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Oregon Coast Remix Takeaways

Don’t Rush Tent Setup: I experienced a rough night at Bastendorf Beach County Campground due to improper tent setup. I had to get out of the tent at 12:30 AM to stake it properly, improving airflow and reducing internal condensation, which kept me awake as large drops of water hit my forehead.

Every Trip Is Unique: James and I reflected on how each of our trips along the Oregon Coast differed. For example, I noted that every time I rode the coast, I used a different bike or setup, which made each journey distinct and memorable.

Critical Importance of Food and Hydration: I discovered that my difficulties during the ride were due to dehydration, which affected my overall well-being. I shifted my focus from electrolytes to drinking more regular water, especially after noticing that my urine color indicated dehydration. Also, snacks like frosted mini-wheats helped manage my energy levels.

Oregon Coast Weather’s Dual Role: The Oregon Coast’s weather was both a blessing and a challenge. For instance, while the cool, cloudy weather made for pleasant riding, the sudden appearance of the sun during our ride to Sunset Bay increased the difficulty, especially on long climbs.

Companionship on the Road: I noted that riding with James added a positive social element to the trip. Despite generally preferring to ride solo, I found it enjoyable to share the experience and have someone to talk to about various topics along the way.

Campground Upgrades: We stayed at a variety of campgrounds, each with different amenities. For instance, we found the new hiker-biker campsite at Jesse M. Honeyman State Park to be an improvement over previous experiences, with brand new facilities, flat tent sites, and a charging station.

The Value of Good Sleep: At Honeyman State Park, despite the riding challenges, I noted how a good night’s sleep helped me recover, emphasizing how crucial rest is for endurance on multi-day tours.

Adaptability to Changing Plans: The trip required constant adaptation, such as when we chose to stay at Bastendorf Beach County Park instead of Sunset Bay. This change was partly due to past negative experiences at Sunset Bay and partly because we discovered Bastendorf had amenities we preferred.

Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Despite the physical and logistical challenges, James and I remained positive, often joking about the difficulties and focusing on the highlights of the trip, such as the beautiful weather and the enjoyable ride through Bandon.

Where Are the Cyclists?: James and I are still pretty puzzled about the lack of cyclist encounters on the entire ride. We talked about some of the theories, but none of them alone explain it. Having the camps to ourselves was great but if there’s lower demand will the amenities go away?

Programming note!

Lael!

Next week we enter a new era in bike adventures… remember that ebike project? Let’s just say things escalated and you get to join me in the process!

Also… we have two more bicycle adventures left this year alone and planning for the winter trip in early 2025 is locked in. Lots more to come!

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 375: Oregon Coast Remix – Part 6.

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Oregon Coast Remix – Part 6

Segment 1: Departure from Bandon, Oregon

  – Early morning departure, catching the bus to Crescent City.

  – The stark contrast between cycling for days and the sudden speed of motorized transport.

  – Reflecting on the mixed feelings of leaving the Oregon coast but looking forward to more adventures.

Segment 2: Crescent City and Beyond

  – Arriving in Crescent City via bus and experiencing the rapid transition south.

  – The surreal feeling of covering in minutes what would have taken days by bike.

  – Exploration of Crescent City, a quiet yet interesting coastal town with a mix of old and new homes.

Segment 3: Journey to Medford, Oregon

  – Renting a Jeep for the drive to Medford, a stark contrast to the cycling experience.

  – The logistics of packing up the bike and the relief of having more freedom with a car.

  – Reflecting on the decision to spend extra money on a car rental instead of enduring a challenging bus experience.

  – Arriving in Medford and enjoying some downtime with a few beers and a simple hotel dinner.

Segment 4: The following week in Mendocino

  – Bonus content: Tim rides his Brompton to Mendocino, battling wind and heel strikes with his messenger bag.

  – The beautiful yet challenging coastal route, with reflections on the unique experience of riding the Brompton.

  – Meeting up with James in Mendocino for beers and conversation.

Segment 5: James’ Solo Journey

  – James shares his solo adventure from Bandon, Oregon, to Mendocino, California.

  – Highlights include staying at unique campsites like Florence Keller in Crescent City and Sue-Meg State Park.

  – Encountering heavy fog and low visibility while climbing out of Crescent City, but ultimately enjoying the beauty of the coast.

  – Discussion of the strange phenomenon of not encountering any other touring cyclists during the journey.

Segment 6: Reflections on the Pacific Coast Route

  – Tim and James reflect on the diminishing number of cyclists on the Pacific Coast route, speculating on reasons like the closure of Big Sur and the changing interests of the cycling community.

Statistics

• Miles Bussed from Bandon to Crescent City: 90 miles
• Miles Driven from Crescent City to Medford: 106 miles
• Miles Flown between segments: 5383
• Total Bicycle Tourists Encountered in Camps: 0
• Total Miles Cycled by James from Bandon to Mendocino: 412 miles
• Flats: 0

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 374: Oregon Coast Remix – Part 5.

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android – Google Podcasts – Stitcher – TuneIn – IHeartRadio – Spotify

Reach out to the show via email, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Oregon Coast Remix – Part 5

• Morning Update from Bastendorf Beach County Campground
  • Tim shares challenges with condensation and a disrupted night’s sleep.
  • Discussion on the overall rating of the campsite and amenities.
  • Plans for the day’s ride: Seven Devils Road to Bandon and finally to Bullards Beach State Park.
• On the Road to the Seven Devils
  • Decision to skip Sunset Bay and head straight to Seven Devils Road.
  • Overview of the route and expected challenges.
  • Reflections on the unique aspects of each trip and the enjoyment of new experiences.
• Riding the Seven Devils 
  • Tim describes the physical challenges of the ride, including dealing with humidity and climbs.
  • Frequent breaks and efforts to maintain hydration and energy levels.
• Arrival in Bandon
  • Arrival at Bandon Brewing Company for a well-deserved meal and beers.
  • Reflections on the ride, weather conditions, and experiences in Bandon.
  • Rating Bandon Brewing Company: 7.5/10
• Final Stretch to Bullards Beach State Park
  • The ride back to camp, facing headwinds and fatigue.
  • Comparison of Bullards Beach State Park to other campsites visited.
  • Rating Bullards Beach State Park: 8/10
  • Observations on the absence of other touring cyclists during this trip.
• Evening Reflections and Future Plans
  • Enjoying the final night of camping and discussing future adventures.
  • James plans to update his Adventure Cycling Association maps.
  • Teaser for upcoming adventure plans involving the ACA.

Statistics

• Miles biked 26.5
• Devils 7
• Beers 2
• Cyclists in camp 0
• Hikers in camp 1
• Flats 0