As you near the end of the Gainesville Hawthorne State Trail coming into Boulware Springs, about a mile out, you go through an exhilarating whoops-se-do and then start down a gradual incline along the power line easement. It is very easy to build up quite a bit of speed on this incline without realizing it. Then the trail abruptly makes a sharp 100 degree right turn into the woods, "Dead Man's Curve." The unaware cyclist will be hard pressed to stay on the trail, and will frequently be forced to the far left edge of the pavement. In August, Bud Jones learned about this turn the hard way; the ambulance crew had to cut the lock on the trail gate to get to him (he recovered in plenty of time to ride Cycle Oregon a month later). In October, one of our guests on the Horse Farm Hundred rammed a child who happened to be in the right place at the wrong time; the result was $200 damage to the riders bike and severe bruises for the child.
We have been told that the State intends to put up a warning sign for Dead Man's Curve, someday. Be aware that the beautiful first three miles of the Gainesville Hawthorne State Trail, with all of the hills, turns, breathtaking scenery, and blind corners, is also the most heavily used portion of the trail. Expect to see lots of kids on small bikes, roller bladers, pedestrians, bounding deer, and even (though illegal) dogs on leashes. High speeds in this area are uncalled for and dangerous. On the rest of the trail you can see far enough to slow down when encountering other traffic; in the first three miles you frequently cannot. Gear back to 15 mph and enjoy the scenery.