Day 20. Early mornings and playlists

There are two things that help get the long distances each day - early mornings and playlists. The early morning is essential as the daylight hours are getting shorter by the day. The playlist is what keeps you occupied and stops you thinking too much, for although I love a good muse, it doesn't take long for the focus to turn to how tired my legs are how far I still have to go.

Day 19. Getting there

Surprisingly it was another clear day. More surprisingly the weatherman got it right! Although it was clear and sunny, the wind being in my face all day was a little irritating. I'm having to be a bit careeful with these last couple of stops into San Francisco as, although there are quite alot of little towns and places to stay along the way, it appears as though I am in honeymoonville in terms of the actual accomodations... and most of the habitations are priced accordingly.

Day 18. Thanksgiving

After a brief stay in Westport, where I did survive the night unscathed, it was time for another short day. Being that it is thanksgiving, and I was worried that alot of the smaller places may be closed down for the day, I thought it best to just head down to Fort Bragg, the largest town on this part of the coast. Remarkably it has been 3 days now since I have suffered adverse weather conditions. 

Day 17. Gradients.

For two days running now I've had excellent cycling weather. Although this morning was the coldest morning yet (a mere 7 degrees celcius) the sun was out and as I left the dirty town of Garberville I was looking forward to getting this day out of the way. This day had been playing on my mind for a few days now. The longer ride yesterday was in order to set up a shorter ride today, as I knew that today was going to be the biggest hill of the whole route. it's been very hilly all the way since Washington, but today was Leggett day, and the hill just beyond Leggett sits 2000 ft above sea level.

Day 16. Avenue of the Giants

It may have become apparent to anyone reading my blog that the last couple of updates have been a little lacking in the joys of Autumn and, quite frankly, the last one was most definitely tired and dull. I had thought about taking a couple of days rest in Eureka as I was certainly starting to feel the effects of being on the road for such a long time, and as I hadn't been taking my rest days as I had planned I was maybe owed a couple.

Day 15. Eureka!

No, I haven't just discovered a new way of calculating density.. but I have reached Eureka! Although the weatherman had stipulated that it would rain all day, fortunately, for the umpteenth time this trip, he was wrong!

Day 14. Short Hops

Crescent City did not have what it takes to make me hang around. Even though it was cold, and wet and generally very horrible today I still felt compelled to head on out of town. I had two possible options depending on just how bad the weather got. Either head about 20 miles down the road to Klamath or, if the rain ceased, head on to Trinidad, a little further down the coast.

Day 13. Hail California!

Today was slightly more eventful than yesterday. Although not in any way nice eventful. Just eventful! I set off from Gold Beach with California in my sights, and although there was rain forecast, it was a beautiful sunny morning. I knew that the first hour or so would be quite hilly so wanted to get that out of that way before lunch. I also knew that there was virtually nothing between Gold Beach and Brookings, the next town along.

Day 12. Nothing, except a history lesson and a beard trim

I mean really, nothing happened today. I left Bandon, as nice a place as it seemed, I didn't really have any need to hang around. I sat on a bike for almost 5 hours, then I got to Gold Beach. I did go through a place called Port Orford, which appeared nothing special. I stopped to have a bite to eat at a petrol station, as I so often do these days. It wasn't petrol station food, oh no, I had lugged the food along with me since Bandon, but I tend to stop at petrol stations because that's what you do when you are on the road and need refuelling.

Day 11. Bandon

Today was a fairly uneventful riide - I left Florence having had a relaxing rest day of laundry and bike shops.. or bike and guitar shops as they appear to be in these parts.

Day 10. Half day

After arriving in Yachats (I've been reliably informed it's pronunced Yah-hots by the locals.. although if that is the case why spell it Yachats.. anyway..) late last night I didn't really want to spend a rest day there. It was another town that is probably bustling in the summer but a pretty dour place when it's grey and rainy. I thought the best thing to do would be to head to Florence, about 25 miles further down the coast, as it is a bigger place and also has a bike shop.

Day 9. Dank

I did a video blog for today.. thought it would be easier than typing.. it's not very concise, but you get the idea:

Day 8. Sodden... again

It was another wet day in Oregan. In fact, after researching before I came I knew Oregan was going to be wet all the way through. The fact I got a clear day yesterday was a bonus, so I shouldn't complain. I knew today was going to be a wet one after every tv station and website I came across told me so. So, with this in mind, I thought I would try and be up and out early in order to not end up cycling in the dark again.

Day 7. Tsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss........

After a reletively pleasant day 6 of cycling through Washington and entering Oregan, with just one puncture in the first 6 days, I left the Holiday Inn in Astoria full of hope and expectation.