Author: Mountainstroh (Tony)

A reason to stop

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Cycling, Nature, Oregon Coast Life

When I first started riding, it was all about the miles. I was new to the bike, a young strapping 44 and finally found a sport I was good at. I could climb any hill, cycle all day long, and seemed never to get tired. I was the wind.

Fast forward 11 years. NOT so strapping, sure as hell ain’t 44, but I can still climb anything you throw at me. I don’t go as far, but for good reason.

I am now the Oregon coast cyclist, I stop for amazing views, whales spouting and, as you can see here, to watch a bald eagle soar. I keep track of the miles, but now I ride for the experience, for the memories, for the life around me.

I am still good at what I do, and will keep doing it till the legs wear out. The bike is and always will be a time machine, making me feel younger and stronger than I truly am.

In my heart I truly hope that sometimes the eagle stops to watch me as I conquer a vicious headwind or make it over a steep climb. Maybe, just maybe, he smiles at me, as I do him when he soars.

The eagle and I are kindred spirits. Riding the winds, seeing the world and living the life. It is good to be free!

Birthday Miles and Then Some!

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in General

Every year I have a dilemma.

Some time or other in the last 11 years I have been cycling, I picked up the tradition of riding my birthday miles on my birthday.

Now if you are in your 20s or 30s, and were born during daylight savings time, this would be easy.

However, this year I turn 55 later this month (UGH! I can no longer dodge saying I am in my mid 50s!) And my birthday is on a weekday that I am working, AND weather in November on the coast can be rough!

This means I have modified the tradition. In my book I fulfill the task if I ride my birthday years on any day of November.  Today was that day!

Continue reading “Birthday Miles and Then Some!” →

Autumn at the Oregon Coast

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in General

I first started to title this post “Fall at the Oregon Coast”. However, since I am a bike rider, where falls do occur, and my mom reads the blog (and worries) I decided to title it AUTUMN at the Oregon Coast.

OK, on to the post!

Most people visit here in the summer when the sun is warm, the water, although cold, is calm, and there is a good chance of no rain.

The roads around here start getting busy in May. Then from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the coast, especially on weekends, is hopping! We DO have traffic jams, and miles long back ups!

I can’t fault folks, it is VERY pretty down here during that time of year.  However, these last couple of weeks are reminding me why I am finding Fall I mean Autumn, to be my favorite time of year at the coast!

Continue reading “Autumn at the Oregon Coast” →

Cycling the Yaquina River

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Cycling, Oregon Coast Life

Everyone knows how much I love cycling along the Oregon coast. The majority of my miles this year have been between my house in Lincoln City, and Newport. Its a 25 miles stretch of road, much of it with views like this! Oh and yes there is a whale spouting!

I tell people all the time that I ride this route every chance I get, and I never get tired of it. There is ALWAYS something that makes the ride worthwhile.

There are times I want something different. Like today, since I was watching the Seahawks in the morning, I wasn’t able to ride until the afternoon. I try too avoid HWY 101 on Friday’s after work and Sunday afternoons. There are just to many people driving big ole Winnebagoes they aren’t used to.

So today I decided to ride the Yaquina River. Continue reading “Cycling the Yaquina River” →

Boy you must have pedaled like the dickens!

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in General

I was a GREAT Oregon Coast weekend.

I know, I know! When have I ever said it was a bad weekend on the Oregon Coast? For that matter, when have I ever said it was a bad Oregon Coast day?

But this one was great for things to see, weather, and just plain fun!

I shoulda known something good was coming. Thursday I got drenched on a 26 mile after work ride (though I did see whales as I ate my trail mix cookie in the deluge.)

As I got close to home, though, and crossed the bridge into town, I looked up Schooner Creek and saw this.

I am starting a new wivestail! Rainbow on Thursday means great weekend coming…. Continue reading “Boy you must have pedaled like the dickens!” →

Work to live

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in beachwalk, General, Oregon Coast Life

Forgive any typos. I am doing this from the hip and using the iPad.

The workday started today before the sun came up. It was a Monday and I hit the floor running, it went non-stop, and with very few breaks, I looked at the clock and realized it was 10 minutes till quitting time.

There was more to do, but I was done.

I ran a few errands but then it was time for beach walk. Work pays the bills, provides health care, and keeps a roof over your head. But it is NOT life. The walk on the beach tonight is a reminder of what life really is!