November 15
Km’s Pedalled – 63.5 km’s
Destination – Willamina
Some Notes – Based on yesterday‘s experience in the rain I thought today was going to be absolutely miserable. When I woke up the rain had stopped and it was overcast. While the sun didn’t exactly come out today was far more enjoyable than I expected. It did rain a little on and off lightly throughout the day.
A juvenile Northwest Salamander. He wasn’t doing to good.
I’m actually headed inland from the coast to McMinnville for a few days to reconnect with someone from my past. Jake Volz was a Voortman Cookie distributor back when I was a truck driver. I probably delivered to Jake 7-8 times over the years. I ended up biking through Siuslaw Forest and thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Biking today reminded me how much I so enjoy Oregon (I just wish it was possible to dry out at the end of each day). On a sidenote many sections of the roadway has little or no shoulders. Biking in Oregon continues to be on the dangerous side.
Siuslaw Forest
I am not 100% sure what my plans are leaving McMinnville but due to the current weather (rain) I bypassed a scenic route to the coast from Tillamook, Cape Lookout and Pacific City which were all on my radar to visit.
November 16
Km’s Pedalled – 27 km’s
Destination – Youngberg Hill Winery in McMinnville
Taken from their website
Some Notes – The morning was a little miserable. I took my tent down in the rain but I did not have far to pedal to get nice and dry. I saw a lot of Oregon Newts and small frogs dead on the side of the road.
Youngberg Hill Winery
It was a heck of a climb up the hill to get to the winery. I confess I needed to push my bike for the last part. I am staying at the most luxurious place I have ever stayed thanks to Jake Volz who only a few days helped me get dry at his aunts in Nehalem. I did a little work but I also watched a bit of TV.
Youngberg Hill Winery & the sky
November 17
Some Notes – An uneventful day – wet and rainy. Jake brought me a 2 Safari Arie baseball caps. They look absolutely awesome. I did get 2 blogs posted and a Road Show with Brandon done this morning. I also watched more TV. My gear is dry and organized once again.
Jake had some custom caps made for me
November 18
Probably the laziest day of ride. I worked just a little bit but I mostly watched tv until 3am.
Youngberg Hill Winery
November 19
Km’s Pedalled – 57 km’s
Destination – Willimamina (exactly where I camped Nov 15 on my way to the winery)
Some Notes – Mixed weather of partly sunny and overcast and some light rain today.
I biked into McMinnville for a few supplies and to mail a box of crap home (to PEI). Then Jake and I did photos and drone footage around McMinnville and surrounding area till almost dark and then I biked to my old camping spot from the other day. It’s dropping to 1 degree tonight
Due to the rain I originally bypassed Tillamook (scenic loop), Cape Lookout and Pacific City to get to the winery quicker. I wasn’t sure if I was going to attempt to see these places. But with the weather the way it is I am more interested in heading south. Note to readers: these places are probably worth the visit if you are in the neighborhood.
With Jake Volz and my old camping spot
November 20
Km’s Pedalled – 69 km’s
Destination – between Kernville and Lincoln Beach
Some Notes – A cold, foggy and overcast morning. The sun that was promised did not come out until the afternoon. Overall, the temperatures were on the cold side. At least I was cold mostly all day.
A nice sunset at Lincoln City. It was hard to find a place to camp. I got stuck in the dark but found a place just in time. Traffic was busy all day long.
Lincoln City
Notice the frost?
November 21
Km’s Pedalled – 29.5 km’s
Destination – just past Beverly Beach
Some Notes – Another cold night. I woke up to frost on the ground, but also to sunshine. It ended up a beautiful sunny day. I met Jake for some drone footage along the coast at Boiler Bay & Depoe Bay.
Frost
Taken from Boiler Bay
Note- A road cyclist told me to turn off Otter Crest Loop near Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint to follow the shoreline. Super glad that I did. A really good day except for low km’s, but the drone footage will be way worth the time.
Depoe Bay & with Jake Volz – notice the drone
November 22
Km’s Pedalled – 61 km’s
Destination – Cape Perpetua/Siuslaw National Forest
Some Notes – I got lucky that the rain did not come until the afternoon. I was able to break camp, make breakfast and visit a few lighthouses before the rain started. – Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
I would have considered going to the Oregon Coast Aquarium this afternoon. The Google Reviews were good except that many parts of the exhibit were closed due to Covid-19. At $25 a ticket I would have to get the full experience for me to go.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
It rained the whole afternoon. I am stealth camped at Cape Perpetua/Siuslaw National Forest. I got here as it was getting dark (and raining) and finding a camping spot was priority. This looks like an amazing place to visit and take photos in the nice weather. Which I don’t have.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
I got lucky. The rain stopped long enough to get my tent up. I am fairly dry inside my tent and my clothes aren’t too bad either.
And apparently, I missed Thor’s Well? This was on my list of places to visit. I never saw a sign for it?
November 23
Km’s Pedalled – 66.5 km’s
Destination – the highest mountain peek between Florence and Reedsport
Some Notes – It was the warmest temperatures last night in a long time. But the tent floor is not very flat. It appears that I did not pick the greatest camping spot. I didn’t sleep the greatest and it didn’t rain very much last night. I can hear light rain outside. I am struggling to leave my sleeping bag.
The rain stopped as soon as I got on the road and by 12pm the sun was out. I visited Heceta Head Lighthouse.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
With the sun out I was having an amazing day. I was thinking I was one of the luckiest people in the world being on my bike ride. Tonight, I discovered that I left a cross member tent pole on the ground this morning – 61 km’s away. I am so pissed with myself.
Using a bungee cord to help keep the tent fabric tight. Notice how thin the tent is now
Washington Part 3 & Summary (Nov 4 to 9)