Pacific Coast Redux

There are many ways to enjoy cycling but there is nothing I enjoy more than bicycle touring.  The idea of riding a bike all day exploring countries and landscapes and being totally self sufficient is truly exciting.  When my good friend Mark Gough suggested we cycle down the Pacific Coast from Seattle to San Francisco this summer, I could not resist.  I was even able to talk my 20 year old daughter in joining us for the 1,000 mile ride.   This route is quite popular for cyclists and we used the Adventure Cycling Association maps to guide us along the way. 

For me, this route held special significance as I had cycled down this route in one of my first long bike ride 28 years ago in my third year university.  It was also my most disastrous ride as I was involved in the worst cycling accident of my life when I went down a hill too fast, losing control around a corner crossing the centre line.  Unfortunately, there was a car in the other lane and I hit him head on, putting my forehead through the grill and breaking my pelvis on the bumper.  It sure put a stop to that trip and I was bound to go back on that same corner and do it right this time.  

One of my first decisions was what bike should I ride?  Although I was really starting to enjoy riding uprights after Jan convinced me to get a TREK Madone, I could not see myself on a long tour stuck on a wedgie.  So I decided to use the RANS Stratus XP sitting the shop.  My only mistake was that I should have chosen a sturdier tire for the back as my tire blew up after 200 km and was replaced by a more appropriate Schwalbe Marathon touring tire.  

Other than the fact that we had the absolute best weather for cycling with 17 rain free days and consistent 20-30 kph daily tailwinds, the scenery, camping and cycling conditions were ideal.  We covered 100 km per day at 20 kph average speed on fairly hilly terrain.  The state parks provided “hiker/biker” sites at $3 a night per person and where we stayed for the most part.  My favorite part of the trip was the Avenue of the Giants in California Redwoods where the road snaked its way through giant redwoods.  I also truly enjoyed the city of San Francisco which reminded me of typical European cities with narrow streets, HILLS and cable cars.   It was also a cycling MECA with funky bike destinations like the Mojo Bicycle Café.