October 12 Day 18 Garberville, CA to Fort Bragg, CA (68 miles)

Best of Day:  More Redwoods, left Hwy 101 and reached the ocean and Hwy 1 when the sun came out!

 

Worst of Day:  Climbed 4900 feet and descended 5085 feet!

 

"Top of the hill self portrait"

 

Quote of Day:  Stopped in small town with only 15 miles to go because we were starving.  Two other self supported cyclists were  traveling same route and were looking for a good camp ground.  As they were leaving, Kirby said " I am just so totally and utterly grateful we are not camping!"

October 11 Day 17 Eureka, CA to Garberville, CA (79.9 miles)

Best of Day:  Avenue of the Giants (see picture), fewer hills and sunshine by 2 p.m.!!!

 

Worst of Day:  One more (long) 80 mile day and fellow cyclist with two flat tires (see picture).

 

 

Quote of Day:  Cyclist at dinner saying she was so tired, she "wasn't sure if she were still alive!"  

October 10 Day 16 Eureka, CA (Rest day)

 

The Best of the first two weeks:  the ocean, cliffs, clouds,  sea lions, crashing waves, dinner, breakfast, snacks, rocks, polite construction workers, friendly people in restaurants, coffee houses, camaraderie among cyclists and SAG drivers!

 

The Worst of the first two weeks:  the traffic, gravel, road construction, short steep hills, fog, long pulls,  long long long days…….

 

Memorable pictures of the first two weeks:  Coming  into Bandon OR with Lin Bruce; Redwoods;  Sweeps self portrait;  Dinner in white plastic chairs;  Staff and mobile kitchen;  Patty (Chef extraordinaire) with casserole;  Michelle (Guide extraordinaire) at  map meeting;  SAG stop;  Ride in morning light of redwoods  and Day of Rest at Starbucks!

 

Vital Statistics:  Total of 31 women on this ride, two did not disclose age, two in their 40’s, few in 50’s, most in 60’s (one had 60^th birthday on trip!), four in 70’s (average age = 62!!!!)

 



October 9 (Happy Birthday, Bud!) Day 15 Crescent City, CA to Eureka, CA (81.2 miles)

Best of Day:  Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (see picture of Kirby)

 

Worst of Day:  4700 feet of accumulative elevation


Quote of Day:  Everyone had their description of the Redwoods State Park (old  Hwy 101) which included:
"majestic, mystical, magical, mysterious, meditative, a cathedral, euphoric and spiritual."

October 8 Day 14 Gold Beach, OR to Crescent City, CA (61 miles)

Best of Day:  Crossing into California!!

Worst of Day: Long long pulls (3800 feet of elevation)

Quote of Day:  Information card (actually from Florence OR) at hotel "How to Escape a Tsunami" includes, "If you feel an earthquake, a tsunami may follow: #1) Drop, cover and hold during earthquake,  #2) Once quaking stops, immediately leave the motel, cross the street and head uphill toward the red roofed Dairy Queen, #3) Turn left and follow highway to......#4) Turn right and continue to.......#5) Wait for official all clear before returning.  

October 7 Day 13 Bandon, OR to Gold Beach, OR (56 miles)

Best of Day:  Shorter than yesterday!

Worst of Day:  Fog most of day (could hear the waves but not see them!) 


Quote of Day:  Cyclist at dinner said they should name the ride "To Hill and Back!!"


 

October 6 Day 12 Florence, OR to Bandon, OR (77 miles)

Best of day:  Sunset (see pictures)

 

Worst of day:  Route took us on 9 miles of a road called "Seven Devils Road"


Quote of day:  During the map meeting last night, Michelle (our guide) said she thought the grade on The Seven Devils Road was "some where between 6 and 11%!!"   (We found out today!)