Dolly's Bike Blog

Many times today I thought of our friend Ray C. who would randomly yell “I’m loving it” while ourtbiking.  It was a glorious blue sky day, with some tailwinds, and not too much climbing.  (I have thought of Ray’s love for cycling before on this trip, but today I threw up my arms, while stopped, and yelled “I’m loving it.”!)

The ride started in Newport with all of us riding across the bridge together, followed by the sag wagon with flashers on – two lanes, no shoulder – it seemed like the safest way to go.  Quickly the group spread out.

Virtually the entire route today was along US 101.  I decided to try using a single ear plug on my left side – and it really helped to dampen the road sounds without giving me a sense of imbalance.

Our route took us past Seal Rock, Waldport, and into Yachats, where many stopped for coffee at the Green Salmon – I enjoy the stops but don’t drink coffee.

Yachats was billed as the Gem of the Oregon Coast, or the Beverly Hills of the Coast – I din’t see as many supersize homes as I expected but it definitely seemed above average.

I stopped at the Heceta Head Lighthouse, name for a Spanish/Portugese explorer who mapped the northwest coast and discovered shallow water off the coast in this area.  An older couple from Eugene watched my bike while I hiked 1/2 mile up to the lighthouse, took part of a tour, and returned to the beach.

The afternoon temperatures reached 86 degrees.  I sent all of my warm weather clothes home, and now I’m carrying heavier clothes for the colder temperatures we experienced in Washington State…

Just 1/2 mile further along the road were the Sea Lion Caves, but just before I had a good look at sea lions swimming in a cove.  The ticket person admitted that the sea lions don’t actually enter the cave until around December, so I decided to skip the $12 admission to see the cave and video.

At mile 46, we turned off US 101 into a residential area outside of Florence and wandered along the Siuslaw River to the old town area just under the bridge over the river.

We are staying at the River House Inn.  My roommate is Lola (her vacation name) from Massachusetts, who is a retired retail guru.

Florence has the distinction of blowing up a whale in 1970.  The beached whale started to smell so town officials and state transportation officials decided if they blew the whale into small pieces the birds and others could enjoy the remains.  The effort was not as successful has hoped. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBgThvB_IDQ

Relive:  https://www.relive.cc/view/1205014494

56.57 miles, 11.3 mph (some tailwinds today), 3481 ft ascent.

The rhythm of a rest day is so different than a riding day.  The main objective is to stay off your bike.

Barbara and I “slept in” until 7 am, then casually walked a half mile down the street to Cafe Stephanie for breakfast.  It is nice to have a restaurant selection instead of the usual motel offering of cold cereal, waffles, and some kind of “pretend” eggs.

When we got back to the room, I started laundry and Barbara got ready for a training run (she is running a marathon in Maryland on October 20).  I was able to get a ride from the hotel van to the Oregon Coast Aquarium across the bay and spent an hour and a half wandering there, meeting up for a while with Barbara who had run 7 miles (she finished with over 10 miles).

I walked back across the bridge and visited the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, then wandered along the historic bayfront before heading to the chiropractor.

Back at the hotel a WT group had organized a wine & cheese gathering.  Then Barbara and I walked on the beach, enjoying the sunset.  A nice visit to the hot tub and a shower and it’s almost bedtime.

No biking but plenty of walking today – feeling rested.

Today was shorter mileage, 44 on the cue sheet, about half on US 101, the other on generally quiet back roads.

At mileage 1.4 we turned onto Slab Creek Road/Old Scenic Hwy 101 and had a slow, steady climb for over 5 miles through quiet forest.  Overall we were on this road for over 10 miles and I believe only 3 cars passed us, one the WT SAG car.  After the downhill, we stopped at the Otis Cafe for coffee/tea and delicious cinnamon rolls.

After just 1.5 miles back on US 101 in Lincoln City, we were routed around Devils Lake, a bit more traffic but nothing compared to the whizzing cars on US 101 which we rode for 15+ miles between Lincoln City, Lincoln Beach and Depoe Bay.

Just before Depoe Bay, I stopped at Boiler Bay and spent at least one half hour enjoying watching a group of 5 whales gently swimming around.  They drew quite a crowd of whale-watchers.

At 32 miles, we turned off US 101 again, along the Otter Crest Loop, a fairly good climb, but very little traffic. Our afternoon SAG was at Cape Foul Weather, though the seas were pleasantly calm today.

Back on US 101, we detoured to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.  It was fun to see the lighthouse from afar approaching from the north, then later see it across the bay from the south, as well as up close.

Our accommodations tonight and tomorrow are at the Hallmark Resort Newport – very nice.  My roommate is Barbara from Atlanta. I have enjoyed riding with her the past two days, and, of course, from the Peace Arch to Anacortes – sad she will be leaving in Crescent City.

Relive:  https://www.relive.cc/view/1201865783