Day 14: Enter the 'Avenue of the Giants'
(KOA in Arcata to Weott)
date: Sunday August 18, 2002
daily miles: 61 miles (98 km)
total miles: 1,075 miles (1,730 km)
The official bicycle "route" for the Pacific Coast ride bypasses all the cool things in the city of Eureka. So I turned around and went back and rode it again -- taking my own route instead so I could see all the cool places. Fog on the bay but I did see a lot of older architectural styles houses and liked my own route much better. :-)
I stopped at Denny's today for lunch. My brother had put the idea into my head via a phone conversation last night in regard to eating. He figured it was healthier than fast food. Ordered the burger and fries -- and I dived in so fast to the fries that the waitress brought seconds for me almost immediately -- plus a salad -- plus three glasses of Diet Coke. She wanted to make sure that I got enough food as I LOOKED rather famished. Thanks -- I think!!
Entered the "Avenue of the Redwoods" after a lot of nice riding this morning -- casual and pretty slow-paced for myself (plus I can stay warmer at slow speeds for some reason). Amazing seeing all these incredible redwood trees and realizing that some are 900 to a thousand years old. I wondered what would be here in a thousands years from now???
I caught up with Steve again (the gentleman from Georgia) at camp tonight. Nice guy to share a campsite with and I will try to do the same tomorrow also. Interesting the people and the friends that you meet in doing "out of the ordinary" things like this ride. I know I will wish him continued success back to his truck in Colorado -- which he will then promptly get to drive home to his wife Deb in Georgia.
I didn't even realize it was Sunday today! Last day of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races in Monterey, CA and the Concour's d'Elegance at Pebble Beach -- both events I missed this year while doing this ride. But everyone should know now -- I will be at both of those events on the third weekend of next year. I just have to go as it's in my blood and I do miss it not being there!!
Dreamed today while riding of doing a multi-day ride with my BOB (trailer) on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with friends. I so enjoyed the ride we did a few years ago there and I'm curious about how much farther I could go now due to the extra capacity to haul more H20 with BOB. (H20 is major limitation of that ride)
Also the next time I do another bike tour -- I'm bringing my camping stove and cooking gear. Not too much problem getting food -- but I have this incredible craving every night for pasta with sauce and vegetables on the side. Plus warm food at the end of the day would better 'hit the spot'. Plus I think my energy levels would be a LOT higher and I wouldn’t have as many problems getting going in the morning.
We'll see what tomorrow delivers...
Mark
