Yesterday was the worst day by far. we had the largest climbs and went the farthest distance yet. We did 88 miles, and it was all rolling hills including Leggit hill at around 1750+ feet. We got into camp late and were really sore.
The day started off in Myer's flat and we rode about 17 miles up the road when we were picked up by my dad for church. We drove about 11 miles backwards to a small branch in Miranda where we went to church. It was a pretty little town on the Avenue of the Giants. From there we continued to climb and snake around the Eel River. There were good small rolling hills until we got to Leggit. Here we went to see the drive-thru tree, but when we found out that it was more expensive for 2 bikes to go through than a single car, we didn't go through. We realized that after Leggit we had 28 miles without services in pretty much nothing but wilderness, we tried to fill up our bottles and grab some food. We stopped by a small gas station that had a single refrigerator and a single shelf of snacks. A teenager with bloodshot eyes came out to greet us. The whole place reeked of pot, and the kid told us that the water wasn't safe to drink. I then bought a gatorade and a powerbar. At first he saw Nate was getting stuff and thought we were together. He said $5, and I said that I was just getting the two things. He blinked and then pressed a different button and said $2.50. I think that was the cheapest gatorade/powerbar combo ever sold in that town. Nate picked up the same drug-induced deal and we filled up our bottles from a water-cooler and we were off.
The hill was steep, but we didn't stop until we got to the top, The big hill was around 40 miles into our route. When we started to drop it got real cold, and windier as we approached the coast. Right before the coast we had about a 600 foot hill that we had to go over. after we descended that one, it was a spectacular view of the ocean. We met and talked to some motor-bikers who had grown up in New Mexico. One of them had a daughter at New Mexico Tech. They applauded us for make it up those steep gradients. We had a good talk and then went on to the next town around 6 miles away. At the small town, we spent $7 on a quart of chocolate milk and organic cookies (We were starving!) we split them and warmed up. We had sweated profusely going up those gradients, then as we hit the coast, the sharp sea breeze chilled our wet bodies. It wasn't raining but we wore our coats for the last 11 long miles of rolling hills into camp. It was a rough day.
I am so glad I am in a starbucks right now in Fort Bragg sipping on a Venti hot chocolate warming up. Today we are going to go about 86 miles, but it should be much easier. That being said, It is just the morning and I am beat!
I took lots of pictures, but no time to post!
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