Wanted a flatter ride after yesterday's Larch Mountain challenge. Started from Jefferson City Park and pool. Right off the bat noticed northwest to north wind. The first 17 miles went through the Ankeny NWR then along the Willamette River on Riverside Dr and across the River Rd bridge into Independence. Mostly crosswind on this section. The next 8 miles went by the former Redgate Winery (now Elysium) and a rest stop then into little Buena Vista. A lot of tailwind on this part. The next 4 miles to NW Springhill Dr was fast with a nice downhill and tailwind. NW Springhill Dr was a 6-mile stretch into Albany and the Highway 20 bridge over the Willamette. The route then went east through town then veered north through Millersburg. More headwind. Continued north on Morningstar Rd to Santiam-Bluff Rd NE and over I-5. Finally some tailwind on the 1.5 mile stretch to Highway 164. Had to wait for a combine brigade to roll by before finishing the ride going through Jefferson.