Summer in Oregon brings an event ride called The Oregon Coast Gravel Epic. It's promoted as "an endurance event that showcases the raw beauty of ancient Siuslaw National Forests and some of its seriously stout hills." The longer route, Abomination, is 70 miles. The shorter route, aka Son of Abomination, is 35 miles. The problem with "event" rides such as this is the cost (for this event, around $100 per person), and, the rides start too early in the morning. So we decided to make our own event and ride Son of Abomination on Friday. Then, on Saturday, Chris took off for another gravel ride while I toured the beaches south of Yachats.
Son of Abomination: 32 miles, 3,800 feet, 50% gravel
Chris's Saturday Special: 64 miles, 9,600 feet, 65% gravel
 |
| after a hard ride you get to eat one of these guilt free |
 |
| classic Oregon beach; ain't nobody else around |
 |
| okay, there was this one guy |
 |
| rare sighting -- Chris on a beach |
On the drive back to Portland on Sunday we took a minor detour to the Otis Cafe, located a few miles south of Neskowin. The Otis specializes in homemade bread (molasses, pumpkin, wheat sourdough) and pies (apple, berry, peach and more) But we had breakfast.... at 3pm. Their cinnamon toast will practically kill you with its buttery goodness. Homemade wheat bread cut 1 inch thick slathered in butter and cinnamon. Wow!
 |
| Otis Cafe if you go, pay special attention to that little black board up on the wall; yum |
