"Create a meaning."

Day 23: Meta Vacation

Sleeping on the sand is much nicer. I wake up dryer than usual.

After leaving Bodega Bay Dunes State Park, I had to split with Boyd. He was to meet with a friend in San Anselmo while I wanted to stay on the coast to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. 

I did not have high expectations to cross the Golden Gate but it was still a spectacular sight to see. I am still deeply intrigued on how they drove in the huge poles holding up the bridge into the bay. 

Overall, I was simply happy to finally arrive in San Francisco. It was a major checkpoint and it also meant a "vacation" on my "vacation. Having met up with my parents for the first time since Seattle, I got to spend the night in the RV.

Finally some Palm Trees!!!

Floating Houses

San Fran Skyline

This moment felt pretty good.

The Original picture of the Golden Gate Bridge*

*By Jason Chang

San Fran Slopes

Day 22

Woke around 6 and left Manchester Bay towards the Bodega Dunes. Today's ride consisted of a steep climb on the edge of a mountain and several beaches.

I've past the half way mark towards Mexico. It is a good feeling to switch over from starting my adventure to finishing it. I've found sleeping in my tent somewhat comfortable. One thing I haven't gotten used to is eating so much processed food. I'm really craving fresh vegetables and fruit..

No Showers. Non-drinkable Water. Still had fun.

Pictures straight down the middle are the best.

Deluxe Breakfast

Ran into some wood carvers. 

On the Mountain Edge

Here is a short clip going down the mountain edge with Boyd!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh1VGO3ri7U&feature=youtu.be

Ocean/Sky Blend

California has been in a drought! Conserve water!

Pelicans those must be.

The kind lady to the left has been a biking celebrity on the road. I've heard of her several times from other bikers, construction workers, and other people on the street. Leana has been traveling for seven years and has traveled to more countries than I can name! It was an honor finally getting to meet her!
She also has a blog: http://www.leananiemand.org.za/

Day 21: Australia Vs. Chile

It's been 3 weeks on the road now without any rest days. Waking from Mckerrich State park, Max, Boyd, and I biked to Starbucks to recharge our electronics and ourselves. We biked to Mendocino, CA and Max went his separate way. Boyd and I found a hotel restaurant and watched the FIFA World Cup there to watch the Aussies play. The Spain/Netherlands re-match up game was an exciting win for the Netherlands 5-1. Boyd who is Australian was a bit bummed after a 1-3 loss for the Aussies against Chile. After the game, we biked towards Manchester bay and spent the night without showers or potable water. So I'm feeling a bit stinky.

Hawks Up Close & Personal

Day 20: Climax

Brutal today it was. According to the maps, Leggitt Mountain is the most difficult section of the Pacific Coast Route. Not only that, but Boyd and I decided to do a double day totaling in 85 miles including going up and down towards a 2000 ft elevated point. I can tell you that my arse and other places were pretty damn sore by the end of the day. Snuggling in my sleeping bag and using my sweaty clothes as a pillow came with a swank feeling of success. 

Boyd and I met another fellow biker, Max. Although we lost Oren and Guillaume yesterday (hopeful regroup in San Fran), we’ve gained yet another amiable nomad. 

Our short temporary goal is to get to a place with wifi by 3 PM today to watch Australia vs. Chile at the world cup. San Francisco is about 200 miles away so the ETA is the 17th.

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                                                                      We did this yesterday

Photogenic Max

Garberville, CA.
A random guy came up to us and told us that we were at the California Pot Capital.

Smooth sailing down Leggitt Mountain 

The Ocean popped out at the bottom the hill

I'm really enjoying Mexican Food farther south we go.

Day 19 (Surplus)

Day 19 took an unexpected turn. Our campsite was in between Eureka and Arcata. While Boyd and I are morning risers and Oren and Guillaume arise a bit later, our two parties split up in the morning. Boyd and I had breakfast at Eureka. We noticed that the next few days there would be minimal services therefore making it difficult to watch the 2014 World Cup. I also had to get to San Francisco to meet a friend so we decided to leave on our proposed rest day. Sadly our group of fine travelers had to break apart. Boyd and I left towards Burlington, CA about 50 miles south while Oren and Guillaume stayed back in Eureka.

On the road again.

Eureka is filled with Victorian Age Style Buildings

Stopped for some monster burritos in Fortuna, CA.

Ran into Smoky the Bear. (Don't play with fire)

Scotia, CA claims to be the world's largest redwood mill.

There was a random penitentiary in the middle of the Redwoods.

Dinner

Day 18

Just a quick 50 mile day towards Arcata/Eureka, CA. Spending a rest day in Eureka. 270 miles away from San Francisco.

Day 17

Nearly at the half-way point to Tijuana. If you are reading this, I want to thank you for following me so far! Or at least checking out how I'm doing. So gracias.

I spent $140 more than I wanted to today. I've been getting several flats recently and I haven't felt confident riding on rough surfaces. This was due to using the regular tires that came with my road bike that only have one layer of Kevlar. I bought some Gatorskin tires that should prevent getting flats but they weren't cheap. 

Yesterday after a 70 mile ride, we spent the night at Redwood National Forest in Northern California (Oh yeah, we crossed the Oregon-California Border!!!). The forest consisted of Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia Trees. 
Some awesome tree facts:

Coast Redwood Trees:

• Height: To nearly 380 ft.
• Age: to 2,000 years
• Bark: To 12 in. thick
• Base: To 22 ft. diameter

Giant Sequoia Trees:

• Height: To nearly 311 ft.
• Age: To 3,200 years
• Bark: To 31 in. thick
• Base: To 40 ft. diameter

Both these trees start as seeds the size of an oat! 

The ride has been great. Boyd, the guy from Australia has stuck with us and since then, we've started our ride earlier to avoid traffic and wind. 

California is a bit drier than Oregon and also a bit more pricier, but there is more culture in the people and the towns. It seems more alive. I am currently in Arcata and I will be taking a rest day in Eureka!

Oregon has been so kind to me.

The Crew

After a 1000 foot climb...

Was gifted with a flat on the way down the hill. At least there was a great view.

So thug.