I pre-rode the Forest Grove to Birkenfeld route (next weekend’s 200K for Oregon Randonneurs) yesterday. At least most of it (see the surronding posts for more on that) and emailed this description of the route off to the OR Randonneurs email list
I pre-rode the Forest Grove – Birkenfeld 200K route yesterday.
You are in for a treat! Susan took the best parts of the classic Portland 200K and added more scenic country roads. It’s really beautiful. Better yet the road surface from Vernonia to Birkenfeld is, for the most part, smooth good condition asphalt. A joy to ride.
Miscellaneous notes from my ride.
Am I nuts? Starting at 10:00 am? After riding only 134 miles in the previous two months?
Mile 8 – first temptation. A winery open for tastings.
Mile 15 – just before leaving Hwy 6 for Timber Road there is a store on the right. It stocks Rando essentials like corn dogs, chocolate milk, Hostess fruit pies. There’s a porta potty in the parking lot to the west.
Timber road – who cares that it’s narrow and curvey? There’s little to no traffic and what there is you can hear coming.
Mile 20 – Perhaps you’ll also see a herd of 16 elk. Don’t bother stopping to try and photograph them. They’re skittish.
Mile 21 – Check your brakes, especially if it is raining. The descent into Timber is short, steep and ends with a hard left across railroad tracks.
Mile 35.5 – The bike path is all right. Paved all the way into Vernonia, covered with spruce needles. Caveats: if you meet horseback riders remember they have the right of way and you are strongly encouraged to slow way down and possibly dismount. A spooked horse is dangerous. The bridges are wooden and have very abrupt, almost curb like ends. There are a couple of instances where tree roots have deformed the asphalt into a very bumpy section. Very brief too. Watch out for the one road crossing were a cable is strung across the path to keep motorized vehicles out. The dirt shoulder is below the asphalt lip.
Vernonia – the coffee place on Bridge street makes a good mocha – not some cloying sweet dreck. A no-whip order results in a very full cup.
Hwy 47 – After three miles from Vernonia the road follows the Nehelam River. What a delight! Lots of timber and frequent pastures line the route. Just a really beautiful section of road to ride.
Mile 53.4 (or is it 54.3?) – At the Y where Hwy 47 that you’ve been riding for almost 20 miles goes right Bear Left to get onto SR 202.
Fishhawk Lake – Yawn. Private development.
Birkenfeld – Happy to report they’re open on Sunday. People staffing the store were really sweet. Hopefully you’ll meet the same ones. There is a warm, clean toilet.
Hwy 47 south of Vernonia – Can be busy. If you have a good chunk of time in the bank the bikepath could be a very good time. Just be sure to get off at the crest. The descent down to Hwy 26 is a very good time – even if you’re cooked, nauseous, and otherwise in no condition to ride.
Hwy 26 – Very busy, be very careful.
That’s all I have, as my ride ended at that point.
A word on dogs. I encountered four:
1 black one near a house with other fenced in dogs. He’s a barker and chaser only. If he were a biter my right leg would have holes in it. Didn’t know he was there until he spoke up.
2 in a house at the end of a long driveway. I saw (and heard) them barreling down the driveway to chase me. For better or worse it was too late for them and I was gone by the time they reached the road. With more riders on the brevet, they may be on or close to the road when you go by.
1 poor uncoordinated mutt. He runs down the driveway, he turns onto the road shoulder, he loses traction slides out and rolls over.
I have mile post entries for the first two if you’re interested.
People write …