We spent the night at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport and I had a bird's eye view of the Shark Tank. The video below is taken from where I spent the night. It's pretty cool, plus no tent to put up or take down. However, I'm situated 10 feet away from the guy snoring like a freight train. I do enjoy the social time with everyone cycling the People's Coast Classic, but I prefer my solo riding days to these. When I'm riding solo, I'm on my own schedule and my mind just floats. At the PCC, I'm spending a lot more time stressing out over stuff. Plus, nobody is snoring when I'm alone.
These would be jellyfish
These would be starfish
This was the day I have been targeting as meaningful if I could get through it unscathed. I figured that if my knee could get me through 3 days riding more than 200 miles, there would be a good chance I might be able to make it to the finish. While I don't think I'm out of the woods yet, I felt good about how I held up. After 80 miles of riding, my achilles was less swollen than the night before and my knee has just a slight twinge. As it should be, my neck muscles and butt were more sore than anything.
...and this would be the lame guy (in more ways than one)
The fog hugged the coast for most of the day, which meant that we were in the sun every time we maneuvered inland a little, and we were usually in the fog along the coast. The fog spoiled what would have been some spectacular views, but we got peaks here and there and a foggy coastline makes for good pictures too.
Calm before the Capes
Good thing I'm in Pacific City and it's still too early for lunch
We ventured off of US-101 in Lincoln City on Devil's Lake Road and skirted Devil's Lake. The inland route got us out of the fog and it was a great bypass.
Devil's Lake
I rode most of the day with Steve Gibson. With the long day, we didn't stop much and when we did, it was short, except for our lunch in Depoe Bay. There were no long climbs but it seemed like we were going up and down all day, and when you're doing 80 miles of that, the down hills are always too short, and it seems like you're always pedaling uphill.
Lunchtable view in Depoe Bay
The fog in Depoe Bay continued to Cape Foulweather, so named by Captain Cook for its ferocious winds. The winds weren't too bad today but it was definitely chilly through this area.
I betcha Captain Cook never rode his bike into a 100 mph headwind
Couldn't see much from Cape Foulweather so I had to improvise
Looking the other direction, a great shot from Cape Foulweather
Finally made it to Newport and got ourselves situated at the aquarium. Reminds me of the Monterey Bay Aquarium in terms of some of the features, but on a much smaller scale.
Just before Newport
We made it!
Yaquina Bay Bridge with the Newport Aquarium at the water's edge on the opposite side
Where's that emergency exit again?
Day 7 Recap: Tillamook, OR to Newport, OR
Actual Miles: 82.4
Cumulative Miles: 465.9
Elevation Gain: 4,062'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 15,822'
% to Mexico: 24.8%
Actual Miles: 82.4
Cumulative Miles: 465.9
Elevation Gain: 4,062'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 15,822'
% to Mexico: 24.8%
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