Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 1

Episode 412

Day one of an Oregon coast adventure - what could possibly go wrong? As Mysterious James and I began our journey from Astoria after navigating July 4th rental car details, we encounter (because of course) the first of many issues we’ll encounter on the most mysterious of Oregon Coast adventures ever.

Morning, Turned Afternoon Departure

1:00 PM start time after bike assembly and hotel checkout
Bikes transported in rental car not designed for two bikes
TSA inspection didn’t damage gear (deraileur hanger protection removed)
Successful bike reassembly and adjustment

The Ride Begins

Largely flat terrain - unusual for Oregon Coast
Two notable climbs between departure and Seaside
Decision to shorten day from Nehalem Bay to Cannon Beach
Use of Perplexity AI to find alternative "off-book" campsite a success

Seaside Stop & Food Strategy

Delightful lunch that both riders "really needed"
Tim's nutrition timing issues affecting performance
Plan to shop for breakfast supplies at local market

The Mechanical Crisis

James's left crank arm completely falls off while riding to market
Discovery of tiny pin mechanism in Shimano crank arm
Initial DIY repair attempts fail spectacularly
Kind local offers help but problem proves beyond field repair

Professional Intervention

Bike shop discovery 470 feet away in Cannon Beach
Ian at local rental shop (also starting bike repair services)
Diagnosis: stripped internal teeth, unrepairable in field
Shop closing at 7:30 PM but Ian stays to help

The Damage Assessment

Left crank arm completely stripped internally
Cannot be field-repaired
Options: Replace single crank arm or entire crankset
Potential multi-day delay due to Sunday/Monday shop closures

Contingency Planning

Morning departure to Seaside bike shops (two available)
Transportation options: Uber (surprisingly available) or bus service
Multiple backup plans if repair takes longer
Flexibility to modify entire tour routing if needed

Technical Details

Equipment failure: Shimano crank arm with pin retention system
Daily mileage: Approximately 30 miles completed
Terrain: Two moderate climbs for Oregon Coast standards
Upcoming challenge: Arch Cape Tunnel (uphill tunnel on Highway 101)

Local Insights

Cannon Beach: Block-by-block character variation
Seaside: Extremely crowded July 5th weekend
Tourism impact: Half of Portland/Seattle metro areas visiting simultaneously
Bike infrastructure: Limited bike parking in tourist areas

Lessons Learned

Try DIY first - But know when to seek professional help
Rental shops can be repair shops - Ian's dual business model
Community support - Locals willing to help stranded cyclists
Flexibility is key - Every PedalShift tour goes sideways at some point

Tour Philosophy Discussion

Expectation that something will go wrong on every tour
Value of riding companions with compatible problem-solving approaches
Benefits of building in extra days and flexible routing
Options to modify tour scope based on circumstances

Looking Ahead

Immediate goal: Get James's bike repaired in Seaside
Backup plans: Shortened tour, bus connections, or complete rerouting
Distance flexibility: 20-30 mile days vs. 55-mile days depending on circumstances
Route options: Continue south vs. return north via Portland

Notable Quotes

"All bike tours in the PedalShift universe go side

Published on 3 weeks ago

Podcast Episode Details

Mysterious Oregon Coast 2025 Part 1