Spokesman Article by Loren Russell - Originally appeared in the July 1978 edition of the MVW Spokesman

The first half of the Oregon Coast Loop was even lovelier than advertised. In addition to the 15 smiling faces (or  ginning helmets at least) made famous in the Front-page Feature Foto in the G-T , we were seen off by the Pratts and the Pasleys. The ride to Champoeg was in cool, WINDLESS weather. Despite several strategically placed fruit stands, everyone made it to camp for the evening sunshine and the universal can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew. The group, minus Loren, pushed on toward Astoria: a few showers, mostly at night, and of course no elk in the elk meadows at Jewell. Tom Bailey was saluted on his Mid-life Crisis at Fort Stevens with ice cream and presentation of a frisbie endorsed by a well-known national fast-food firm. 

On Tuesday Judy ended her ride unannounced at the elk meadow in Cannon Beach, and Ken Trammell joined the group. (Actually, he was a day off the schedule and very nearly ended up at Fort Stevens). We expect to have the Coast Ride, Part II in next month's newsletter, perhaps even the true story of Chuck's can of Ravioli.

Spokesman Article by Dave MacManiman - Originally appeared in the August 1978 edition of the MVW Spokesman

On a cloudy, cool Saturday morning, July 8th, after photographs  by the G-T (We made the front page of all things!), 11 Wheelmen escorted by the Pasleys and Pratts began a seven day adventure .

The ride to Champoeg Park as pleasant and basically uneventful except for the first flat of.the trip at Holman Park . The sun came out about 2PM and the balance of the evening was just gorgeous. The camp site was one of the best of the trip.

SUNDAY dawned cloudy but Warm. Part of the group got going early and ate breakfast at Sambos in Newberg. Before the rest could leave, Rael Titus had to repair the second flat .

The assault on Bald Peak was spiced with matching Dobermans backed up by one German Shepherd grinning at us. They must have been grinning as we could see their teeth very clearly . They left us alone when we assured them in soft voices that we wouldn't hurt them.

The downhill from Bald Peak was truly the greatest downhill I have experienced . 

Lunch at Hillsboro in front of the Bank after buying S·afeway day out of fresh delicious grapes. Glass! Glass! Glass!

Headwinds from noon on and very tired by Vernonia hill. By 2PM we became very discouraged and entered a blue period. By 6PM about three miles from Big Eddy Camp, our spirits were at the lowest and very tried. There, low and behold, sprang up a little family restaurant. Two huge rib steaks and trimmings capped with ice cream sent us on the way with a new lease on life and a question in our mind on how to explain the fact we were not hungry upon arriving at camp . Big Eddy was a beautiful camp ground and the gentle showers during the night were far from enough to dampen any spirits .

MONDAY dawned cloudy with occasional showers. The ride from there to Astoria was truly magnificent, rolling hills - beautiful rain forest and elk (for those lucky few!). Astoria~ Tom turned 30 years old today and celebrated  by riding to the Astor Column - across the Mengler Bridge to Washington - treating the group to ice cream and opening the gold box. Beautiful evening on the beach for walking - photos, frisby, relaxing and swatting mosquitos.

TUESDAY - rained all night. Off and on was raining  while packing up . Late start - Bob had second flat - bad valve stem. Interesting visit to Fort Clatsop. Beautiful route to Seaside. Lunch at Pig and Pancake with crew. Charlene and I remained to do the washing at laundromat, met Ken Trammel as we  were preparing to leave he returned with us. Ken had left his car at Bay City and ridden north to intercept the group and ride for two days. The Arch Cap tunnel was an experience. The cars sound very threatening and on the upgrade, with no place to go , quite frightening. Nehalem Camp - Judy K. and troupe walked six miles back to Manzanita to have the world's 'worst' hamburgers at the Hungry Whale . Not recommended by Chuck , Nelson, Bob or Karen Judy Russell ended her trip in Cannon Beach -eluding Loren who was trying to give her a ride home .

WEDNESDAY - beautiful clear skies - everything very wet with dew . Best day of all. We were too early at Mohler to visit the winery. We drank orange juice from the Country Store instead. Delightful ride on rolling smooth beautiful Foley Creek Road. Judy K. stripped the hub and had to be towed by Nels on for several miles. Ken rode into Bay City and drove back to save the day . A new wheel from Tillamook was replaced at the cheese factory. This was only the second time on the trip when everyone was together for a photo. Easy scenic trip to Cape Lookout State Park . The warm, sunny evening was so nice that many bikinis were evident. A bird slide show by park naturalists and not so hot showers before bed time.

THURSDAY - woke to a very thick, cold fog (dripping) followed by the longest steepest three mile hill we ever saw. Could not see the ocean for fog . Down hill OK, but COLD. Bob Fry had a tire separate. He was able to make it to Lincoln City for a new tire. Lunch at Pacific City watching dorys drive up on the beach. The cafe was very expensive. Recommended the one across the street to the rest of the crew . They report OK. Ride to Neskowin very pleasant. Tom couldn't wait and rode on to Newport by himself. My free wheel came apart again (I fooled it this time - I had bearings ) . Ed Kelly broke a spoke . Very nice meadow to camp in. Used one table for all crew. Rael made a dramatic entrance to camp. He rode down the hill, forgot to release his toe straps and his brakes failed . The crash into Ed's camping gear and the crowd was truly spectacular. He would not repeat it for a picture! Bob arrived late with a new black walled tire. Chuck took up residence in the little house with the help of friends. The Fry's pre-dinner wine supply is still holding out.

SKIT NIGHT - The Krueger traveling troupe put on several skits for the pleasure of all . Beautiful clear evening.

FRIDAY - cloudy left camp early (7AM), because this is a long day - 80 miles. The Willamette Valley very hot 93 degrees ! Lunch with boys at Euel Park. Very hot tired trip with slight he in d from Monmouth home .

The trip was a highlight of our lives. Charlene was strong throughout and blessed the new triple many times . The group rode a total of 5, 600 miles, had seven flat tires , one broken spoke, one defective tire, one stripped hub and one freewheel failure, and we say that just isn't too bad !! Everyone is already asking where we will go on Oregon Tour III in 1979.

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