Day 2, 6 August: Kelso, WA to Troutdale, OR
Day 2 is in the bag. Doug, Dave and Ron pressed out at 0530 and Tes and I followed at 0620. Overcast and cool for most of the ride, which made it nice. At mile 15 we hit a major climb of almost 2 miles with up to a 17% grade in places. There was another nasty surprise of 13% in Vancouver. I’m very surprised that I’ve been able to handle these hills so far and can only think I made a very good decision purchasing the Trek.
The route ran on and off Old Pacific Highway most of the day. Not a lot of traffic and some nice views of the Columbia River, but we couldn’t take a lot of time to enjoy them on the curves we were negotiating. The last part of the ride through various towns and suburbs was on well-marked and maintained bike lanes and trails and a nice park in Vancouver. One unique experience was the multiuse trail that forms the median for I-205 crossing the Columbia back to OR!
At quarters in Troutdale we honored Tom Sokol whom I rode for today, and I will ride again for Collins Harvey tomorrow. He was a good friend plebe year – I took refuge in his room (30th Co.) a few times when hiding out from some upperclass in 25th Co. He died in a tragic gun accident while home on leave Youngster year.
Nick gave everybody a tutorial on GoPro and we will try to use it tomorrow. Breakfast is available at 0400! We will shoot for an 0530 departure to Tes’s hometown of Hood River. The day promises some great photo ops and hope to pull together a decent Relive video.
Bill Montgomery
USNA 1973 Ride-2-Remember 
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