One of the best things about touring on a bike is the people you meet along the way.
The last several days I have had the good fortune to have been camping alongside several young and extremely entertaining fellow cyclist. Besides sharing the joys/pains of riding, this group discusses, plans, prepares and eats the most amazing meals I have ever seen at cycling campgrounds. The meals they consume would probably be considered a glorious repast at most peoples' homes. And the laughter ...
The interesting thing about this group of twenty-something-year-old cyclists is that, other than Corrina and Dave (a couple from Saskatchewan, Canada), this is group that met along the road ... and a diverse group they are. In the picture above, left to right are Wilson (a recent college graduate from Fort Collins, CO who taught English in Thailand last year), Diego (21 year-old food connoisseur from Guadalajara, Mexico), Corrina and Dave, Warren (currently a college student at Washington State University who was deployed to Iraq three times during his seven years in the Army), and Kenny (Kenny has traveled extensively through-out North and South America via local buses, trains, cars, bikes, etc ... train travel included hopping freights). A most amazing collection of individuals, and as I say ... the laughter.
So as not to imply that youth prevails out here, I have also met a collection of most interesting "older" guys. I met John in a restaurant across the street from the World Famous Trees of Mystery. We rode together and later camped together at the Elk Prairie campground (north of Orik, CA). John follows the seasons in his Toyota Pick-up (with camper), so has no set "home location". In his younger years he did a stint with the Peace Corp in Chile, lived in India for three years, drove a truck for a living and is a certified Yoga instructor. Met a gentleman from India a couple of nights later in Burlington Campground (near Weott, CA, along the Avenue of the Giants scenic road). This gentleman flew into San Francisco, got on his bike and is riding to a Lions Convention in Seattle. Interesting thing about this guy is that he carries minimum equipment ... no tent ... good luck in Oregon and Washington. Another interesting guy has been at the last few campgrounds as well. Dave is 70 years old, and is very excited about his new "Lady" that he recently met via the internet. Dave has toured for the past 30 years, usually two to three weeks at a go, but has done some cross country treks. In his youth, he hitched-hiked around the world. Very interesting, fit and vibrant fellow.
So the rides and campgrounds have been good over the past few days. Since leaving Crescent City, the daily mileage has been 36 miles to Elk Prairie, 56 miles to Eureka, 58 miles to Burlington, 48 miles to Standish-Hickey Campground (north of Leggett), and 47 miles to Ft. Bragg. Today's ride included an 1000 foot climb ... five miles of climbing starting within a mile of campground ... a real grind (signs indicated 7% slope)that cooked my legs for the remaining miles.
I hope to be in San Francisco next week, then head on down the coast. I am still debating if I intend to stop in Santa Barbara or continue on to San Diego. But that is a decision for another day. Going to take a slow, short day today and try to get the legs some rest.
The sun is shining.
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