Three Capes

 


Ride:Three Capes Brevet
Organizers: Bert Lutz (503)639-0248
Date: Saturday, April 14
Who's Riding?: Registered Riders
Start Time: 6:00 AM
Registration Time: 05:00AM-05:45AM , also 7:00PM Friday night Grand Lodge lobby area
Start Location: McMenamins Grand Lodge Please park and gather in the far east parking lot away from the building.
Rooms: Several rooms have been reserved (Bunk and Queen). You can call and request that one of the rooms be placed under your own name and credit card. The group is "Oregon Randonneurs." Any remaining rooms are released on, Mar 13.
Address: 3505 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove, OR
Finish By: 02:00 (2:00AM)
Entry Fee: $25 ($5 discount for RUSA members, $5 discount for preregistering online within 24hrs of the start time.) Checks should be payable to "Oregon Randonneurs", also, Oregon Randonneurs membership is required for this event. You can download a membership form and bring it with you. Register Now!
Medals: This is an ACP brevet so medals are available at $10.00 each. Payable by check made out to "Oregon Randonneurs" at the finish of the brevet.
Driving Directions: See McMenamins' website.

Yes, lights, leg bands and vest/sash are required!

Pre-ride Report
Bert Lutz enjoyed a day of not bad weather, "particularly if you like monsoon rains and wind." He lived to write up an excellent description of what riders can expect and find on this brevet.

Description:
This brevet starts at a new favorite location, Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. Several folks made it clear that this was a great place to start and end a brevet. We head west along Gales Creek, (Different from last year: ) then up Timber Rd several miles before turning around at an informational control. Returning to Wilson River Hwy, ride over Wilson River Summit (elev. 1586) through the Tillamook Forest on Hwy 6 to Tillamook. From Tillamook, you ride around the south end of Tillamook Bay on the scenic Three Capes Coastal Bicycle route. First, we climb Cape Meares. On a clear day one can catch glimpses of Bayocean below. Then we are up and down a few times passing near Oceanside and then down to Netarts, the first control location.

The route then heads along Netarts Bay, passes Cape Lookout State Park and up over Cape Lookout which has the steepest sections of climbing on the route. Approximately halfway up is a viewpoint, the perfect spot to catch your breath and take in the view. After reaching the top of Cape Lookout, it is a steep and fast decent to the Sandlake Dunes. Watch for cracks in the pavement on this downhill. At Sandlake, there is a small store, a grange and many dune vehicles on a nice weekend.

The route travels inland a bit as you continue your way south toward the third of the three capes, Cape Kiwanda, which is neither steep nor high. After Cape Kiwanda, you enter the Pacific City area, with a brewery on the right, and a great coffee shop on the left. Zigzag through Pacific City and ride along the Nehalem Bay back to Hwy 101. After a short distance, you head inland and along one of the quietest and best sections of the route, the Little Nestucca to Sourgrass Summit (elev. 672).

After crossing the Coast Range you head for Grand Ronde. The Spirit Mountain Casino is a good place to stop if you need services. It is usually in this location that riders notice one terrific tailwind coming in off the ocean. Sit up and enjoy it. Next, we take another (Diversion from last year: )route as we meander along the Yamhill River then to Willamina, Sheridan and Ballaton before heading towards Amity and the Eola Hills. Next, head north skirting several vineyards and wetlands back to Forest Grove.

What to do after the ride? If you finish before 11PM, you can use the soaking pool. Bring a suit and towel then exchange your driver's license for a key to the pool at the front desk. If you eat at the Grand Lodge, you can use the pool for free, otherwise it is $5. You can get something to eat (& drink!) until 11PM at the Ironwork Grill, 2AM in the Doctor's Office Bar. Grand Lodge also has several common rooms. We usually set up snacks, drinks and such in the Rounder Room where you can relax after the finish. There are comfy couches, chairs, a rocker and a fireplace.

Cumulative elevation gain is estimated at 7000 feet.

Need more info about Forest Grove services? Check the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce website.

Pre-ride Report: TBD

You may wish to review the Map & Profile or cue sheet in XLS

All riders should be familiar with and abide by rider expectations.

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