I rode the Three Capes Brevet as a pre-ride and consented not to blog about it until my report was published on the Oregon Randonneur mailing list. Well, that happen today, so here is my report…
Saturday morning delivered the promised weather – rain. None the less, I left the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove just a few minutes after 6:00 am on the Three Capes Brevet Pre-Ride. Passing through the still sleeping town of Forest Grove, it seemed that each and every stop light was red for me causing me to have a slow start for this brevet, and they did serve as an indication of what was to come.
The back roads to the Wilson River Highway were quite in terms of traffic, but busy at the dairies that I passed. Farm workers do start early! The shrot section the Wilson River Highway to Timber Road was OK, but for me the rain moved from light to medium strength. The Timber Road climb is not difficult, until the last half mile, then it becomes worthy. Back on the Wilson River Highway, I slowly climbed up to about 1,600 at the summit. The warming of constuction on my tentative queue sheet was not to be found. Descending, the rain became very heavy and water soon covered the road. Cars were splashing me as they passed and I was a bit unnerved. However, as I gained the plains nearing Tillamook, the rain stopped and the roads were dry.
There is road construction on the long, straight stretch of road from the truck scales all of the way into Tillamook. Traffic barrels are placed between the traffic lane and the shoulder separating you from traffic. However, there were several construction ‘Caution’ signs that I had to maneuver around. This could be an issue if you are in a fast group.
In Tillamook, I stopped at the Safeway and a helpful worker directed me to a cycling shop so I could pick up an item I had forgotten. This is Trash Mountain Cycle and is two blocks north of the Safeway on First St. It was there that I learned the the Three Capes Loop road was closed due to hillside slippage.
It was true, just after crossing the Wilson River Bridge, there two dogs came out after me, the signs began. I soldiered forward knowing that I had ridden many closed roads before. After turning up the hill toward Cape Mears I came upon the barriers blocking the road. Beyond them, I could see where the road had slipped down toward the ocean. This section was now about 50 feet of gravel with cracks that indicated the earth movement.. It looked to be momentary stable, so I walked my bike around the barriers and across the gravel. Back on the bike, I soon came to a second but shorter section of gravel. I passed and continued up the hill and found more barriers just short of the Cape Mears Lighthouse road.
The descent to Netarts with the rather larger rollers were fun, especially because the roads were dry and there was no rain falling. I did not stop in Netarts but set my sights on Pacific City.
However, between Pacific City and myself was the Cape Lookout climb. This climb is steep but there is a wide bike lane available. I did take advantage of it whenever what little traffic I came came pass. As to the descent, the queue sheet warns “caution on descent, very rough with erosion”. Please heed this warning as it is valid. In several areas, the road is slip, sliding away.
After fighting the Oregon Coast south wind, I stopped at Stimulus Coffee in Pacific City enjoyed an latte and one half of a turkey club sandwich. The other half was wrapped in plastic by the helpful folks so I could enjoy later.
After a short ride through the rest of Pacific City, and for a short distance along US 101, where the rain started again, I turned inland and began the Little Nestucca climb, which is not as steep as Cape Lookout, but is much longer. Passing Sourgrass summit. As I descended I saw the sign “Grooved Pavement Ahead” and sure enough I encountered short sections of somewhat older, but still annoying grooved payment.
I rode down into Grand Ronde, but I did not stop. Looking at the two opportunities for services, I would recommend the Casino Gas Station Market as it looks much more well stocked.
SR 18 is very busy highway, with an adequate shoulder, but after the Casino Market, you come to a very narrow bridge with no shoulder. Checking traffic behind me, I decided to wait until the road was clear rather than contest the bridge with much larger, and faster traffic. After the bridge, I stayed on SR 18 all of the way to the freeway-like exit bypassing the grassy route to the Yamhill River Road. It was much too muddy for me.
SR 18 coming into Willamina looked to be freshly repaved, but be aware of several dangerous, recess water runoff drains. They looked to be very dangerous!
After passing through Willamina and Sheridan the back roads to Amity were nice. As I approached the Dayton control, darkness fell for me, but the rain that started on US 101 continued (as it would all of the way back to Forest Grove).
In Amity, I stopped at the Amity Chevron and ate my saved sandwich from Pacific City and made my favorite ‘this bottle will get me home’ concoction – One scoop of Hammer Perpeteum and one scoop of Hammer HEED, mixed with Red Bull. Wait, don’t have that reaction – it is really quite good! This helped concoction me to be awake as SR 99 and SR 233 can be rough at times with some potholes.
I did stop at the market and Dayton and found it to be friendly and well stocked.
Following the back roads to Forest Grove in the rain was without issues, and even a bit of fun. Once back at the Grand Lodge, I arrived early enough for a late night dinner of fish and chips.