Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 3

Posting this late, yesterday was a tough day. Started out with the 2.5 mile 1000 ft climb up to Cape Lookout. Did this climb last year, it was a lot tougher. I know it took longer, I will have to compare stats with last year. It was cool going up but did not need a jacket until I was heading down the other side.

Had a bit of a tail wind into Pacific City. Too early to stop at my favorite place, The Pelican Pub & Brewery. The tail wind continued back on Hwy 101. Deanna and Carolyn (Squirrelgal) pulled into the viewpoint area, while I was taking a breather. They mentioned that Slab Creek Rd was closed in July.

We decided to stop in Neskowin to verify. No seemed to know for sure if it was open yet or not. One gentleman said he saw 4 cyclists heading up near the Neskowin school. We arrived at the turn off. Signs said that the road was closed 4 miles in. Another sign said not passable by car or bike. We decided to stick to Hwy 101. It was a steeper climb and really took its toll on me. Had a nice long downhill into Lincoln City.

Took East Devils Lake Rd, you avoid the traffic and little to no shoulder through downtown, but you have more climbing that mostly rollers. Stopped at Roadhouse 101 for lunch, had the teriyaki chicken burger. It was pretty good, had two grilled chicken breasts on it.

It was then on to Depot Bay and the Otter Crest Loop. The loop is the way to go, very little traffic, nice wide bike lane going up hill an not as much climbing as 101.

Decided to go on to South Beach S.P. instead of Beverly Beach S.P.. Had a nice tail wind, but by the time I got into Newport I was cold, low on energy and feeling too much pain. Decided to spend the night in a motel.


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Location:Newport, OR

Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 2

Woke around 6:30 this morning, made coffee and had Mountain House Breakfast Skillet Wrap. Got everything packed up and on the road shortly before 9:00.

Legs are a little sore from yesterday, climbing still feels difficult. Cable for my rear derailer broke just after Wheeler.  Had to ride two miles to Rockaway Beach in the small cog on the cassette to get cutters so I could install the new cable.

Stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for lunch, but the wait was too long, had a root beer float ice cream cone instead. Tried to find a bike shop in Tillamook but they were all closed. Had a chicken wrap for lunch.

Leaving Tillamook took the Three Capes loop. Had a head wind for about six miles, then the climb up to Cape Mears. Down to Oceanside and a few minor hills. Stopped at The Schooner for dinner, had a wonderful Smoked Seafood Pasta. Then the last seven miles to the campground.

Setup camp, called Nancy, took a shower an now time to turn in before I fall asleep at the picnic table.


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Oregon Coast Bike Ride 2012 - Day 1

Friday was a hectic day. Forgot a few things, I will cover this after the ride, as well as what I packed and other tips.

Today started early, earlier than I wanted it to. The dogs woke Nancy up at 5:30am, I tried to go back to sleep but it was no use. The bed was just not as comfortable as my own, and the pillow was worse.

Decided to get up and get ready. Took a shower and all the other usual morning routines. Then it was on to packing the trailer. Got everything in but the floor pump. Tried several ideas then gave up, I had never taken it with me before why start now. By the time I got everything packed, I was dripping sweat.
Packing was done, now a short ride to breakfast. Nancy met me at the Astoria Coffee House and Bistro.  Had a Denver omelette with potatoes and a biscuit. Omelette and potatoes were very good, the biscuit was barely passable.

Took the river walk because I was following the adventure cyclist map I purchased. Sections are wood with trolley tracks down the middle. This was tricky riding with a trailer, at times you had to cross over the tracks. They were recessed into the wood but there was a 4 inch wide slot right next to the track.

Took business 101 out if Astoria and then on to Ft. Clapsop Road. I stopped at the memorial and wandered through the exhibits. Had a gentleman approach me and ask if the bike outside was mine. Told him that it was, he was impressed with my setup, said it looked like I knew what I was doing. He wanted my email or phone so that he could find out more. I gave him my card to my blog. [Hope you are reading this and find the blog beneficial].

Was about to leave when I heard there was going to be a demo just past the fort. Lucky for me or I never would have seen the replica fort that was built. The demonstration was on muskets. The gentleman giving the demonstration was very good. He was entertaining and informative, he did more than just give a demonstration.

The Lewis and Clark River Rd was my route to Seaside. It was nice enough, very little traffic but no shoulder and more climbing than 101 has between Astoria and Seaside.

Reached Seaside, took the promenade, but ran into huge crowds because of the beach volleyball tournament going on. Off to the side roads and stopped a picked up one item I forgot. Grabbed a milkshake from McDs as I was craving something but did not want lunch yet.

Had the first real climb between Hwy 26 and Cannon Beach. The climbing this year seems a lot tougher. I think my trailer weighs the same as last year, likely the extra 35 pounds I gained since last year!  Stopped at Warren House Pub as it seemed less crowded than everything else and I was running out of options. The Ruben was okay, the meat on the second half seemed dry and powdery. Don't know why I didn't notice anything wrong with the first half? Too hungry?

Leaving Cannon Beach I had my second big climb of the day. Seemed worse than the first hill.   Not really that warm out, but climbing these hills had me sweating more than I ever had on a ride.  Finally downhill and into Manzanita, the stop for the night.

Arrived at Nehalem State Park campground. Chris greeted me upon entering the hiker/biker camp area. He is traveling south as well, says he wants to make it to San Diego (more a matter of money than time). He was the first here, I had arrived shortly after a father with his two very young daughters. Setup my tent, hit the showers, and then back into town for something for dinner. Gabbed a ham sandwhich from the grocery and deli, it was huge! Also got potato salad, a drink and a small Haagen Dazs ice cream cup.  Back at camp there are more riders that came in. Deanna and her friend Carolyn (Squirrelgal), both from the Vancouver BC area, heading to San Fransisco,   Two other couples and a late arriving pair of guys.

Now it is time for some well deserved rest.

Joined with Team In Training for 2012 STP

I usually do the STP every year.  It is just one of the those rides that I like to do.  I don't really care for the number of cyclists, it always seems so crowded.  But Nancy and I alway make July vacation around the STP.  We camp for two weeks in central/western Washington which means we have our trailer with us in Chehalis for the mid-point stop.  This makes for a more comfortable over night than a crowded gym floor.

This year I have joined Team In Training (TNT), which is a fund raising group for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  I have selected to join with TNT this year in support of my wife Nancy.  On January 31, 2012 Nancy was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma cancer. Please take a look at my TNT donation page and help if you can.  All donations are greatly apprecated no matter how big or how small.

To donate click on this post's title or see the TNT widget on the right.

Training for Oregon Coast Ride 2012

I will be attempting the Oregon Coast Ride again this summer.  This year I will be doing the ride in mid August.  This will give me more time to get back into shape, as I have gained a few pounds from not riding as much as usual.

I have already started training on my new Proform Le Tour De France stationary bicycle.  I have signed up for a few long distance bike rides in preparation for the coast ride.  This year might be a little tougher getting ready as things in my personal life are taking more of my time each day.  But I know that this is something that I really want to do, it is on my 'bucket list'.  I know most cyclists have to find the time to train and ride, so I will just have to arrange my time so that I will be able to accomplish the ride this year.

Review: Oregon Coast Solo Trip

Did not complete the ride as I had planned.  Actually only made 2 1/2 days.  Don't know why my knees were bothering me so much on this ride.  I had done the Gorge ride two weeks earlier with no issues at all, same bike, same trailer and basically the same gear.  Maybe I need to do more training.

So I am planning for the same ride again next year.  This is on my bucket list so it is really something that I want to complete.  Somethings I am thinking of doing differently.

• Don't start with an 80 mile ride on day one.
• Plan for 40-50 days to allow for more time to sight see and enjoy the ride.
• Plan camp sites to be closer to cities or shortly after.
• Make sure bike is complete tuned, go over everything.

Day Three: Oregon Coast Solo Trip

Woke at a decent time this morning. Had everything packed and was on the road by 8:30. Stopped at Hill Top restaurant for breakfast, french toast, eggs and sausage,  the french toast was very good.  Back on the road about 9:30, Day was overcast with some breaks, but no moisture.

My knee is really bad today, every pedal stroke is an effort. Don't known what is wrong, I have a sharp pain under the knee cap. Want to finish this ride, been planned for a long time, but if things don't get better.....

Leaving Lincoln City via Hwy 101, traffic was not to bad and the shoulder was a decent width.  Stopped at Boiler Bay and ate a couple of packets of the apple slices I purchased last night.  Rode through Depoe Bay and on to Otter Crest Loop. The Otter Crest Loop is a nice alternative to Hwy 101,  The scenery is great along this route and traffic is very low.  The first section is uphill but is one way with a bike lane.  There are multiple pull outs for views and taking pictures.  At the Otter Crest State wayside, the road becomes two way and the bike lane ends,  but it is all down hill to Otter Rock.  Leaving Otter Rock we return to Hwy 101, higher traffic rates, but a wide shoulder.

Shortly after entering Newport the Bike Route leaves Hwy 101 and goes on Oceanview drive.  This keeps us off Hwy 101 through Newport as this portion is two lanes with no shoulder or bike lane.  This is a nice residential rode with light traffic, but has a few minor hills.

As I was winding through the neighbor hoods and the old area of Newport it became apparent that I was not going to be able complete my intended route today.  I stopped at the Whaler hotel to get a room for the night.  Called Nancy to let her know that I had to abandon the ride.

Well I was hoping to have more post and to complete the ride, but the issue with my knees was not improving and I decided it was better to abandon than to risk possibly further injury to my knees.