The Usual Suspects do the Oregon Rectangle, a 7 day bike tour
 

In early April, many BFer's did a bike tour from the Bay Area in California to the central coast, which we named Touroica. Once we got to Atascadero, we stayed in a modern Palazzo, and over the weekend road much of the Eroica California routes, which we designated Fauxroica. We had a blast! So much so that some of our Touroici group asked about another tour later in the year. I've been dreaming of organizing an event in my Portlandia backyard. Mid-September was chosen as kids are back in school, which both decreases tourist traffic, lowers the cost of lodging, and is generally cooler than summer riding.

Why call it the Oregon Rectangle?
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Start in Portlandia, go west till you hit the coast, go south until you get somewhere around Newport, head east till you're in Corvallis, then turn north till you get back home

North-south roads aren't too difficult, but getting over the coastal range is tough. Day 1 we'll do the North Trask route, which is 50% gravel, and has been documented on this site before. Day 3 ends at a Palazzo, a friend of mine's beach house which has 437 beds in it. Well, maybe not that many, but more than enough for our needs. It's such a confortable place that we'll spend an extra day there and do an inland forest route. Getting from the coast to Corvallis will be on the newly opened C2C (Corvallis to the Sea) route, which @SquireBlack and I recon'ed a few weeks ago. It's over 50% gravel and damn tough. Return route is through flatish Willamette Valley farmland.

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Mileage and feet from ridewithgps

After doing a 2nd recon of the C2C route with @VRJAKE and our friend Ben, just an out and back (see Day 5, above) we realized that with 7 riders, it could be a tough slog, so we decided to add a sag wagon to our plans. I'll drive my pickup out to the Palazzo the day before we leave and return with our chase car. We'll take turns . It'll split the C2C route into two parts. Some will probably ride the whole enchilada, but I'll drive the sag to Big Elk campground, which is halfway to Corvallis from Newport. I'll ride the 2nd half, someone else will drive the pickup to Corvallis, along with anyone else that throws up a white flag. I've made some mods to the pickup to ready it for emergency bicycle transport.

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Test fit.

Train leaves the station 9/18. Stay tuned.

That sounds awesome.

Man, you retired guys have all the fun.

Good luck and have fun!

@rccardr has been telling me it's the best job he's ever had.
A little less than a month retired, I'm telling you he's absolutely correct.

Have a GREAT time, guys!

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Who knew Henry Stram had expertise on cyclo-touring?!?!


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Don Draper was a disciple of Msrr. Stram

Just don't let anyone catch you matriculating in public.

To add to the fun, I'll be testing the nlerner-approved approach of using this ride as my Covid-recovery exercise (I'll be at Day 11 post-infection at the start line).

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curious advice from a man operating a life done with a stolen identity...


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It’s legal in Oregon, and in Portland, even encouraged if you’re riding a bike.

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...it be the micturatin' what can git a person inta trouble in publik...


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Yer a bold man, Dave. I’m at Day 14 right now myself and would not even consider a weeklong bike tour at the moment.
On the other hand, none of the bikes in the Lab need any more maintenance.

I need to up my milage and altitude, maybe try to harbor pilot a Tourica leg next year.

Looks like a great trip!

Well, It might come back to bite me and I'll end up driving the sag wagon for most of the tour. No harm in trying though. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger...right?!

The challenge will be Day 1, @davester. If you make it through that without coughing up a lung, you’ll be good to go.

Fwiw, I was day 3 post-positive test at the start of our CA tour in April. I really wasn’t sure how I’d feel though @bikingshearer assured me that I’d make it up to Skyline before he did. I found that comforting.

Having "ridden" the Day 1 route before (quotes because I walked a lot of it), I can say doing that without coughing up a lung is a challenge even without COVID. On the plus side, Dave's got a convenient and plausible excuse for struggling on the hill.

And some laughed when I posted day 3 as "optional". Nothing like hanging around a beach house to recover, if needed.

Happy to be of service. My main function on group rides of any sort is to make everyone else feel better about themselves.

fify.

waiting for pictures :D

An appetizer from a recon ride of the C2C route last month with @SquireBlack:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...44e2c32c5e.jpg
The beauty and the horror

Gugie spends a lot of time consulting his map on these rides.

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I know how to put a grin on his face:

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