12th September - Pacific City to Florence

Up at 6.30, no breakfast facilities, finally away by 7.45am. We think we have a long hilly 95 miles to cycle but it turns out to be 100 miles by the time we reach the hotel.

Shortly into the ride we left the US101 for a 12km scenic detour which included a 650ft climb.  40kms into the ride we stopped at OTIS cafe for a well earned breakfast - fantastic omlettes and German potatoes.

We soon left Tillamook County and entered Lincoln County, by-passing Lincoln City on our way to Depoe Bay. We had been told about the whales that live in Depoe Bay all year round. Right on cue they showed themselves when we arrived - seeing the whales was awesome!  Later on we had more sightings of whales at Otter Creek and Devils Punchbowl before heading on to Yaquina Head Lighthouse. There we saw not only the lighthouse, but also seals and sea lions swimming and sun bathing on the rocks 

We by-passed Newport (like you would the Newport in Wales, UK) and followed the Pacific Coast Road to our destination for the night at Florence. Literally, 50 miles of superb ocean views - so many jaw dropping and OMG views. At 4.00pm we stopped at a 'Subway' in Waldport to refuel and had a mild panic when we realised we still had 45 miles to our hotel. However, the team worked very well together in a  peleton to end the day's cycling just before 7pm.

Scott, our support man, found us a great restaurant for our evening meal as usual and gave us the great news that after two consecutive 100  mile days, we had only 49 to do tomorrow - yeah!! A lie in until 8am!!

Additions:  Tim made a minor bid for the TWIT of the day, but Brian won that honour easily by droping $70 when getting out camera to snap whales.  Luckily Tom found it on the ground - gave it to Tim who tried to hand it to passing Americans.  The day was saved and Brian retrieved the money (Kay you can sleep easily!)



Great sunset at Pacific Beach - we'd
 finished our ride at this point



Drink that pint or you are TWIT
 of the day

Steve and Cathy at Pacific Bay - Steve has
 ridden the Oregon Coast



Oh no - road closed !!



It won't stop the Vancomex boys though!

Somwhere in this wood lurked Brian
 - what do you think he was doing?!



Coffee stop OTIS cafe - lovely omlettes



Don't jump Maurice!

Meet Vince - cycling the same route as us but carrying all his gear in a trailor on his bike

Awesome views of the Oregon coast

Awesome views of the Oregon coast

What you up to Tim !

Seals at Yaquina lighthouse

Seals at Yaquina lighthouse

Yaquini Bay Bridge



Just wait up, I'm nearly at the top of the climb!



Awesome views of the Oregon coast

Just don't lean back !!

I make that our biggest single day
ride since I started cycling!