Big Lagoon NP to Arcata, CA
31.59 miles
2:43.55 hrs
33.7 max
12.0 avg
We made it to Arcata in no time, despite the rain and cold. After visiting 2 bike shops and making some phone calls, Alex found the rim he wanted in stock at a bike shop in Eureka. Therefore, Nick and Alex don't have to wait around for an extra couple days for an ordered rim to arrive. Meaning, I am going to stay in Arcata tonight and head out tomorrow with Nick and Alex as company. Matt has opted to stay an extra day to catch up on correspondence and blog updates.
Nick and Alex biked down to Eureka to pick up the rim, have it installed and bike back to Arcata since we have a connection, for a place to stay through warmshowers.com (a cyclists version of couchsurfing.com). It does seem like another short day in the crapper but with the rainy weather and chance for companionship all the way to San Fran, I feel that it is well worth it!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Day 67 - Sunday November 8th
Fort Dick, CA to Big Lagoon SP
64.28 miles
5:06.39 hrs
35.7 max
12.5 avg
The Redwoods are AMAZING! I was hoping to have the opportunity to ride through one of the tree 'tunnels' but they did not exit on the path that we took. Maybe later on in CA there will be one?
The rest of the group is planning on staying in Arcata tomorrow, and the next couple days, until Alex gets his new rim in. I am thinking that I will set off on my own to San Fran so that I can meet back up with them after I spend a couple days exploring the 'golden city'. Originally the group was going to spend a couple days in SF but with the rim delay, they have decided not. By setting off ahead of them then I might have the opportunity to ride with them from San Fran to San Diego... could be fun!
64.28 miles
5:06.39 hrs
35.7 max
12.5 avg
The Redwoods are AMAZING! I was hoping to have the opportunity to ride through one of the tree 'tunnels' but they did not exit on the path that we took. Maybe later on in CA there will be one?
The rest of the group is planning on staying in Arcata tomorrow, and the next couple days, until Alex gets his new rim in. I am thinking that I will set off on my own to San Fran so that I can meet back up with them after I spend a couple days exploring the 'golden city'. Originally the group was going to spend a couple days in SF but with the rim delay, they have decided not. By setting off ahead of them then I might have the opportunity to ride with them from San Fran to San Diego... could be fun!
Day 66 - Saturday November 7th
Humbug NP, OR to Fort Dick, CA
71.51 miles
6:04.47 hrs
37.1 max
11.1 avg
Momentous day! I broke the 5000 mile barrier and entered CA! I am SO excited to be this far in the trip. Even though the last few days have been pretty short I am happy with my progress. The landscape out here is gorgeous and the hills prevent a cyclist from just flying through. It is giving me more time to take in the scenery. I can't wait until tomorrows ride through the redwoods!
We stayed in the backyard of a church after talking with the Pastor and his wife. It was nice to have a free place to stay. Although, I can't really complain about paying $3 for a campsite now that we have 4 people in our 'peleton'.
71.51 miles
6:04.47 hrs
37.1 max
11.1 avg
Momentous day! I broke the 5000 mile barrier and entered CA! I am SO excited to be this far in the trip. Even though the last few days have been pretty short I am happy with my progress. The landscape out here is gorgeous and the hills prevent a cyclist from just flying through. It is giving me more time to take in the scenery. I can't wait until tomorrows ride through the redwoods!
We stayed in the backyard of a church after talking with the Pastor and his wife. It was nice to have a free place to stay. Although, I can't really complain about paying $3 for a campsite now that we have 4 people in our 'peleton'.
Day 65 - Friday November 6th
Bandon, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR
33.5 miles
3:??.?? hrs
? max
? avg
With a little misfortune, Alex broke his rim, we only made it 33.5 miles today. I also accidentally deleted my stats for the day before I could write them down. Oh well! It rained a LOT today and I broke another spoke. After spending so much money having bike shops repair my spokes I decided to take things into my own hands and use Matt's tooling to repair this one myself. After changing my own spoke for the first time, I have decided that I will never pay for someone else to change my spoke again! I think I will have to invest in some tooling once I separate from this group of guys.
My knee was hurting pretty bad today but Matt bought some arthritis creme for me... it would be great if it works!
33.5 miles
3:??.?? hrs
? max
? avg
With a little misfortune, Alex broke his rim, we only made it 33.5 miles today. I also accidentally deleted my stats for the day before I could write them down. Oh well! It rained a LOT today and I broke another spoke. After spending so much money having bike shops repair my spokes I decided to take things into my own hands and use Matt's tooling to repair this one myself. After changing my own spoke for the first time, I have decided that I will never pay for someone else to change my spoke again! I think I will have to invest in some tooling once I separate from this group of guys.
My knee was hurting pretty bad today but Matt bought some arthritis creme for me... it would be great if it works!
Day 64 - Thursday November 5th
Sunset Bay NP to Bandon, OR
27.87 miles
2:45.53 hrs
30.4 max
10.0 avg
Can't do much when there are 50+ mph headwinds and your knee is in intense pain. It was very difficult trying to ride portions of this short jaunt with only my left leg. We opted to stay at a RV park in Bandon that allowed us to stay in their ''typhoon shelter'' with a pool table and cable for $5 each! Can't get much better than that! Feels like I am falling farther and farther behind schedule though. Traveling with four guys is hard because everyone seems to have bike trouble at different times and it really slows down the ride.
Paired together we are traveling very slow and spend way too much time at grocery stores but the comedic personalities really make it all worth it. We all seem to have different preferred paces of travel and commonly get separated and have to wait up for each other every 10 miles or so... as you can imagine, not very efficient. Maybe this will change? Probably not.
27.87 miles
2:45.53 hrs
30.4 max
10.0 avg
Can't do much when there are 50+ mph headwinds and your knee is in intense pain. It was very difficult trying to ride portions of this short jaunt with only my left leg. We opted to stay at a RV park in Bandon that allowed us to stay in their ''typhoon shelter'' with a pool table and cable for $5 each! Can't get much better than that! Feels like I am falling farther and farther behind schedule though. Traveling with four guys is hard because everyone seems to have bike trouble at different times and it really slows down the ride.
Paired together we are traveling very slow and spend way too much time at grocery stores but the comedic personalities really make it all worth it. We all seem to have different preferred paces of travel and commonly get separated and have to wait up for each other every 10 miles or so... as you can imagine, not very efficient. Maybe this will change? Probably not.
Day 63 - Wednesday November 4th
CGWNP to Sunset Bay NP
73.27 miles
5:46.02 hrs
36.max
12.6 avg
The morning started off with a cool ride through a rock tunnel. Upon emerging from the opposite side of the tunnel, the sound of a couple thousand seals rang through the air. In a clearing we had a great view of a beach full of at least 4 thousand seals basking in the sun and playing in the surf! It was fun to watch them body surf with such grace!
Once again, great scenery paired with some new found company. It really is easier to travel with company, although it does not allow for much time by yourself to loose yourself in the ride and ponder the what the vast universe has to offer. It is a trade off though because getting to know new people has rewards beyond value.
73.27 miles
5:46.02 hrs
36.max
12.6 avg
The morning started off with a cool ride through a rock tunnel. Upon emerging from the opposite side of the tunnel, the sound of a couple thousand seals rang through the air. In a clearing we had a great view of a beach full of at least 4 thousand seals basking in the sun and playing in the surf! It was fun to watch them body surf with such grace!
Once again, great scenery paired with some new found company. It really is easier to travel with company, although it does not allow for much time by yourself to loose yourself in the ride and ponder the what the vast universe has to offer. It is a trade off though because getting to know new people has rewards beyond value.
Day 62 - Tuesday November 3rd
Lincoln City, OR to Carl G. Washburne SP
62.42 miles
4:37.03 hrs
31.8 max
13.5 avg
The coast is SO beautiful. I could not ask for a better day for riding along the coast! The sun is shinning brightly. I was a little camera happy today and therefore my ride went very slowly. I stopped around every corner to take a picture of the coast... probably a little overkill. A LOT overkill. I just couldn't help myself because I was so happy just to be on 101 traveling down the coast again. I feel like I have lost a bunch of time with the bum knee but the end just feels so near now; even though I am still a couple thousand miles away.
I saw some gray whales frolicking in one of the bays and I had to of spent at least half an hour watching them.
About 2/3 the way through the day I ran into three bikers who were also heading down the coast. Matt, a chap from England, was doing an around the world tour that has taken him 20,000 miles thus far in 18 months! Pretty amazing! If you want to check out his webpage go to www.worldwidebikeride.com to learn about his amazing adventure. His trip makes mine look like a cake walk! I do have to say I am a little jealous. Ok, a LOT jealous! Maybe I will meet up with him later on in his four year journey to explore more of Africa or Europe?!?!?
Alex is traveling from Tacoma, WA down the coast to La Paz where he will meet his girlfriend and fly back home. Nick is joining Alex for a portion of the trip. He plans on going as far as he can towards San Diego and then hitching the train back to Tacoma, WA a couple of days before Thanksgiving.
I am looking forward to having some companionship for the next few days and potentially all the way down to San Diego. We will just have to see how things work out.
62.42 miles
4:37.03 hrs
31.8 max
13.5 avg
The coast is SO beautiful. I could not ask for a better day for riding along the coast! The sun is shinning brightly. I was a little camera happy today and therefore my ride went very slowly. I stopped around every corner to take a picture of the coast... probably a little overkill. A LOT overkill. I just couldn't help myself because I was so happy just to be on 101 traveling down the coast again. I feel like I have lost a bunch of time with the bum knee but the end just feels so near now; even though I am still a couple thousand miles away.
I saw some gray whales frolicking in one of the bays and I had to of spent at least half an hour watching them.
About 2/3 the way through the day I ran into three bikers who were also heading down the coast. Matt, a chap from England, was doing an around the world tour that has taken him 20,000 miles thus far in 18 months! Pretty amazing! If you want to check out his webpage go to www.worldwidebikeride.com to learn about his amazing adventure. His trip makes mine look like a cake walk! I do have to say I am a little jealous. Ok, a LOT jealous! Maybe I will meet up with him later on in his four year journey to explore more of Africa or Europe?!?!?
Alex is traveling from Tacoma, WA down the coast to La Paz where he will meet his girlfriend and fly back home. Nick is joining Alex for a portion of the trip. He plans on going as far as he can towards San Diego and then hitching the train back to Tacoma, WA a couple of days before Thanksgiving.
I am looking forward to having some companionship for the next few days and potentially all the way down to San Diego. We will just have to see how things work out.
Day 61 - Monday Novemeber 2nd
Tigard, OR to Lincoln City, OR
84.89 miles
6:02.27 hrs
41.2 max
14.0 avg
Great day for riding! The scenery was not all that great to the coast but it was fun watching the coastal mountains grow right in front of me. The mountains were my destination marker, giving me ongoing energy to climb them and be at the ocean!
Unfortunately, I did not see the ocean post-climbing the 720' summit but I did find a coupon in the local newspaper for a hotel room at the Historic Anchor Inn. $29 for a room and free hot breakfast was not a bad deal! This place had the best breakfast I have ever eaten at a hotel! If you ever find yourself in this city make sure to stay at the HAI! You won't be disappointed!
84.89 miles
6:02.27 hrs
41.2 max
14.0 avg
Great day for riding! The scenery was not all that great to the coast but it was fun watching the coastal mountains grow right in front of me. The mountains were my destination marker, giving me ongoing energy to climb them and be at the ocean!
Unfortunately, I did not see the ocean post-climbing the 720' summit but I did find a coupon in the local newspaper for a hotel room at the Historic Anchor Inn. $29 for a room and free hot breakfast was not a bad deal! This place had the best breakfast I have ever eaten at a hotel! If you ever find yourself in this city make sure to stay at the HAI! You won't be disappointed!
Sunday November 1st
One more day in Tigard with the Alverez family. It was a pleasure playing with the little girls of this family. They are so cute and fun! Thank you to the Alverez family for putting me up and allowing my leg to heal.
After a test ride, my leg was only at 80.5% and I feel that I should at least be 81% to try and make it to the coast. This day should allow me full recovery... at least for a little while. I went on a pre-test bike ride and was granted the privilege of viewing 4 out of 5 mountains that I wanted to see. Rainier was the only one that was too far away to see! Thank you to the weather gods for this glorious clear day! Luckily tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful too!
After a test ride, my leg was only at 80.5% and I feel that I should at least be 81% to try and make it to the coast. This day should allow me full recovery... at least for a little while. I went on a pre-test bike ride and was granted the privilege of viewing 4 out of 5 mountains that I wanted to see. Rainier was the only one that was too far away to see! Thank you to the weather gods for this glorious clear day! Luckily tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful too!
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