I started the day by immediately deviating from the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) route. Right from Battle Rock Park there is an Oregon designated bike route that leads you through the residential section of Port Orford. It’s low traffic and lower speed than the ACA designated route on 101. Better scenery too.

After rejoining the route I rode for a mile on 101 (wide shoulders) and turned down a quiet farm road. Temperature was perfect for riding at around the mid 50s freedomheit. I said my second farewell to Suzanne at the turn to Elk River Road and rode off into the nicely overcast green hills.

The road transitioned from maintained two lane pavement to a tighter and rougher (for cars) paved section at the fish hatchery. Traffic was low the whole day, but it was a weekday. I passed a couple nice looking campgrounds on my way up to the dirt section and there were plenty of dispersed camping opportunities as well.

Once the road turned to dirt it became gradually rougher and steeper the higher you got. The forest was tunnel like through most of this section until the top. Near the top of the route the road was cut into the hillside and grades pitched up into the mid-teens, allowing you to see the route you had just rode through. I walked the last uphill hairpin and took a break in a light rain, cooling off.

At the top of the climb (phew!) I descended into camp. First on fire roads and then on pavement. I stayed at Island Creek CG and shared the spot with a couple from near Yahats (Ya-Hots). Trash cans were not bear proof ones so I did not bear hang my food and lived to type the tale.

Coming from the high desert of Bend the entire day was pretty different and fun. Waterfalls along the roadway were common. Greenery everywhere, from the ground to the treetops. The sun was there, but buffered by the clouds. The day was hard, but rewarding. Plus, humidity, which given the temperature was not bad.

No other sign of cyclists on this route, not even tire tracks. Because of that I’ll talk about logistics and ‘if I had to do it again’ to help others.

By the numbers - 47mi and 4500ft

Logistics: Water - Collecting water on the downhills and mellow grades was easier than on the 8-16% sections of uphills. The worst grades are not well shaded and without water.

Camping - in addition to the marked campsites on the ACA Golden Gravel Trail route there are opportunities for dispersed camping. Id check out the Rick Creek CG if I had to do it over because it looked like more sites were closer to the creek (on the map).