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 our GPS.  At the top of that climb we got to our first overlook at Cape Meares...this was the first year that it was clear for us to see it.  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. 

I was riding today and enjoyed a brisk pace to the first climb to warm up.  I was also trying to get out ahead of folks to take some photos...it was a bit chilly but the effort did a nice job of warming me up and I was putting clothes in the van before I started to climb. About  half way to the second SAG, we came upon a nice town, Pacific City, where we stopped and had a wonderful bowl of clam chowder along with several other riders who had stopped to take in the sights and have a bit of lunch.

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.

At the top, we were greeted with a great descent which I got to do twice.  I'd been waiting for the final riders at a pie shop at the bottom of the hill as Barb drove by and said they were having a mechanical problem.  I had Karen drive me back to where they were and low and behold, they were at the top waiting for us.  I was able to fix the problem and as they were leaving I told Karen that I might as well ride back down since I could get there faster than she could in the van anyway.  So...off I shot down the curvy descent...what a rush.