North Bend to Port Orford (97km)

The Mill Casino Hotel, which we chose partly because it’s owned by the Coquille Tribe, was saved by its stunning setting on Coos Bay and the discovery that we didn’t have to go through the smokey casino to get to the  family restaurant and non- smoking bar. The espresso machine was broken, though, so we pedalled off after breakfast to the Espresso Mill and Bakery, which was really a drive- through espresso hut, but with a bar and a few stools inside. Paul asked the server what percentage of coffee beverages  they sold were sweetened. The response was the great majority. The most popular flavour is Milky Way and Snickers , which is made with a shot of each of these syrups, a shot of espresso and steamed chocolate milk!

The ride was mostly through forest today, with very steep climbs, including along the Seven Devils Road. While stopped for a break, we met a woman of our age who was cycling the same route on a road bike. She and her husband park their RV and every other day she goes for a long ride and he follows in the car that they tow behind their behemoth. She asked if we knew about the Malaysian Airlines disaster. Four more cyclists then appeared whom we had seen the day before. All had started seperately but were now riding together. One was from the UK and started in Vancouver and two others started in Seattle, one had flown in from Boston. There are many cyclists on the road and most we have talked to are going to San Francisco; a few to LA.

The scenery on the coast after Bandon was breathtaking, even after the dunes.

We are on the traditional territory of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Peoples.