All in all it was another perfect day to ride...sunny, cool, and tailwinds.  I asked the riders, "What could be better than that?"  "Downhills," was the reply. 

The morning scurry was made a little more difficult due to the temperature at departure.  It was pretty cool when we were loading and we saw fog about a half mile from our motel.  The riders had to make some stressful decisions like: should I take my arm warmers, or just go with a wind vest?  Should I wear booties and tights or just use knee warmers.  Boy, those tough life decisions are always stressful aren't they.  You get on a bike ride where all's supposed to just fall into place and here we go and have to make a decision.  I know they were thinking, "Mike didn't say anything about having to make decisions during the orientation.  What are we to do?"  Well, we finally got them all on the road, extra clothes and all.  Well, everyone took all their clothes except Rick who always looks like he's riding in the middle of the summer no matter how cold it is.  I think the guy has a thermostat problem.

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 is 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 the back end rode through.  I spent over an hour just waiting for folks to ride through a couple places where I wanted to take photos.

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 be in the van so I'll be trying to keep track of what's going on from the road.  I think we're supposed to have another good weather day and the wind continues to blow us down the road.  It sure makes the scenery more vibrant when the sun is shining and the spirits are higher when that wind blows at our backs.  Thanks for tuning in...see you tomorrow.