Experience: Drivers were super nice, giving me space on the narrow roads, but that meant I had to endure the constant grrrrrreebppp of rumble strips. As soon as I crossed into Oregon, everyone I saw started waving and saying “Hello!” Super fun to work out the wobbles and embark on this thing I've been thinking about for so long!
Weather: pleasant, low breeze, half blue sky
Roads: too narrow shoulder in WA, lovely riverfront path in Warranton. Riding through a loud, narrow tunnel was 10 times more terrifying than any bridge.
Spotted: caterpillars, humpback whales, bumble bees.
On the Astoria-Megler bridge: 41 dead birds (!), 1 dead rabbit…nearly 2 miles in (!), 1 full roll of electrical tape, 1 blue sandal, 4 welcome mats, 12 Michelob Light cans, 12 Zevia cans, a few other beverages (no glass, thankfully!), 1 windshield wiper package (no wiper), 1 hub cap, 1 oil filter, 2 bungee cords, 1 picnic plate, 1 pair of pants.
On the Bay Bridge: 1 bottom half of an action figure. And nothing else.
Dead wildlife spotted elsewhere: 0
Cape count: 1 (Cape Disappointment)
Fort count: 3 (Fort Canby, Fort Columbia, Fort Stevens)
Campsite lowdown: I can't believe the bike-friendly setup; a lighted, covered bench beckons tired cyclists to sit and safely charge thier devices in lockable bins. There is a work stand to hold your bike and a selection of tools, as well as an air pump and racks to lock your bike on. The grassy area reserved for hikers and bikers belonged entirety to me, save a young hiker who arrived after dark and left before dawn. The primitive spaces nearby boasted several families and several children of all ages. There was so much fun to be had, rules to be yelled, and food to be cooked that I felt completely overwhelmed.
Fun meter: Yeah, baby, yeah!
Achy breaky body parts: none!
Mechanicals: Thought my rack was about to break off at first. Felt so wobbly with the heavy load. Luckily I got used to it quickly.
Deep Thoughts ®: It's harder to pedal when you're carrying an extra 26+ pounds.
I was so disturbed by the amount of dead birds that I did a Google search…and found that while a popular search term, there wasn't much to find. The bridge seems to be a choice nesting spot for cormorants after a highway program elsewhere took over their choice nesting spot. It seems somewhat controversial because the cormorants are ruining the bridge. But why there are all dead, I don't know.
