The Secret to an Unforgettable Summer

story and photography by Laura Allen

The wind whipping in my hair and the cars behind me honking in unison, I pedal as hard as I can on a throbbing ankle to clear the steep side of the 4.1-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge. Once I cross the bridge and enter Oregon, I will have completed the Washington segment of a grueling nine-day bicycle ride around the Olympic Peninsula.

Why did I go on a week-long bike ride, might you ask? To me, long-distance cycling is about more than physical exercise and improving my cardio. It is about pushing my limits beyond what I thought was possible, going on an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime, and stopping to sniff the roses along the way.

At age 13, I was thrust into the world of high-adventure cycling when my Venture Crew, Crew 9633, was planning a 500-mile bike ride across Montana, and my dad asked me, “Do you think you’re capable of doing this?” There is nothing that builds confidence in your abilities quite like riding on a long stretch of road in the middle of nowhere in Montana with nothing but a paper map to navigate yourself.

Last summer, my crew organized a 385-mile road cycling trip in Washington state, starting in Bainbridge Island, following along the coastal highway, and ending in Astoria, Oregon.

We began our adventure by taking a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and immediately hit the ground running. Over the next nine days, we rode our bicycles over mountains and bridges, on bike trails and through tunnels, and alongside logging trucks and other vehicles on US Highway 101.

Our route took us past magnificent sights, including Lake Crescent, the Hoh Rainforest, Ruby Beach, the Tree of Life, Willapa Bay, Cape Disappointment and Fort Columbia State Park. By stopping to admire the beauty, I developed a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Throughout the journey, I created lasting memories ranging from watching a stubborn raccoon steal an entire bag of marshmallows at a state park campground to pedaling in the pouring rain for 25 miles. I formed new friendships and strengthened lifelong bonds with those who rode alongside me on this expedition.

As you begin your summer, take a moment to consider planning a trip to the great outdoors to see new sights, discover more about yourself, and create unforgettable memories. That could mean going car camping with friends, challenging yourself to a backpacking trip, visiting a national or state park, or doing something else that interests you.

For me personally, I am picking up where I left off in Astoria, Oregon, and will be cycling for a little over a week down the length of the Oregon coast.