We took our time leaving the 'expensive' Best Western this morning. Now I should back up and say that the room was actually as big and nice as anything that we have stayed in...also the most expensive. We found out that the town hosts a 'marathon' each year that is run through the Avenue of the Giants. I suspect that the rates were 'jacked up' due to the demand...what a rip off. We did 'pig out' (at least I did) on their continental breakfast...us and the marathon runners...the 'hippies' were no where to be seen. We left by 8:30 and rode two blocks to a grocery store to replenish our lunch supplies. Then we made our escape from one of the strangest towns we have ever visited.
We spent most of our day off of Highway 101 riding all by ourselves on 'automobile free' roads. It was probably the original highway. What a pleasure again. Today's solitude (of course there was another bike nearby) allowed me time to ponder why we take on these adventures. Before leaving home I came across this passage that really does sum up for me what bike touring is all about. "The slower pace but more challenging effort of a bike tour can be good for your body, mind and spirit. Pushing those legs and lungs fuel the mind and boost the soul. Seeing sights only possible by sitting on a post, taps into unknown energy that keeps you pedaling when you might otherwise feel too tired. Best of all, on a bike tour, your problems and stress disappear. The main reason for this: the bicycle itself. The bicycle...the most amazing transportation device ever discovered. It is a discovery machine able to move you from place to place without making you feel like you have skipped anything in between. When you are riding along at 15 km. an hour, it is hard to miss things."
Our ride today was a short one. It was a set up for the longest and highest climb of our trip tomorrow... the dreaded Leggett Hill... not looking forward to the climb but it has been described as an absolute 'blast' to go down the other side.
We are camping in Standish Hickey State Recreation Area. We arrived early and have a beautiful site. The park is virtually empty...at least at this point. Tomorrow will be a test of our 'legs' and maybe more so our 'willpower'...so we are told.
Trip Distance = 39.00 km. Time on the Bikes = 2 hours 59 minutes...nice! Average Speed = 13.01 km. Maximum Speed = 53.70 km. Wildlife Sightings = Red Tailed Hawk, Red Shafted Flicker, Unidentified Sapsucker, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black Tailed Deer and her 2 fawns.
P.S. We encountered another tour cyclist today. Frank is from Germany and had crossed Canada...absolutely raved about how nice Canadians are...and then he turned south. His blog can be found at www.crosscanada2014.blogspot.com Since setting up today 5 more cyclists have also arrived. I am sure I will get chatting with them before the evening is up.
Looking Down on the Eel River...It Is Almost Dry
Beautiful Campsite at Standish Hickey State Recreation Area
No comments:
Post a Comment