A nearly perfect stretch of road
95.5 km today, 667.6 km total
(Photos coming soon.)
On the road a bit before 0900 today. Stopped soon for a GIANT cinnamon roll at a bakery by Sunset Beach, eating most of it on the beach while watching a model airplane buzz around. Had to backtrack a bit, since a road on the map that I'd decided to follow turned out to be gated, with "No Trespassing" signs.
Met another cyclist a bit before Seaside, Dale on a Surly. Didn't catch where he was from. Seaside was very touristy, but had a nice beach, with a pleasant ride along the promenade. Stopped for a few groceries, then at a roadside cafe a few miles outside of town for a sandwich, which I ate on a big rock a bit off 101 on a side road.
Before entering Canon Beach (apparently named for a ship's canon that had washed up on shore there), I took a side trip to Ecola State Park, following a nearly perfect stretch of cycling road through the forest: windy, narrow, low traffic, smooth pavement, with some steep climbs, but very fun descents, a few peak-a-boo views of the ocean through the big, old trees. Sort of reminded me of Interlaken in Seattle, but better. And, unlike the cars, I didn't even have to pay the entrance fee, being waved through by the attendant.
I took in the nice views of the rocky coast and beaches from the viewpoint at the park, and then continued following the road towards the beach.
While puffing up one of the steeper sections in my lowest gear, a car full of young women slowly pulled along side, a couple hanging out the windows, cheering me along. I smiled, waved, and then started blowing kisses, which they returned, giggling, as they pulled away.
When I arrived at the beach, they were pulling on their wetsuits, to head out with their boogie boards to frolic in the surf, and I talked to them for a couple of minutes. Turns out they were college freshman, just starting school, and had come to the coast for a weekend of fun. They ended up inviting me to come to their slumber party that night(!?) at the motel they were staying in (all in a single, small room), but I declined(!?). They were probably just hoping I'd buy them alcohol...
Spent an hour or so at the beach relaxing, wading, and watching the surfers, then headed into Canon Beach. At the end of the last long, fast, windy, exhilarating downhill from the park, I actually thought about turning around to ride it again, but decided to to fuel up on Tillamook ice cream in town instead. One large double cone later, I continued on south to Manzanita, where I set up camp at Nehalem Bay State Park.
Headed back into town for a pizza, which I ate on the beach while watching the sunset, then back to the campground for a shower, then back into town to check out the pub, which had some decent live music, and where I ended up talking to several other tourists.
(Photos coming soon.)
On the road a bit before 0900 today. Stopped soon for a GIANT cinnamon roll at a bakery by Sunset Beach, eating most of it on the beach while watching a model airplane buzz around. Had to backtrack a bit, since a road on the map that I'd decided to follow turned out to be gated, with "No Trespassing" signs.
Met another cyclist a bit before Seaside, Dale on a Surly. Didn't catch where he was from. Seaside was very touristy, but had a nice beach, with a pleasant ride along the promenade. Stopped for a few groceries, then at a roadside cafe a few miles outside of town for a sandwich, which I ate on a big rock a bit off 101 on a side road.
Before entering Canon Beach (apparently named for a ship's canon that had washed up on shore there), I took a side trip to Ecola State Park, following a nearly perfect stretch of cycling road through the forest: windy, narrow, low traffic, smooth pavement, with some steep climbs, but very fun descents, a few peak-a-boo views of the ocean through the big, old trees. Sort of reminded me of Interlaken in Seattle, but better. And, unlike the cars, I didn't even have to pay the entrance fee, being waved through by the attendant.
I took in the nice views of the rocky coast and beaches from the viewpoint at the park, and then continued following the road towards the beach.
While puffing up one of the steeper sections in my lowest gear, a car full of young women slowly pulled along side, a couple hanging out the windows, cheering me along. I smiled, waved, and then started blowing kisses, which they returned, giggling, as they pulled away.
When I arrived at the beach, they were pulling on their wetsuits, to head out with their boogie boards to frolic in the surf, and I talked to them for a couple of minutes. Turns out they were college freshman, just starting school, and had come to the coast for a weekend of fun. They ended up inviting me to come to their slumber party that night(!?) at the motel they were staying in (all in a single, small room), but I declined(!?). They were probably just hoping I'd buy them alcohol...
Spent an hour or so at the beach relaxing, wading, and watching the surfers, then headed into Canon Beach. At the end of the last long, fast, windy, exhilarating downhill from the park, I actually thought about turning around to ride it again, but decided to to fuel up on Tillamook ice cream in town instead. One large double cone later, I continued on south to Manzanita, where I set up camp at Nehalem Bay State Park.
Headed back into town for a pizza, which I ate on the beach while watching the sunset, then back to the campground for a shower, then back into town to check out the pub, which had some decent live music, and where I ended up talking to several other tourists.
posted by Matt at 16:48
3 Comments:
The next time a car full of young ladies invites you back to their motel, repeat after me: "OK!".
What's a bike tour without a little adventure, anyway?
Glad you're having a good time and writing about it - I look forward to reading more :)
-Denny
i was just about to type exactly what denny said.
next this happens, just close your eyes, and think "what would point83 tell me to do".. then by them some booze and see where the night takes you.
by == buy
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