May 27: Fun in the Sun, Oregon Style
What an amazing day of riding! I almost felt like an avatar in a video game, bumping along back country roads, swooping around one glorious water view after another, navigating twisty roads through the forest, and then meandering along a patchwork quilt of farmlands as we headed north. The ride was especially glorious because Leo Guzman Fernandez and I managed to avoid the rain and lightning forecasted for much of the area. Read more of the details here.
Leo and I had originally planned to ride to Bend and back today but made a last-minute change of plans to enjoy as much sun and blue sky as possible. The morning started off a little cold and cloudy as we headed south along highway 213, passing sheep grazing in their fields and cows in their pastures. The sun started peeking out as we reached Gap Road in Coburg and I almost felt transported to the back roads of Tennessee with the rolling green hills, lush valleys, and picturesque little farmsteads dotting the countryside.
After a fantastic meal at the Creswell Bakery, we headed west on Hamm Road on one of my favorite routes west. This section of road makes several delightfully tight turns through thick evergreen trees on its way to Veneta and highway 126. From there we followed the Siuslaw River to Florence and then the Pacific Ocean north.
Following highway 101 north past Heceta Head Lighthouse on our way to Newport, I was struck by how incredibly green and blue the ocean was today. The frothy white waves hitting the dark cliffs provided a stark contrast to the bright blue sky and deep waters below. Stopping at the Heceta Head Lighthouse we were able to see sea lions sunning on the rocks below and enjoy the cool ocean breeze with the sun on our backs.
At Newport we followed the Yaquina Bay Road east. I couldn’t help laughing with joy as we bumped up and down on the potholes, swooped around corners near the water’s edge, and gazed out at the marshlands and bay beyond. After taking highway 20 east we headed north on Priest Road, enjoying the green, yellow, and brown patchwork of farms and fields on both sides. What an amazing day on the bike!
