Well, I had a train ticket from Emeryville, CA to Denver, CO for this morning. The train departure time was 09:50, and I arrived @ 09:15, only to be told that it was too late to check my bike and my luggage. The woman at the ticket window was quite confrontational and cantankerous--I don't think she enjoys her job much. Fortunately, I was able to switch my ticket to tomorrow without any $$ penalty. So, one more night in the bay area. I've decided not to go back into SF, and just spend the night in Berkeley, since it's closer to the train station (I won't have to ride the BART in the morning).
It feels really weird not riding today (or, not riding much). I've become accustomed to my daily routine of getting up, eating my oatmeal w/raisins, striking camp, and then spending the better part of my day riding. I feel a little restless and lazy. I've been spending most of the afternoon in the Berkeley Public Library, using the free wifi and catching up on my email, blogging, facebooking, etc.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Day 33 (Saturday 6/12/2010) Samuel P. Taylor State Park (Olema, CA) to San Francisco, CA
29.4 miles.
Last day of riding! Cross the Golden-Gate Bridge today. Amazing.
Last day of riding! Cross the Golden-Gate Bridge today. Amazing.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 28 (Monday 6/7/2010) - Richardson Grove State Park (Garberville, CA) to MacKerricher Beach State Park (Fort Bragg, CA)
57.6 miles.
Wow. Two huge climbs--one to 2000 ft. and the other to about 1000 ft. Then, just when I thought the climbs were over, I realized that this section of coast is nothing but up-and-down.
Gorgeous day. I returned to the coast after a few day inland in the Redwoods. My day off really helped--felt much stronger today. I'm getter better and reading my body. I still need to keep hydrated, though. I think dehydration is my biggest enemy at this point--it saps me of strength and then the riding becomes misery.
All-in-all, a great day.
Wow. Two huge climbs--one to 2000 ft. and the other to about 1000 ft. Then, just when I thought the climbs were over, I realized that this section of coast is nothing but up-and-down.
Gorgeous day. I returned to the coast after a few day inland in the Redwoods. My day off really helped--felt much stronger today. I'm getter better and reading my body. I still need to keep hydrated, though. I think dehydration is my biggest enemy at this point--it saps me of strength and then the riding becomes misery.
All-in-all, a great day.
Day 27 (Sunday 6/6/2010) - Rest Day
Decided to take a rest day. My legs are tired, and I think I'm dehydrated. Sunday is a good day for a rest, and this campground is beautiful (surrounded by Redwoods).
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Day 25 (Friday 6/4/2010) - Eureka to Pepperwood, CA (Humboldt Redwood State Park)
40.8 miles
The rain has finally stopped!!!
Spent the night with Dick & Kathy LaForge from warmshowers.com. Had a warm, dry bed. It's the first time I've actually slept in a bed in two weeks.
Dick was checking out my bike, and noticed that the rear spokes were a bit loose. I didn't think it was an issue, since I paid top $$ to have the wheels hand-built, but when I checked them later I realized Dick was absolutely right. I stopped at a great bike-shop in Eureka, and the mechanic took a look at the wheel. Turns out I must have hit something or came off a tall curb, 'cause there is a slight flat spot on the rim, which was causing the spokes to loosen. They were able to tighten it up and get it true. Should last the rest of the trip, but I need to keep an eye on it. A bit disappointing, considering what I paid for the wheels. I'll have Vecchio's look at it when I get back to Boulder--they guarantee their work for life. Not a big deal, but it held me up for a few hours.
The rain has finally stopped!!!
Spent the night with Dick & Kathy LaForge from warmshowers.com. Had a warm, dry bed. It's the first time I've actually slept in a bed in two weeks.
Dick was checking out my bike, and noticed that the rear spokes were a bit loose. I didn't think it was an issue, since I paid top $$ to have the wheels hand-built, but when I checked them later I realized Dick was absolutely right. I stopped at a great bike-shop in Eureka, and the mechanic took a look at the wheel. Turns out I must have hit something or came off a tall curb, 'cause there is a slight flat spot on the rim, which was causing the spokes to loosen. They were able to tighten it up and get it true. Should last the rest of the trip, but I need to keep an eye on it. A bit disappointing, considering what I paid for the wheels. I'll have Vecchio's look at it when I get back to Boulder--they guarantee their work for life. Not a big deal, but it held me up for a few hours.
Day 24 (Thursday 6/3/2010) - Elk Prairie Campground (Orick, CA) to Eureka, CA
50.2 miles
It rained most of the day. Not as hard as yesterday, but still very wet. My bedroll got soaked yesterday, so I had to spend last-night in a wet bed--at least it was warm. Thank goodness for synthetic materials!
It rained most of the day. Not as hard as yesterday, but still very wet. My bedroll got soaked yesterday, so I had to spend last-night in a wet bed--at least it was warm. Thank goodness for synthetic materials!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Day 23 (Wednesday 6/2/2010) - Crescent City, CA to Elk Prairie Campground (Orick, CA)
33.8 miles
Going to be a rainy day. 2 1000 ft. climbs.
It rained from the time I left Crescent City all the way to Elk Prairie and most of the night. I'm not taking a lot of pictures, since I don't really want to test the water-proof-ness of my camera.
Going to be a rainy day. 2 1000 ft. climbs.
It rained from the time I left Crescent City all the way to Elk Prairie and most of the night. I'm not taking a lot of pictures, since I don't really want to test the water-proof-ness of my camera.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Day 22 (Tuesday 6/1/2010) - Harris Beach State Park (Brookings, OR) to Crescent City, CA
37.2 miles
I'm currently in Crescent City, CA. I got a late start, and it's now 19:30. There is a hiker-biker campsite 7 miles south on US-101, but it's at the top of a 1000 ft. climb that twists and turns through forest land with little-to-no shoulder. I'm not sure I should push on, as it's already starting to get dark. I'll figure things out, and update tomorrow.
6/2/2010 08:00
I decided not to try the climb in the dwindling daylight. I rode around for a while, looking for a good spot to stealth-camp. I finally settled on a park area with some covered picnic tables. It looked like a storm-front was coming in. It started raining around 04:00, and it's still raining now. The shelter provided some protection, but the wind pushed the rain under the roof anyway. I'm gonna hit the road now, heading for Elk Prairie Campground. It should be about 37 miles for the day.
I'm currently in Crescent City, CA. I got a late start, and it's now 19:30. There is a hiker-biker campsite 7 miles south on US-101, but it's at the top of a 1000 ft. climb that twists and turns through forest land with little-to-no shoulder. I'm not sure I should push on, as it's already starting to get dark. I'll figure things out, and update tomorrow.
6/2/2010 08:00
I decided not to try the climb in the dwindling daylight. I rode around for a while, looking for a good spot to stealth-camp. I finally settled on a park area with some covered picnic tables. It looked like a storm-front was coming in. It started raining around 04:00, and it's still raining now. The shelter provided some protection, but the wind pushed the rain under the roof anyway. I'm gonna hit the road now, heading for Elk Prairie Campground. It should be about 37 miles for the day.
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