Day 1, Florence to Sunset Bay State Park, 60 miles
Day 1, Florence to Sunset Bay State Park, 60 miles
Thursday June 4, 2026
Sam saw me off this a.m. I left around 7 a.m. for the Lane Link, where for $5 I can ride to the coast. As I was loading the bike on the front rack a woman appeared out of the bus to lend a hand. Chloe had also just arrived in Eugene and while her sister finished up work in Blue River, Chloe planned a day at the coast hiking. Very smart. Well, as we chatted I learned we had a dozen or so connections. She's from Michigan, grew up in the same small area as my son-in-law (very random), and now lives in Chicago. She is a sustainability geek.
We chatted the whole way to Florence so I forgot to worry about things blowing off my bike. Which, btw my trip computer was not clicked in all the way and fell off as I was unloading. Chloe helped find it in the bushes.
She watched my stuff while I ran to the bathroom. Always an issue. Anyway, I finished putting all the bags on and she snapped a few pics by a crab sculpture.
This is just one example of serendipity.
I've traveled the 101 before, nevertheless, it can be bonkers. Trucks and RVs passing way too close. My bike would literally shimmy. At times there was a generous berm and at others. . . none.
I took a break 10 miles in to make a tuna wrap and drink some tea (more about my tea later). This was at Oregon Dunes day use area. I'd already done the climb I out of Florence. Most towns are positioned at inlets, meaning doing down then up. By 20 miles I was at Reedsport, where I got a foot long sub. To go.
At Winchester Bay I looked around, nothing, did find the bathrooms. There was going to be a big up coming up and I'd found that shifting into my lowest front sprocket wasn't working. I manually put it there, grease on fingers, and started the climb.
On my next climb--you know they're coming because a sign announces in one mile a Lane for slower vehicles-- essentially a passing lane on left, except even the slow lane is occupied by cars going fast. At times I share the lane. Miraculously I was able to shift into the small inner sprocket.
At 45 miles I was at the bridge coming into Coos Bay. It's a doozy. About a mile long up and over. With traffic. I kept to the side climbing up and was shaved by a few vehicles. I stopped and thought,oh my God! Then on the bridge I took the lane. Traffic had to wait and build up behind me. To say the least I was so glad to be over. Welcome to North Bend!
I stopped at a little park to regroup. I knew the front derailleur needed an adjustment. I sat down to eat half of the sub. While eating I checked my phone and saw there was a bike shop nearby. I had no idea. It was literally across the street. The mechanic made a quick adjustment to limiting screws and I was on my way.
So all this was good. Even the hills were not too bad. Just scary traffic.
I got a little lost trying to follow the map to route 540 heading to Charleston. Once there I finished the sub half--finally! Only 4 more miles to Sunset Bay, but first more climbing.
Now settled in hiker/biker. Drinking liquids and sorting stuff into tent. I'll get some sunset pics posted later.
Oh, about the tea. I finished it and the last dregs were terrible. I cleaned it out and discovered I'd stuffed my chain there. I'd been looking for it yesterday. Yuck!
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