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DAY 03
We Came, We Rode, We Were Awed

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ROUTE: Lincoln City to Florence OR DISTANCE: 77 Miles WINDS: North 10-15...good tailwinds...North 25 by afternoon.
WEATHER: Cool, slight obscured visibility with 73 for a high, clearing by afternoon TERRAIN:  Rolling all day TOTAL CLIMBING: 3608 feet

DAILY REPORT: 

OK, it just keeps getting better.  I don't think I've ever ridden in a more picturesque area than where we are right now.  That's coming from someone who's ridden in every state in the lower 48.  I've always said that everywhere we ride is beautiful in its own way.  That includes Kansas, Mississippi, or where ever.  But any way you cut it, this place is simply beyond words...even when it's obscured a bit by fog. 

Today we rode 77 miles, our longest day so far and probably the tamest as far as terrain was concerned.  The weather didn't cooperate quite as well with us either as it was on the foggy side most of the day.  It wasn't a ride problem and we had good visibility, but it was just a grey day and a bit on the chilly side when the riders would stop to view the sights.  The last riders that were out after 3:30 were able to see the sun break through and see better scenery.

Even though our route was 77 miles, several riders took a couple side trips to include a punch up to Perpetua Overlook which was a 900 foot climb in 2 miles which gave them an elevated view of the coast to the south...gorgeous and well worth the effort (left).  When I got to the top (no problem, I was in the van today), there were several people up there who were curious as to why we would ride all the way up there...for that view, I'd ride up about anything.  The road you see is the road we were riding...and it's waaaaaaaaaaaaay down there.  As with every hard effort there's a reward.  The technical descent back to the shore was invigorating.

All in all though it was a good day to ride...cool temperatures and tailwinds.  Everyone really enjoyed the push which allowed us all to take lots of time to view all the sights...and there was tons of 'em.  Around every turn there would be another more beautiful sight.  We spent most of the day pulling off every few miles just to soak it all in.  I made the kidding comment to Karen that I really missed the wheat of Kansas on this trip...she wasn't amused.  I spent the day cruising through the riders taking photos of them and the scenery.  I took more photos without riders today than I ever have...there was just too much to take in. 

Tomorrow we continue our journey and hope for better visibility...but we'll take what ever mother nature throws at us.  The forecast is for dry conditions for the rest of the week, but up here you never know if the visibility is going to be unlimited or a bit obscured.  As for now, it's late so I'll let the photos below give you some idea of what we've been enjoying all day.  See you tomorrow.  M

 
HEARD DURING THE DAY:

"Rachel, we love to hear you talk.  You could cuss us out and it still would be pleasing to hear."
"$%^&$#$%^&%%$#@$%#@#&"
"Well, maybe not."

This morning Marc was trying to figure out why his Garmin wouldn't fit on his handlebars.  "It always slides in this way," I heard him say as he continued to try to slide the unit into its holder from the front of the bike.  He rides a bike Friday as you can see and it didn't take long for us to figure out why he was having trouble.  He had his handlebars turned around backwards.  The whole process only proved a paraphrased old saying, you can be too close to the problem and not see the big picture.

I guess Rachel and Marie had a little problem this morning with keeping with the schedule.  Breakfast was at 6:30 but when I went down at 6:10 to put my stuff in the van before the guests, I saw them sitting in the lobby waiting for breakfast.  "Good to see you," I said, "You guys are up early."  "Yeah," Said Rachel, "Our alarm clock was a half hour early so we've been here since 6:00."  "Didn't you think it was unusual last night when TV shows were starting on the half hour," I asked?  "Don't you have TV shows that start on the half hour in the states," She replied?  "Not our hour long shows," I said. 

IT REALLY HAPPENED...HONEST!

Speaking of being too close to a problem, sometimes the problem is too far away...especially at our age and failing eyesight.  Yesterday, I was standing on the side of the road talking to another touring company ride leader while he was sitting in his van.  While there, Tom rode up beside us.  "Have you seen my brother?" He asked.  I said, "No, he hasn't come through yet."  Tom looked a little confused and asked, "Are you with America by Bicycle?"  "No," I said kiddingly.  "Oh, you are from another company," He said, "Never mind, you don't know my brother anyway."  About that time the other ride leader hollered, "This is Mike!"  "Mike who?" Tom retorted..."oh, it's you...our Mike!  I didn't recognize you."  It's was only day 2 so I can understand why he wouldn't recognize me right away...oh...it's his second time riding with us...hmmm, guess I made an impression the first time.

Speaking of failing eyesight, Tom's brother Cy isn't much better.  This morning he stopped me in the van and asked me to look at his front tire.  He wanted my opinion if he should change it out or not.  "It's got this big cut in it right here that I've had for a couple days and it seems to be getting worse," He said pointing to a blemish in his sidewall.  "It looks dead to me," I said referring to the squashed bug that was stuck to the side of his tire.  "What tha...,"  He said as he scrapped off the offending insect, "It looked like a big cut," He replied.  Hmmmm, maybe we better make the print on the cue sheets bigger.

SCENES OF THE DAY

Things were pretty slow today so I was able to rent a surf board and shoot a curl before the first SAG.  Didn't even get wet!

Eat your heart out Cy...the next wave will be along soon.

We do all we can to guide our riders through complicated areas.  Today we hired a Norseman to point the way...Bill still missed the turn.  Guess he didn't understand "Norse Code."

We had several turns to get out of town this morning so Tom and Cy told Barb they were afraid they would get lost.  Barb led them out of town with the van until they got to the highway.  As soon as she left them on their own, they found themselves at the mercy of the local giant crab.  We've just got to watch these two all the time, but their loved ones at home should never fear, we'll get them to Costa Mesa somehow.

Again today we saw signs that indicated that pirating isn't as glamorous as in the past.  "Argh...where's me crew?"

Sea Lions!

The Heceta Head Lighthouse was in the USA Today recently.  It is crumbling and too costly to repair.  We may not be able to see it too many more times.

The fog cleared later in the afternoon and the scenery became spectacular again.

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