Well, I found the hippies; they're all in Garberville. Wow, vagabond central here. It's actually got a pretty cool vibe for just passing through, and you get the sense that's what pretty much everyone is doing here.
First & Main, Garberville
In terms of my Day 14 ride, it was the perfect storm. It was sunny all day, traffic was light, I finally got a tailwind, and it all happened on my most highly-anticipated leg, Avenue of the Giants. Whenever I dreamed about this ride, I imagined cycling Avenue of the Giants on a day just like this. It was perfect. OK, I'm gonna cry now.
It was more than epic; it was GIANT!
The ride out of Ferndale was perfect in its own right. I know this is a Bike the Coast ride, but I also love the countryside riding and that's what the first 13 miles consisted of. Lots of cows, open fields, farmers, barns, pick-up trucks, and not many cars.
Road to myself...
...and lots of greenery in the scenery
Short climb outside Ferndale leads to glorious views of the Eel River Valley
After making my way out of the Ferndale area, I got back on US-101 after Scotia for 4 short miles, and as soon as I exited onto Avenue of the Giants, everything got quiet, and for the next 35 miles, it was an effortless ride through canopied redwoods. With the tailwind, the flats felt like downhills and uphills felt like flats. That allowed me to simply enjoy that stretch to its fullest.
A small piece of Scotia's massive mill
35 miles on Avenue of the Giants felt like 15
Big Tree
Did laundry tonight, sat in the jacuzzi for 20 minutes, had a great meal at Calico's, downed a couple of beers, almost lost my money clip (what else is new), and accidentally sent out my Day 17 blast to 140 people. Well, at least you know this blog isn't coming from an imposter.
My dinner choice: I sat one table away from a couple of them hippies - and no, I don't know where the nearest campground is!
I was so hungry I used two forks so I could be eating from one while loading the other
Can I ride again?!?! Can I, can I, pleeeeeze!?!?
Day 14 Recap: Ferndale, CA to Garberville, CA
Actual Miles: 61.0
Cumulative Miles: 900.3
Elevation Gain: 2,280'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 33,522'
% Distance to Mexico: 47.8%
Actual Miles: 61.0
Cumulative Miles: 900.3
Elevation Gain: 2,280'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 33,522'
% Distance to Mexico: 47.8%
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