Blog Archives

Eureka!

6/29/2013

Heading out from Lexington for Corralitos and Eureka Canyon Road. GPS Tracker is live. Hope to beat the heat. Forgot that I didn't have a car to get to the start. Kelley drove me up to my launching spot here at Lexington but I'm going to have to cycle down Highway 17 on the way back.

Corralitos Store: No more meat for this guy

Leaving Summit Store. Really cooking now. I confirmed that it's "technically legal" for bicycles to use Highway 17 between Los Gatos and Scotts Valley, so I'm braving it between Lexington and LG.

Made it home with 35 minutes to spare before we leave for Lindsey's dance recital. 64 miles and the last 15 in about 95 degree heat. Looks like the Live GPS Tracker is working like a charm.

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Squeezing in Some Rides

6/28/2013

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Heading out for the 4th and it's going to be tough fitting in rides over the next 3 weekends. We leave Sunday morning for New Jersey and the Fredericks Family Trip. I'll be able to ride tomorrow morning and I plan on going coastal to get out of the heat, doing a Lexington-Corralitos-Eureka Canyon 60-miler. I'll have my live GPS tracker running and my plan is to start by 7:30 AM.

I won't have access to a bike in NJ but we'll be back the following Saturday night, so I'll be able to ride Sunday. Then the weekend after that, I'll be working as a counselor at Camp Milagros, the Arthritis Foundation's camp for kids with Arthritis. That weekend, I'm thinking I might put my stuff on the bus and cycle back home from Livermore. Just hope it's cooler then. Either way, I gotta squeeze it in whenever I can!

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Roller Derby

6/23/2013

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2,200 feet of rollers today through spectacular cycling roads in the Paso Robles wine country. I counted 36 wineries in 45 miles. Rollers are tough because it seems like you're spending 85% of your time going uphill. Coming off a 70-mile day, I was dragging a little. Need more rides like this because I'm going to see a lot of it on BikeTheCoast13.

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15 in 7

6/23/2013

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15th winery in seven miles. Good thing I'm not stopping for tastings!

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Cool B&B

6/23/2013

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Paso Robles Wine Country

6/23/2013

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Doing about 45 miles starting from Templeton today. My first time exploring the Paso Robles, Central Coast wine country.

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Good People and Good Lessons

6/22/2013

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Good day for meeting nice people and learning a few things that will help me on the ride. After my chance encounter with Pete and Tami (see last post), I set off from Los Osos back towards Cambria. Right after I hopped on Highway 1, I got a flat. I changed it in no time but noticed that my back tire was partially worn through. Can't believe it; I just got my bike in March! Anyway, I put in a new tube and filled it with my only Co2 cartridge. Then I set the wheel aside and after about 30 seconds, the replacement tube blew. I'm guessing that where the tire was worn through there were sharp tire threads that penetrated the new tube.

With only one extra tube, I was stuck. But right then someone cycled by and asked if I needed help. I said I could use a tube and he obliged, giving me a patched spare he was carrying. I thanked him and he went on his way. Next I discovered that my pump didn't work. I haven't needed it in years because I carry Co2. Just then, a couple from Cal Poly rode by and they offered me their pump. I filled this tube and gave them their pump back. But it immediately leaked out (bad patch job, I presume).

Figuring I was stuck for sure now, I called mom to come pick me up. She didn't answer so I started to text her. Before I could finish, a pick-up pulled over and John, a fire fighter from Santa Maria, asked me if I needed a lift. I asked if he'd take me a few miles back to Los Osos to the bike shop there. He said he was happy to and we put my bike in the back of his pick-up and off we went,

I replaced both tires with much better tires, fit for an 1,800-mile ride. I also learned a couple lessons for BikeTheCoast13. Carry 3 tubes, 3 Co2 cartridges, and a pump that works. Better I learn these lessons here than in the middle of nowhere.

Finished up my 70-miler. Last 15 were against a pretty stiff wind. Longest ride of the year but nothing I couldn't handle. Met some great people today. Exactly what I hope to find when I start my journey in August!

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Los Osos/Baywood Park

6/22/2013

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Bite to eat at Black Bay Cafe where I met Pete and Tammi, who are just cruising the coast. They showed great interest in my ride and Lindsey. We exchanged contact info. Nice to meet you both; hope you'll follow my ride!

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In A Gadda Da Vida

6/22/2013

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Pretty sure I heard an Iron Butterfly riff on the bongos. And the flower girl picking the daisy was the prefect compliment. On the coast in Baywood Park.

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Flash Forward

6/22/2013

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Turri Road. Nothing more than a speed bump today, Might feel a little different after 1300 miles.

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Jeff Fredericks

On August 14, 2013, I'm flying to Vancouver, British Columbia and beginning a 29-day, 1,880-mile bike ride from Canada to Mexico.

On this page you'll find random ramblings before, during, and after my trek down the Pacific Coast. Prior to BikeTheCoast13, I'll blog about my prep, training, and thoughts from the road.
While visiting my blog, I hope you'll offer comments, suggests, and words of encouragement. I'm going to need all the help I can get!

For those who don't know me or my inspiration, please take a moment to check out the Why Now? tab to meet my daughter Lindsey and find out how I got here.

If this site helps or inspires you in any way, I hope you'll consider making a small donation to the cause.

If you'd like to contact me personally, you can email me at [email protected]