Cycle Oregon

Sunday 11 – Day 1 Myrtle Creek to Camas Valley
Fogs and trees and rollers
54miles, 4700ft 49º – 74º

Ride opens into wet coldfog. Not a big day, but with the changing weather and varied environments it feels like we cover a lot of ground. Eventually the sun emerges through the dim misty haze.

The Inglorious Camplife
Camp in Camas is set on a Dirt drags field. A fast ride means arriving early as things are being set up. The windless dusty heat makes for an uncomfortable recovery so we go sit in the shade of the food tents to sip beer and chat with folks.

Monday 12 – Day 2 – Camas Valley to Bandon
75miles, 6100ft 39º – 52º
From the mist to the coast

Big climb separates this inland valley from the coastal foothills… Going up is fine, but heading down the other side I discover that too-small (140mm) disc brakes aren’t great for steep double-digit grades. I’m not the only one with issues; end up waiting for sag with a small cadre of other folks with a mix of delaminated carbon wheels, blown tires, broken hubs… No cell signal up here, Jay soldiered on through the rollers and headwinds to the beach-side camp in Bandon.

Tuesday 13 Day 3 Bandon to Gold Beach
60miles, 4000ft 52º – 64º
Coastal roll
Threading 2000 cyclists down Highway 1 makes for a few sketchy moments between glorious views. A sweet side-quest ride out to see the lighthouse on Cape Blanco made for a nice reprieve.

Wednesday 14 – Day 4 Brookings loop
60mile, 4900ft 53º-73º
Down the coast from Gold Beach to Brookings and back along the forest foothills.

Thursday 15 – Day 5 Gold Beach to Agness to Bear Camp to Indian Mary (Merlin)
71miles, 7400ft 50º – 70º

Punchy pace through the morning as we worked up toward Old Bear Camp and Grants Pass. That climb was enormous. I cranked up most of the way craving one of those Nature Valley oat and honey granola bars. Great lunch setup at the top (no granola bars tho).

Long meandering descent eastward toward Indian Mary Park put my too-small brakes to the test again on the steeper runs, but the flowing route along the creek into the valley was some nice riding.

The setting for camp was superb amongst the trees in Indian Mary Park. After a rough start to the trip, felt nice to finally relax. The river’s nearby, welcoming some wading in the chilly, clear water.

Friday 16 – Day 6 Merlin to Glendale
85miles, 4900ft 45º – 74º- 96º
A big day out

Awake in the dark and brisk temps. Feeling tired, stiff… hard to think about riding, ready to be done. Breakfast and a Nossa Familia mocha help prepare for the day.

Route was great, though. A proper day on the bike and felt like we covered a lot of ground again through such varied places. Morning section was wonderful; Wolf Creek, Rogue River. The rollers past Glendale out to the reservoir and back were some nice riding.

Weather heated up inland though. The mid-90’s in camp was inescapable even in the shade.

Saturday 17 – Day 7 Glendale to Myrtle creek
42miles, 1600ft 46º – 64º
Finish strong

Funky sleeps, woke up to the alarm and a cold start to the day. Turned out to be another interesting route though. Strange terrain, the road meandering amongst barren forest-fire-cleared hills. Most of the route pointed to Myrtle Creek was gradually downhill, so we let the legs rip for a punchy take-it-home last kick.

Gear notes

• 140mm disc brakes which come stock on most road bikes aren’t up to anything more than basic flat-ground riding. I had trialed them on Mt Diablo where they seemed ‘passable’ but hadn’t anticipated how unfamiliar roads and even-steeper grades would factor in. Upgraded to 160s as soon as I got home.
• Had a bunch of new camp gear for the trip; Marmot tents were so easy to put up and worked great.