Today’s Highlights:
It was another beautiful blue-sky day with chilly morning temps and a little fog to soften the morning light. Our first eight miles were very pleasant on flat country roads past farms and along the Tillamook Bay, and we breezed along at a good pace. At eight miles we made a sharp left away from the beach and that’s when the work started, climbing a steep hill for two miles until we reached Cape Meares Lookout State Park. We took a side trip there to see the lighthouse, beautiful Pacific views, and took a hike to the Octopus Tree.
From the park, we continue our hilly ride through the forest. It’s amazing that such a short distance from the ocean you are deep in a dense forest of very tall trees. The route flattened for a while as we pedaled along the Cape Lookout area, and we had our first rest stop there. Our second big climb of the day came right after fueling up at the SAG, rising steadily 800 ft in 3 miles. The downhill ride was very appreciated.
We cycled past several beaches today, and they were all very beautiful, with long stretches of sand, ribbons of surf, sea stacks and cliffs, and very few people. The beach towns were small and it seems that we only traveled a few blocks before we were out of them.
At 50 miles we started our last big climb of the day with a 2-mile 700 ft climb. It was very slow going and the top was a welcome sight. For once, the downhill felt as long as the climb and we sped down winding curves. It was quite windy by then and strangely turbulent, which occasionally pushed the bike to one side or the other. At 35 mph, it added some excitement to the descent.
We are in Lincoln City tonight. Chris and I walked down to the beach after dinner about one hour before sunset. The beach stretches for a long way with cliffs in the distance. A strong north wind was blowing sand all down the beach and kicking up big waves. It was pretty, but not the right conditions for a pleasant sunset walk.
Did I say Beautiful…
because I meant breath-taking. We rode both on the shore and on the cliffs right above it. It was a clear day with more great scenery. It’s ineffable, so I hope the pictures do it justice. Good thing I slept for 12 hours last night (6pm-6am) so that I had the energy to ride and enjoy it. And I really enjoy the way the ocean comes right up to the cliffs with the towering trees looking down. The Octopus Tree was quite interesting.
The hills were tough again today, but I felt stronger. I was unaware of the last big climb, so it was tougher mentally than physically.
Chris
Pictures Of The Day:
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Chris: