Pushing the bicycling boundaries

Specialized Myka Elite

Wow, it’s been awhile!  The original Little Red Bike that propelled me – literally and figuratively – to a new life, a new outlook and, ultimately, a new relationship (but that’s a story for another time), has about 12,000 miles on it now.  It’s beat-up, faded, chipped, dented, and with each new imperfection, I love it more. 

My newer, sturdier Trek 520 has taken me down the Oregon coast, to Canada, the San Juans, and will continue to be my travel bike. 

I’ve biked Bainbridge Island loops so many times I could navigate them in my sleep.  Touring still calls, but those trips take time, money and planning.  I’ve been feeling itchy for a new bicycling challenge, and the appeal of getting off the roads, away from traffic, has been growing in my mind. 

Sunday odometer reading: 10,000 miles

I set out on a routine Sunday afternoon ride with 9,988 miles on LRB’s odometer and no plans to hit The Big 10,000 but ended up doing it with an extra loop up New Brooklyn at the tail end.   Maxine (the original owner) put over 1,000 of the early miles on the Redline but most of them are mine, and when I think of all the pavement and all the cities, towns and states we’ve covered together over the last 3+ years, it’s truly a highlight reel of my life.   LRB’s at the shop right now, getting her autumn tune up.  She’s got a lot of bumps, bruises and beat-up places– but I can’t imagine replacing her, or having another bicycle I love as much.  So here’s to 10,001 miles, and onward.

 

End of the road

Josie and I were struck with a sudden and violent stomach/digestive illness in Arcata just as Will and I were preparing to head south on the bikes. Unable to eat, terribly sick, flat on our backs for 24 hours… It zapped every ounce of strength I had left, and we couldn’t leave Josie sick and alone… Painfully, Will and I decide to call it a day. All three of us flew home today, shipped our bikes, and are happy to be back in beautiful Seattle. No regrets– will be reflecting on our adventures for a long time.

Goodbye, Josie

Josie’s bike, Neruda, hanging on the rack at the Adventures Edge bike shop in Arcata, ready to be packed up and shipped home after almost 450 miles down the coast. Will and I leave tomorrow heading south, Josie flies home from Arcata Saturday. No words can describe this 2-week adventure with my daughter. So hard to say goodbye.

Arcata

Two rest days at the old Arcata Hotel… Loving the hippie vibe, after many days of — shall we say, conservative Oregon small town life (and bad coffee).

Big Lagoon, Trinidad

The most beautiful place I’ve seen, so far on this trip, was the Big Lagoon, just south of Elk Prairie, on the Redwood Highway– one of those rich salt water marsh areas teeming with bird life. Wish we could have camped there for a couple of days.

We also got off Highway 101 to a scenic shore drive at Trinidad where we had spectacular views of a windy, rocky beach.

Elk Prairie Campground

A few pix from our $5 hiker-biker campsite at Elk Prairie. The vast silence of the Redwood forest is permeating and ethereal. We could hear the roll of the ocean waves off in the distance, and the night sky was spectacular. Next to us was a large clearing where elk graze– we saw several riding out the next morning. Something new at Calif state parks: big metal boxes for your food, soaps, lotions.

Redwoods

Will joins us at Crescent City after a long train/bus journey. What a sight for sore eyes!! Spent the night at a motel while Josie met up with younger cyclists staying at Jedediah Smith State Park. We gathered the next (Monday) morning and set off on the steep, 6-mile climb heading south from Crescent City, into the Redwoods. Moved in and out of chilly fog and warm sun all day, ending with a gorgeous, peaceful ride through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to our campsite at Elk Prairie.

Smell of the old forest in the sun and wild orchids (?) along the road simply intoxicating. Highway not as bad as we’d heard tell… Only a few spots with no shoulder, for short stretches.

Crossing the border!!

Josie and I crossed the Oregon-Calif border today. 350 miles– we took the bus 100– 450 miles total from our beginning in Longview! And we still love each other…

World Cup!

The Netherlands vs Spain — at Zola’s Pizzeria, Brookings Or. Rooting for Ned. in honor of the Dutch couple in their 60′s with us in camp last night, riding down the coast.