Freestyle

K.C. Oakley’s Tour de Oregon

by
USSA
2015-08-25 10:09
 

During the off-season, athletes of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team like to get creative with their training. And, being Olympic-level competitors, they tend to have an all-or-nothing mentality when it comes to athletic activities. When she had to skip an on-snow camp in Australia due to a stress reaction in her foot, mogul skier K.C. Oakley grabbed her bike and hit the road, pedaling down the Oregon coast in five days.

“Our team doctor ordered that I do a lot of biking in order to accelerate my recovery and stay fit, so I thought I would go big with it,” said Oakley. “I did some research and started putting the route together. It was a bit daunting because I had only been on a bike like, five times this year, so I was kind of underprepared. But I think we face a lot of those feelings of uncertainty in our ski training, so I thought the test could be great for my mental strength. It replaces a sense of vulnerability with perseverance and confidence.”

Check out our photo blog of K.C.’s journey: 5 days, 367 miles, 17,830 feet of elevation gain and approximately 24 hours on a bike seat, complete with amazing seaside views.

 

K.C.'s Tour de Oregon


K.C. kicked off her ride in foggy, rainy Astoria, OR. Her first day’s journey ended earlier than expected due to inclement weather.
 


K.C. passed through Cape Lookout State Park on day two and conquered some serious hill climbs before stopping in Boiler Bay for some whale watching.

 


After refueling at Green Salmon Coffee Company in Yachats on day three, K.C. entered Cape Perpetua State Park, riding right along the coast with miles of gorgeous views.

 


K.C. finished day three in Gardiner, where she checked out the Oregon Sand Dunes State Park.

 


Day four found K.C. pushing herself through the Seven Devils Hill Climb in Seven Devils State Park, but she found some motivational messages along the route to keep her going.

 


After making it up through Seven Devils, K.C. was rewarded with a gorgeous sunset at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon.

 


Finally, after tackling a big climb and high winds, K.C. finished her trip at the Oregon/California border on the fifth day.

 

Follow K.C.’s biking and skiing adventures this season on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 


 


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