Seaside to Devil's Lake State Park

After a day and a half of staying still, mentally I was raring to go. My legs however, had other ideas. My right knee is wrecked from being hit by a car. It can handle track and cyclocross just fine, but tends to ache after 90 miles or so on a road bike.

Or any time I climb on a fully loaded tour bike.

And this day started off with climbing.

And rain.

And headwinds.

And more climbing.

It honestly rained less than I expected, but when it did rain, it poured, soaking through my gloves and shoes in less than five minutes. About ten miles in, it hailed as I was descending back to the beach. Not terrifying at all to have speeding cars less than three feet from you when you can't pick up your head.

Around lunchtime, I made it to Tillamook and decided to play tourist to tour the cheese factory.

Leaving my bike is an ordeal in and of itself, so I don't do it often, but the lure of cheese making was too strong to resist. So I locked my bike to the fence and carried my panniers in with me.

Tillamook offers self guided tours and a look at their process, along with free samples. It was a good break and got me out of the rain for a while.

After Tillamook, the ride become much more enjoyable (as enjoyable as a rainy windy ride can be…) This is dairy country and the roads are lined with small farms. Cows stood in the rain, chewing their cud stared languidly at me as I rode by.

About 15miles before my planned stop for the night, the route takes you off the 101 and onto Old Coast Highway. This ten mile detour goes through beautiful old growth forest.

It also is a five mile climb that made me hate life.

But then, oh, but then, it's a glorious five mile descent back to the highway.

I hit Devil Lake State Park in Lincoln City just after dark. It was pouring again and I desperately needed a dryish place to pitch my tent.

Sweeping my headlight across the campground revealed no cover and worse, every sight was flooded.

There looked to be no place to sleep.

Finally, I said “screw it,” and pitched my tent in front of the shower building so I was protected from wind and rain (and lightning.)

I got away with it because the park was pretty empty, but I don't recommend it. The cement was freezing and the cold seeped through my mat and sleeping bag.

The camp host did make the rounds in the morning, but I was almost packed up by then, so he just waved me on my way.