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Back to West RidersDAY 4
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| ROUTE: Bandon | DISTANCE: 75 Miles | WINDS: Light and variable all day |
| WEATHER: Sunny, Clear, and Warm; High 75 | TERRAIN: Rolling with some good climbs on 7 Devils | TOTAL CLIMBING: 3560 feet |
DAILY REPORT: 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. "Great!
I guarantee you will have some today...but first...you'll have to get some
altitude." Since both our start and our destination are about the same
level and on the beach, if they want to do some descending, they'll have to do
some climbing first...we had plenty of both today.
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 3
hours 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.
Everyone's doing well it seems. We have a couple of saddle sores and a lot of sore legs, but nothing so far that would be a major problem. Well, I've be rambling long enough. It's time to hit the hay and get ready to do it again tomorrow. I think we're supposed to have another good weather day and 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.
PS: I have the meet the riders up and running now...so you can check out the group. Will have a group shot soon.
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HAPPENINGS ON THE ROAD |
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We do all we can to guide our riders through complicated areas. Yesterday we hired a Norseman to point the way. I guess we should have briefed the riders on "Norse Code." |
Who ever put Julie together must have lost the instruction manual. Bodies aren't supposed to be able to do that. |
| "Boy, you look chipper today." "Humph." "Yes, I just said that to make you feel good." "Didn't work." "I don't stretch...I might hurt myself." "You pilots are all alike...you can't find your way anywhere without a
navigator." "That 7 Devils wasn't so bad." "Never knew I had that gear." |
Look behind you David and you'll see your next challenge...the bridge into Coos Bay. |
Greg, it's only fair that you hold up the wall that's holding up your bike. |
JB...those are some Mac Daddy mittens you have on there. "Yep, you just never know when a snow ball fight might break out." |
Even though we weren't along the coast much today, we still had some neat vistas. |
And the climbing was rewarded with some nice descents too. |
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