By the end of this day we will have reached the Pacific Ocean in Florence, Oregon. The day started out great with a nice bike ride into downtown Eugene on a bike path very near the University of Oregon and then another path to the outskirts of Eugene near the airport. From there we were on the roads. The roads were not too busy until the last 12 miles into Florence. It was a Friday, after all .
Along the way we stopped at a store in the town called Low Pass. When we stopped at the gas station and leaned our bikes against some benches I notice an elderly couple sitting alongside there driveway. When we came out of the gas station there were right next to our bikes and they wanted to talk, and talk they did. They were both in their 90s and had been married for 70 years. His mind was still sharp but her’s was failing. They were amazed with our journey just as we were amazed with what they told us. They also told us that it was still a few miles to the top of the official low pass.
Low pass is only 800 feet above sea level, but when you start at near sea level it takes time to make the climb. Right after Triangle Lake we stopped at a rest stop and as soon as we got back on to ride Sue noticed her tire was flat. So it was back to the rest stop to fix the flat. The flat and tire were going to impact us for the rest of the trip. We needed to stop a couple of times to pump it up before we got to Florence.
When we got to Florence we need to find a place get our picture taken with the water in the background. Florence does not have beach frontage but it does have a small harbor. We went down there and noticed that the community is doing things to revitalize the water frontage with restaurants, condos and open space. Pictures were taken and this mission was accomplished. This is ending point that Sue always wanted until I convinced her to continue up at least the Oregon coast to Astoria.
Now it was friday evening and not much was available for lodging. The campsite where we hoped to stay was full and they were no longer reserving sites for hikers/bikers. We were able to find a relatively expensive and dirty room. It was shelter for the night.
Today’s stats: total mileage 84.71 miles, average speed 12.8 mph, elevation gain 1529 feet, elevation loss 1752 feet, maximum speed 47.8 mph.