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Photos: Smith River Redux
By Russ | September 18, 2009
Two years ago, Laura and I went on a tour with some friends down the Oregon coast. It was our first big tour and everything was so intimidating and harrowing. Perhaps the toughest stretch of the trip which has been forever etched in our minds was the two days from Reedsport to Eugene. It is about 90 miles and goes along Smith River. There are two decent size climbs and no potable water or services along the way. When we did it 2 years ago, we were pretty green as far as tourists go. We didn’t bring enough water or food for the crossing. It was also in the 90s and low 100s, we ran out of water and I was overheating pretty bad. I instantly went into survival mode after we got lost in the poorly signed BLM land. It was not a good time.
So, it wasn’t without some trepidation that we decided to try the route again. This time we were better prepared. We carried extra water and had enough food. The weather was also in our favor with a gentle sprinkle up the summit. We have also have quite a few tours under our belt and are more able to calmly assess situations.
We climbed the two summits without any problem and made it out of the “green tunnel” in one piece and with smiles on our faces. Although we were carrying more weight this time around, the ride seemed much easier and more pleasurable. Instead of being in survival mode, we were able to stop and enjoy the ride.
It was nice to revisit a ride that was so challenging years ago and find it easier. Proof to ourselves that we’ve grown stronger as bicycle tourists and prepared for the challenges ahead.
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September 18th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I recently read a book entitled “How we decide” that discusses human behavior and how we are neurologically wired. I found it interesting that the author points to mistakes as our greatest tool for learning and that rewards were only half as motivating as mistakes. I’m glad to hear y’all are adapting very well to your new circumstances. I’m sure I speak for many readers when I say “thank you” for sharing with us your mutual triumphs and errors.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Great pictures. Beautiful country down there. Glad you’re having such an amazing experience. The rest of us are living vicariously through your pictures.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Beautiful pictures! We had planned to ride that same route last week but we ended up doing a section of the CA coast instead. Looks like we missed out on a great ride.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Yeay! Maybe one of these days I’ll feel the same way about the road from 101 to Red Bluff… NOT!!!
September 19th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Your photos are always beautiful! To be totally honest with you, I’m a wee bit envious of what you guys are doing. I love it! Keep it up, and I’ll be keeping along.
September 19th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Amazing photographs. It’s also amazing how water, given a million years or so, can carve almost perfectly round holes in solid granite. We have a similar place here in the mountains of western North Carolina. Some holes large enough to crawl into.
The thing I love about bike travel is it takes us to so many wonderful places. Thanks for sharing, Jack
September 21st, 2009 at 12:24 pm
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September 28th, 2009 at 6:02 am
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