by Tim Koch, Tour Director

August 8, Sunday: Eugene to Philomath / 46 miles and 1800 feet of climbing

We ride mostly on Oregon's Scenic Highway Route called the Territorial Hwy. This is a road that has the history of California's Highway 49. It was a major wagon trail that took the early settlers north and south in the state of Oregon.

We will have some rolling hills and landscape that looks a lot like the area around Sacramento, dry fields with oak trees.

August 9, Monday: Philomath to Lincoln City / 67 miles and 3260 feet of climbing

The first 10 miles is on busy Hwy 20. After that we are on back roads to the coast with the last 5 miles on the coast hwy to Lincoln City. If you don't end up with purple fingers on this day, everyone will know that you did not enjoy the plentiful blackberries along the way.

Have you ever been to Nashville? Well you will go there on this day. This is our only tree-tunnel day on the tour. We will have 1.8 miles of gravel with half of that up and the other half down as we travel over a slight ridge. Most of the day is slightly downhill as we follow a small river to the ocean.

August 10, Tuesday: Lincoln City to Waldport /40 miles and 2260 feet of climbing

We travel down the coast highway for all of this day. This is one of the most scenic stretches of the Oregon coast. A lot of the Oregon coast has sand dunes between the highway and the ocean.

We have some spectacular ocean views from some high cliff areas. Traffic is moderate on the coast highway but at least we have an adequate bike lane for most the way.

August 11, Wednesday: Walport to Mapleton /49 miles and 2000 feet of climbing

We travel down the coast to the town of Florence. The last 10 miles of the day are where we travel inland alongside the Suislaw river to the town of Mapleton.

The school at Mapleton has an indoor heated swimming pool and the infamous Merlo/Pon diving board. Bring your swimsuits. On a cold rainy day, that swimming pool is a great way to end the day and get rid of the chills.

August 12, Thursday: Mapleton to Elkton / 72 miles and 2200 feet of climbing

We travel the 10 miles back to Florence and then proceed down the coast once again. About half our distance down the coast is riding alongside sand dunes.

They have dune buggies that hold about 20 people. They are more like dune buses. You might want to take in a commercial sand dune buggy ride or a float plane ride from one of the many inland lakes. John Klingensmith is always looking for someone to help pay to fill up one of the floatplanes. It costs less if you have 3 or 4 other people.

At Reedsport we travel up the Umpqua River to the town of Elkton. We pass by a large Elk Reserve where Elk can be observed from the road. There is a side route that is about the same distance but with more climbing and through some real back roads for those looking for more of a challenge.

August 13, Friday: Elkton to Eugene / 62 miles and 3000 feet of climbing

Shortly out side of Elkton, we travel through a short tunnel. There is a climb to the town of Loraine where there is a good pie stop.

After Loraine you can take a small detour to the nudist colony of Wolf Creek.