I started planning this ride in earnest a year ago, looking at weather along the route on the calendar days I expected to be riding a year later. I planned my training. I planned a detailed route. I found places to stay and eventually even made a few reservations.
But the aphorism above often attributed to Eisenhower (it actually originated with German WWI general Helmuth von Moltke) was always in the back of my mind. The last few days repaid my caution. Our first night’s reservations fell through; Toni came down with sinusitis, bronchitis and pink-eye the first day of the drive up to Oregon, and breaking in the RV took a few unexpected turns.
Then we started the ride. Temperatures in Florence this morning were in the mid-30s — far too cold to comfortably wade into the Pacific for the obligatory wheel dip. Navigational challenges put me behind schedule for the first few miles and put me on a busy road I was trying to avoid. Then I flatted within the first five miles of the ride.
So we adapted.
We moved the wheel dip up to Tuesday evening, when it was still chilly and very windy, but the temperature was bearable, we had great light, and I was able to emerge from the wheel dip and ride up the road far enough to say I had started. (videography and commentary by Bruce LeBel.)
Of course, then I had to return to the start point . . . providing Toni an opportunity to work her photographic magic in perfect light
And in the morning, I found my way through the navigational challenges, changed the tube (and the tire for good measure as it was quite worn) and we got underway in earnest. A little later than planned, but it had warmed up nicely by then, and we had plenty of time to get to Eugene by about 3:00.
Toni’s brother Bruce joined me for the first 15 miles outside of Florence, and we rode a wide highway, with ample clean shoulders and far less traffic than the road was built for. And we were rewarded with spectacular views of the estuarial Siuslaw River.
The river narrowed and sped up as we left the main road and headed into the low mountains of the coast range. I rode this segment alone and enjoyed the quiet road and burbling river.
A couple of moderate climbs brought me over the Coast Range into the WIllamette Valley, where Bruce’s wife Ellen joined me for the last 20 miles into Eugene. Much of this ride was along the well maintained bicycle trails in Eugene.
And there was ice cream too . . .
I’m a big believer in plans, and after today, an even bigger believer that any good plan needs room for adaptation. That’s how you get from flat tires to ice cream.
Details for the bicycle geeks:
Miles: 86.1
Elevation: 2,736
Weather: Mid-30s at the start, high 70s at the end. Winds light and variable and rarely a factor.
Route below: