We Did It !! Finally Finished the Foggy ride

Foggy and/or Overcast weather was the characteristic of this exciting trip which added to the enjoyment of riding in IDEAL temperatures as well as making the scenery so much more mysterious and magical. Leaving Mendocino was no exception to the rule -- so much so that conditions were so poor to start that my favorite Sagster ORDERED me to step into the wagon for the first 6/7 miles!! The ride was as beautiful as ever but some parts were very steep with NO bike shoulder forcing me to get off and "wagon it" over the crest(steepest section of the pacific coast route !!)and get back on the bike to continue the ride to Gualala ,where we stopped to pend the night.
On the way to Gualala we took a side trip to another Lighthouse (Pt.Arena) which is Historic but no longer functioning.

Spent a lovely evening in a delightful small motel which had THE most comfortable and cozy beds of the whole trip (Quite a bit better than our first night under the stars!!)
Took off the following morning (You guessed it -- foggy and overcast) and rode to
Bodega Bay which was a little hairy as the coastal ride was significantly narrow,
shoulder-less,trafficky, and ascended 600-700 feet into fog that was like "sea-poop"
thick making it SAG time again!! Finally got to Jenner and found that the cafes and restaurants were closed (Monday!!).
However, just across the Russian river bridge we found an Indian Restaurant which made excellent curries which was just right after a somewhat cold and foggy ride! The ride continued along the coast passing many beaches and inlets, with fascinating rock formations, and funnily enough, quite a few people on the beaches in spite of the overcast weather (temperature in the low 60's and light winds).Landed in a B & B for the evening, sea -food dinner, of course, and a fireplace in our room for the night.

The last day of riding was on familiar turf as we were in Marin soon after taking off from Bodega Bay with a stop in Marshall to do a small sketch. The final leg through Tomales (the bakery was closed--Tuesdays!!) and on to Pt.Reyes Station via the Tomales Bay Coast-line which, as you all know, is beautiful and was a wonderful ending ride to an exciting, spectacular and fabulous trip. Entered PRS to find a wonderful welcoming group of friends waiting for us at Toby's Coffee. (Of course we had to finish the ride with the best cappuccino on the West coast to be drunk with good friends and hugs to go with it).
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN




(We would like to thank you all for your support and comments that helped make this such a wonderful and exciting adventure for us both!! A special "Thank you" to Janet Robbins without whom this Blog would not have been possible!!)




Hope you enjoyed this as much as we did.

Bikester and Sagster.

OFF Rte 101 -- ON Rte 1

The Victorian Inn at Ferndale was superb, celebrating with an incredibly delicious dinner and followed by a marvelous breakfast to get me going to do my favorite ride!!
Twenty miles out of Ferndale on Rte 101 with a wide shoulder and quite a bit of traffic, crossing the first of many bridges over the EEL river, gets you to the "Avenue of The Giants" (No not the MLB Giants!!) but the Gentle Giant Redwoods.
As opposed to riding through the same trees in Prairie Creek this was with the sun shining and somehow the "feel" is quite different. The fog seems to make the whole journey so Much More Mysterious,Magical,and Magnificent, than when these terrific trees are trying to shadow one frmm the bright sunlight.However it was still one of my favorite rides and took us to multiple River Eel crossings and a wonderful stop to pick and eat blackberries!! After this stop my faithful Sagster pulled me over for a "toothpick" stop!! The completion of the ride took us to a cabin resort just outside Leggett to prepare for the Leggett hill climb next.











After spending a very pleasant night in the Redwoods River resort( a semi-camping place with a cabin that is fully equipped with kitchen and utensils) we drove to the base of the Infamous Leggett Hill where I started my climb of 3 & 1/2 miles and 950 feet -- not as steep as Marshall wall -- but it winds through redwood forest. On reaching the peak the descent continues through the forest for approx. 8 miles!!
Started off in sunny warm weather and then descended to the coast (initially above the fog) into very cold, foggy, but beautiful ocean beaches and the "stacks",which look like sea monsters!! Stopped to warm up with a cup of coffee and change of bike jacket to a warmer one.







Once again the ride was characterized by simple magical natural beauty all the way
making the climbing and the areas of narrow shoulders quite manageable and certainly exhilarating (stopping to snap photos and sketch)Rode all along the coast to Mendocino
travelling the Headlands of Mendocino prior to entering the town itself, which was our destination and rest stop after 4 days' riding.

Over the Halfway Mark.

When we reached Crescent City it was time for a rest day which involved a nice hot tub at the end the ride ,followed by a very pleasant glass of red wine and a delicious grilled halibut! On taking off the next morning, once again the fog was like Pea-soup,dripping from the roofs and trees,and the road conditions out of C.C.were
so bad that my "Boss-sag-lady" sagged me for the best of 10 miles till the visibility improved sufficiently to make for a safer ride.
The journey was absolutely spectacular again, even in the foggy conditions as you can see. Traveled next to the ocean till we entered the Prairie creek Redwood State park
which entailed a 2 1/2 mile pretty steep climb into the woods. Then a 6 to 7 mile downhill through the Gentle Giants who seemed to welcome you as you rode through the amazing "Avenue" of these lovely, almost caressing,trees. The conditions were still cold and overcast but very "romantic" at the same time. Reached the end of the magical "Rue Fantastique" and stopped at nice cafe for a "cuppa Java" to warm us up!






The weather remained overcast and somewhat cold although riding in this temperature
was great. After the incredible ride through the redwoods how could there be anymore scenery left to top those magnificent giants.Well what do you know, but you ride out of the woods and you climb a small hill and come out at the crest, and on the downhill
there lies a serene peaceful lake (Stone Lake)which bids you to stop and take picture!!
I also stopped to take a P-- in the bushes and was met by a rather large beautiful brown snake who slithered away to avoid the shower.From there we went to Trinidad and had lunch at a wonderful Fish restaurant right on the Bay(another wondrous scene!!)





After that fabulous ride,and seeing as it was my Birthday, we elected to spend the
evening in a "POSH" place where we could Eat, Drink, and be Merry -- so we found this great Eureka standout: The KOA campground!!(Well, at least we had a cabin and did not have to sleep under the stars/fog!!)





























We finally arrived at Ferndale where we decided to "slum" it, seeing that we spent my
Birthday in the "RITZY" camp of Eureka KOA.So, here we are at the Victorian Inn and hope to celebrate tonight at the V.I. Restaurant.

Into California

Bandon was a terrific place where we had an incredible dinner at Roses'Bistro with a great bottle of Rosso di Montalcino. Left Bandon in the morning light fog, on a scenic beach route, which was mind-blowing, passing the ocean rocks and a rock formation called "Face-rock".Then went along the ocean --once again with spectacular views from sea-level to hundreds of feet up.This bicycle ride is made in heaven!!
Next we took a side trip to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse (First mistake!!) The headwind was at about 25 miles per hour, the temperature was around 43 degrees and the lighthouse was truly BLANCO (we could see it every few seconds through the fog)!!
I then rode back across the causeway with a crosswind which made me ride at a 30 degree angle!! Scary++!!
Got back to the highway and went across the bay on a barge that we rented and then finally got to Gold Beach.










Taking off from Gold Beach involved a 3 mile climb (750 feet)which was very pleasant
as the morning was brisk(50 degrees) and FOGGY (great riding weather!). The only problem being that the fog prevented the outstanding scenery from being seen although the fog was quite fascinating as you can imagine.

We went over good roads with great bike shoulders and rolling (steep) hills and finally got to the California border, where the great bike shoulders "vanished".
However we looped off rte 101 onto a wonderful country road with great views of the farms, wild flowers and the ocean in the background. The faithful sagster stopped me riding to make a water replenishing and sun-tan lotion application stop as the sun finally came out!!. Had a beer stop in Fort dick and made our reservation in a 5 Star Cabin in Crescent City

A third of the trip DONE

7/22/10
This was the most fascinating and wondrous day of riding so far. It began with a beautiful and peaceful ride with no traffic
and views that took your breath away.
I covered the 10 mile scenic view over about 2 hours stopping to gape at the amazing views of this rugged Oregon coast!! Stopped for a great coffee in Newport and continued
on to even more spectacular coastline vistas that were simply breathtaking. Wish I could show you all the shots we took (actually we will send the mobile me link later so that you CAN see it all.) Had a wonderful experience today, as I met a cyclist who was 77 years old and who was doing a 2000 mile trip down Oregon coast and then to Eugene and then to Montana!! We rode together through a tunnel to get to the vista point to see the Heceta Lighthouse and the marvellous view from that point. We parted there and Mo and I went on to Reedsport which was our destination of the day. (70 mile leg!! I knew I was leg man,
especially long legs)






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7/23/10 : After ascending a short but steep,heavily forested and beautiful climb, got to the Umpqua River Lighthouse and discovered that it is still operational and can be seen as far as 19 miles out to sea.
Then went to Bandon (another 40 miles) via a relatively picturesque route consisting of forested
areas through which you could see the sea shoreline,with occasional glimpses 0f a small creek alongside the road. Then into a mild climb through the forests again, punctuated by
short areas of deforestation , and then , out of the blue, you reach the top of the climb and see
a gorgeous blue lake with tree-lined shores like you see in picture postcards. While riding the 7 devils road through low bush and 1st growth forest a Black bear cub darted out on to the road, took one look at this Yellow jacketed monster and shot back into the forest. I, of course, and fortunately, was coasting down hill with a 20 mile per hour wind behind me looking carefully for Mama Bear in case I was between her and the cub!!
The final stretch was through a rolling hill route (tough rollers!!) and not very interesting but going through the Famous sand dunes ( dune buggy haven of the Oregon coast) to reach Bandon which was today's destination.(50 miles today).
One third of the trip accomplished.

First leg of West Coast Ride 2010 (WCR 2010)

Under overcast skies and fairly good temperature (high 50's) the ride started( 1 mile South of Astoria). I was somewhat apprehensive and had to look carefully for "possible pit stops" on the road. The latter half of the ride was much prettier and was in the countryside and less traffic. Got to cannon beach and got our first sighting of the Sea Stacks with great views while riding along the ocean.

.Then went through my first Tunnel which was rather scary-hairy but exciting. Reached our first night destination -- Nehalem Campground --cold at night sleeping under the "stars" (clouds) without tent, but a great breakfast in the morning to warm us up.
Took off and rode through beautiful country -- thick forests, wildflowers,rivers (with bridges over them) and most of the way with little traffic. Got to our 2nd campsite (Cape Lookout State Park)
which was about the same as the previous night. The Oregon camps are very clean and the people are all very respectful and considerate of their neighbours.
The 3rd day was the longest ride so far and the most fascinating. Climbed 2 significant hills and got to the peak of the highest coastal mountain in Oregon with spectacular views of the ocean and coastline -- just fabulous riding . Got to Lincoln (where the traffic was horrendous so my faithful "Sagster" got me into the van to go through the city).Then rode into Depoe bay to spend 2 nights in order to take my first rest day after approximately 128 miles of the journey done.