Oregon Coast Spring Training 3/29

DATE: March 29, 2007
ROUTE: Redwood Loop
DISTANCE: 52 miles
TIME: 4 hours 10 minutes
CEG: 2400 feet
WEATHER: 60s sunshine


I saved the best for last: cycling through the Redwoods. The morning air was warm and the wind was light. Everything was sparkling (and almost dry) after the storm. I rode the now familiar road south to Crescent City and followed the signs east to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. It was established in 1929 and comprises 10,000 acres of mostly old growth redwood along the wild and scenic Smith River. The park has been designated as a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. The entrance to the park is at the top of Howland Hill, a formidable 2 mile climb. It took me 30 minutes in my lowest gear wobbling along at 1.9 mph. The next 6 miles of road was hard-pack dirt with occasional sections of mud. This offered interesting challenges on a road bike. I stopped at the Stout Grove and strolled the 1 mile loop along the Smith River past the largest (circumference) Redwood yet discovered. I turned west at the tiny village of Hiouchi and followed the north bank of the Smith River until I reached the Pacific. A few quick miles along the ocean and I was back at the cabin. In the late afternoon Jon and I hiked another portion of the Oregon Coast Trail, and actually walked over one of the amazing arches to a spectacular view point.


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Oregon Coast Spring Training 3/28

DATE: March 28, 2007
ROUTE: Chetco River North Bank
DISTANCE: 48 miles
TIME: 3 hours 40 minutes
CEG: 1800
WEATHER: 50s sunshine

As soon as the temperature hit 40 degrees, I was on the road. I returned to the Chetco River to explore the North Bank Road. This road stays closer to the river and is more populated than the South Bank Road. I finally had to turn around 18 miles upstream when the road turned to gravel. Jon met me on my descent with a much appreciated Diet Coke. We had time in the late afternoon for a short hike on the Oregon Coast Trail.

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Oregon Coast Spring Training 3/27

DATE: March 27, 2007
ROUTE: Hike on the Oregon Coast Trail
DISTANCE: 4 miles
TIME: 1 hour 30 minutes
CEG:
WEATHER: 50s clear and windy


The storm finally passed in late afternoon. We drove north to hike a portion of the Oregon Coast Trail in Samuel H. Boardman State Park. This corrider is a 12 mile, forested linear park with a rugged, steep coastline interrupted by small sand beaches. It was named after the first superintentent of Oregon Parks. He and others of his generation believed that this amazing coastline must be saved for the public. Seaside prairies, spectacular vistas, secluded coves beaches, rugged cliffs and forested sea stacks come one after another.

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Oregon Coast Spring Training 3/26

DATE: March 26, 2007
ROUTE: Hike in the Oregon Redwoods
DISTANCE: 2 miles
TIME: 45 minutes
CEG:
WEATHER: 50s wet and windy


A storm was predicted and it hit with a vengence. Angry surf and howling winds kept me off the bike. We suited up in our rain gear and hiked into the Oregon Redwoods, a little known grove up the Winchuck River. We had the place to ourselves. I like being in the woods anytime, and a walk through this ancient forest in the wind and rain had a special allure.

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Oregon Coast Spring Training 3/25

DATE: March 25, 2007
ROUTE: South Bank Chetco River
DISTANCE: 30 miles
TIME: 2 hours 15 minutes
CEG: 1800 feet
WEATHER: perfect 60s sunshine


This morning I headed to Brookings, only 6 miles north. Brookings has a population of 6000, most of whom make their living by fishing, teaching, or catering to tourists. The temperate climate allows the startling sight of azaleas and camillas blooming in the shade of stately palms.

I had to ride on 101 just to cross the border, then was able to take Sea View Drive west of the highway. At Brookings, I cycled east up the beautiful Chetco River on South Bank Road. After the first mile of suburban neighborhoods and light traffic, I found myself on a lovely mountain road next to the river. It repeatedly ascended the bluffs then dropped to the river. The road eventually became a paved lane which finally turned to gravel --- where I turned around. This is my favorite kind of training road: rolling hills with diverse and spectacular scenery.

I arrived back at the cabin with plenty of time for an afternoon hike along the Oregon coast north of Brookings.

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Oregon Coast Spring Training 3/24

DATE: March 24, 2007
ROUTE: Crescent City/Elk Valley Loop
DISTANCE: 50 miles
TIME: 3 hours 30 minutes
CEG: 1400 feet
WEATHER: perfect 60s sunshine


NOTE: This is a practice blog. I will use this format to post my journal on my bike tour this summer. I'm riding from St. Petersburg to Istanbul and hope this format will work to keep family and friends apprised of my experiences. Comments and suggestions on how to improve the postings would be appreciated.

This year we decided to spend spring vacation on the southern Oregon Coast because of its reputation of mild temperatures and abundent sunshine. Although it is always foolish to count on good riding weather anywhere in Oregon during springtime, I knew it had to be better than the snow still lurking in Sisters. My tour was looming ever closer and I knew had to get serious about training. Jon picked me up at school at noon (half-time teaching is the best!) on Friday March 23 and we headed south --- packed to the gills with bicycles, Jon's motorcycle, and Banjo, our wild and wicked Labradoodle. We rented an ocean-front cabin just a few feet south of the Oregon/California border between Brookings and Crescent City. I had previously cycled this part of the Pacific Coast, but had not spent any time exploring the area. So off we went. It was a beautiful drive on a beautiful day: through the Cascades, past Crater and Diamond Lakes, skirting Grants Pass and down through the Siskyous to the Pacific. We arrived in time to take an evening motorcycle ride along the Smith River through the Redwoods. After a short walk on the beach, I studied my maps while Jon fixed dinner.

I decided to head south to Crescent City along a road west of 101 and then return through Elk Valley. It was a beautiful route through fields of lilies, dairy farms, and the Lake Earl Wildlife Refuge. I cycled through the rural communities of Smith River and Fort Dick and entered Crescent City on Pebble Beach Drive right next to the pounding surf. I returned north on Elk Valley Road. It skirts the Siskyou foothills and consists of homes on small acreages, a golf course, fields, and forests. What a throughally enjoyable introduction to the most northern coast of California!

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