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-Keith Pelczarski
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Day -2: Pacific Coast Bicycle Tour
A couple weeks ago, I went for a bike ride around the Portola Loop. Halfway through the usual 18-mile ride, I turned on Old La Honda Road and climbed 1,300 feet up the hill to Skyline Blvd. The ride continued for 40 miles, and I started wondering how far I could go if given enough time. 1,000 miles? Maybe it was the endorphins talking, but a long tour seemed like a good idea. No, a GREAT idea. And thus, a plan was hatched to ride my bike from Seattle to San Francisco.
Upon my return home, I shared my thoughts with Kerah. Happily, she was very supportive. The stars were aligned, and it seemed that the universe wanted me on the bike.
With a green light on this madness, preparations began. Many hours were spent at REI picking out gear for the trip, since there will be lots of camping. I flirted with the idea of buying a new Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike, but abandoned that notion after Kendra (our physical therapist neighbor) told me their advice to anyone embarking on an endurance adventure: "No new is good news." No new bikes, no new shoes, nothing that might invoke the wrath of the biomechanical gods and rain down painful blisters and woe.
Hours of packing later, I boarded a plane this afternoon and now I'm sitting in a van carrying me, my bike, and all the gear the bike will carry. We're headed to my friend Mark Contois's place where I'll spend a couple days visiting and getting ready to start riding early next week. There's rain in the forecast, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.
I'll be riding solo for most of the trip, but there will be other cyclists touring the same path, since the plan is to follow the Adventure Cycling Association's Pacific Coast route. Most nights will be camping, but with friends in Seattle, Portland, Arcata, and Mendocino, I'm hoping to find a few couches along the way. If you live in Seattle, Portland, Arcata, or Mendocino, please consider yourself warned. ;-)
Well, it looks like the taxi I almost to Mark's place, so I'll sign off for now. Check back for more updates as the tour progresses.
Happy Independence Day, everyone!
:: Keith 18:06 [link] :: ::