Twenty one Loop Tour riders were given a fine send-off from the Aquatic Center by just as many regular Saturday-riders on June 15.  The warm, sunny morning gave little indication of the weather that would arrive later in the week.  By evening everyone’s focus was on the fine dinner that Richard and Lindy Burgess had prepared at the Canal Creek Campground in memory of Jim Weber.  

The ride to Honeyman Park was short and fast.  Most people took advantage of the situation to have lunches at various Old Town Florence restaurants.  A few felt it appropriate to celebrate being on the coast by partaking in BBQ ribs.  (No, I don’t really understand—but they were good.)

By Monday morning a heavy drizzle blanketed the middle Oregon coast.  The good news was that the drizzle didn’t last long;  the bad news was that it turned into rain.  Everyone was thoroughly soaked by the time they invaded a small café near Reedsport.  It was quickly determined that even soggy currency could buy a good, hot breakfast.

The ride up Smith River was shortened when Stan Smith, our vigilant sag driver, determined that our destination campground was so badly vandalized as to be unusable.  We ended up at a nice BLM campground around a hot campfire.  We counted four stars before the clouds covered everything.

The cost of the short Tuesday ride was an extra 12 uphill miles in the rain on Wednesday.  Some riders took advantage of arriving in metropolitan Cottage Grove to shop for foul weather gear;  the most successful effort took place at the Good Will store.

Riding from Dorena Lake to McKenzie Bridge was a test of everyone’s ability to maintain a positive outlook.  At least the rain kept the many trucks from kicking up a lot of dust in the numerous construction zones.  Mom’s Pie Shop provided a place for the lead riders to catch up with the following riders that they were chasing.  That night, except for a few soggy “vikings”, most riders opted for motel rooms or houses with parquet floors (you had to be there to understand the significance).

On Friday the group split into two, with 11 riders heading for Fish Lake and the rest betting on sun in Sisters.  The road over McKenzie Pass was still closed to cars; there was some concern of snow as eight riders granny-geared up the Cascades in light rain.  However, all went well;  and in a few hours they were enjoying a late lunch in the sun.  Luckily, the Fish Lake contingent also was able to dry out, even though they missed pizza at Papandrea’s.

Both contingents rejoined at Yellow Bottom after a grueling climb and beautiful descent on Quartzville Road.  Before we convinced him to slow down, Dick Running was going so fast that he was literally pulling the spokes out of the rim.

Causing us to forget the mid-week rain, the ride home on Sunday was sunny and hot.  Even a series of flat tires barely slowed the run for the barn.  The shower at home didn’t require waiting in line; and the bed was soft.  

Despite the creature comforts, Monday dawned with many of us wishing we were still on tour.