was working on an older gentlemans touring bike that blew the rear cassette. He was biking with a 78 year old man from seattle to s. F. This was the first time he has biked prior in 500 mile sections he has hiked the pct and the continintial divide. You could tell he was proud of his accomplishments. And when I said it keeps you young by doing these trip he smiled with great intensity and joy.
The bike shop adjusted my bike at no charge and we were back on the road.
Lesson 15. Up date your bike repair skills before going on a trip.
Rick Marson
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Day 7 and 8. Lincoln city to win chester bay
#5. 103 miles good tail wind. Day 7 was a rest day in lincoln city which we went wine tasting, hiked 3 miles on a nature preserve, walked the beach, took a nap, and went to dinner with friends.
To day was our longest day ever. But with a strong tail wind and a desire to camp at the spot my sister and I hit the coast in 83 when we bike across country. We picked up our new stove to day from fed ex which was great to have for dinner to night. Thanks stephen. We found a place that serve all you can eat fish and chips which we took advantage of.
It is good to be back on the road but it was hard to leave the comforts of a home and soft bed.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Day 6 cape lookout to lincoln city
45 miles two climbs one at 500 ft the other at 800 ft Memorial Day traffic heavy.
The weather is in our favor and if all is well will be for the next 10 days. Except for the climbs my lag time behind Joe is improving.
We learned to day that Paul, one of our former scoutmasters, is recovering from a motor cycle accident. Paul our well wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery go out to you.
Our friend Robin has a good friend judy who lives in lincoln city has graciously opened her door to us. We are going to lay over here an extra day then ride long on Wed. to meet the fed ex and we will end up a little ahead of plan. It sure is nice to know that people will take you in and share what they have. It is also nice to sleep in a bed for two nights.
Well I had a Benny Hill moment number 3. I was climbing the 800 foot climb at the end of the day and I started thinking what would happen if my front tire hit the 10 inch cement burm to my right. Keep in mind I am going about 4 mph and I have about two feet of road space between me and the traffic. Moments later my tire hit, but I was prepared so I thought. This time my left side was unclip and I was ready, but the angle my tire hit and the weight on my bike tipped me to the right side causing me to flip to the right side and down the bank 4 to 5 feet. Because I am clipped in the gear took the impact. Once I determine that nothing was broken, I picked the bike got it back on the road and started walking it past the burm. A few minutes later a man in a van pulled up beside me. First he asked if I was alight, then he said did he hit you! He told me he had the license of the car. I told him to my I was not hit. Maybe it was my guardian angel moving me out of the way. What ever it was thank you all for those thoughts and prayers.
I guess this is lesson 8 and 9. Always leave your helmet strapped, because you just never know. And do not think about hitting something.
To my sisters 8th graders that are follow the trip "bien dias"
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial day 2009
Today we honor our countrys unsung hero we put out american flags, pay our respects at cemataries, have picnics and bbq. Today we should also remember those that serve us in our communities. Those that pledge to protect and serve, and those that give countless hours to community service. This bicycle trip is in part to honor one such man.
I first met Harry D Estes when I was 11 years old he was the scoutmaster of our troop in Gualala, Ca. It was a small troop in a coastal town in Mendocino County. Harry had just retired after working for Shell Oil for over 40 years, but more importantly he worked for a company that gave him the freedom and flexibility to be a scoutmaster for two troops one in New York City and one in Houston for over 20 years.
He was raise in Colorado then moved to California some where in there he joined a scout troop and made it to second class scout. He graduated from Cal Tech in chemical engineering. Then went to work for Shell. During the depression he took a leave from Shell and earned his MBA from Harvard.
In his 25+ years as a scoutmaster he taught camping, cooking, swimming,first aid, knots to countless boys. Mostly he used his knowledge and the scouting principle to teach them to lead. Many times I thought he knew B.P himself.
Harry was not only active in scouting at a troop level, he was on SMAC council executive board, a brown sea and wood badge coarse director. In his spare time he was the Sea Ranch fire chief.
As I grew older he became one of my great mentors and friend.
One question I may never find the answer to but would like to know is: If Harry Estes dedicated 30 + years to scouting how many of his scout have gone on to lead there own troop and how many of the 2 million Eagle Scout are out there that are linked to his leadership?
I know in our troop there are at least 15 and soon to be 17? If you can help answer this question, please reply.
Rick Marson
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
Day 5 Nehalem bay to cape lookout
45 miles down the coast we road. Passed the Tillimook cheese factory, past Rockaway which celebrate Memorial the away Sebastopol does with main street lined with american flags.
Good job scouts in putting out the flag this weekend I know the commuity appreciate it as much as I do. If you took a picture please post it in your reply.
The only lesson learned today I which I learned 26 years ago when I was having trouble with my knee and my doctor at the time suggested I stop ridding so I did. Now with the same problem I was mentor to raise my seat streatch before, during and after the ride and what do you know my knee stopped hurting. Now if any one has a cure for SB let know. If you are wondering what SB is and you will figure it out.
Rick Marson
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Day 4 rest day Saturday
After all the miles we thought it wise to give our bodies a rest. After all we are a day a head of schedule.
After sleeping in and going out to a tradional breakfast, spent the after noon working on our bikes and getting food for dinner. Because we are so far north it stays light until about 9:30.
Here is a first class question for you. If you loose your stove, what can you do to cook your dinner?
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Saturday, May 23, 2009
You are what you eat
Our tour leader informed me that we need to look at everything we eat. You may be able to loose weight on a sub way diet but it won't keep you going on multiple 85 mile days.
If you have some good recipes with stove and with out please reply so we can try them out. Thank to our quartermaster we will pick up a new stove from our friend at fed ex on Wed.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Lessons learned
Lessons learned, but first two 2nd class question. We always teach what to do if lost, what should you do if someone is missing?
You have a pack packing stove that catches fire, what should you do?
If you are looking at a SM conference soon I expect a reply.
Lessons learn number 5 at our last camp we met a father and son traveling by bike that bicycle from wash to eureka,ca. The first day we met he told me he was doing the father son bonding thing which I can relate. Then the next day as we prepared to leave on our soon to be known as an epic ride, he told me he could only do about 30 miles an because that is all he could take with his cancer. So guys as you set up for relay for life think about this father son as they rediscover life in a whole new way.
Lesson 6 when communicating with text or cel service it may save you a trip back up the mountain. As cel service is spotty contact a person out side the area that can be a relay between parties.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Day 3 bay center wa to manzanita, or
Whow! 85 miles one 4 mile bridge one tunnel starting at 8:30 ending at 9:30, flat tire, stove melt down, searching for late rider, hot showers for free.
I know I have a few lessons learn from this day.
Right now I am walking abeautiful beach watching the sun rise knowing my son would risk everything to make sure I ok. It is a great day!
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Friday, May 22, 2009
Day 2 elma to bat center 75 mi
First Class question if I am riding in the morning and my shadow is to the right of me which direction am I going?
Another great day. We had strong head winds for about 10 miles and about 6 good climbs. We are now on 101 heading south. The weather has been great for riding.
Joe is a great trip leader. As he is riding ahead most of the time. Ok all of the time he has lunch ready by the time I get there, and the camp site selected and the tent up at the end of the day.
We played around of disc golf at the hostel we stayed at. Not a bad game I can see a coarse at Noyo and Navarro. Great fun and a work out to go along with it.
Washington is a great state. The people go out of there way to lend a hand. One of the reason for taking this trip is the connections you meet along the way. When my sister and I road across country in 83 we found the people we met to be the most memorable. To this day we have fond memorys of Lazy louie, shorty, and the strawberry lady that drove home cleaned the berries an returned to find us miles down. Experience like these can't be found on a car trip.
Lesson 4 know when to call it a day. We had riden 50 miles when we stopped for lunch about 2:30. We had 45 to go toreach our planned destination, then we turned into the wind which I would estimate was blowing at least 20+ mph. So to make along story short joe found a great KOA with hot showers and we stop 20 short of our goal.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Day 1 5/20
We ferried out of seattle this AM at 6. Having little sleep the night before, this has been one long day.
However, with the sail the troop gave us, we made great progress and reached Elma by night. Fortunately the days are longer up here. Two lessons learned from the trip so far: if you get email at night do not look at them untilmorning. Doing so may cause you to loose a night of sleep. 2 if you are clip in and you are carring a lot of weight on your bike and you try to make a steep climb, and you stop clip out very fast or you will fall over in the middle of the road.
Rick Marson
Message sent from blackberry
Monday, May 18, 2009
Camp Masonite Navarro Bike-a-thon
May 17, 2009
Dear Friend of Camp (Masonite) Navarro B.S.A.,
There are few times in our lives that we are given the opportunity to give back to those that help us get to where we are today. Camp (Masonite) Navarro is a special place, where for over 50 years Scouts and Scouters have called home. We are the fortunate ones. Camp has always had many basic needs, but the two needs Troop 27 of Sebastopol would like to focus on are one, the current needs of the aquatics program and two, staff support. Traditionally these are the fundamentals of the programs that keep our council troops returning year after year.
Members of Troop 27 are planning a 1,959 mile bicycle tour of the west coast of the
All funds raised will be used to support two purposes. The first, will be the needs of a waterfront to boating and swimming. The second, is to create a scholarship fund that would support staff members pursuing higher education. This would be a memorial fund dedicated to the Scoutmaster’s that took a real interest in individuals, communicated that they had high expectations of them, assured them that they would provide support when needed, and then stepped back and let them do it. You knew they cared. You knew they were watching and that was a great incentive to show what you could individually accomplish. The scholarship would will be named the Harry D. Estes Memorial Scholarship Fund after my Scoutmaster who was a big influence in my life as well as many of the leaders of the Redwood Empire Council.
If you would like to contribute to this ride, please join the others by completing the attached pledge sheet and return it to rcmarson(at)comcast(dot)net. If you know of other friends of Camp Masonite Navarro that would like to contribute to this cause please forward this on to them.
Also, if you would like to follow our historic ride from Canada to Mexico starting May 21, you will able to watch our adventure unfold on the Troop 27 web site at sebastopolbsa27.org find the index and look up Troop blog. If your troop would like to enter the troop challenge indicate your troop number, so your contribution may be logged appropriately.
Yours in Scouting,
Scoutmaster T27
Camper/Staff 1971-1981
P. S. In the words of Monty (Mayo) Meyer “I remember the dinning hall filled with friends of mine ……” Please remember Camp (Masonite) Navarro for all the good fortune and friendships it has brought to you.
CAMP MASONITE NAVARRO
BIKE-A-THON
PLEDGE
NAME___________________________________________________
ADDRESS_________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS ____________________________________________________
SUGGESTED PLEGES: $0.01/MILE ____ $0.02/MILE _____ $0.03/ MILE _____
$0.05/MILE ____ $?.??/MILE _____
ALLOCATION OF PLEGE:
_______ AQUADIC PROGRAM
________ HARRY D. ESTES MEMORIAL STAFF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
TROOP CHALLENGE: _______________________________
If you would like to dedicate your pledge to an individual leader please indicate his or her name: _____________________________________________
Please return you pledge card to rcmarson(at)comcast(dot)net and we will contact you at the end of the trip to tell you how to complete your pledge.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Trip Itinerary
Journey 31 days? Tue 5/19/09 Thu 6/18/09
Flight to
Canadian Boarder Victoria ferry 1 day? Wed 5/20/09 Wed 5/20/09 5
"Potlatch, WA" 1 day? Wed 5/20/09 Wed 5/20/09 64
"
"
"
Strawberry Hill Or. 1 day? Tue 5/26/09 Tue 5/26/09 58
"umpqua state park, Or." 1 day? Wed 5/27/09 Wed 5/27/09 53
"
"gold beach, or" 1 day? Fri 5/29/09 Fri 5/29/09 35
"Mill creek campground, ca" 1 day? Sat 5/30/09 Sat 5/30/09 65
Claim beach county park 1 day? Sun 5/31/09 Sun 5/31/09 54
MARINE GARDEN CLUB GROVE 1 day? Mon 6/1/09 Mon 6/1/09 65
Standish Hickey 1 day Tue 6/2/09 Tue 6/2/09 48
"
Russian river willow creek 1 day Thu 6/4/09 Thu 6/4/09 60
korbel/Sebastopol 1 day Fri 6/5/09 Fri 6/5/09 25
"
san simeon sb 1 day Wed 6/10/09 Wed 6/10/09 72
oceano 1 day Thu 6/11/09 Thu 6/11/09 52
gaviota sp 1 day Fri 6/12/09 Fri 6/12/09 62
"
el capitan state beach 1 day Sun 6/14/09 Sun 6/14/09 80
McGrath state beach 1 day Mon 6/15/09 Mon 6/15/09 53
south
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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