We woke early to a sinister fog lurking around the high areas around the motel.  I guess that's a common occurrence around here especially this time of year.  We loaded at our normal time and rode our bikes to breakfast about a mile and a half from the motel.  By the time we finished breakfast, the fog was still there but we had plenty of visibility to ride.  The only problem was the early great scenery was pretty much covered up most of the morning, but it was still a beautiful ride.

Our route took us along the Oregon Bicycle Route which bounced off 101 in a couple places and was a day of contrasts.  First we rode along tidal waters and farmland.  Then we climbed to pine and fir forests; popped out to spectacular coastal shore lines; rode through desert like sand dunes; marveled at the clear cut devastation of logging companies; and finally found ourselves in thick, old growth forest...just a good day on the bike. 

We started out on a flat stretch that allowed us to at least warm up a little before the climbing started.  Our first punch upward that got our blood flowing was at 8.2 on the Three Capes Scenic Route...that slope was between 8 and 9% according to Fred's GPS.  At the top of that climb we got to our first overlook at Cape Meares but we were socked in the fog...sigh.  After Cape Meares, we had a great descent only to find we needed to climb back to the level we were before...I guess the people who built the roads out here didn't know about following a ridge line...or was there a ridge line.  Throughout most of the day, we found ourselves either riding along the coastline near a beach or up on the bluffs that overlooked the ocean.  And as I said, most of the morning we were in and out of fog which made the temperatures vary as much as the terrain.  When we were in the foggy areas, it was cool and damp, but when we would pop out into a sunny area we had to shed some clothes or burn up.

I rode solo today until the first SAG and then picked up John H on one of the downhills and rode with him until the second SAG.  He's just got a new Roark and can really fly.  I enjoyed the brisk pace...it was a bit chilly so the effort did a nice job of warming us up.  About  half way to the second SAG, we came upon a nice town, Pacific City, where we stopped and had a nice welcomed cup of hot chocolate and a blue berry muffin. 

After the second SAG in the town of Neskowin, we left hwy 101 and made our way up Slab Creek Road.  This windy road took us through a few miles of old growth forest...tall moss laden fir trees that stood stoically along our path and provided beautiful scenery as we pushed our way to the summit.  Something else we saw that is common in this area was several areas of clear cut...areas where they have stripped the landscape of all standing trees for the paper mill.  We would be riding in a beautiful tree lined area just to pop out into a large area that looked like a war zone...ground in turmoil with the only thing standing being stubby tree stumps that were once proud tall trees.  Luckily, this area on Slab road hasn't been subjected to such destruction.  It was quite a pleasing detour off 101.

Even though we had some fog today, it wasn't a total washout.  We still saw some beautiful scenery and got to ride some super cycling roads.  The afternoon after the second SAG was a little better as the sun tried to pop out a bit, but the temperatures were still on the cool side.  And to say it was cool is an understatement after spending 3 weeks in Alabama when it didn't get below 100 the entire time.  I was pretty shivery most of the day.  But temperatures aside,  I always said that I saved the best riding for last meaning Oregon was the last of the continental 48 states that I've ridden in...and the coast is the best yet.  Hopefully, we can have a clear day tomorrow...I'm riding again!  We'll see you then.