We rolled out into a wet, morning fog and it stayed foggy most of the Day. Gibson and I rode the "Seven Sisters" together, and those hills were not much more than speed bumps to us, though I'm not able to attack them the way I would if I were fully healthy.
Foggy morning produced vistas like this
...and this
...and this
We rode through the town of Bandon, home of world renown, Bandon Dunes Golf Course. Our rest stop was along the waterfront in the center of town. It was a short stop for me before heading back out.
Bandon rest stop (behind the crab shack)
...there we are
I snapped a few interesting pictures that I posted to my blog, before riding into Port Orford, where a number of us stopped for lunch or a cocktail at Redfish. The Gibsons and I had lunch with PCC riders Julie, Michelle and Bill
L-R Julie, Michelle, me, Bill, Steve, Cathy
Every night after dinner, someone is asked by Tai to share their arthritis story and I was asked tonight to talk about BikeTheCoast13 and Lindsey's battle with arthritis. I talked briefly about my own obstacles getting here and then I shared a few "then and now" visuals about Lindsey. I talked about how she was suddenly overcome by the disease at age 3, our experience with the Stanford juvenile rheumatologists, and her inability to ride her new bike from Santa Claus more than a minute or two that Christmas morning. Jumping to the present, I talked about Lindsey finishing 3rd in her 7th grade speech contest (her speech was about focusing on what you CAN DO with arthritis, not what you can't do). I talked about how Lindsey's passion is ballet and that she's recently been accepted into Ballet San Jose.
Our home tonight
Finally, I read a text I sent Lindsey the day I returned to this ride, saying, "Alright sweetie. Are we ready for another try? Everyone I talk to says how tough the arthritis must be for you to cope with, and how proud you must be of me for doing this ride. I tell them how tough you are to have such a great attitude, and how proud I am, OF YOU! I love you Lindsey."
There's my girl!
I had no thoughts that this might prompt anyone to donate to my ride, but it did. After my talk, at least three people told me they were donating to the ride, and many others said they look forward to following me after they get back home. That was very, very touching. I believe everyone who's here has already done plenty.
Lots of elk (and even more elk poop) at Arizona Beach
The highlight of the evening was the bidding war to smash Jack Klippel's retirement cake in his face. The bidding was finally won by Willard, but not before the faces of Bill, Beth, and Tai were added in to make it a $600 Arthritis Foundation donation.
L-R Willard, Bill, Tai, Jack, Beth
Willard (left) later donated that $600 and then some, to my ride. Really nice guy and what a class act. Thank you!!
And to nightcap the evening, we were treated to a video of our ride so far. Hard to believe there's only one more day I'll have with this great group of people.
Day 10 Recap: North Bend, OR to Arizona Beach, OR
Actual Miles: 70.7
Cumulative Miles: 643.5
Elevation Gain: 2,940'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 22,863'
% Distance to Mexico: 34.2%
Actual Miles: 70.7
Cumulative Miles: 643.5
Elevation Gain: 2,940'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 22,863'
% Distance to Mexico: 34.2%
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