375: Oregon Coast Remix - Part 6

Sometimes journeys have distinct ends and sometimes those endings are a little more flexible. In the penultimate episode of the Oregon Coast Remix we mash together my departure from Bandon and my return a week later a few hundred miles south on the Mendocino coast where MJ and I catch up on his ride and reflect on what’s going on with cycling on the Pacific Coast.

Oregon Coast Remix - Part 6

Segment 1: Departure from Bandon, Oregon

  - Early morning departure, catching the bus to Crescent City.

  - The stark contrast between cycling for days and the sudden speed of motorized transport.

  - Reflecting on the mixed feelings of leaving the Oregon coast but looking forward to more adventures.

Segment 2: Crescent City and Beyond

  - Arriving in Crescent City via bus and experiencing the rapid transition south.

  - The surreal feeling of covering in minutes what would have taken days by bike.

  - Exploration of Crescent City, a quiet yet interesting coastal town with a mix of old and new homes.

Segment 3: Journey to Medford, Oregon

  - Renting a Jeep for the drive to Medford, a stark contrast to the cycling experience.

  - The logistics of packing up the bike and the relief of having more freedom with a car.

  - Reflecting on the decision to spend extra money on a car rental instead of enduring a challenging bus experience.

  - Arriving in Medford and enjoying some downtime with a few beers and a simple hotel dinner.

Segment 4: The following week in Mendocino

  - Bonus content: Tim rides his Brompton to Mendocino, battling wind and heel strikes with his messenger bag.

  - The beautiful yet challenging coastal route, with reflections on the unique experience of riding the Brompton.

  - Meeting up with James in Mendocino for beers and conversation.

Segment 5: James' Solo Journey

  - James shares his solo adventure from Bandon, Oregon, to Mendocino, California.

  - Highlights include staying at unique campsites like Florence Keller in Crescent City and Sue-Meg State Park.

  - Encountering heavy fog and low visibility while climbing out of Crescent City, but ultimately enjoying the beauty of the coast.

  - Discussion of the strange phenomenon of not encountering any other touring cyclists during the journey.

Segment 6: Reflections on the Pacific Coast Route

  - Tim and James reflect on the diminishing number of cyclists on the Pacific Coast route, speculating on reasons like the closure of Big Sur and the changing interests of the cycling community.

Statistics

• Miles Bussed from Bandon to Crescent City: 90 miles
• Miles Driven from Crescent City to Medford: 106 miles
• Miles Flown between segments: 5383
• Total Bicycle Tourists Encountered in Camps: 0
• Total Miles Cycled by James from Bandon to Mendocino: 412 miles
• Flats: 0