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Bear Creek Greenway, October 2018
Ashland to Medford and back: A Photographic Log
28 October 2018, 34 miles

The Bear Creek Greenway between Ashland OR and Medford OR was always on the itinerary for this trip north, weather permitting. It rained Saturday night, but this morning the forecast promised the precipitation was done for the rest of the day. Ha!

We drove up I-5 from Yreka under thickening clouds. Shortly after my ace support crew dropped me off at the Greenway, the downpour began. (Meanwhile, she and our "motional sport dog"—as opposed to emotional support dog—drove off to hike up and down Grizzly Peak in the pouring rain and mud. I don't know why I agreed to allow them to mount that expedition with my pristine new Forester. The new car smell has been replaced with the tangy fragrance of wet dog.)

In any event, the Bear Creek Greenway was the opposite of the Great Shasta Rail Trail, which I rode two days ago. Paved. A few bumps in the pavement, but they were all carefully highlighted with spray paint. Well marked with signs and directional arrows. Several parks along the way. Restrooms. Picnic tables. Water fountains. Nearby shops and restaurants. Basically flat, but enough easy grades and dips and curves and underpasses and bridges to maintain interest. Definitely a good trail, and a fun ride despite the rain.

The only downside, as on any urban trail, was the proliferation of waterlogged human beings whose only option for shelter during wet weather was huddling beneath concrete overpasses and clogging the path.


The rain began pouring down shortly after I snapped this shot where I started riding on Bear Creek Greenway at Eagle Mill Road on the north side of Ashland.


It rained for almost the entire outbound 17 miles, so I didn't snap any photos except this one.

I stopped at a convenient Ford dealership along the path in order to get under cover and adjust my soaked rain gear.

While doing so, I realized it was a perfect venue for a reflectie. If I look a little plumper than usual, blame it on extra layers of gear.


In order to make it back to the rendezvous point on time, I turned around at the Jackson County Expo in Central Point, north of Medford.

Only occasional sprinkles on the way back, so I managed to take a few pictures, such as this typical view of the path.


Sometimes the Greenway ran right along Interstate 5.


The colors were spectacular along much of the trail, including all the leaves brought down by the rain.

The wet leaves all over the place sometimes made the trail slick and a little tricky.

Good thing the Ogre has four-wheel drive.


This brightly colored tree along the Greenway caught my eye.


The Ogre holds up a wall along the path.


Interesting rest area for Monarch butterfly caravans.


About the rest area.


Along the Greenway.


This might have been the only underpass I saw that wasn't crowded with wet, bedraggled people who didn't have a roof to sleep under.

It made me recognize my good fortune to ride in the rain, knowing I would have a hot shower, fresh clothes, warm meal, and dry bed.


Follow the yellow leaf road.


Rules of the road.


Another colorful section of the Greenway.


I was already a couple of minutes late to the rendezvous with my ace support crew and the mud puppy, but I had to pause long enough to take this photo of the bridge over Bear Creek with a background of trees painted in autumn colors.

Great trail. Great ride. Probably even better when not raining.



Summary

Date: 28 October 2018
Time: 11:00 - 2:00
Weather: 55-60° F, rained almost the entire outbound ride, intermittent sprinkles on the way back
Route: Bear Creek Greenway from Eagle Mill Road in Ashland to Jackson County Expo in Central Point, out and back
Distance: 34 miles
Bike: Surly Ogre
Riders: Solo




Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.

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