Cycling to End Domestic Violence/click here to watch video

His name is Gil James. In his pre-retirement years Gil worked in school administration. He loves to ride his bike and is no stranger to long bike rides. But this ride, the one he’s on right now, will be the ride of his life. Gil is one of 50-some riders who are riding cross country from Astoria, Oregon to New Hampshire. Don’t get out your calculator it’s already been figured out that’s more than 3,000 miles. My wife and I ride bikes and accidentally ended up on a one day ride over Mount Hood with Gil. That’s a long story and best suited for another time. Gil talked to us about his journey and we recorded his words and thoughts for you to hear. You can still donate to Gil’s ride. There’s a web address http://www.gilsride.blogspot.com. The money raised will go to Womenspace and Ophelia’s Place.

Sisters Getaway : New Feature on Rickdancer.com

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PLACE TO STAY

Kathy found this great place to stay, in Sisters, on the internet. This is the third time we’ve stayed at the Pine Meadows Village. These are the homes located right behind Les Schwab Tire Center, as you drive into Sisters. That picture was taken from one of two porches in this upstairs condo. It’s a two bedroom, two full bath place with a full kitchen, living room and access to a beautiful pool, hot tub and tennis court. The unit we stay in is called “Little Sister Condo.” It runs 140.00 dollars a night plus a cleaning fee. But considering what you get and where it’s located, you can’t beat it. The condo has great furniture and is comfortable and clean. If you’d like to take a look they have pictures on the website. Go to Pine Meadow VIllage. The phone number to contact the company “Sisters Vacation Rentals” is 541-977-9898. Kathy and I highly recommend this place. The neighborhood is quiet.There are these great water features, ponds and paths that go all throughout the complex and it’s right in town.

BEST FOOD/WINE

For dinner we chose to stay in.We rarely do that we like eating out. However, when you have a view like ours why go out to eat. But we didn’t cook our meal. One night we got a Pizza and the second night Calazone from “Martollis.” This is Authentic Hand tossed pizza baked in old fashioned slate ovens. It’s located right on the main street of town in Sisters at 220 West Cascade. The phone number is 541 549 8356. They close at 8 so if you like to eat late, like we do,order early and heat it up later.Large Pizza’s run $16 to 24 dollars. We took our own wine. We love a red cab out of Washington State called “14 Hands.” The only place locally you can buy it is World Market in Eugene and you have to ask for it. They don’t keep it on the shelves. For $8.99 you can’t beat it. They also have a Merlot and a nice white. Before dinner we went out for a beer at “Bronco Billy’s.” It’s a Sisters Saloon that gives the feel of the old west. Folks are very helpful and nice there. Bronco Billy’s is located inside the Old Sisters Hotel on the main drag at 190 E Cascade. The phone number is 541 549 7427.

If you follow my blogs at all you know that Kathy and I are snobby about two things, our beer and our coffee. I love good coffee and hate it when it’s not brewed properly. We found some of the best coffee in Oregon at the “Sisters Coffee Company.” The place is big, beautiful and roomy. It has free WIFI and a huge fireplace for those cold winter days. It is the greatest place to just hang out, get online, read a book or meet people. The folks at Sisters Coffee Company know how to make coffee. They’ve been roasting coffee in Sisters for decades and it tastes like it. I like the Black Butte Bomber. It’s regular coffee with four shots of espresso to give you just the kick you need to get going in the morning. The help at Sisters Coffee Company is amazing. They even know how to make our favorite afternoon drink a Cappuccino on ice. They also have an amazing patio area with a fountain, tables, chairs and in the winter a little fire pit outside to warm your bones. To me a coffee house is the main focus of every community and the folks at the Sisters Coffee Company know how to serve a great cup of coffee and provide a peaceful place for the community, and visitors like us.

FUN FACTS

So here are some fun facts about Sisters, Oregon. The population is officially 1,745 people however 12,000 people call the surrounding area home. The elevation is 3,200 feet. Hottest month is July with the average temperature at 84.3 and the coldest month is December with the average temperature 40.8.The average annual precipitation is 14.18 inches. Average snowfall is 32 inches. Black Butte Ranch is the largest private employer in the area with 325 staff, Aspen Lakes Resort is next with 98 employees and Ray’s Food Place employes about 80 people. Ray’s just opened a brand new store just as you come into town. It’s a great store. Reminds me of a Market of Choice. Great Wine selection and deli.If you want the best ice cream in town it’s the Sno Cap Diner. My son says they have great hamburgers and fries too. The place is always busy with lines going out the door.

BIKE TRAILS

Kathy and I love to cycle. The ride we took on Saturday started in Sisters. We headed east, took a left on Locust Street. We crossed highway 126, that’s a little tricky so be careful. We passed the airport as we rode out Indian Ford. When the road ends take a right on Green Ridge Road. Ride that road until it turns to gravel.We rode back the same way and the total was about 40 miles. This is a nice ride, some hills, not a lot of chip-seal. For those who don’t ride “chip-seal” is hell to ride on. Most cyclists don’t care for it. If you are planning to go to Sisters and need a bike trail you can ask the folks at a bike shop in town called Eurosports. The staff is so helpful and on Saturday Mornings they have group rides. You need to be ready to leave by nine. Eurosports is on the corner of Hood and Fir in Sisters. Open seven days a week. Here are a couple of websites where you can find cycle trails. Hey, one side note: If anyone is looking for a great deal on a White Specialized Bike Seat that’s easy on the male system, Eurosports will cut you a deal.I already have one or I would have purchased it. If that’s too much information for you, Oh well. Sisters Cycling Trails & Eurosports Bike Trails

Cycling Welches to Kahneeta

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There is something about cycling that just hooks you. Maybe it’s the pain you feel as you scale a mountain like Mount Hood. Perhaps it’s the feeling you get when your breathing settles, your heart rate stays where it’s supposed to be and you begin to ride high. I love this sport and have never found anything that makes me feel more like man and a machine at the same time. It’s almost like you become part of the bike. If you don’t understand what I’m saying, get on a bike and ride. Enjoy.

Cycling Oregon; Drain to Oakland.

Saturday, Kathy and me went on a bike ride that was simply amazing. During my campaign for Secretary of State I traveled all over Oregon but I’ve never been to this back road section between Drain and Oakland. This is some of the most scenic country in the state. The ride is not simple it has some tough, long hills. But the landscape, the scenery and the parks along the way are simply amazing. If you don’t cycle get in your car on a nice sunny day and take a drive.

Directions: Start in Drain, take 99 south. Just outside town a few miles turn left on Boswell. Go to the end of Boswell take a right. You will parallel I-5 for a few miles. When you get to the intersection that takes you under I-5 go left under the highway. On the other side take Elkhead Road and follow the signs to Oakland. Total mileage is about 60-miles.

Bridging Two Cities

There is no better way to see your world than from a bike. I was just taking a bike ride from the gym to my home. It’s a 13 mile ride. I decided to take a back road called Mckenzie View Drive. I noticed the bike bridges and the rest is history.

Oregon is in Bloom: But don’t look from a car. Bike it man.

We live near Deerhorn road which is one of Western Oregon’s best bike rides. There are hills, flats, and the McKenzie River hugs you the whole ride.