Rides

It was hard to leave such a spectacular spot as Cape Lookout. Beau decided to lay over a day. Probably the last I'll see of him.

The day started with a big climb. Charley, whom I met the night before, and his friend Bill who joined him for a day ride, were riding with me. Bills wife was SAGing their gear so they were riding light. Even so I was able to keep up with them. The road was still quiet and ran though more lush forest with occasional views of the ocean, from way up high. Then it was a fast descent to Pacific City.

Pacific City is home to the famous Pelican brewery and pub, and the place was hoping. It was full on sunny and warm now and their was a lot going on. There was a surf contest, hang gliding off of Cape Kiwanda, and hundreds of beach goers. We stopped for lunch and spent a good deal of time eating and watching the people.

From Pacific City the route joins 101 again for a while before turning off at Slab Creek which takes you to Old Scenic Highway 101. The sign said "road closed ahead" for construction but we ignored it. It was nice back road up a scenic coastal valley. At the top there was a couple of hundred feet of construction. Unpassable by car but an easy walk for us. We were happy for it since in meant no cars on the road for the scenic downhill. This was the back way over Cascade Head, which is the biggest climb on 101. Much nicer on this route.

When we got to Otis I parted ways with Charley and Bill and took the North Bank Road which follows the Salmon River uo to my friend Scott's house, where I would spend the night.

Today was the day when it all came together to make the whole trip worthwhile. I took an alternate route on Foley Creek and Miami River which got me off of 101 for 15 miles. I was hoping it would be sunny a bit further inland but no such luck. More misty clouds but a nice ride through a pretty coastal valley. Back on 101 along Tillamook Bay was also very nice. Lunch and shopping in Tillamook and then west through dairy country and back along the south end of the bay on a narrow road with little traffic. The mist was gone and I could see blue sky over the ocean. I did not take the extra loop around Cape Mears but instead followed the main route which began to climb steeply through a lush coastal forest. Eventually I popped out at Oceanside to a beautiful beach with a surfer out on the waves and the sun starting to poke through. Then a gorgeous ride along the beach and then Netarts Bay and finally to Cape Lookout State Park. The hiker/biker camp was right near the beach and the sun was now seriously shinning through. Beau, whom I had met two days before already had his camp setup and was on the beach. There were a bunch of other cyclists including Craig from New Mexico and Charley from Portland. According to the ranger this is the most popular cyclist camp spot on the coast. There was a glorious sunset topping an incredable day of riding on the Oregon Coast.

Met Beau Bassett at the bike camp. He is riding from Washington to Santa Cruz, stoping at high schools to talk to them about community service programs. Very interesting guy. The day started out misty but them got dry through Seaside and Cannon Beach. Had lunch and did laundry at Cannon Beach. Once over Arch Cape it was foggy and wet again. Had to go through a noisy tunnel. Pretty hairy. At the end of the tunnel there were a couple of cyclists stopped. Elenore and Nick are from Portland just doing a couple of days riding. They took the bus to Astoria and will take one back from Tillamook. They both work at a co-op in NE. While we were talking Beau caught up with us. After the tunnel were a couple of big climbs and descents. There was road construction and the flaggers held the cars and let the bikes go through alone. It would have been very scenic but it was socked in fog. Eventually all 4 of us, at different times, arrived at the very nice hiker/biker camp. We had a nice fire and stayed up relatively late. Forecast is for better weather tomorrow.

Woke up to gray skies. A few miles of moderate climbing into the fog, and then 20 miles downhill in the mist. Got damp but not too cold. Stoped at Onley for hot tea, which helped warm me up. Lady there said the reason the road was so quiet was because the woods were closed to logging due to high fire danger. So no log trucks! From here there was a nice back road that wound around a bay and on into Astoria.

Astoria itself is no fun for cycling. Lot's of traffic and tourists. I managed to find the co-op where I stopped for lentil soup and got some food for the road. Took some pictures but is was dark and gray. Looking at the bridge on 101 I was sure glad I didn't ride over from Washington.

It took forever to get to Fort Stevens park, and when I got here I was pretty cold. The hiker/biker camp did not look very inviting so I got a yurt. After a shower I rode the mile bike path to the beach. Feels like I crossed a continent to get here. On the beach was an old ship wreck which evidently is quite famous.

Actually west of Jewel free camping before the big climb. I had a much better day today. The first 10 miles was on the Banks Vernonia bike path. Awesome, especially because it's not all up hill like the first 10 miles was. In Vernonia Anderson park is right at the end of the path and there were RV hookups where I charged my phone and bathrooms. After that it was with much trepidation that I headed out on 47 for the 15 miles to Mist. Traffic was light, consisting almost entirely of log trucks. It seemed like each time one came a little bit of shoulder appeared. A couple of times I just bailed into the gravel. A bit stressful but not terrible.
There was nothing in Mist but then I was on 202. Another world. It was at least 30 minutes before a car passed me. Only 1 empty log truck the whole way.
I stopped at a house in Jewel, that's all there is, where a kind lady filled my water bottles, and then on past the Elk Refuge and into the woods. The last few miles was starting the climb over the Coast Range but the real grunt will be in the morning. I'm only 30 miles from Astoria so after the climb tomorrow should be an easier day.

Long hot day on a lot of roads I have never been on. The route I was following took me on a gravel road. The gravel was a bit loose and I decided to head over to highway 47 instead. Big mistake. There was no shoulder and a bunch of big grain hauler trucks that came way to close. I bailed on that road at the very first opportunity. After that it was much better. I spent a little time in Banks, getting food, before heading out on the rail-to-trail. The trail is about 20 miles but I would only be doing half of it today. It was a wonderful ride, mostly in the woods, but popping out into the sun every now and then. It was easy railroad grade except for a few swoops down and up where there used to be a bridge. Some of the bridges were preserved or rebuilt for the trail.

It was a bit of a climb from the trail up to Stub Stewart park. Not marked anywhere either. The park did not have hiker/biker but had some great hike in sites about a quarter mile down a rough old logging road, which was mostly ridable. The site were in a beautiful stand of fir trees. Wonderful camping in the woods.

Day one of my Coast Loop. Definitely a bit of trepidation less than two months from being hit by a car. I rode on 99W most of the day, which has a nice wide shoulder but plenty of traffic. Still tense up with each approaching car. I hope to be on quieter roads tomorrow.

First week with the Saga. Had my panniers on and loaded in a little more each day to get used to riding with a load. The Saga handles great with a good load. I think I'm ready. Leaving in the morning.

First ride on the new touring bike, the 'Saga'. Picked it up from the bike shop and just rode around a bit. Handles like a good touring bike should. I will commute with it this week to get ready from my trip to the coast in one week.

This ride was actually on the MTB, but yesterday's was on the town bike so I wanted to log some miles to it. These are the first mile logged to my new, old, town cruiser.

Actually road my new old town cruiser on Friday. More on this bike to come. New touring bike will also be ready soon.

Out 34, over Decker and then out and back on Bellfountain. First back-to-back road ride since getting whacked. My legs had nothing on the hills coming back.

Scouting the route north. Rode on 99 for a while to get re-hardened to cars zooming by. Of course most of 99w between Corvallis and Monmouth has a 6 to 12 foot shoulder. There is a bike path from Monmouth to Rickreall. Nothing too exciting as it just parallels the highway but good pavement without having to worry about cars. Rickreall is only 4 miles from Dallas and 24 from Kings Valley presenting the opportunity for a nice loop.

Another week on the MTB. One nice ride to Philomath. Greate weather this week.

First road ride since getting hit. Felt great. Legs well rested. Buena Vista, Albany, back on Riverside. Nice day.

Another week on the mountain bike. No long afternoon rides. Mornings are getting cooler.

Using the MTB to commute now. Still awaiting repair estimate on the Trucker. I'm able to ride okay. Left leg is pretty banged up but is better each day. Enjoyed riding the bus last week.

First ride since getting hit by a car 12 days ago. Rode the mountain bike into town to checkup on the trucker2. They haven't done anything yet. Felt fine riding. Will start commuting again on Monday.

This month's riding came to a screeching halt as a kid in a car hit me on Walnut street as I was returning home from a very pleasant afternoon ride to Philomath. Both the Trucker2 and I are banged up, but not broken.

Drove up the McKenzie highway to Blue River. Linda continued on to campground and I rode.

Perfect riding temperature but still lots of wind. Can't have it all. Discovered nice dirt road by Crystal Lakes park.

Linda was going to visit an old friend of her's at their cabin 8 miles west of Cheshire on Hwy 36. I took Bellfountain through Alpine to Monroe, and then Territorial to Cheshire. The final 8 miles on 36 had some climbing, but then dropped back Dow again to their place which is just across from Poodle Creek Road.
Cloudy and cool. Excellent riding weather.

Cooler and windy. Had fun riding trails in Bald Hill Park on Friday.

Cycle Oregon was in town for there weekend ride. They were coming down while I was going up. Pretty hard going loaded by the steep hill. Was able to keep a bail out gear most of the way. CO was setup for lunch at the day use area so I pulled in a joind them. What's one my cyclist. People looked at my a little funny with my loaded touring bike, but no one asked what I was going. I camped at Mebee park. Close to the road but some beautiful trees.
Sunday morning was cloudy and cool. Just right for the ride home. Went back the same way I came, on Bellfountain.

Sun, lots of it. Got too hot for a long ride one day. My old friend the wind is back too

Over night camping trip to Brownsville Pioneer Park with Linda and JJ. They took the car. I roadie tale long way via Bellfountain and Harrisburg.

Summer is in full swing now. A 4 day week with long rides after work each day, and even some longer routes going in. Rode the easy trail in Bald Hill park a couple of times to see how the Trucker2 handled with the new bars. Very good actually. I'm still not sure if they are the right thing for a long tour, but for off road they rock.

Easy ride to get the miles. A little wet but warm.

Cool some rain. Afternoons nice. One ride to Philomath.

Cold, wet and beautiful. The rain held off most of the day, but dumped going down DIM. I did okay. Glad I could do it but probably won't try again.

4 day week. Heading to Ashland tomorrow.

Nice after work road ride on the longest day of the year. Needed to test the road bike after having some work done yesterday and before the big ride Saturday. Rode hard and did the hill east to west so I would be coming back on 34. Got pretty windy as I was coming back into town.

A couple of trips with the trailer. Hauled some old bike parts to the bike collective, and took my road bike to the shop.

Up and over and down to Tampico road and then back up and over from the back side. Good hard short ride. Nice and warm.

Nice cool mornings and warm afternoons. Windy from the west. One ride to Philomath but some extra miles every day.

Same ride as a few weeks ago only clockwise and without Mary's Peak. The climb from Alpine is much steeper than the other side, but not very long. Don't know what the grade is but I'm guessing over 10%. I wanted to SE how hard it was because it would be nice to be able to do it on the touring bike and camp at Alsea Falls. It would be tough. I was in my lowest gear doing about 4.5 mph on my road bike. I'm sure I'll end up doing it as it is only about 2 mile climb.
I was sunny and warm today for a change. Very nice.

Got Linda to go with me. Practice for an overnight. It was a bit too long for her. Cool and breezy but no rain.

Some rain, some sun. Nice enough in the afternoon to put on some miles.

<h3>Brownsville via the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway</h3>

Was able to get out for a short ride. Warm but windy with a few sprinkles. Went straight up Oak Creek Road. Gets very steep toward the end. Then through Balld Hill and back over West Hills, through town and out Hwy 20 to Connifer.