Dolly's Bike Blog

It was a bit cool as we departed Bandon this morning, but the rain yesterday had cleared the air and washed much of the debris off the shoulders – we were going to be on US 101 most of the day. Early on the route, we passed several unusual sights: an assortment of “lawn ornaments?” and terrain with meadows and cows, neither we had seen recently.

I had researched the one remaining lighthouse along the Oregon coast and decided to “go astray.”  This is the farthest I have gone off route on any of the WT tours.  After the first sag, I notified Lorna that I would be “off cue” for some time and headed to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse.  I had been thinking/hoping I might hitch a ride in a pick-up truck or camper, but the traffic headed my direction was all smaller cars.  It was a 5.5 mile ride to the lighthouse, $2 for the tour, and an extra 100 minutes for the roundtrip.  See the photos to see if you think it was worth it.  I did find out about Mr. Langlois who served 42 years as the head lighthouse keeper, and his assistant, the neighbor’s son, Mr. Hughes, who served 38 years.  Shortly after Mr. Hughes left the lighthouse, it went electric.

Back on route, after no success getting a ride back to US 101, I stopped briefly in Port Orford to eat my PBJ and get a Diet Coke.  Port Orford was the first town on the coast of Oregon to incorporate, in the 1850s, a fact they find quite important.  It seemed a typical small fishing town.

After another 16 miles, the route went off of US 101 onto Cedar Valley Road.  The cue sheet indicated 5 miles of climb, but it was basically a rolling backroad, past Oreo cows and even a 9 hole golf course.

The valley ended at the Rogue River.   Over 10 years ago, the Craft and Morse families took a rafting trip on the Rogue River, further inland; we called it “float and bloat” for all of the food we took along – great memories.

I rejoined US 101 at the McCullough engineered bridge crossing the Rogue River, dedicated to Governor Edgar Lee Patterson, and arrived in Gold Beach.  Our motel, the Inn of the Beachcomber was just 1.7 miles further.

After a short walk on the beach, dinner was served: steak, salmon, mixed vegetables, garlic mashed red potatoes, caesar salad, bread and watermelon.  Patty had cooked dinner, so Sue did the map meeting with extra facts about Crescent City and tomorrow’s route.  Another great sunset – we can hear the waves from our room – Barbara is my roommate once again.

The cue sheet was for 57.5 miles, I had 68.83, 11.2 mph, 4465.2 ft ascent.

Relive:  https://www.relive.cc/view/1209407869

It rained overnight in North Bend and we delayed the start of our shorter-than-usual ride today until 9 am.  Luckily it wasn’t raining at our departure, but did start by mile #8.  You can tell from the photos that we didn’t have many views today, lots of fog or low hanging clouds mixed with drizzle.

Passed through the fishing village of Charleston at 8 miles – note the large pile of shells.

Then we headed up Seven Devils Rd.  Patty said to expect climbs of 3-11% and the road delivered.  She also said it really was one devil and 6 heads, meaning we didn’t go all the way downhill before the next climb, but there were plenty of uphills.  I stopped several times, allegedly to take photos, but a good excuse to give my lungs and my legs a bit of a rest.

Of course, every big climb is followed by a descent, this one was fairly steep and windy but the road was in generally good condition.

We only spent less than 5 miles on US 101 so it was generally quieter, though I had a close encounter with a lumber truck along Seven Devils Road.

The bridge over Coquille Rive had no shoulder and we were warned about metal grating, but it was enclosed, so no clipping.

The city of Bandon is obviously a fishing town and I enjoyed a fish taco and shrimp cocktail for lunch before the final 2 miles to our hotel.  While I can’t hear the ocean, I can see the ocean through the buildings across the street.  And the sun has come out!!

33.92 miles, 10.01 mph, 2053.8 ascent

Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/1207703952

May and I rode together today – it was fun to have a new riding partner and some opportunity to chat. With the many logging trucks and RVs towing cars, it was not exactly a relaxing ride.

Most of the day we were in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.  We did stop along the road near Gardiner to take pictures of morning reflections of the pine trees and the sand dunes that were moving down toward the road.  Another McCullough bridge over the Umpqua River – we were held up by the opening of the bridge for a boat.  Ann got caught on the bridge taking pictures and had a funny story involving the bridge attendant.  Some of the traffic, once moving, was not happy that we were riding on the bridge: we are vehicles and have a right to the road.

Just across the bridge, the SAG was in Reedsport and we notified her we were planning to take a “detour” to the Umpqua River lighthouse.  This detour only added 3 miles to the day and we enjoyed the tour and information.  The lighthouse dates from 1890 with a distinct light of white, white then red strobes.  The bricks are of special construction to allow absorption and release of the moisture in the double thick walls.  Check out the photos of the prisms inside the lighthouse.

We ate our peanut sandwiches beside the road, deciding not to venture for an ATV ride (Marilee and Joan did).  I was apprehensive of the bridge over Coos Bay, after Leilani was hit on the bridge two years ago.  We activated the bike warning lights, but still had a few rude remarks as we crossed.

We are staying at a Quality Inn in North Bend, no ocean views here, though we can see the infamous bridge in the distance.

47.7 miles, 11.75 mph, 3,090 ft ascent

Relive:  https://www.relive.cc/view/1206387716