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DAY 05
A little warmer...but still overcast.  So today we ride with a Bandon. 

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ROUTE: Florence to Bandon OR DISTANCE: 76 Miles WINDS: Light and variable all day
WEATHER: Cloudy and cool...high 65 TERRAIN: Rolling early and hilly after 55 miles TOTAL CLIMBING: 3800 feet

DAILY REPORT: Our luck hasn't been as good as I'd hoped for the weather.  It hasn't rained, but it's been dreary ever since we got to the coast.  It was a little better today, but it was overcast all day and still on the cool side.  We loaded at our regular time and rolled out before 8:00.  We were going pretty well until I got a call from Tim that he was a mile from the motel with a flat...I was already about 5 miles down the road...back to town and fix a flat.  It didn't take him long to catch back up to the group as he was well inside the back end by the first SAG...all was back to normal.

Our route today was more inland than yesterday ergo not quite as scenic.  We were more in forest areas most of the day but we did pop out in a place or two to see the ocean...just to see that it was still there.  We also took a side trip of about a quarter mile to view the sand dunes...pretty impressive sight where the sand had drifted over the trees in some areas.  It's a pretty popular site for dune buggies and hikers...we were just passing through. 

Our first SAG was at a light house so naturally we were close to the shoreline there, but then we went inland again until the second SAG at 55 miles.  The road was filled with big rollers as the riders made their way through tree lined byways out of sight of the coastline and across a couple bridges. 

After the second SAG, a nice rest, and lunch in Charleston, they again went inland up onto a ridge line with plenty of climbing to test even the most fit of the group...7 Devils road.  I think the riders will always remember that stretch from the comments at dinner.  It didn't adhere to shallow grading a couple of times by any definition.  There were a few 10% pop ups as the road made it's way along the ridgeline up to a clear cut area that was starting to regenerate.  The growth was amazing since last year when we came through.  We churned along 7 Devils, Oregon Coast Bike Route, for about 15 miles as it went up and over several large "knobs" and back down along a well deserved winding descent to intersect 101 about 3 miles out of Bandon.  I got to know the Devils pretty well as I stayed out there while everyone rode through.  It was past 4:00 when I finally started over the top...long day in the saddle for a couple of folks. 

Although the views on the hilltops weren't as spell binding as the ones on the cliffs of the coast, they were beautiful in their own way as in many places you could see for miles across clear cut lumber areas.  Soon this area will be winding through tall pines when the trees start to grow again...it won't take long if they keep growing at the pace they seem to be now. 

Well, I've be rambling long enough.  It's time to hit the hay and get ready to do it again tomorrow.  It's my turn to ride so I'll be trying to keep track of what's going on from the road.  Hopefully, we'll get a break in this cloud cover and have some sunshine for a change.  Actually, the sun broke through just as the last rider got to the motel today.  It sure makes the scenery more vibrant when the sun is shining.  Plus, spirits are higher too (not that they are bad now).  Thanks for tuning in...see you tomorrow.

 

HEARD DURING THE DAY:

"Who put that hill there?"
"It was a woman."
"A woman?!"
"Yeah, Mother Nature."

"I was taking a photo of them when they crested that hill and I was almost sucked into the void left by the lack of air around them from the heavy breathing."

"How does this road keep going up and up?"
"Cause you haven't gotten to the down part yet."

"I was counting the seven devils but I lost count at 12."

"Can you wipe the chain grease off the tip of my tongue?  I about got it caught in my chain as I was climbing the first devil."
"At least you have a tongue, I ran over mine on the same hill."

"When I rode over the 7th devil, my computer registered 666."

"I'm having a sale on sunscreen."

"I've been taking photos for 2 days and nothing has come out.  This afternoon I charged my batteries and walla!  It works fine now."

 CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT:

As I was working my way to check on the front after the first SAG, I found Klaus, Mac, and John hammering well off the front and at a pace that would beat Barbara to the second SAG.  Rather than slow them down, I stopped them just before crossing the bridge into town, about 4 miles short of the SAG, and asked them to ride back and forth along a side road with the bridge in the background so I could take their photo.  They enthusiastically began riding back and forth in line and individually for that perfect shot.  Of course, I didn't get it right the first time...nor the second.  Oops, missed it...oops, the focus was bad...oops, you went by too fast...oops, you weren't close enough to the bridge (below), don't look at the camera, act like  you are going fast.  Each time they passed, I had to come up with something else to keep them interested.  By the time they passed in front of me for the 10th or so time, Barbara was well on her way to the SAG location.  Sometimes I have to be sneaky...but I did get some good photos.  

SCENES OF THE DAY?

This restaurant gives a whole new meaning to the term "Drive Through."

 

YES!!!!  Brian rejoiced as the sun popped out just before we started the evening route rap...quick, fetch my sunscreen?

"Tom, we didn't see this lighthouse this morning...it must have been the fog," John remarked.  "I'm not sure that's right, John," replied Tom.  "I think it was because we were in Florence."

Mac, Klaus, and John finally got tired of riding back and forth in front of the bridge...just take a still Mike.
   

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