September 20, 2022
Day 11 - Astoria to Manzanita
This is why I’m here
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After a day of relaxation I felt restored and ready to go. Our good weather was holding and we woke to a bright and sunny, though cold, morning.
Our route moved inland and followed the Lewis and Clark river for about 10 miles, then cut over back to the coast and dropped into Seaside.
There, we rode the Prom (promenade) that follows the beach for a couple of miles. I was riding mostly alone today, but met a couple of women in the group on the Prom and chatted a bit before we all rode off on our own again.
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Leaving Seaside, the route joined up with Hwy 101 south and stayed on the highway until Cannon Beach, where I veered off into the quaint town. Along the way, the ocean views were breathtaking, and I felt that this, this day and this ride, was why I had come.
Hoping to find others on the tour — and also find a good coffee shop — to stop for lunch, I rode up and down the Cannon Beach’s Main Street, which was filled with tourists. I didn’t find anyone from the tour, but did stumble upon Insomnia Coffee, and figured that sounded just right. I ordered a latte that turned out to be the best tasting coffee drink I’ve had in a long time. And they were okay with me eating my own lunch at one of their tables.
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As I was eating, I saw a couple of compatriots and waved them over. So the three of us ended up leaving Cannon beach together, meeting up with yet two more on the climb out of town. Lucky me, I had someone to take my picture on front of Haystack Rock.
Not long after, I encountered my first tunnel. The signed warned those traveling by car that flashing lights indicated bicyclists in the tunnel. It took me a bit to figure out how to activate the lights — there’s a button similar to a crosswalk button on a pole a few yards from the entrance. I pushed the button and started riding, but I was going uphill and moving slowly and a couple cars passed me inside the tunnel, which felt really unsafe, so I moved to the narrow raised pedestrian walkway and walked my bike the rest of the way.
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Finally, I reached camp. Turned out we had a couple of yurts and I was one of only 2 women who elected to sleep indoors that night. Camping is not usually my first choice.
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There was a beautiful sunset that night. Sharing a few pictures below.
Today's ride: 47 miles (76 km)
Total: 455 miles (732 km)
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1 year ago