Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Big Ride - Update #2

Posted by Nick:

I’m in Fort Bragg (not the military base, that’s apparently on the East Coast. I was confused too.)

Yesterday was the highlight of the ride. We left a campground in the Redwoods yesterday morning and continued on 101 to Highway 1 to the coast. You get on 1 in the town of Leggett, CA. The road here goes straight up. For those who know the course, this was like the big hill in the third day of Columbia Plateau. Exactly the same, only it was four miles up instead of 13. It was sublime. I got in touch with my inner Marco and rode the thing in the drops. 42x17. It was killer.

Then the descent. Look out people, we actually had to use our brakes for the first time on the trip. When barreling into a corner marked “10 MPH” for cars, I thought scrubbing off some velocity was prudent. Awesome. I feel I’m learning to corner better. I almost didn’t notice how the climate was changing from warm and dry to cold and damp as we reached the coastal weather system.

There were two of these climbs with awesome descents, the last one depositing us on the coast. The rollers on the coastal highway never ended it seems. I stopped at the Lost Coast Inn for a cup of coffee with Dave Derrig. We sat on the front porch and watched the ocean for a bit before continuing. On the way into camp I sipped on a lovingly de-carbonated Coke prepared by Carry who was sitting part of the day out due to knee and ankle pain.

We spent the morning eating a massive vegetable-intensive breakfast at Cafe 1 in downtown Fort Bragg. And had drinkable coffee for the first time since leaving home. As much as I make fun of this state, the coffee is getting progressively better.

Big Ride - Days 7-10

It’s been a while since we had internet access, so Dad’s been filling in for us. Here are a few extra details that I missed on the brief call to them from Eureka two days ago.

Day 7:

As he mentioned we departed the coast and road through forested hills most of the day. The true highlight of the day - in addition to the Coos Bay bridge - was a rolling road called Seven Devils Road. It culminated in an awesome twisty descent. It’s only fault was that it was too short. Nick wanted to ride at least 5 more turns before it ended.

Day 8:

Breakfast made the day for us. You can’t know how deprived we feel by only having access to donuts and coffee for breakfast. Where are the bananas?!

Day 9:

Most of the day was spent on lightly traveled farm roads; it felt just like home! The campgrounds in California are just aweful compared to Oregon. What’s up with that? No towels, no soap, expensive cold showers! The insanity!

We heard that San Fransisco had a 6+ earthquake yesterday. Nick says: “The sooner this state breaks off into the ocean, the better!”

Day 10:

I made it every mile of the way on my bike until yesterday. A nagging knee pain, which had transferred itself to my opposite ankle got the better of me, so I sat out most of the end of the ride. One day in the RV, though, is enough to make you want to get back on the bike no matter how much it hurts. Boring hours spent waiting for the riders to come by. Arrrgh!

The fact that I wasn’t on the road gave Nick a chance to really ride the ride. He and Dave pounded up the hills and rode down them at break neck speed. He said, the hills were easy. The toughest part of the ride were the relentlessly rolling hills on the final 10 miles into camp. No rhythm.

Day 11: REST DAY!

We started the day with a huge breakfast at Cafe 1. Mmmmm! Then we went off to do laundry. This afternoon we’re going to hit the Lost Coast Brewery for lunch and a pint (or two). Today is all about rest and rehydration for our 109 mile ride tomorrow. (I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing tour!)

There is a pair of riders (Dave and Karen) who are also posting pictures and stories for the road. Here’s their web site for perusing in case you’ve got some time to kill. They’ve got some great pictures!

Dave and Karen Derrig’s Web site

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Day 9 - Can You Believe it?

Posted by my dad:

We rejoin our intrepid riders Nick and Carry as they contemplate a 91 mile day. It was scheduled to be a 91 mile day, but they stopped 20 miles early because their campground was still under construction.

Today they crossed into California. The border crossing was anticlimactic-no fruit inspector manning the stand.  The road went through the town of Smith River where 90% of the Nation’s Easter Lilies are grown. They entered the Redwood forest and it was the hilliest day so far ... UP 1,200’ hills and down the other side ... only to have to crest another and another. 

Klamath City boasts a 5 story high statue of Paul Bunyan and an anatomically correct (inquiring minds want to know!) Babe by his side.

Finally they spent the night at Elk Prairie Campground. Morning fog was reported to be Elk farts! Next tick mark on our adventurers’ checklist? The Avenue of the Giants.

Stay tuned!

Monday, September 27, 2004

Day 8

Posted by my dad:

A very cool (88 miles along the coast watching sea stacks) today.

It was really foggy when our intrepid riders Carry and Nick woke up. They stopped less than 2 miles from yesterdays campsite for breakfast at a little cafe. They split a huge plate of veggies and food.  The pile of veggies was too tempting after days of doughnut holes and coffee (but later in the day they wished we hadn’t eaten quite so much.)

Then they journeyed inland then back to the coast and continued zigzagging back and forth. It was the first day they saw surfers and fishermen standing in the surf casting into the waves. At the end of the day they crossed the Thomas Creek Bridge-345 feet high! It is the highest bridge on the Oregon coast and we thought it would be necessary to ride UP and then DOWN, but the bridge proved to be virtually flat. A glance over the side revealed a DEEP GORGE below.

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Day 7

Posted by my Dad:

Day 7 took Nick and Carry from Honeyman State Park in Florence to Bandon. According to our intrepid riders it was a boring day through the woods and not along the coast. They crossed the Coos Bay Bridge which was very cool and really, really tall. In total, they biked just over 70 miles today.