May 22, 2001
Headin' east,
So, I realize it has been over a week since the last update, but you must understand.....eastern Oregon is a desert. WOW, as
always, a lot has happened since the last entry. I hope everyone picked up the Shuggie Otis CD. Here we go.
Had
some car trouble in Brookings, Oregon so that's why the last entry was
so long. Lots of extra time and coffee to fuel the fire. Right now, I'm
at the Prineville Library, which means no coffee, which means no fire.
Anyway, finally made it out of Brookings and headed north in the rain
about thirty miles to Gold Beach.
While in Gold Beach I met with Bets Byrtus with the Curry Breast Health Network.
We talked about the program and tried to come up with a way for
RideforCancer to help. Bets said most of the money she raises she uses
for educational materials. This got me thinking. 
Maybe we can mention in the weekly
journal that if anyone has a connection with breast cancer educational materials, they could make a donation that way. So, if
anyone can help the Curry Breast Health Network by donating breast cancer self test
shower cards, writing pens that can have "For Mammogram Appointment" and contact information printed on them, other
promotional materials, or the good old green stuff ($$$), click here.
After
playing in the rain for a couple days, I made it to Florence which is
where I turned east to head for Eugene. But not before getting lost.
The picture on the right is what happens when you get lost on a rainy
day and end up on a one lane dirt logging road. 
I don't think recumbent bikes were built for off road use. The ride
from Florence to Eugene was beautiful (left pic). Lots of waterfalls,
greenery, and trees. The logging practices are weird in Oregon. It
seems that some places can be completely clear-cut and left for dead
while others are nicely reforested or selectively logged. It's hard to
take pictures when there is a huge brown spot in the middle of the
mountains.
Upon arrival into Eugene, Brooke and I were graciously taken in by Jeff and Mariko Cummins. We spent a couple nights there while trying to arrange for more auto work and general restructuring. You would think that having a support vehicle for a couple weeks would make things easier. It doesn't always work out that way. Although it is nice to be pampered with lunch and dinner all the time, a van and trailer are just two more things to worry about. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the two weeks without having to make the phone calls and contacts. Brooke did a wonderful job and I'd like to thank her very much for helping out.
After a couple days I was ready to leave Eugene. BOB (my trailer) and I
we're having some relationship troubles and the counselor recommended
we spend some more time together. Good old BOB! The first sixty mile
east are a climb that takes you over the 5300' McKenzie Pass. I took
about 20 pictures but don't have a way to download those now. So, I'll
save the rest of the story for the next email so the words and pictures
go together. It was one of the best and worst days of the trip.
Big thanks to those who helped on this last leg of the journey: Jeff and Mariko Cummins, Brooke, Rhubarb and Jilebi (for dinner in SF), Aaron for the Shuggie CD, Bets, my mom (always), Dino, Ayn (thanks for the package), and all the sponsors and supporters.
To join the RideforCancer email list, send and email to me at matt@rideforcancer.com. If you would like to be removed from the list, have comments/suggestions about this email, or wanna just say Hi, send an email as well. Also, if you are having troubles viewing this email, the web site will have the journal update posted usually within 24 hours. Check it out at RideforCancer.com.
I think it's time for some coffee then pedaling in 90 degree heat,
Matt Allen
RideforCancer.com