April 8th/9th

Ok well our days got a little mixed up on this blog--- so there will be a bit of a gap :) There was one day we only did about 15ish miles since it was supposed to be pouring rain all day. With no shoulder, a low visibility driving rain wouldn't make it a great ride. So, we camped out in a hotel that was listed in one of our tourist-info books as 'the cheapest for 100 miles' - it was a decent enough place- but the reason it was the cheapest was mostly because everything else around was a crazy 300 bucks a night bed and breakfast. Not only do we not want to spend that much, but bed and breakfast places never allow dogs.

SO - to cut to the point- on April 9th we rode into San Francisco. It took forever! When we woke up at our campsite it was drizzling so we slept in until it tapered off a bit. After some procrastination, wondering if we should just spend another day at the campsite until the rain cleared or not--- we finally decided to take off and get into the city. It ended up taking us about 3:45 of riding to go about 34 miles... After a few miles we had a long steady climb to conquer, with a steady headwind. After the decent, we were on a lot of residential streets so had a lot of stop signs and having to stop to check directions. The directions were tough to follow- and while I think we stayed on route, the way we took to the Golden Gate Bridge just didn't seem right... we had to go down into a park, weave around, go through a gate that said "authorized vehicles only" with an arm blocking the road... but then under that it said "bikes use bike lane only" ! so yes it was the way for bikes to go. The bad part is that after this we had to go up and up and up a few switch backs to get to the start of the bridge. I can't help but think the way I saw another bike go- along the main road- would be the best way to go. BUT we made it and we could actually see San Francisco now.

The bridge was loud and windy--- but we luckily had a decently wide separate pedestrian path. After getting off the bridge it was more checking the map and getting lost--- our hotel was just about 4 miles away but none of it made any sense. The area we had to get though was insanely hilly, and had lots of streets that dead ended and were one ways. Not to mention how starving we were. We stopped at lunch and grabbed coffee and had a Clif bar- thinking we weren't far from our hotel. After that though, we had to go through 3 steep climbs that just exhausted us. (but hey at least the rain stopped!)

After getting at least to about the neighborhood of our hotel- we were so hungry we stopped for food- we shared a Pad Thai which was pretty darn good- maybe it was just we were so hunger and glad to be in the city finally? To get to our hotel we avoided any of the obscenely steep hills you'll see in San Francisco- and only had to go up one long hill. Worst things about these are hitting stop lights every block and having to start up again!

I thought we were finally done and could rest when we get to the hotel- but I was wrong :) You see, we decided to stay at a Marriott hotel. Cook has a credit card that gives you points towards free stays, and the more times we stay the more points we get (so like when we go to Heavy Rebel Weekender in SC every year, its a Marriott that gives us a special event rate since we were there for the concerts/car show)- we used one of our free stays in Austin, and had almost enough points for another free stay. So staying here would be not only an awesome way to spend my birthday (ish- few days early) but it would mean a free hotel later on. :) win-win!

Back to the point- this fancy-schmancy hotel didn't want our bikes in the room. Which is a problem since we don't trust their little storage closet with something as important as our bikes. Usually at cheaper places we explain how much they cost us (that they aren't $50 walmart bikes which people don't usually realize) - and that if they get stolen we have no transportation and our trip is over. But this hotel didnt want to budge-- after we finally agreed to let them store our bikes, being promised they'd be under 24 hour watch of hte front desk people- they realized they didn't have enough room for the bikes and trailers! Final conclusion- they stored the trailers and we took the bikes up with us but we were fully liable for any damage they did to the room.

We showered- relaxed- got some delivery for dinner (falafel!)- then ventured out for a beer. We do love that we didn't have a hard time finding a place within a few blocks that let us come in with the dog. We went to one with horrible loud techno music- but a block away there was a smaller one with a decent little jukebox playing 'normal' music. When Cook asked if the dog could come in, they asked "is it fluffy?" haha of course! They loved her and she loved the attention.

Whew. Finally. In San Francisco.

April 7

To Samuel Taylor State Park (btwns Pt Reyes and Lagunitas)

Yup thats right! We rode nearly 100 miles :) Haha just kidding! Not with the extra weight we have...

The roads still had no shoulder- so we made it to Stewarts Point- about 28miles down the road where we found a ride from a gracious cyclists. He took us all the way to Bodega Bay- which I can't thank him enough for!!! This stretch of road contained the climb from Ft Ross to Jenner- which is as normal with out a shoulder, but also on a cliff. We were not looking forward to it... it was beautiful to drive though! We could finally look at the scenery. Its amazing how many cows have ocean front property.

Once in Bodega Bay- we talked over the rest of our plans... The cyclist we met riding north at the last camp site said that she had things thrown at her along the next stretch of road (like a bag of chips)--the road cuts in land a bit and meets up with other roads that come in from Santa Clara so carries in folks that are coming to the beaches that aren't always the friendliest. Once again, we were very lucky to find yet another cyclist with a large vehicle (to fit our bikes and trailers) who helped us get all th way to Pt Reyes Station. From here is was just about 6-7 miles to our campsite. The first 2 were straight up hill- but then a short decent and a sharp right turn to a flat, secluded bike path! What a crazy difference. So incredibly easy to ride on the flats with not a single car to worry about. The path went right through the woods to the campsite- litterly next to the site!

So yes we finally made it off of the northern section of CA-1. According to our maps, all but few miles will have shoulders the rest of the way. We'll see- if it gets too trecherous again, we'll re evaluate. For now, we're happy to be so close to San Francisco.

Wild Turkey


Ocean front cows

April 6th

To Manchester Beach State Park

Because of my unfortunate run in with the skunk- my butt was sore. Very sore! So it was a slow going day. The roads were terrible, but the weather was amazing. Near 70, so we were able to wear just a jersey and shorts.

Nearly every driver that passed us had no courtesy and were in way too much of a hurry. About half way through the day we got fed up. We weren't able to look at any of the scenery. We weren't enjoying riding. It was stressful and annoying. We stopped to eat some cookies and talk about it- we were very close to riding to the next town, renting a car and driving back to Sacramento where the hearse is stored- calling it quits pretty much. What a thing to be done in by- not the climbs, the weather or anything physical- just the bad drivers. It seemed though, that after a bit the traffic was dying down- so maybe it was just a post lunch rush??We continued on just to our campsite we decided- to decide later what we'd do.

A few miles later- we found out what all the traffic was. All the people in a hurry, doing their make up and brushing their hair---- get this---- were on their way to a funeral! There was nearly 2 miles of cars parked on the side of the road- all ones we recognized. I can't believe that people would be in such a rush to get to a funeral they didn't care if they put someone at risk along the way. So ironic.

Traffic thinned a lot after that- but still no shoulder and still bad drivers.

We alsohad to conquer the steepest hill in CA-a very long set of switch backs climbing up from a stream crossing. Every turn had grooves in the pavement from where cars scraped going around the turns. Unfortunately I couldn't climb the whole thing from my bruised muscle- I just couldn't get out of the saddle to climb so had to walk part of it. But Cook made it up!

We did finally make it to camp-a triumph. There was another cyclists there who was riding north from SF to Arcata. She also before road from Alaska to Arcata....sounds like an amazing ride. But honestly- I might be too scared of the bears to do that trip :)

If the scenery wasn't so beautiful I don't know if we'd continue on....but if we stop having fun we'll stop riding, its that simple! This isn't like climbing everest- we don't have to finish to 'win' - its just about having a good time along theway, right?!





A rare sight - a shoulder!

April 5th

To Mendocino 33 mi, 3:20

Continuing on Hwy 1 wasn't so fun- beautiful- but not fun. It was fairly hilly, and scary because there wasn't much of a shoulder, or none. Lots of 180 degree turns- we'd turn left, go down a steep hill, cross a stream, switch back, then climb right back up... all that so they didn't have to build a bridge. There were some beautiful houses with huge, grassy yards- overlooking the blue water! What an awesome place to live, and some look somewhat abandoned.... The water makes it look more like St Johns at times than California.

We did some grocery shopping in Ft Bragg- we got there after lunch so were starving. We stuffed ourselves then rode in the last 10 or so miles to Mendocino. We met someone off warmshowers to stay with- Doris. She has a great house with a beautiful yard- tons of trees, flowers, grass... that just so happened to be straight up yet another big hill :) Yet another person we can't thank enough for opening up their home to us!!

After a much needed shower- we walked into town as we hear we had to check it out. It was a clear night so we were able to watch the sunset again. We also found a bar that let us come in with the dog and had local beers on tap. On the inside- it looked just like any other little Baltimore bar. But the view! You could watch waves crash on rocks in a little cove across the street from your bar stool. Certainly not a place to miss.

On the way back, we picked up some garlic fries for the walk. We had seen them advertised and were excited. Two things we love--- together. They certainly didn't disappoint- they were just Fries with garlic- yum. We were nearly back when........Surly, that damn dog, stuck her head into a bush and scared out what I thought was a cat. But I was wrong - luckily Cook realized quickly and yelled "SKUNK!" Great! It was scared, with reason, and was acting defensively and starting to spray. We both ran, but the dog was still pulling towards the skunk- that combined with the dark- I didn't happen to see the ditch on the edge of a drive way I went to run up, so fell straight on my butt. That ended up being a nice big bruise and a very sore muscle. The muscle that also happens to be one of the main ones I use to climb while riding.

We got back, and for fear that we had some stink on us- decided to forgo the nice guest room- and set up camp in the garage :) Wasn't so bad though! We did have a little bit of spray on us, but luckily!!! were not fully sprayed so by morning it had dissipated. It was a really close call, that could have gone horribly- but luckily worked out well. In the morning we had our usual cereal, but also got to add some delicious blue berries, thanks Doris!


Eating breakfast by our campsite








Bar view

April 4th

Through LEGGETT!!

Leggett is supposed to be the hardest climb in CA- or at least thats what everyone says. But in all honesty- it was a breeze compared to OR and the steeper climbs. We rode about 6 miles to Leggett the town where we grabbed some food for lunch (bread to go with our peanut butter and cookies)-then left to start climbing. From here we turned off of 101 and onto 1- a smaller road that winds along to the coast, then along it all the way to San Francisco area.

Leggett was at about 900 ft- right after leaving we descended to 750. The summit was at about 1900 feet in 5 ish miles- the highest by far we've gone on the trip. But- we started much higher so the total climbing was less, and it wasn't nearly as steep. There were a lot of switch backs, so it went between an incline, and more level/false flat areas. I paused a few times just to be sure Cook was in sight, but we never had to actually stop and maintained a higher average than on other climbs. The decent was less fun though- again, winding so had to keep it slow since we didn't know what was around the next switch back. It lasted about 12 miles-we had to stop a few times to rest our hands from squeezing the breaks! They cramp up and makes it hard to keep it slow...

There was then 'Leggett, Part Deux' which was much shorter, only a 2ish mile climb, but steeper. I would certainly call it harder even though it was only about a 700 ft climb. Going up Leggett the traffic was very light. Up the second hill it was a little heavier- but people mostly took it pretty easy. Except for one giant RV driver. He saw us on a straight away- and as we turned right on a switch back he decided he couldn't wait any longer and had to pass right then! ...meaning he almost went off on the other side of the road. If there had been an oncoming car he wouldn't have known. To make it worse, he towing a Jeep behind his tour-bus style RV. Going around the next turn, a left, we saw him cut into the other lane when there was a car...luckily that car stopped and pulled over. Urgh. I don't get what the hurry is when driving an RV?? After this climb's decent we FINALLY got back to the beach! It was GORGEOUS! The water bluer than ever before.

Our campground was just a few miles down the beach- at Westport Union Landing State Beach. Again, it had hiker/biker sites so we only had to pay $3 each to camp. We took Surly down to the beach to run. She did her thing- chasing birds, running in crazy circles... It was really sunny all day which warmed everything up (but we were mostly in the shade of the trees while climbing) so we also got to see the sunset! We've only seen a few, and haven't been able to really watch any because its been too cold, or too cloudy. After we set up camp, a super nice couple- Lee and Susan pulled up to a site near us. Usually we dont like anyone near us :) but they provided great company for the evening, had a sweet dog who Surly had fun playing with, AND gave us beer. Can't complain one bit! Oh- and that big RV that passed us before--when they passed Lee and Susan (who were traveling North) they cut it close and made them have to pull off the road too.

Post Leggett Views






On the beach near the campsite


Climbs we did leaving Crescent City, CA


Leggett


Sunset from our campsite

April 3rd

To just before Leggett, Redwoods River Resort

It was a short 12 miles, took us just over a hour but it wasn't a fun ride- mostly because of the last few miles. Surly ran about 5 miles on the side/country roads. As we pass Piercy- which is just a collection of a few houses- nothing else, we heard a pack of dogs up the road barking. It wasn't just up the road really- it was up a hill so we were at a major disadvantage. We had to stop part of the way up and let the barking settle- I saw a pickup truck drive across the street from the house- so there was at least someone there. I started to sprint up the hill, hoping to get by before the dogs noticed...a few of them though noticed Cook behind me and came out to chase. The owner across the street wasn't much help, just yelling at them to go home. Urgh. I hate dogs - ok well I love dogs- but I hate them when they decide that I'm the thing to chase.

There was a mile or so section on 101 where there was construction so we lost our shoulder and had to ride partially on the rumble strip- during a downhill section I lost my little mirror I use to check in on the dog- it just bounced right out and there was no way to stop and get it. oh well- I'll have to buy a new one at the next bike shop. They are basically building a bridge to cut out the section of road that runs along the side of one of the mountains since the slides keep burying it. Seems like every road in CA is sinking or falling into the sea... :) Don't buy a house on the cliffs!

We stayed in a ''lodge" room at a campground/motel/rv park. It was just a nice room under the trees in a small building- we had our own deck and kitchen-not bad especially for the money. Except some little critter had did in there at some point, it was pretty stinky until we aired it out and they came to spray something. It was supposed to get down to 25ish that night, so outside would be just too cold. Cook's bag is rated for 30, plus a liner that makes it actually comfortable to about 30. Oh and it was awesome that we got to do ALL our laundry- including jeans!

April 2nd

To Richardson Grove State Park, 4 mi N or Piercy
3:13, 32.5 mi

Today we finished up the Avenue of the Giants- it was a fairly nice day with only moderate climbing. Hmm not much to say really! Our campground was thoughtfully placed at the top of a very steep hill complete with switch backs which wasn't fun. There was an owl nearby hooting all night which was very cool to hear.

Oh on our ride there was a yellow lab mix laying less than 3 ft from the road, totally still and dirty. It looked like he had some blood on his neck? We got close to see if he was still alive...if so to some how take him to the vet? Not sure what theplan was- but to at least see if he had tags with a phone number. Right as we got there- Surly barked and the dog jumped up! Crazy thing was totally fine- just choose to nap next to the road in the sun. So now Surly is able to revive dead dogs...



The Eel river- the whole way bright blueish/green- Im guessing from minerals?