Ride Date: 17 September 2011
Starting City: Riddle, OR
Ending City: Sutherlin, OR
Ride Stats: 50.55 miles, 2180' of climbing, 3:13:26
Day 7 promised to be “mostly flat”, which is “sort of” was, considering we did a total of almost 2200’ of climbing. There were several climbs that certainly got your attention but that wasn’t what I was focusing on for this ride: a long time ago I spent almost 3 years living in this area, specifically Roseburg, so I knew a lot of the places we would be riding by. We would even be riding very close to where one of my best friends lived out in the Melrose Valley.
But before we started I had to go pick up my Garmin from the charging station, where I forgot about it the night before. When I picked it up I found that it had been left ON all night and had less than 50% battery remaining, less than it had when I had dropped it off. Well, we’ll see how long this lasts.
Covered bridge over Horse Creek near Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
The first photo-op for the day was this cool covered bridge over Horse Creek in Myrtle Creek. The original bridge was built out in Lane County Oregon and was salvaged to make this bridge and another one in Cottage Grove.
South Umpqua River near Myrtle Creek
South Umpqua River near Myrtle Creek
For most of the day we followed the South Umpqua River. At Dillard we turned away from the river to ride through various valleys and climb a few small hills. Eventually we landed at a spot with which I was VERY familiar…
The Melrose Country Store & Deli in Melrose, just west of Roseburg, OR.
Back when I used to come here it was simply the “Melrose Store”. Since then they expanded it from a small grocery/gas station to include a drive-up coffee window and full-service deli, a big improvement over what it used to be. As was tradition with my friend Sean (AKA Nick) and I stopped for a chocolate milk and a donut every time I went to his place. In his honor I bought a chocolate milk and a maple bar.
Lunch stop at Melrose Vineyards, just west of Roseburg, OR.
Lunch stop at Melrose Vineyards, just west of Roseburg, OR.
Lunch stop at Melrose Vineyards, just west of Roseburg, OR.
Lunch was a stop at the GORGEOUS Melrose Vineyards, just west of Roseburg in the small community of Melrose. At this point in the ride I was trying to ride casual and not blow up my legs on the last day because my legs were on their *cough* last legs. According to my Garmin I spent 45 minutes here, a much needed break.
Looking across the river at River Forks Park, the confluence of the North and South forks of the Umpqua River, the location of many family outings.
Looking across the river at River Forks Park, the confluence of the North and South forks of the Umpqua River, the location of many family outings. This particular rock is great for diving/jumping.
After leaving lunch I came upon one of my favorite spots: River Forks Park. I cannot count the number of picnics, fishing trips, rafting trips, swim parties, birthday parties, family BBQs, etc. I experienced at this park. That rock was a favorite hang-out of ours because we could swim across to it (the park is on the far side of the river from where I shot these pictures), lay out on the rock, and practice our dives and cannon-balls. Great memories.
Riding along the incredibly straight Melqua Road just west of Roseburg on our way to Sutherlin, OR.
The ride down Melqua Road was certainly a trip down memory lane. I just don’t remember memory lane being this straight.
Rest stop at Henry Estate Vineyard just west of Roseburg on our way to Sutherlin, OR. The wine drinkers on the ride were very excited to stop here. I guess this is a really good winery.
Rest stop at Henry Estate Vineyard just west of Roseburg on our way to Sutherlin, OR. The wine drinkers on the ride were very excited to stop here. I guess this is a really good winery.
We took a quick stop at the Henry Estate Vineyard but I was not really interested in staying long. My Grandfather would have called me “barn sour”.
And just before the finish, with 3.5 miles left, the battery on my Garmin gave out. AAARRRRRRGGGH! So close!
Incredibly large flag that we rode under on the way to the finish line in Sutherlin.
The finish line in Sutherlin!
After 7 days and over 400 miles, I was DONE. The feelings at the end were definitely mixed, to say the least. Lots of good memories, lots of HARD days of riding, and lots of AMAZING views and scenery. My body was definitely DONE as well. It was really hard to walk back to the bag drop and then to my car (because my riding legs were no longer working). The good thing was that my bad had my sandals in it which made the walk a little easier.
Bag drop at the end of Cycle Oregon in Sutherlin, Oregon
Picking up luggage at the end of the ride was interesting. They just dumped all the bags on either side of the road with no rhyme or reason. It took me almost 15 minutes to find my bag. It was right at the beginning and I missed it on the first pass. If I had looked harder the first time it would have saved me 14 minutes. I took a shower, grabbed some food, and then off to my car for the trip home!
Finally back at my car in the long term parking in Sutherlin. Now to find my bag and take a shower.
Dinner stop at one of my favorite burger/shake joints around, the K&R Drive-In in Rice Hill, OR.
Dinner stop was at the K&R Drive-in in Rice Hill, Oregon, a wide spot in the freeway about an hour north of Sutherlin where we would frequently stop for treats. This time was no exception as mass quantities of burgers, fries, and shakes were consumed by all. I even met some fellow Cycle Oregon folks as well as some other riders that had done Astoria to Brookings the same week. That would be an epic ride.
In the end I made it home without issue, if not REALLY tired and ready for bed.
Highlights:
Lots of really cool people at all of the stops and at the finish.
Good times reliving old memories and old haunts.
K&R Drive-in! ‘Nuff said.
Lowlights:
Not enough sleep!
I forgot to back-track on Cleveland Hill Road to see where my friends used to live! (an easy 5 mile side-trip)
Low Garmin battery died with 3.5 miles left in the ride!!!
I published this 9 years after the other ride reports for this ride. Sorry about that. That’s why this one is out of order.
}B^)