Here we go again: 16 days to cycle 1700 lumpy miles solo & unsupported from Seattle to San Diego. Hoping to raise funds for the Royal British Legion & Bloodwise: wheels turn on September 10th...please help these great causes!
Just what you need if you're Garmin packs up, hah-hah!
Right then, time to 'fess up a smidge: the eagle-eyed amongst you may spot that today's mileage is a tad on the light side. I'll tell you now that it'll be similar tomorrow and the reason is that my left knee is protesting a little. Not revolting, but protesting.
Not even 70 miles. R.I.C.E., or something like that!
We're not at DEFCON 1 by any stretch and I'm trying to make sure that doesn't happen: the reduced climbing will help, I hope. My cunning plan is to scratch the San Francisco rest day and ride that instead and hopefully that'll get us back on track. Meh, plans are *so* last season! With that all blah out of the way, on with the show...
Make up your mind.
Big John Paul Jones fan. Fair enough!
I was advised to take a detour through the small town of Ferndale before heading to today's destination, Garberville via The Avenue Of The Giants. Turns out it was garage sale Saturday...'bargains' galore/tat central!
Er, get it here?
Check out the garb of the three ladies clocking me...excellent!
This looked a bit more professional. Mercenaries, hah-hah!
Where is everyone? Oh yeah, perusing a load of garbage, hah-hah!
A pleasant diversion for sure, but soon enough it was time to head out in the countryside for a spell and then find the alleged 'Avenue Of The Giants'...
You sure this is CA? Could be a lot of places.
Er, just the one tree? Quite the opposite from later on.
Nice bridge-work.
Keep your hair on, pal.
The other benefit that keeping today short was that it would mean I could dawdle and take my time in T.A.O.T.G., and a couple of people had told me that it would demand your time, but you would not regret it.
Pretty much your first sight. S'alright I suppose...
Okay, I make zero apologies for the repetition- it was amazing!
There's always one attention-seeker. Probably claiming a dodgy knee or something, ahem.
The Saturn V of Redwoods. Ridiculous!
It was an utter joy to head through the forest- I know that there are too many here, and also that these photos will definitely not do the trees justice.
Nope. I want it all for me, thanks.
Ubiquitous sunflowers shot ahoy!
Brains Trust with The Immortal Tree. Almost 1000 years old.
This cheeky sod eye-balled me before legging-it...
What, you've never seen a yellow bike before?
Hwy 101 was second choice today, yes!
Great during the day, but wouldn't want to be here after dusk.
The River Eel.
Brought to mind my pal Rog's favourite gag: See that tree- do you know what kind it is? Easy. It's Dog Wood. How do I know that? Well, you can tell from the bark...
As unfunny as small settlements come. And probably falls over a lot.
Middle of the photo shows Hwy 101 paralleling the river. Would be on it soon. The Hwy, not the river.
After re-joining Hwy 101, it was only about 10 miles to tonight's acco: tell you what though, the temp did get up to 32c, which was a handy reminder of what'll be coming...
The town of Garberville had a strange vibe. There were quite a few homeless people and drifters hanging around as well as young kids...didn't quite add-up. That said, there was a Cajun-themed restaurant with shambolic service but fine food and beer, so I'm alright Jack.
IPA. VG!
Back to the homestead and give the laundry an airing whilst I can keep an eye on it. Although some of the local populace might actually decline it, hah-hah!
Wash & Go.
Have a wild guess what's next: yep, if you can spare a little and want to help Bloodwise and The Royal British Legion then please click ON THIS BIT, thanks!
Due to excessive admin-faffing around, I set-off almost an hour late and managed to add extra minutes when I turned back to the motel because I was convinced that my gloves were left behind.
Turns out I had put them in my saddlebag. I don't think that I should be let out.
Anyway, it didn't take long before it was proper climbing time and my first glimpse of properly tall trees.
Quite an eye-opener at 8%...ouch!
Today's nonsense- a game of two halves.
Proper & tall!
Okay, okay- I *am* right!
The majority of the climbing was loaded towards the first half of today and bizarrely, that was the most enjoyable bit. This was because the rest of the day spent on Highway 101 was pretty unloveable, with a constant stream of fast traffic and loads of on-and-off ramps.
No complaints either, as I think that I've been a little spoiled in terms of the scenery and other road users so far.
No problem there, Chief!
One of the rare sightings of The Pacific today, despite never being too far from it.
Hmmmm...I'll pass.
That Goldfinger fella has gone too far this time.
Big stuff tomorrow, I hope!
That was on the second climb, taken looking East: difficult to say if that is smoke/haze or what?
A dodgy looking truck on a wedge of cheese. Welcome sign!
My favourite today.
Rolls in quick and yet it can be blue again in 10 mins or less...
Fair to say that the one time that you don't want to be trying to get through a town on a major transit route is Friday afternoon, and so it proved going through Eureka-ka-ka-ka! That said, this loon gave me a laugh...
I don't think that he realised that he was solo.
As Geraint Thomas remarked: "Some days you're the hammer...".
After a century, Fortuna rolled around and I eventually found my best motel yet- except for the platitudes, hah-hah!
Never mind all that- which direction is the brewhouse?
Brought to you in association with Hallmark.
So I'd probably describe today as a transition stage: tomorrow should be a little more interesting!
Guess what? Yeah, you know what...the usual polite plea is coming-up: if you can spare a couple of Shekels for two great causes then please click HERE and have a great weekend!
