from Astoria to washington you have to cross the Columbia river over this beast.
It is nearly 5 miles long and a couple hundred feet of vertical with a 4’ shoulder. No place to stop. I knew it was going to be rough and that is why I stopped in Astoria the night before. With a big breakfast on board I turned off to the on ramp and took a big breath. Then a lot more big breaths as the ramp seems straight up forever. Again no place to pull over. To be fair drivers were kind and my Varia rear radar kept the surprise cars to a minimum. Cresting the high point then hammmer down the back side and across the causeway into Washington. I pulled over on the other side and took 30 minutes to let the adrenaline wash out. One of the biggest early challenges was successful.
I continued along the 101 with several navigation issues with private roads and a washed out bridge. Then on a forest service road to a campground. It was a 7 mile slog uphill on gravel but Alister was a beast. I was not and there was some hike-a-bike. Had the place to myself. This was a varied day of mental highs and lows but exactly what I was hoping for.
Sorry this was delayed but I have had very limited service the past two days.
