The most often asked questions about my solo trek are: "Why are you paddling upstream, not downstream like other kayakers?" and "Why the Willamette River?"

My answer to the first is straightforward. I'm practicing for a much longer solo trek upriver in the near future and want to test the performance of the kayak-bicycle combination, which I call the "Trekker".

My answer to the second is a little more complicated. Firstly, the clinching factor was a barbecue being held August 17, 2001 in Eugene, Oregon by the manufacturer of the folding bicycle I pack in my kayak treks. I had been invited to attend and was looking forward to being there to show them the Trekker in operation. They knew of my plan to tow my kayak behind their folding bike and had made the bike to my specifications.

Secondly, I have friends that reside in Portland, Wilsonville and Eugene, who I could call on for assistance if need be.

               Thirdly, I had ridden the bike trails along the Willamette River in the Portland area and was familiar with the lower reaches of the river up to Wilsonville and I had developed a fondness for the river over the past 22 years. 

I completed this Willamette River journey, my second trip with the "Trekker", arriving in Eugene on Thursday August 16, 2001 at 18:00 having left Kelley Point Park in Portland at 10:00 on Saturday, August 11th. I paddled upstream 2 1/2 days covering 60 miles then, when the current became too swift, I towed the kayak and gear behind the bike another 3 1/2 days covering another 120 miles to complete the 180 river miles to Eugene in 6 days.