California

Monday, July 21 (Day 66)

Distance: 109.5 miles

Average speed: 10.7 mph

Max speed: 32.7 mph

Total: 3734 miles

The day started out misty and magical, at a late 7:30 so that I could try to catch up on my sleep (it didn't work, I still felt exhausted).

Remember that man I met the night before, Ben, the hiker? He told me he was hiking around the country and I was terribly impressed. Well, 10 miles into my ride, he blew past me in the bed of a pickup truck! Some hike...

I rode for a while on a small back road that took me through forest that had been subjected to heavy logging and reforestation. These areas tend to have lots of dimples in the asphalt from trees falling on them.

I met Tony along the way. He's from Boston and going down the coast with the help of his wife in a car, and he has matching purple water bottles!

And then onto a road with far too many deliciously tempting blackberries, putting me behind schedule.

Upon which it began to drizzle, and then to rain, for the rest of the day.

I've had to cross many narrow bridges along the coast, many of which have buttons for cyclists to press that illuminate flashing warning lights for cars.

This big bird was made of trash collected from the ocean.

And then I really had to get going. I was in danger of arriving after dark, and the rain and most was already making visibility a problem so my lights were on and I rode ferociously, not even stopping for a snack until I realized my trembling from hunger was probably not going to help me get there any sooner.

I did see some more breathtaking scenery and couldn't pass without taking some pictures.

I arrived to camp (another fantastic $5 hiker/biker campsite with showers) about 15 minutes before it got dark, just enough time to get my tent up. I showered, ate, and must've fallen asleep within seconds of getting into my sleeping bag, completely exhausted.

Tuesday, July 22 (Day 67)

Distance: 80 miles

Average speed: 10.6 mph

Max: 33.6 mph

Total: 3814 miles

It's kinda funny that I've gotten to the point that only riding 80 miles is like a rest day, isn't it?

I took off at 8, still feeling exhausted but like I was wasting good daylight trying to sleep!

It was foggy and chilly all day, but thankfully it didn't rain.

I had to cross this very narrow, very long bridge (with no bicycle light).

And I met a man named Isby from Alaska, who once rode his bicycle 4800 miles from California to Fairbanks! We sort of went at the same pace (he was faster on flat ground, I was faster uphill) for 15 miles before he stopped to camp. He said he was now just "bicycle camping", meaning he only rode 20-30 miles a day. His bicycle was adorned with feathers and he had an Alaska flag flapping on the back of his bike.

I liked this message written to cyclists on the asphalt.

I stopped for a beach break during the half hour of nice sun.

Then the fog grew thick, like we were in the clouds. It was only nerve wracking crossing bridges, and I always kept a close watch in my rear view mirror.

I really liked this lawn ornament.

Then I crossed the state line into California. It was sad to bid adieu to my favorite state, but I'm happy to be that much closer to being in a soft bed nightly with the same people to talk to every day. Yes, I think a little stability is in call for me now.

A family on a road trip stopped on the other side of the highway and the father ran across to take a picture for me, then I ran across to take a picture for them.

I was on a small road from then, lined with plump ripe tempting blackberries, which held me up frequently and stained my fingers. Yum!

There are lots of helpful signs so far in California, marking the bicycle route.

And tonight I sleep alone in a church. It's pretty eerie, and I think it's the most alone I've ever been, but I'm so grateful to not be in the rain and in the morning I who have to take down a damp tent! 

I'm going to try to ride 140 miles tomorrow, just to see if I can. My mantra for the day: I think I can I think I can I think I can.