Coast Cruz

7/9. Fellow travelers

2009-07-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Our fellow travelers Nick & Teresa, and Roger & Christine, came through on their way south. We met up with them at 99 beers.

Day 31. 7/8. Santa Cruz!

2009-07-09T12:00:00.001-07:00

Left hotel by 8:30.

Pedaled over the hill to Dennys for breakfast.

Decided to stay on the highway up through the Devils slide area, instead of searching for the old San Pedro mountain road aka Planet of the Apes.

They're working on a tunnel project at the Devils slide. They brought a portable concrete factory up the side of the mountain.

Up and down up and down, coastal sprawl.

Some big estates on the high points. We saw a forest fire from one of the hilltops.

Lunch at San Gregorio beach park.

The weather was great all day. It was pretty flat after Pigeon point and the tailwind kicked up. Bicycle is a great way to travel when the land, sun, and wind are all in your favor. We made our best distance by far on this the last day. We had thought about camping around Pigeon point but we got there before 2 pm and decided to go for Santa Cruz.

We also set a downhill/downwind speed record of 48.5 mph.

We got to Santa Cruz with enough time to stop for dinner before the final 12 miles up hill to Chris' place.

76 miles.

Trip total 1021 miles.

Day 30. 7/7. Sea Breeze Inn at Rockaway Beach

2009-07-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

We made breakfast in the kitchen at the hostel, and did laundry.

The weather had turned cold and cloudy again.

Stopped by the Marin Headlands visitor center. Liked it.

Pedaled up and down through the tunnel on Bunker road.

It was very crowded on the sidewalk crossing the Golden Gate bridge, even though it was a weekday, windy and overcast.

On the south end we stopped for a snack, then got lost in the Presidio for a while. At this point we're off the edge of our adventure cycling map and navigating on our own.

We decided to take 15th ave south to the Golden Gate Park, then go west through the park back out to the coast. Stopped for lunch at the Bagel shop.

There was a very long uphill into Daly City, followed by a big downhill, which I took too fast. Daly was funny-looking. Evidently a bedroom community of SF, but very high density low-rise housing up this headland. It looked like a mountain of dice.

We had originally thought to get to Half Moon Bay but getting over the bridge and through the city was stressful and took a long time, and it was cold, cloudy, and windy, so we bailed and stayed at the Sea Breeze hotel in Pacifica/Rockaway Beach. But not before backtracking over the hill from Linda Mar. We had dinner at Nick's, the pricey restaurant next to the motel, with sixties lounge decor that was kind of cool. Chris passed out at like 8:30 while I stayed up to sort photos.

31 miles.

Day 29. 7/6. Marin Headlands Hostel

2009-07-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

In the morning at S.P. Taylor we called about camping at the Marin headlands, Kirby cove and Bicentennial. These were full but there was room at the hostel.

Stopped at a little store to eat a BELT sandwich. and get groceries.

Stopped at the Fairfax library until 3:30 to update blog.

Flat and prosperous through San Anselmo, Larkspur, Sausalito.

Stopped at a couple of bike shops looking for Chris' friend Ronna.

Steep hill up over the headland to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, downhill to old Fort Baker.

Arduous climb up and around the headland on Conzelman Road. Evidently there was a tunnel route through the headland that we didn't know about, so we ended up taking the high road. That was okay though, as we got a great view of the bridge, clearly lit by the evening sun, just perfect.

I thought the hostel might be up high as well but no, we went down and down again, meaning we'd have to go up and up to get back out. At one point I said, this was a mistake, we should've gotten a hotel room in Sausalito. But when we finally got there it was really cool. The hostel was in a hundred year old building in old Fort Barry. It used to be the infirmary. This was about the best lodging of our whole trip. We were glad not to be camping out in the mist after all.

31 miles.

Day 28. 7/5. Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

2009-07-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

A dewy, sandy morning at the dunes campsite.

Pancake breakfast at the Grange Hall.

Bike shop, finally got new tires for trailer.

Much pedaling.

Stopped for standup lunch on the road.

If only we'd known Tomales was just over the hill.

In a narrow valley, possibly along San Andreas fault.

Pedaled thru farm country. Cows.

Cold and gray, windy and hilly.

Flat section along Tomales Bay with several BBQ oyster places.

Nice flat bike path into S.P. Taylor.

Campfire. Met the family of three again.

Beset by raccoons in the night.

46 miles, tough day.

Day 27. 7/4. Bodega Dunes State Park.

2009-07-06T13:37:00.001-07:00

Another misty morning.

Met a family of 3 from N of Spokane.

up down round and round

up cliffs down switchbacks

some nice views from on high

Stopped on the hill for snacks.

Stopped at Jenner for hot dogs.

Pedaled along Sonoma beaches area

Saw surfers

Dinner at the Sandpiper.

Camped at Bodega Dunes w/others we knew.

Campfire. rum. brandy. champagne.

32 miles.

Day 26. 7/3. Woodside campground at Salt Point S.P.

2009-07-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Brief sun in morning at Manchester.

Misty & cool all day.

Stopped at home store in M. Glucosamine but no bike tire for trailer.

Point arena.

Myers motors electric car at Anchor bay.

Gualala. smelled BBQ but didn't stop.

True value N. end of town, no bike tires, but bought gorilla tape.

Miles of Sea Ranch.

Stopped at Sea Ranch Chapel.

Stewarts Point closed, lunched on steps.

Nice open hiker/biker site at Woodside.

Campfire.

42 miles.

Day 25. 7/2. Manchester Beach State Park

2009-07-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Soggy morning mist at Van Damme. got up ~8

Spilled half the powdered eggs.

Adjusted rear brakes G.

Stopped at Little River & Albion groceries.

Pedaled over numerous hills, gulches, headlands.

Navarro River gorge was pretty.

Annoying steep switchbacks after Elk. Walked it.

Snacked on road.

Checked out KOA. Full. Madhouse.

Camped at Manchester s.p. No showers. open ground.

Snuck into KOA to do laundry.

Camping dinner.

28 miles.

Day 24. 7/1. Van Damme State Park

2009-07-01T13:45:00.001-07:00

Packed & left MacKerricher campground ASAP.

Rode alternate route to Fort Bragg w/fellow cycle tourists.

Ate at Dennys

Library 12-3:30

Bank & bike shop. tubes.

Lost water bottle in traffic.

Soft trailer tire right side.

Stopped at market.

Pedaled on straight gentle grades

Went past Mendocino to Van Damme Park.

Wine country. upscale hotel/dining/art places.

Noticed left trailer wheel worn down to threads, right wheel out of alignment.

18 miles.

Waiting for the library to open in Fort Bragg.

The ranger at the campground gave us a flat route along the beach from the campground into Fort Bragg, avoiding the annoying hills on California 1. The adventure cycling people might want to take note.

Day 23. 6/30. MacKerricher State Park.

2009-07-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Day 23. Tuesday June 30, 2009.

Got up early to beat the heat.

Hung out w/fellow cyclists at the Peg House.

Big hill. not much traffic. Long and steep. Nice day.

Downhill. cool. fog. Yellow signs - wilderness unlimited members only (?)

Hot again on 2nd big hill. Cold again on downhill.

Rockport abandoned school, town.

Downhill cool and foresty to coast.

Coast: cold, foggy, narrow, windy, steep, traffic. Sucked.

Water stop at Westport campground.

New bridge @ 10 mile river. Tsunami bait.

Cleone. MacKerricher campground. Showers out of order. Sucks.

Wacky drifters, late night campfire bull session.

43 miles.

hills: two large, numerous small.

Day 22. 6/29. Standish-Hickey State Park.

2009-07-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

Day 22. Monday June 29, 2009.

Left early to beat the heat 7:45. cold b/f.

Picked up bread and espresso at the One Log House

cool & sunny. up and down.

Construction zone. flat tire on trailer.

Camped at Standish Hickey, patched tube, adjusted brakes.

Lunch & dinner @ Peg House grill.

Standish Hickey had a swimming hole in the Eel River, which was great because it was 98 degrees.

Chris' second Glacier Bay tent from Fred Meyer also suffered pole failure after about 5 uses. Here he is splinting it with tent stakes, duct tape, and ratchet strap webbing.

The Peg House grill across from the campground was using a parachute as an awning over their patio.

18 miles. Short day to rest before the big hill tomorrow.

Camping note

2009-06-28T22:02:00.001-07:00

We've been saving a lot of money by camping in the hiker/biker areas in state parks. In Oregon it was $4 per person, in CA $3 but the showers are coin op 50c for 5 minutes.

We've become sort of connoiseurs of the camp shower. The most common mistake is not enough hooks or places to put anything. Private campgrounds are more unpredictable - wierd quasi locker room setups with not enough privacy. Muddy floors another common sitch. Only KOA had that figured out with mats with large openings for water and dirt to drain thru.

Day 21. 6/28. Richardson Grove State Park

2009-06-28T18:57:00.001-07:00

Day 21. Sunday June 28, 2009.

got up 7:55. camping b/f.

stopped for snacks in Myers Flat, atm at Miranda.

Redway, stopped at market.

stopped at riverbank.

Garberville. Sandwiches to go.

Benbow road, gravel section, extra bridge

Richardson Grove s.p.

Hot all day.

33 miles.

It was so hot. We saw locals swimming in the Eel River, which the road follows. We stopped so Chris could soak his head.

33 miles. A real change in the weather. It was hot. Sunny and hot. Since Eureka we've been moving inland, having skipped the lost coast alternate route. Out on the coast it was rarely above 65.

We set a new speed record today coming downhill into the Benbow exit. 44 mph. Probably our fastest mile. It met all the conditions for a bombable hill - relatively straight, wide shoulder, smooth and free of gravel and other debris, in addition to the 7 pct downgrade. I usually keep some brake on until I can see the runout situation at the bottom.

Day 20. 6/27. Burlington cpgd. Humboldt redwoods, Weott

2009-06-28T11:27:00.001-07:00

Day 20. Saturday June 27, 2009.

KOA b/f sandwiches.

Chris installed new rack - much better, stiffer.

G - 2nd day of numb foot/back problem.

KOA internet down.

Humboldt City Library in Eureka

Lunch at Has Beans. Victorian houses.

Industrial wasteland, gravel path.

Pedaled on 101, Tompkins Hill road

Loleta. Trippy. Cheese shop, abandoned factory, slouching teens.

G - flat tire after Scotia

Hwy 254, avenue of the giants :)

Lots of cyclists at the Burlington Cpgd, Humboldt redwoods s.p.

57 miles.

We gotta take issue with adventure cycling's route through the industrial wasteland, swamp, and parking lot behind the mall. Shady dealings in progress.

Burlington campground in the redwoods.

There's a huge abandoned factory for sale in Loleta!

Day 19. 6/26. Arcata/Eureka

2009-06-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Day 19. Friday, June 26, 2009.

camping breakfast. dried things out in the sun.

cleaned our chains, left ~ 10.

stopped at market in Orick. story about cheese thief.

uphill to lagoons (Stone and Big)

Stopped after Big lagoon to eat bananas, more uphill

Almost missed patrick's point turnoff.

G - readjusted seat.

Eventually scenic, many motels into Trinidad and beyond.

Ate burgers at Cafe. Wierd scene & vibe, jamaican

one lane, hammond beach trail, gravel.

farm country, bike bridge, triathlon lady

Arcata - Humboldt State U.

Met Day Smith at the Outdoor store

Bought new rack for C and brake pads for G.

Pedaled to KOA.

Ice cream, laundry.

49 miles.

Day 18. 6/25. Redwood National Park

2009-06-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Day 18. Thursday June 25, 2009.

b/f at fish restaurant across from Super 8.

Misplaced the cytomax

Climbed big hill. Passed by young cyclists.

Passed by another odd couple - upright & recumbent bikes.

Nice redwoods

Downhill. chatted with Jeep lady @ turnout.

Bought hot dogs right before Klamath.

Up hill into another redwood park.

Big Tree. Downhill very pleasant.

Camped at Prairie Creek, where we were advised to make use of the large metal bear box to store food and lotions. C - "good night, don't let the black bears bite."

Watched ranger's powerpoint show about Tsunamis.

Chris' rear rack broke.

35 miles.

Random thought

2009-06-24T22:21:00.001-07:00

Did everyone in the country buy a brand new Dodge 3500 crew cab last year? Oink.

Day 17. 6/24. Crescent City

2009-06-24T22:19:00.001-07:00

Day 17. Wednesday June 24, 2009.

left harris beach ~ 9:15

Library, no internet

Bike shop - the escape hatch - presta gauge, rock'n'roll chain lube

Crossed bridge down to boardwalk to Salty Dog coffee bar, for wifi.

Blogged, left ~ 3:15

Pedaled thru farm country. Smith River, Fort Dick.

Little ups and downs.

Foggy approaching Crescent city, took the scenic route around on Pebble Beach road.

Turned back S. of town and stayed at the Super 8.

40 miles.

Day 16. 6/23. Harris Beach State Park, Brookings

2009-06-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

Day 16. Tuesday June 23, 2009.

Cafe breakfast, started ~ 11:30

big hill. not too steep.

Stopped at natural bridge cove, steep trail down

Harris Beach s.p.

Chris rode into town to return tent.

Amazing coastal scenery.

New top speed 41.5 mph.

28 miles.

Day 15. 6/22. Gold Beach

2009-06-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

Day 15. Monday June 22, 2009.

Hiked to the summit of Humbug Mountain.

Chris' tent pole broke, maybe from the heat of the sun?

Left at 2. Pedaled, missed turn due to construction zone, but 101 was happily flat. Windy, tail and crosswinds.

Gold Beach 5 pm. Groceries, laundry at the decrepit " and dry" laundromat.

Stayed at Azalea Lodge. (Fairgrounds camping option rejected.)

Dinner at DD cafe.

24.5 miles + 6 hiked on Humbug Mountain.

The "and dry" laundromat in Gold Beach was almost sublime in its decrepitude. Vintage 1980 equipment. Vintage 2006 grime. Its for sale.

Day 14. 6/21. Humbug Mountain

2009-06-21T22:28:00.001-07:00

Day 14. Sunday June 21 2009.

Talked for quite a while in the morning with Boomer, local artist & woodcarver.

Looked at lighthouse from afar, too much down & up to approach closely.

Toured pioneer cemetery.

Port Orford. Lunch @ Paradise cafe

Pedaled to Humbug.

17 miles.

Day 13. 6/20. Cape Blanco State Park

2009-06-20T22:51:00.001-07:00

Day 13. Saturday june 20, 2009

We took all morning at the hotel repacking our dried out stuff, and hit the ups store to mail back some unneeded things, mostly excess clothing. it was after 1 by the time we got out of Coos Bay, which seemed like: "yeah, we used to be a big deal back when we had trees, and fish. Now that we're down closer to a sustainable yield of those, things aren't so great and we're trying to make up the difference with RV parks."

South of Charleston the road got very steep and hilly as the map said it would. If it'd been that steep on the first day I might've quit. 10 pct. one guy warned us. We were concentrating so hard on just pedaling we got concerned we might've missed a turn. There were compounds but we appeared to be on "privacy lovers lane" - lots of dog, beware of dog, beware of dog owner, private no trespassing, posted, so we didn't stop for directions. We eventually made it to Bullard state park around 5 pm, having come 27 miles. The weather was good and the map showed relatively gentle grade ahead. We decided to throw the long bomb and try for Cape Blanco which looked about another 27. We did make it just before sundown but our knees were very creaky. Chris' big disappointment for the day was the turkey sandwich he got in Bandon (too much mayo, pickle) Mine was not being able to pedal all the way up the last hill into the park (as steep as anything yet, with gravel patches.)

61.5 miles today - our best yet.

Day 12. 6/19. North Bend / Coos Bay

2009-06-19T23:57:00.000-07:00

Day 12. Friday June 19, 2009.

It was so warm and sunny yesterday afternoon, when night came Chris says, "I think I'll try sleeping in the tent without the rain fly." The rain began within minutes and continued all night and into the morning. My tent was thoroughly smoked throughout the night as campfires smoldered in the drip. By morning it smelled like barbecue. We packed up all wet and dawdled at the Umpqua Lighthouse Museum, looked at every little thing waiting for the rain to stop. It was pretty cool. Finally around 11 we gave up and rode off.

It did finally let up after a couple more hours and we stopped for lunch at Jack Ripper county park. Chris says, "It looks like the rain is done for today." Within moments it started again and we sogged on.

The big excitement for the day was crossing the high bridge at Coos Bay, which our map said to walk bikes across. The sidewalk was just wide enough for the trailer, except for the last 150 feet where they had hung a shelter for the bridge workers below, that narrowed the sidewalk to about 16 inches. We carried the trailer for that last part. It was a long bridge - took about 25 minutes to walk it, with horizontal rain coming on our right side the whole time.

We got a hotel room for the night and pulled everything apart to dry it out. Then we hit the hot tub.

21.5 miles

Day 11. 6/18. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

2009-06-18T21:35:00.001-07:00

Day 11. Thursday June 18, 2009.

There was an interesting crowd of young cyclists at the small hiker/biker campground at Honeyman Park. Relative to most people we've met we are packed heavy, but one guy had brought his own espresso machine along as his special ritual luxury. This is funny because on average there is a drive-thru espresso stand about every 2000 feet along the entire Oregon coast.

We made our best distance so far today 40.5 miles but only about 28 of it counted as forward progress. Chris' back tire blew out about an hour after we started. He replaced the tube and patched the tire with a liner of cardboard and duct tape and swapped it to the front. We decided to backtrack to the bike shop in Florence rather than go on, which turned out to be the right call probably as the tear had widened noticeably halfway back and we stopped to wrap the outside too. Now he has 2 new road tires with reflective sidewalls. They glow like ufo's in flash pictures.

Left 9:50

tire blew

repaired w/cardboard & duct tape

decided to turn back to bike shop

patch barely made it

new tires

Ate at Brown Hen, pounded espresso.

Sun came out, rode over hill to Reedsport.

Gardiner, run down logging town.

Reedsport, priced a hotel stay, then decided to pedal for Umpqua lighthouse state park.

Ate at Subway, pounded Dr. Pepper.

1 more hill to get up to park entrance.

40.5 miles

banana slug!

Day 10. 6/17. Honeyman state park, Florence

2009-06-17T20:34:00.001-07:00

Day 10. Wednesday June 17, 2009

Internet access has been hard to come by on our journey so far. We stopped for awhile at the library in Florence to upload photos. We're at the Oregon Dunes. I think I got it set now so I can blog from my phone.

Camping b/f. double oatmeal, single eggs

both of us somewhat weary

Long uphill straight, bridge & tunnel

Oceanfront for sale

passed up Sea Lion tourist trap

saw sea lions from afar

passed up a lighthouse

up hill into Florence

Fred Meyer - new tent, gas bottle, dry eggs, soap

Library, 12:30, blogging, hammering construction

Bike shop, C got gloves, Bikes 101 & guitars.

Ate at Mo's

Bridge

Hill

Honeyman Park, small hiker/biker area.
19.5 miles

Long uphill into bridge/tunnel to start the day.

The Oregon Dunes from on high.

Sea Lions. What is the swarm word for Sea Lions?

We ate at Mo's, which was a pretty good fish restaurant, except that their cheesy garlic bread had very little cheese on it.

2009-06-17T15:13:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know how to set the date & time on a nikon coolpix 4500?

Day 9. 6/16. Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park

2009-06-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

Day 9. Tuesday June 16, 2009

Figured out how to cook hash brown patties on camp stove.

First day trying Power Grip toe straps, seems to do some good.

Stopped at glass gallery, Ocean something

Before walport stopped for snacks

Walport bridge

Lunch @ Grand Central Pizza

Met Eli from Hood River, other older guys

Nice campground, nice fire.

35 miles.

Day 8. 6/15. South Beach State Park, Newport

2009-06-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

Day 8. Monday June 15, 2009

Got up, tried to leave quick & quiet, 7:40

Bfst @ Richens 8am, on road 9:30

hectic highway

Crazy rocks, lady w/dog

Boiler Bay turn

Sunny sunny day. Saw whale tail

Cape foulweather. Bike ladies

Passed up a lighthouse

Overtaken by big guy cyclist

Rolled along coast into Newport

Lunch @ Stephan's cafe

Bike shop with showers & laundry

Bought toe straps for recumbent.

Rode bridge

Camped @ south beach, watched sunset

Camp dinner in dark & mosquitos

32 miles.

Day 7. 6/14. Devil's Lake Campground, Lincoln City

2009-06-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

Day 7. Sunday June 14, 2009

Chris' birthday - celebrational junk food buy at Shell station.
Pedaled up Neskowin river. Gentle climbing beforehand.
I felt pretty good finally.
Stopped for espresso at Neskowin.
almost missed turn.
Nice permaculture homesteads.
Nice forest up the valley.
Over the ridge.
Lunch at the Otis cafe. Celebratory milkshakes.
Little steep hills into Lincoln city. Ups and downs around devil's lake.
Camped at devils lake campground - all-night party zone & homeless shelter in town. C kept thumb on knife.

32 miles.

Day 6. 6/13. Woods campground, Pacific City

2009-06-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Day 6. Saturday June 13, 2009

Camping b/f. 3 eggs each.
Left 9:30. Topped big hill 10:50.
Tierra del mar (trippy)
Lunch at Pelican in Pacific city. Nice fancy.
Library, closed almost immediately on us.
Grocery store.
Woods campground (rejected Webb)
campfire
18.7 miles
one big hill.

Day 5. 6/12. Cape Lookout

2009-06-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

Day 5. Friday June 12, 2009

Camping b/f eggbeaters
Library
bike shop - press gauge
decided to take scenic route - nice sunny day. Very fricking steep.
Cape Meares lighthouse down & up.
picnic lunch
C broke chain
Oceanside - neat stadium view vac town.
Netarts. Groceries, eggs.
Razor wire house
Olmedo's italian
Cape lookout campground. Met some other biking dudes.
Walked beach. Touched pacific ocean
broke stove cleaning wire
24 miles.

Distance 24 miles:

hills: one

Day 4. 6/11. The no-name campground 85 3rd St. Tillamook

2009-06-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

Day 4. Thursday June 11, 2009

Camping breakfast
earliest start yet 9:45
lunch at blue moon cafe in tillamook
pioneer museum
dinner at pancake house in tillamook
camped at no-name cpgd 85 3rd st.
14 miles
nearly flat

Fancy hay box cooker at the museum.

Day 3. 6/10. Bay City campground

2009-06-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Day 3. Wednesday June 10, 2009
Camping breakfast
met 2 gals, biking to frisco, helped them with their camp stove.
bayway eatery in nehalem
hills several short steep .lt. 100 ft.
Camped at bay city campground. Jerry the camp host. Skatepark.
campfire. Roasted brats.

distance: 24 miles

Day 2. 6/9. Nehalem Beach State Park

2009-06-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Day 2. Tuesday June 9, 2009

Camping breakfast - oatmeal, powdered scr eggs, hot chocolate, insttannt espresso, bagel & PB. Glucosamine.
Chris made cytomax.
G ibuprofen
pig & pancake for lunch
mike's bike shop for bracket
mariner market for water
haystack rock. Nice nhd.
Hill
Tunnel
Hill, C front derailleur problem at top.
Curving bridge, passed by 2 guys.
Another hill, spectacular views.
Dinner at blue wave cafe in manzanita. 6-7 pm.
Camped at nehalem beach state park. 8:30? 2 guys john and eric?
Hot chocolate
21 miles.
Hills 400 ft, 500 ft.

Day 1. 6/8. Wright's for Camping

2009-06-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Day 1. Monday June 8, 2009.

leftover chinese for breakfast
bought 2nd tent, new helmet, lighter sleeping bag
left about 12:30
lunch @ pirate cafe
one hill past 26
stopped @ small beach park (les shirley) with sculpture
rode promenade @ seaside
camped at wright's for camping cannon beach
dinner @ seafood grill
did laundry
G right knee pain
Distance: about 20 miles.

Hills: one 350 ft.

G-some shin-splint-like pain just below the right knee. Maybe due to short sleep & dehydration.

Day Zero. 6/7. KOA Warrenton

2009-06-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Day 0. Sunday June 7, 2009.

I quit.

We decided to do one night of supported camping on Sunday, out in Warrenton, before pedaling out on the trek proper, just to try out the camping part. This did turn up a small problem. We hit the sack around 10 pm in my 7x7 dome tent. At 3 am, having gotten maybe one or two hours of sleep, I hauled my pad and sleeping bag across the driveway and slept on a picnic table. Chris' snoring was so loud, so continuous, and so ever-changing, I could not tune it out.

I had plenty of time to observe, experiment, and think over the options as I lay awake. It didn't seem to matter whether he was on his back, right side, or left side. Covering my ears helped only a little, lying with my head to his feet not at all. In the end the only options I saw were separate tents or sleeping in shifts.

Chris was mortified the next morning that he had snored me out of the tent. "I didn't hear you at all." We went and bought another small tent at Fred Meyer. I also picked up a lighter-weight sleeping bag and a new bike helmet.

Portland to Santa Cruz, or RSI

2009-06-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

My brother Chris and I are about to begin our cycling tour from Portland, OR to Santa Cruz, CA, down the Pacific Coast.

About our bikes: Chris is riding a Surly Crosscheck with mustache handlebars, about 8 years old. He's got rear panniers, a handlebar bag and a messenger bag. I'm on a Burley Koosah long-wheelbase recumbent, two years old, with a Burley 2 wheel flatbed trailer, seatback bag and rear rack bag. I've got a big plastic storage tote strapped to the trailer.
For some reason my instincts always lead me to do something dorky looking, but the tote does protect things well, makes it easy to pack, and the lid is a good platform for towel drying and solar phone charging.