a story of a bike

Yup, that’s what they look like.  Day in; day out.

In the middle of California exactly (based on my route), this is what it looks like…

I’ve seen a lot of road kill during this trip; but here’s my first great white shark.

Day 38 (?).  Half Moon Bay.  Only a 30 mile ride.  And it was flat.  The campground here was covered with little bunnies.

Day 39.  Santa Cruz.  50 miles?  I stopped in Ano Nuevo and saw elephant seals.  Then I went to the boardwalk and went on some rides.  And played the arcades.  And ate things that were deep fried.  Just like when I was little.  Except then, I didn’t camp in a stranger’s backyard.  This time I sort of did.

Day 40.  Monterey.  Um, 55 miles?  I biked hard and fast to get to that aquarium and see the sharks and stuff.  They were surprised to see me; last time they say me, I was just a little kid.  Surprise…

Day 41.  Past Big Sur.  Past Lucia.  To Kirk Campground.  60 miles.  This was without a doubt my favorite ride of the trip.  Man.  Coooool.

Day 42.  San Simeon.  Past the Hearst Castle.  45 miles.  Today, I camped next to about 20 children on a religious retreat; they sang Jesus songs all night.  You can’t really tell them to be quiet when they’re praising things and praying.  So I just stayed up late.

A few days in SF and sleeping indoors. The luxuries. A day looking at sailboats; a day sailing in the Bay; the Academy of Science; showering; Gordo. Things of that ilk. But now it’s back to the road.

Where there’s a river, though, no need to subject myself to the judging looks of others.  I become clean.

Before.

After.

Question–is it a bad sign when it seems like the road is talking to you?

A month ago.  Looking for clams.

Day 28 (?).  Standish Hickey State Park.  Just before a town called Leggett.  40 miles.  Here, Highway 1 splits from the 101 and takes us back to the coast.  I fell down today.  Or maybe it’s tomorrow?  Everything’s starting to blend together.

Day 29.  Van Damme State Park.  Just past Mendocino.  55 miles.  I spent some time in Mendocino, a place my mom used to take me.  To celebrate, I ate a lot of pizza there.  

Day 30.  Gualala.  50 miles.  Almost as fun to be in as to say.  And, yes, it’s a real place with pizza and everything.  Just no phone service.  

Day 31.  Bodega Bay.  50 miles.  Here I stayed with an old family friend, Ruy.  Sleeping indoors is fun.  I forget how to use covers, though.

Day 32.  Point Reyes.  35 miles.  Here’s what I remember.  From Point Reyes, I took a detour to wine country.  A really sweet woman took me in and nursed me to health.  

Day 32 – 37.  San Francisco.  A city I knew once.  And so I’ll rest here; my first days off since the middle of Oregon.  Knees and joints, thank me.