Day 6: Pacific City to Newport

When I left off yesterday, I mentioned the high probability of rain.  In fact, it did start start raining overnight, I'm not sure what time but I woke up briefly at 4 am and it was raining.  Mary says she thinks it started at 3.  In any case, despite my hoping otherwise, it was still raining when the alarm rang.  Fortunately, it sounded worse from inside the tent than it really was.  I put the tent away in the light rain.  It was wet, but not as bad as if it were really coming down.

We have had nearly a week's worth of beautiful rides, quiet roads, and good-for-cycling-weather, if not outright sunny.  However, today was none of that.  Today was a long slog through rain and wind with some very strong gusts.  We also spent a great deal of time on highway 101, which is busy, noisy, and just not much fun, especially when you can't see much of anything.

The rain increased from light while putting the tent away to really coming down not many miles outside of camp.  We were also fighting strong side and headwinds.  It really takes the zing out of my day when I have to peddle going downhill and still feel like I am not making any progress.

After we turned on to Slab Creek Road and left 101, it was much more pleasant riding.  Slab Creek is a very quiet country road that turns into a forested area.  The first half of it is a gentle to moderate climb, the second half is a fun descent.  However, in this weather it was necessary to be quite cautious instead of flying down the hill.

After passing the small town of Otis, we rejoined 101 for a nerve jangling ride into Lincoln City.  Even on the best weather days, I find getting through Lincoln City to be intense.  I'm not sure why this town is so tricky but part of the problem is a disappearing shoulder/bike lane.  Sometimes you have enough space and sometimes there no space at all; nerve wracking for the cyclist and frustrating for the drivers.

Rest stop #1 was in the middle of Lincoln City at another Columbia Bank branch.  Those folks must have wondered what they had gotten into when they saw the state of us as we traipsed through their bank to the conference room in the back.  We were dripping and dirty with running noses.  I was thankful for the instant hot chocolate and the use of the restroom.

Wringing out my soaked socks.

From there we carried on another 20 miles, the majority of it on 101.  By then, the rain had mostly stopped, but there was still plenty of spray coming from the vehicles as well as my own wheels.  The wind, which had been quiet for a while, picked up considerably.  It was difficult to make progress in some areas.

 

I felt a real sense of relief to move off 101 and on to a side road into Otter Rock.  There are some great views to be had but I have seen it before under better conditions.  I felt like I just had to put my head down and keep pushing along.  Did I mention that this was our other notable climb?  

Just past the Otter Crest resort, we took a little road past the Devil's Punchbowl State Park to Mo's Restaurant, an Oregon institution.  This one is owned by two riders who joined us for the first 3 days, Celeste and Dylan.  They hosted us for chowder, one of their specialties.  There could hardly have been a better day for warm soup in the afternoon.

From Mo's, it was just over 10 miles to Rogue headquarters in Newport, but they were a long 10.  The wind was brutal for a number of miles.  Fortunately, it calmed down after a time, but it was terribly tiring at the end of six days.

The planned campground was very exposed to the wind and soaked as well as muddy, so the organizers strongly recommended that no one stay there.  There were a couple of hotels very near and also organizer Daniella opened her house to those who didn't want to go to a hotel.  

Mary and I decided to get a hotel room and did not regret it.  The long hot shower and fluffy towels were fantastic!  Although, we did miss out on the slumber party at Daniella's after dinner at Rogue.

Rogue hosted us for dinner and a celebration at their brewery.  Our final honoree, Owen, joined us.  He is 10 now, diagnosed with arthritis when in the first grade.  His dad spoke to us about Owen's experience.  It is much the same story as the other young honorees.  One recent and positive development is that Owen will now be able to get his infusion treatments locally in Corvallis rather than having to go monthly to Portland for them!

Keslynn and her family joined us for dinner as well.  We celebrated her and her twin sister's birthday, which is today.  Today is also my mother's and uncle's birthday.  They, too, are twins, one with arthritis, one not.  During a quiet moment I was able to call my mom and wish her a happy birthday.  Also, all the riders and crew signed a card for her.

Not just this mile, but the whole ride was for my mom and all those with arthritis.

 Tomorrow we have a group breakfast and then go our separate ways home.

After a day of rain, it is sunny and nice in Newport.  At Moe's Restaurant for breakfast.  Celeste and her husband own this place and Moe's West.  They hosted us for and were riders on the tour.

Celeste setting out a lovely breakfast platter.  Yum.

Breakfast close up.