Long time no see, everyone.
It’s Makoto here, somehow surviving in a foreign land.
Watching the Ridealive movie that was uploaded the other day, I find myself lost in thought here in Oregon, where the temperature is 1 degree Celsius in the early morning, remembering how warm it was back then.
Yes, I am currently riding through the stormy Oregon I expected, having left the beautiful weather of California behind.
It has been raining on and off for days. It’s classic Oregon, from morning until night.
The temperature doesn't go up much, and I find myself shouting "It's so cold!" all by myself as I ride.
Even though no one is listening.
But despite these miserable conditions, I still encounter other travelers—an elderly couple taking two months to get to Los Angeles, a tough trio of women who rode all the way from Vancouver, Canada—and I am deeply struck by how fun it is to chat with fellow travelers at campsites, whether in Japan or abroad.
Yes, I'm camping, whenever I can.
The West Coast is full of state and national parks, and many of them have well-appointed campsites, some even equipped with not just showers but also hot tubs.
Some sites even come with BBQ spaces, making them very comfortable.
So, unless it's pouring rain, I find myself choosing to camp.
I'm riding about 130 kilometers a day on average, and if you’re wondering what it’s like:
It’s a constant, engaging ride—from typical American straight roads to mountain passes along the coast that make you wonder why there are so many mountains here.
And then, the reward of a breathtaking view.
Truly, I am enjoying myself quite a bit.
Wrapping up today, I was treated to a reward: the sun, which I hadn't seen in a while.
This journey is now coming to an end.
I'm filled with a mix of sadness and the relief that I'll likely finish safely, but I intend to stay focused and ride without any accidents until the very end.
Oh, and one more thing, the trip is going well.
And my bike is doing great, too.