I’ve been on the road since October 3rd now. We’ve had two rest days and are now in Santa Cruz. The group is starting to really feel it. It seems the 40 and 50 mile days that were posted on the original schedule have all disappeared. Now the average seems to be between 70 an 90 miles a day. And to make things even better the days turn to be ten miles longer than we had planned in the morning. It’s ok though, the boys are hanging in there. Today we rode from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. It was the first time I had to bail in CA. After receiving my first flat of the trip and battling the headwinds alone I decided to call it quits 20 miles in. I’m kind of bummed. I really wanted to do all of California. I’ve been able to fight through my aches and pains most of the way but today was not my day. There’s something about always playing catch up to the boys that gets to you after a bit. After talking to the boys it sounds like today was the best day to take a little break. Even though there was no major climbing it was still the toughest day of the trip. Tomorrow we plan to head to Big Sur, hopefully the winds have died down…
Monthly Archive for October, 2009
I’ve been in the middle of nowhere for a few days now. We rode from Trinidad, CA to Redcrest CA on monday. There was talk of a giant storm coming into the area so we decided to try and wait it out. MAybe take our first rest day and hope for sun on wednesday. Well wednesday came and the sun did not. We had decided to make the move in the rain. It was a warm rain so the majority of the ride wasn’t too bad. I think the only time I was ready to go in was after Dave had recieved his second flat of the day. We hung out under a bridge where three hobos were hiding out from the rain. After that brief stop I was starting to get cold and miserable. We took a side rode that turned into a dirt road, only adding to my discomfort. After a half hour I got over it and stuck it out for the rest of the day. We made it to Leggett CA. Apparently we have the biggest hill of the trip coming up today! Yeah, 6 miles up hill, then a killer downhill. I think it’s an 80 mile day today, so I’m about to get ready.
Go to www.cycleforacause.com to check out some pictures of the ride so far.
We’ve been on the road for 7 days now and have made it all the way to Southern Oregon. The coastline here is amazing! I’m starting to feel like I’m getting in the groove. Atleast I really hope I am. The first two days were brutal for me personally. I was constantly asking myself what I had gotten into. I was not fully prepared for this. I had just received my sisters road bike from Texas the day before and that was my training, none at all.
By day 3 we had made it to Oregon! I was starting to feel a little bit more confident about this trip. I was tired and sore but making progress. The only thing that really killed me was the 4.1 mile bridge from WA, to Astoria. The longest bridge of my life! I felt so bad because Pep was stuck behind me while I crawled over this massive bridge. It was so narrow and congested with traffic with just made matters worse. When we made it to Astoria Riley Poor’s parents had met us there for lunch.
Lincoln City
Day four rolled around and I finally got a camera. Go Pro had donated cameras for the trip! This is awesome especially since my camera no longer works for some reason. And, no it’s not the batteries. I left about a half hour earlier than the guys this day. I wanted to get as far ahead of them as possible. As much as I hate to admit it they are faster. The section of the road from Seaside to Tillamook was much hillier than the rest of the trip so far. I have no idea how those guys never caught up to me. Although it was tough going the views were just amazing. Every climb was rewarded with amazing views. Just like Jesse Hall I was motivated to get to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I was determined not to stop until I had arrived there! When I finally made it, it was the best site of the day. The big green grassy yard to lay on while I waited for the boys felt amazing! We stopped for lunch and a tour of the factory then moved onto Sandlake.
101 South of Lincoln City
By day 5 I was so tired and sore. I had no idea how I was going to make it ten miles never mind 50. We stopped in Lincoln City for lunch and I just wanted to pass out. We still had another 20 miles or so till we made it to Beverly Beach State Park. Dreading the ride I set out ahead of the guys again. Somehow I got another wind and was feeling so good. I think it was the amazing views that motivated me. I just wanted to see what was around every corner.
Day 6 was a big day for me. 85 miles, I believe that is a personal record for myself. The morning was a bit off a rough start for myself. It was foggy and the road was rough. I struggled for a bit but after a few hours I was starting to feel better. We met up with Dave Stiener about 20 miles from Florence. After a big mexican lunch fiesta, which was a bad idea, we headed onto Winchester Bay. About 15 miles from the bay I started to notice some pain in my left knee, no good. Just before sunset we strolled into the Surfside RV Park and enjoyed a hobo dinner.
Today was not a good day. We headed into the town of Winchester Bay for some coffee. We stopped at a great little spot where I had the best bear claw ever! Dave got behind the counter and made Lattes for the group. Apparently the store had recently opened and they had not yet mastered the espresso machine. After our little coffee break we headed out towards the town of Port Orford, about 70 miles away. I made it 5 miles and had to stop because my knee pain was increasing. I hope by tomorrow I’ll be ok…
It’s Day three of Cycle for a Cause. We have ridden from Seattle WA, and just made our way into Oregon today! It’s been three long days, but we have been blessed with great weather. Sunny in the PNW! Who would of guessed. About an hour into the trip my camera died! So that means no pictures for the time being. Soon though. I think we have a 65 or 90 mile day ahead of us. Depends on how motivated we feel. For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about you can go to www.cycleforacause.com to check it out! And if any of you cyclists out there have a few days to kill you are more than welcome to meet up! It’s open to anybody. I also want to thank unofficialsquaw.com for helping with the cause! I’ll be updating as much as possible while on the road.
