ah, that makes much more sense. yes, our setups are different enough to realize very different rides: i have straight CX forks with a large metal rotor (disc brakes), rode without a rack (no rear weight), and weigh-in at 150#. the straight forks probably caused the greatest discomfort on the road---after all, they're designed to provide stiff no-flex feedback.

i bet those long stays are nice! not to mention those nice curved forks. sounds like a perfect setup for those coast range roads!

i tried going faster. really, i tried my normal 18-20mph, i even gunned it up to 22-23mph briefly (on the flats mind you; bombing the summit was brake-only-to-preserve-life speed), but all to no avail. it was smoothest at 8-10mph (hence going up to the summit posed no problems since i stayed between 8-12mph), but i had a deadline to make, so 10-13mph was the best i could do without conking out. really. i even swore at the road several times i was so frustrated that i couldn't go faster! (it did me no good.)

just the same, it's the best route to the coast from EUG that i've found, and if i did it again, i'd just put my 35mm Schwalbes on. at the very least i wouldn't need to worry about getting a flat. those tyres do ride extra smooth!