Chapter 25

Chapter 25

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008

 

Fort Bragg to Manchester 42Miles 25th September

 

I had an uneventful night. It was a bit scary as the night drew in. With the sounds of the small animals close-by and in the distance. Woke up and got a small fire going. These are cool mornings. Fort Bragg is where I am now and looking at my map I will pass the 1000-mile mark today. That will be a landmark to savour. What a man I am!

 

I left Fort Bragg camp on a lovely morning, blue sky and the threat of a lovely sunny day.

Blog had not been done, so I must spend some time this morning to find breakfast and internet access. Doesn’t take long. A nice café, good food and Wi-Fi. Get the blogs and my calorie intake up to speed. Eggs, bacon and toast and coffee before cranking the engine up.

 

Head on out, on what is seemingly a short day, about 40 miles, but when I look at the profile in my book it’s like a roller coaster road along the coast. Tells me in my book that these are some of the steepest hills on the Pacific coast. Oh Dear!! Brace myself for pain!

First 20 miles is OK, nice countryside and pleasant riding. Then comes the first of the ups and downs. I must be getting fitter because it’s not as bad as I thought it might be. I’m able to take these in a big gear and I’m cruising along.

The scenery along this part of the coast is amazing. Better than any I have seem. Huge cliffs, rock faces, sea stacks and wildlife, including seals in the sea. It is a whale area, but I didn’t get any of those ‘thar she blows’ moments. I have to stop to take pictures, but I say to myself “If I start taking pictures I will take hundreds” because the view from one place completely changes 50 yards down the road. So, if you want to see more... come here yourself. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

 

Anyway! These hills - wow do they get worse as I go along. There are amazing fast downhills into switchbacks and it is exhilarating but God had it right when he created this place. One down? One Up!.

There was one steep uphill where, not only did I have to get off and walk but I could hardly push the bike up. I was leaning at 45degrees pushing the bike like crazy. It was a struggle for about half a mile.

Just like the switchbacks yesterday, that I thought would never end, I thought these hills would never end. Some of the short rolling ones you could tuck on the descent and the momentum would take you half way up the next, but you still had to push. 

Finally, when I was about spent, I see the sign for the KAO campsite. Most welcome.

Great campsite, pool, jacuzzi and hot showers, shop and a clothes washer/dryer.

My 'support group' the Cross Canada Group are here. It’s great to see them again and they seem glad to see me too. It’s nice to touch base with them again and find out what they have been up to. I haven’t seen them since we had dinner in Astoria.

Been a tough few days but it’s been GREAT!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

KAO campsites are privately owned sites. Not like the state park sites. They have a shop and showers and all the facilities you might need. Like washing machines and dryers and are geared more for family camping. They are however much more expensive.

There are BBQ’s on the site and wood can be bought in the shop. 

I taker full advantage of all the facilities, and make myself a steak dinner on the BBQ. Bliss!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are some of my Cross Canada Group preparing to depart

 

 

 

Siome of the hills and some of the sights.

 

 

 

Comment

Eileen said; Hi John - sounds like these last few days have been really difficult for you but it’s great that you meet up with your 'support group' from time to time. I guess that they help to keep you motivated. Some of those roads look so dangerous, so please take care. Roll on LA and those sandy beaches. Love x

 

John replied: Hi Eileen, They were pretty dangerous but only after when I thought about it. I meet quite a few people from previous days. It’s incredible really. San Fran looms