Big Ride - Day 4

Today was an amazing coastal ride from Nehalem to Lincoln City. The ride was only about 88 miles, but since it was over several coastal mountains, it felt more like 125!

After leaving Nehalem, we cruised south along the Three Capes coastal bike route past Girabaldi and Tillamook Bay. At about mile 26 we arrived at the Tillamook cheese factory. We spent about 40 minutes sampling cheese curds (squeeky cheese) and indulging in yogurt and other delicious dairy foods. It was much needed protein since our breakfasts to date have consisted of donut holes, bagels and oatmeal. Not a lot of protein to keep a body going on long riding days.

We continued on back along the water and did our first huge climb of the day - 11% grade in some places - and then had a scary descent on poorly maintained road.

One more climb took us to the top of Cape Lookout. I missed Nick at the top because he had turned off to see the view (which he never found) and cut his foot on his fender. By the time he finished patching it up, I zoomed over the top and was on my way down. He didn’t catch up to me until Pacific City.

On the way down from Cape Lookout though, we passed some amazing sand dunes that were held in place by pine forests. They were so big that most of us did a double take before realizing we were actually looking at sand, not just some open landscape.

Once out of Pacific City, it wasn’t too long before we hit our final big climb of the day - 2.3 miles on a road with a very narrow shoulder. The pavement was awesome on the descent. Most of us saw 40+ mph as we fearlessly peddled our hearts out just to stay warm.

A rolling few miles took us past the 45th parallel (halfway between the north pole and the equator) and into Lincoln City.

We had dinner at a little diner called Maxwells. I think I ate enough for three people! The pecan pie at the end was definitely worth it though

Tomorrow is a rest day - a much needed one at that!

Big Ride - Day 3

Greetings from Canon Beach, Oregon! Today is a completely leisurely day. We only have to ride about 38 miles which means we get to stop at every bakery and coffee shop.

The apple fritter in town was fantastic - big chunks of apple...mmmm!

Tonight we end up in Nehalem Bay, OR, just south of Manzinita. I think it’s right on the beach. I definitely plan on doing some lounging when we get there. We still have three beers from yesterday. I bet they’ll taste even better on the beach

Big Ride - Day 2

Today dawned bright and beautiful - a very pleasant change from yesterday. My knee was bugging me from the long ride the day before and I wasn’t sure how it would do. Only the miles would tell.

The fog and mist rose off the farmlands as we rode through mostly car-less country roads in the morning. Fantastic! By Kelso/Longview we were feeling good and ready for the real climbing. The bridge into Oregon wasn’t pleasant, but it was a great milestone!

The terrain out to Astoria was rolling. And let me say...there were some BIG rollers (several miles up and down). We stopped for a brief bite of lunch at Subway in Clatskanie. My knee felt alright, so I decided to keep going.

Shortly after lunch we had a huge climb and that just about did me in. Amazingly, Nick raised my seat about 4-5 mm and that made all the difference.

A PB&J sandwich and cookie from Safeway in Astoria gave me the juice to make the final miles to Fort Stevens SP.

I never actually thought I could ride over 100 miles two days in a row, but I did and felt great. Nick and I bought beers at the KOA store to celebrate.

Tomorrow we get a bit of a break. Til then!

Big Ride - Day 1

Well, I can’t say the first day was enjoyable. After a brief ceremony at Liberty Park in Renton - where we found out that collectively we raised $130,000 for the Lung Association - we were off. By 8:30 it was raining hard, so we stopped to put on our rain jackets, rain pants and shoe covers.

If I could have seen anything through the rain and rooster tails off of everyone’s back wheels, I’d write about the route. We did see a cow with “ginormous” horns during one of our dry spells. The kids across the street from the pasture said its name was Chief.

At mile 80 I was mentally tapped. From there until Lewis & Clark SP I counted every 10th of a mile.

Fortunately, the ride director arranged for us to stay at a lodge that night. We mostly got dried off and were able to hang our clothes out to dry. Everything but my arm warmers were ready to go by the morning.

101.4 miles down...many more to go!

Country Roads

Bike-friendly barn | Olympus Stylus 300

The marketing team at Cascade Designs took a couple days off to go camping together - bond a little over a few fireside drinks. A bunch of brought bikes and went for a ride on beautiful country roads just outside of Wenatchee.

Country road | Olympus Stylus 300

The ride wasn’t long, but the weather was perfect and roads were just right. It was a perfect final ride before departing tomorrow on the Big Ride.

“All I seek, the heaven above and the road below me.”
-Robert Louis Stevenson