Fort Stevens State Park, Astoria
Getting to the start of the ride worked great. We all met at Fort Stevens, and had barbecued salmon (from Russ) and fresh corn on the cob (from Pat and my garden), testing out the stove that we would be using for the trip.
Day 1: Fort Stevens State Park, Astoria to Pacific RV Park, Tillamook
For most of us, this was a great day of riding! The weather was clear, but not too warm and we had a tailwind. The first 20 miles or so was flat. Most of us stopped in Cannon Beach for a snack (Benj, Candy, and I found a cooking school that served pastries and coffee) It was a crowded place — good weather on a weekend was bringing everyone outside.
I continued the ride, which got more challenging. There was one long climb that seemed never-ending, and then lots of ups and downs along the coast.
But, eventually we got there. We were all pretty tired! Just before I reached the camp in Tillamook, I got a call from Russ. He was about 45 miles back (he was driving the van, and should have been in camp awhile ago). He said he had a story to tell me…
We all hung out at the camp and waited.
Pat got off to a bad start. About 20 miles into the ride, an RV stopped in front of her, and she was unable to stop, and unwilling to turn into traffic. So she ran right into it. She cut her elbow, her wrist was swollen, and was pretty shaken up. The gas station owner helped patch her up, and she finished the ride, but was sore, and elected to sag the next day.
Russ was having the worst day, by far. I had been annoyed that he hadn’t brought his computer along so I could show him how to use it. I strongly suggested that he return to Longview and pick it up, otherwise it would just be an expensive solitaire device. Reluctantly, he headed back home (1 1/2 hour drive) to pick up his computer. As he was headed across the Vancouver bridge, the car started to make grinding noises at low speeds. It got worse and worse (only at low speeds). He finally got home, put the car in park, and it rolled backwards. Transmission busted.
So there he was — in Longview with a broken down van containing all our equipment.
Fortunately, Russ has a very generous friend with three cars, one of which was a Grand Caravan. He was able to borrow it for the entire trip, they arranged insurance and got AAA coverage. They moved all the luggage from the old van to the new one, and Russ headed back to Tillamook, arriving only a little later than the riders.
The new van has more room, gets better mileage, and still holds the rocket box (which is lower, so easier to access.) The only downside is that it doesn’t hold Russ’ bike rack, so we need to use my 20-year old 2-bike-only bike rack. But it’s hard to complain.
Russ wins the Tim “pulling rabbits out of a hat when I didn’t even see the hat” Kneeland award!
Pacific RV Park, Tillamook to Beverly Beach State Park
This was probably the hardest day on the entire ride — both because of its length (86 miles) and all the hills. (At least, I hope it’s the hardest day.) The scenery was beautiful. Most people elected to sag either at the beginning, or at the middle. Only Tom and I rode the entire day. It was long, but I did it.
We started out leaving 101 in Tillamook to ride the Three Capes Scenic Route, which consisted of steep climbs up to viewpoints or lighthouses, and then plunging downhills the the ocean.
Then we returned to 101, except for one section when we rode old 101 – which was quiet and through the woods.
As we came through Lincoln City and Depoe Bay, the ocean fog set it, and it got cold.
Beverly Beach State Park to Jessie M Honeyman Memorial State Park
This was a very difficult day for me. I was tired from the day before, and hadn’t slept well at all (I had lost my temper for no good reason other than being tired, and that affected my sleeping). There was still an ocean mist hanging on, but there was blue sky above, so I assumed it would burn off eventually, so I didn’t wear (or carry) my warm cloths.
I was tired, both physically and mentally. It’s the kind of biking that leads to mistakes, and accidents. I was lucky nothing happened to me.
I was also very cold. I only had a light jacket over my biking shirt. I wear biking sandals, and usually when it’s cold I have wool socks and booties, which is enough to keep my toes warm. However, I just had a pair of thin cotton socks, and my toes were numb. About 20 miles into the ride, I stopped at a cafe to try to warm up, and found about 10 other bicyclist there.
They were all members of the Redmond Cycle club, and were doing a week-long loop out of Astoria. We chatted a little (although I wasn’t coherent enough to carry on a very intelligent conversation). I must have looked pretty pathetic, since as they left someone handed me a couple of chemical hand warmers, which I promptly put in my socks. Much better!
I got in, took a lukewarm shower, and crawled into my sleeping bag. Others gathered around the fire to get warm.
Jessie M Honeyman Memorial State Park to Sunset Beach State Park
Much better day — I had gotten sleep the night before, and was prepared for the weather. We had the same mist as the day before. It was heavier — some non-technical folks might call it “rain” — but I was prepared for it this time, and so it didn’t bother me (much). And after about 30 miles, it dried up.
The only lighthouse on the Oregon coast with red glass
There is no good way to cross the Coos Bay mile-long bridge
