Day 5: Cannon Beach to Pacific City

Around the campfire last night, a few people mentioned that there was a small chance of rain this morning.  Fortunately, there was no rain, but it was foggy and cloudy with a moderate and cool wind.

In the previous years of this ride, we have, for the vast majority of miles, just ridden down highway 101.  On this year's route we haven't been on it at all until today.  While there were some portions on the highway, there was also a lot of time on side roads, too.

Our first rest stop was at a branch of Columbia Bank in Manzanita.  It was one of the nicest looking banks I have seen.  There is a lovely water feature and garden in front.  Inside, the tellers and other workers are in a warm friendly environment (not heavy duty bullet proof plastic like my bank).  The manager greeted me personally when I arrived.

Front of bank with landscaped pond.

Do you recognize those bike icons?  The bank has been getting donations for us.

In addition to hosting a rest stop, they have also been fundraising for us, using the same bike icons as outside my cubicle at work.  

We continued through dairy farms on a fairly quiet road as I came to the intersection with the highway that would take us into the town of Tillamook, I saw this roadside sign.

Dave is one of the riders and he has arthritis.  You'll read more about Dave later.

We rode through Tillamook.  Last year this was an end point and we camped just across the road from the Tillamook cheese factory.  Since I visited last year, I didn't stop this time.

Tillamook Bay.

After riding through Tillamook we were out in the country again.  We had some big rolling hills all the way into Netarts.  Our second rest stop was there.  

After a quick lunch at a restaurant next to our rest stop, I got back on the road towards Pacific City.  We followed the same route the last two years through Cape Lookout State Park.  It starts flat along a bay and then gradually has bigger and bigger rolling hills until it turns into a full climb for about 2.5 miles.

I'm not sure if you will be able to tell from this photo, but the east side of the road has been clear cut.  Fortunately, the west side is still beautiful.  I assume the east side is not part of the state park.

The climb is challenging, especially on a full stomach.  We were greeted at the top by some of the crew.  Unfortunately, Mr. Incredible wasn't with us this year.  (See day 2 from last year for a picture.)

From that point, the is a swooping down hill for quite a good distance.  There are only gentle rollers after that until about 2 miles from town.  Then there are a couple a good climbs to get into Pacific City.  

There I am with Darin the mechanic (and much more) and Daniella from Bike Newport at the top of the Cape Lookout climb.

The sun finally came out during the last several miles, but went in and out of the clouds for the rest of the afternoon.

A haystack rock at Pacific City beach.  You can drive on to this beach.

Surfer at Pacific City beach.

One more view of Pacific City beach.

There are more bunnies at this campground, even more than at the last one.

Our honoree tonight was Dave, one of the riders.  Dave has had Ankylosing spondylitis.  This is another form of arthritis, primarily focused on the spine.  If left untreated, the vertebrae can fuse.

Dave's condition seems to have come on immediately after a skiing accident.  It took years before he was able to get a diagnosis.  Once diagnosed, like the others, he has been on a variety of medications.  He has done well with the biologics, which are delivered as an infusion.

Dave was a rider for the first time last year.  He was convinced to join us by his rheumatologist, Dr. Overman.  In fact, Dr. Overman brought a whole team down from the Seattle area.  He has since retired but is still doing volunteer medical work overseas.

There is a very high percent chance of precipitation tomorrow.  We are not looking forward to that.  If nothing else, I hope to be able to pack the tent before it starts.  Fingers crossed.