Day 7 - Thursday 9/17/2015 - Tillamook to Newport

As I write the blog this afternoon, the gents are soaking in the motel hot tub, sipping 12 year old Yamazaki - Single Malt Japanese Whiskey.  A well deserved respite, long ride, rain, hills, fog and, well, just a long day.

When we were woken up at 4:30 am by LOUD rain drops – there was not much optimism about what the day might hold for the cyclists.   At 5:45 the rain had stopped, but the damage was done – wet roads, wet everything.  Off to breakfast at Denny's - then back to the motel to get in the cars and drive to the starting point for the day - about 10 miles south of Tillamook on US Hwy 101.

Look who didn't get the wardrobe memo today!

Our route today provided numerous stops for photo ops - too numerous to add here.  A few highlights as we traveled south along 101 through Lincoln City, Depoe Bay to our motel in Newport.  The Oregon coast revealed itself through dense scrub evergreens and wide open lookout spots.  Spectacular!

I am pretty sure this is the cow that gives us chocolate milk?

Fogarty Creek State Park

Boiler Bay Wayside

Boiler Bay Wayside

Kathi did a great job keeping up with Tracy today - no one got lost or got left behind.  And it was a good thing because there were some big hills along the route - as you can see here, they did take a toll on one cyclist.

But, as with all USC grads - you pick yourself up and go!

Cycling Stats for today provided by Tom:
A respectable 75 miles today, but a not too stellar avereage speed of 13.8 mph.  The reason for the not too stellar average was that we had 3600 feet of climbing.

All in all it was a good day.  I got my saddle adjusted properly so my crotchal area didn't hurt, and more importantly,  once again the Oregon weather forecasters missed the mark.  We started out with wet roads and a little rain, but as the day wore on, the weather improved.  The last 15 miles to Waldport were good, with dry roads and a little headwind..I'm beginning to think that when the Oregon weather folk get to 40% accuracy, they get promoted to forecast in Colorado, where 40% makes you a super star.

Tracy took a page from Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hears Club Band and got a little help from his friends on some of the hills.  One hill today was the worst of the trip so he made a good choice.

Points of interest:

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

On June 8, 1866, President Andrew Johnson signed an Executive Order that set aside 19 acres for a lighthouse to be constructed at Yaquina Head.  The lighthouse was first lit on August 20, 1873

A bit hard to read - but pretty interesting info about Captain Cook.

 Cape Foulweather is a bit south of Depoe Bay, the smallest harbor in the world.