There is a pattern to our riding days. Cool temps to start out and then beautiful perfect riding conditions all day long. Views of the coastline dominated today's ride with many groups of seals along the way.
Friday, October 5, 2012
WT Pacific Coast Riding day 8, Newport to Florence, Oregon
54 miles, 2,300' of elevation gain, temp range of 43-65 degrees under sunny skies.
There is a pattern to our riding days. Cool temps to start out and then beautiful perfect riding conditions all day long. Views of the coastline dominated today's ride with many groups of seals along the way.
We stayed on the 101 most of the day with good shoulders and moderate traffic. Pull outs were often and allowed us many opportunities for picture taking. We arrived in Florence before 1 and that allowed us to go see the historic downtown area and spend some time at a local coffee shop. Riding is up and down all day long but no heavy hills.
There is a pattern to our riding days. Cool temps to start out and then beautiful perfect riding conditions all day long. Views of the coastline dominated today's ride with many groups of seals along the way.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
WT Pacific Coast Riding Day 7, Pacific City to Newport, Oregon
48 miles, 2700' of elevation gain, temp range of 32 to 81 degrees with a light following wind all day.
Michelle replaced my broke cable and my Serotta was back to riding like a dream today. Yes another beautiful day. It was cold to start with but just a few miles down the road, we climbed and warmed up. Lots of pull outs along the ride making stopping to hard to resist. Hey its a tour.
We did encounter a "road closed sign" on route and did what any cycle tourer would do, we stopped a local driver and asked about whether bikes could get through. Once he said "no" and there was fresh oil we turned back and took the 101. We did shorten the ride but the real disappointment was missing a local cafe landmark, the Otis Cafe.
Lighthouses, coves, inlet streams, bridges were all part of today's experiences and a pod of whales.
Rolled into Newport and we have a beachfront hotel, the Hallmark Resort. Each room has an Oceanside view with deck, full living room and kitchen and LAUNDRY. Today is a rest day and we are sitting having morning coffee with the sliding door opened listening to waves and the songs of whales.
Michelle replaced my broke cable and my Serotta was back to riding like a dream today. Yes another beautiful day. It was cold to start with but just a few miles down the road, we climbed and warmed up. Lots of pull outs along the ride making stopping to hard to resist. Hey its a tour.
We did encounter a "road closed sign" on route and did what any cycle tourer would do, we stopped a local driver and asked about whether bikes could get through. Once he said "no" and there was fresh oil we turned back and took the 101. We did shorten the ride but the real disappointment was missing a local cafe landmark, the Otis Cafe.
Lighthouses, coves, inlet streams, bridges were all part of today's experiences and a pod of whales.
Rolled into Newport and we have a beachfront hotel, the Hallmark Resort. Each room has an Oceanside view with deck, full living room and kitchen and LAUNDRY. Today is a rest day and we are sitting having morning coffee with the sliding door opened listening to waves and the songs of whales.
WT Pacific Coast Riding Day 6, Cannon Beach to Pacific City
65 miles, 3600' of elevation gain, temp range of 45 to 75 degrees . Totally clear skies with light winds in the morning and howling winds out of the north in the afternoon.
Yes we had an absolutely beautiful day of riding with views of the Oregon coastline which should be envied by everyone. I had just one little hiccup to my day when my rear shifting cable all but totally broke so I was riding a three speed bike on a heavy climbing day. Well it all worked out and totally enjoyed the scenery.
We rode on the Oregon Pacific Coast Cycling route for most of the day which had endless pull outs so we could stop and see the scenery. As it turns out, we have also had indoor restrooms whenever I needed one.
I had not realized that there was so many off shore rock formations until doing this ride.It really is a way of discovering America one mile at a time.
There was no wifi at the hotel in Pacific City so had to wait an extra day to post.
Yes we had an absolutely beautiful day of riding with views of the Oregon coastline which should be envied by everyone. I had just one little hiccup to my day when my rear shifting cable all but totally broke so I was riding a three speed bike on a heavy climbing day. Well it all worked out and totally enjoyed the scenery.
We rode on the Oregon Pacific Coast Cycling route for most of the day which had endless pull outs so we could stop and see the scenery. As it turns out, we have also had indoor restrooms whenever I needed one.
I had not realized that there was so many off shore rock formations until doing this ride.It really is a way of discovering America one mile at a time.
There was no wifi at the hotel in Pacific City so had to wait an extra day to post.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Pacific Coast Rding Day 5, Long Beach, WA to Cannon Beach, OR
49 miles, 1100' of elevation gain, temp range of 45 to 77 degrees in glorious sunshine all day long.
Someone is really watching out for us. Blue skies with light winds in the beginning of the ride with a strong tail wind for the second half. We went on the coastal bike path right out of the hotel. 5 miles of a brand new path which ran along the beach with views of the Pacific as far as you can see.
Some of the group was anxious of the Astoria Bridge which spans the mighty Columbia for 5 miles as it can have horrible weather but not today. It was a spectacular day for the bridge part of the ride with relatively light traffic.
The rest of the ride had a tail wind with glimpses of the ocean and no fog. It was a great day for saving our legs and the three of us riding together stopped at Seaside and found a delightful coffee shop with pumpkin bread. We still managed to roll in by noon. What a cute town Cannon Beach is with wonderful accommodations along the ocean. Kitchen, deck and free laundry. What more could a cyclists ask for?
Someone is really watching out for us. Blue skies with light winds in the beginning of the ride with a strong tail wind for the second half. We went on the coastal bike path right out of the hotel. 5 miles of a brand new path which ran along the beach with views of the Pacific as far as you can see.
Some of the group was anxious of the Astoria Bridge which spans the mighty Columbia for 5 miles as it can have horrible weather but not today. It was a spectacular day for the bridge part of the ride with relatively light traffic.
The rest of the ride had a tail wind with glimpses of the ocean and no fog. It was a great day for saving our legs and the three of us riding together stopped at Seaside and found a delightful coffee shop with pumpkin bread. We still managed to roll in by noon. What a cute town Cannon Beach is with wonderful accommodations along the ocean. Kitchen, deck and free laundry. What more could a cyclists ask for?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Pacific Coast Riding Day 4, Elma to Long Beach, WA
84 miles, 2800' of elevation gain, temp range 33 degrees to 75 degrees with morning fog followed by glorious sunshine.
It was our longest day so far but not as hilly. It started out relatively flat but the fog was quite heavy and it was cold. Visibility was not great but we had wonderful shoulders along the entire ride. I think Woman Tours must have arranged for street sweepers as they were that clean.
Most of the ride was along rivers, sloughs and now we are at a beach side hotel having a great time. Most of us are tired but the warm sunshine is definitely lifting everyone's energy level. I imagine we will be leaving our windows open so we can listen to the pounding surf all night. Well, they do call it the Pacific Coast ride for a reason.
Traffic has been relatively light as it is well past tourist season and a good choice of dates. So if your not here why not?
It was our longest day so far but not as hilly. It started out relatively flat but the fog was quite heavy and it was cold. Visibility was not great but we had wonderful shoulders along the entire ride. I think Woman Tours must have arranged for street sweepers as they were that clean.
Most of the ride was along rivers, sloughs and now we are at a beach side hotel having a great time. Most of us are tired but the warm sunshine is definitely lifting everyone's energy level. I imagine we will be leaving our windows open so we can listen to the pounding surf all night. Well, they do call it the Pacific Coast ride for a reason.
Traffic has been relatively light as it is well past tourist season and a good choice of dates. So if your not here why not?
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Pacific Coast Riding Day 3, Bremerton to Elma, WA
69 miles, 2,800' of elevation gain, temp range 52 - 62 overcast but dry
The overcast skies were a good thing as it kept the morning temps warmer than they had been. Within 2 miles of the start hotel, there was a climb of over 20% which no one even attempted. Once past that irritant, the ride became quite beautiful with lots of water views and homes well out of my price range. As it was early Saturday morning, the traffic was really light. As the day went on, we were on such quiet roads, vehicles were never much of a problem.
We were rolling along next to a lake, when we had to make a left onto Trails Road with a warning of a steep climb. Some of the riders ahead of me made the mistake of stopping at the bottom of the hill. Whatever little momentum I had I was not willing to give up so I just got on the hill and went for it. I am currently using the Garmin 800 which gives me navigation but also gives me the % of incline. The bottom of the hill started at 9% went to 12 then to 15 to 18 and then I wasn't going fast enough to get an accurate reading. If I sat the front wheel was losing traction but if I stood the back wheel did likewise so I had to try to keep an equal amount of weight on each wheel. Not easy. I was pushing and pulling on the pedals as much as possible and pulling on the handlebars to the point that several finger cramped. I was way beyond the F word before the mile climb.Eventually, I did get to the top. I was one of the few that didn't walk and was happy that I made it.
Rode along Mason Lake as well as many other fresh water lakes. We did find a cute coffee house and had a latte while taking in the sights.
As it turned out, the hotel didn't have enough double rooms so I'm in a single. What a great treat.
I use Ride with GPS to map out the next day's ride and download onto my Garmin. It has worked out great for me as I don't have to deal with paper directions and it beeps at me if I start to go the wrong way. Didn't really need it on the Southern Tier ride as it was pretty straight forward, but this ride has many turns and sometimes the signs are missing.
Tomorrow should be good weather.
The overcast skies were a good thing as it kept the morning temps warmer than they had been. Within 2 miles of the start hotel, there was a climb of over 20% which no one even attempted. Once past that irritant, the ride became quite beautiful with lots of water views and homes well out of my price range. As it was early Saturday morning, the traffic was really light. As the day went on, we were on such quiet roads, vehicles were never much of a problem.
We were rolling along next to a lake, when we had to make a left onto Trails Road with a warning of a steep climb. Some of the riders ahead of me made the mistake of stopping at the bottom of the hill. Whatever little momentum I had I was not willing to give up so I just got on the hill and went for it. I am currently using the Garmin 800 which gives me navigation but also gives me the % of incline. The bottom of the hill started at 9% went to 12 then to 15 to 18 and then I wasn't going fast enough to get an accurate reading. If I sat the front wheel was losing traction but if I stood the back wheel did likewise so I had to try to keep an equal amount of weight on each wheel. Not easy. I was pushing and pulling on the pedals as much as possible and pulling on the handlebars to the point that several finger cramped. I was way beyond the F word before the mile climb.Eventually, I did get to the top. I was one of the few that didn't walk and was happy that I made it.
Rode along Mason Lake as well as many other fresh water lakes. We did find a cute coffee house and had a latte while taking in the sights.
As it turned out, the hotel didn't have enough double rooms so I'm in a single. What a great treat.
I use Ride with GPS to map out the next day's ride and download onto my Garmin. It has worked out great for me as I don't have to deal with paper directions and it beeps at me if I start to go the wrong way. Didn't really need it on the Southern Tier ride as it was pretty straight forward, but this ride has many turns and sometimes the signs are missing.
Tomorrow should be good weather.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Pacific Coast Riding Day 2, Port Townsend to Bremerton
55 miles, 3,400' of elevation gain, bright sunny day
We had striking views today as it was picture perfect riding day. A little cool to start with as it was 40 degrees for the first couple of hours, but no on minded as the climbing warmed us up. Pretty much rural roads, with deer and views of the water and coastline.
We stopped for a latte at a delightful little drive through and sat just chatting it up and enjoying ourselves. The ride today felt better than yesterday. We rolled into Bremerton where we will have our first rest day. Woman Tours decided to take the early rest day at a hotel adjacent to ferry and many of us are going into Seattle. I am going to see friends for the day and eat some seafood at Pike's Market.
We had striking views today as it was picture perfect riding day. A little cool to start with as it was 40 degrees for the first couple of hours, but no on minded as the climbing warmed us up. Pretty much rural roads, with deer and views of the water and coastline.
We stopped for a latte at a delightful little drive through and sat just chatting it up and enjoying ourselves. The ride today felt better than yesterday. We rolled into Bremerton where we will have our first rest day. Woman Tours decided to take the early rest day at a hotel adjacent to ferry and many of us are going into Seattle. I am going to see friends for the day and eat some seafood at Pike's Market.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)