Day 11, September 19, 2007
Garberville, CA. to Fort Bragg, CA.
71.4 miles, 12.7 mph, 5h 45m 51s (max speed 35.6mph)
Up at 5:45, 6:00. 7:30 continental breakfast at hotel, 7:30 load luggage, 7:40 on the road. Today's forecast was partly cloudy and cool to start and showers by mid morning with cooler temperatures in the afternoon. This cool and maybe showery weather is due to a front that is moving down across Oregon and California. However, the showers never materialized and it was mostly sunny all day. What a relief!
Two miles after I left the "Bigfoot" roadside stand, I discovered that I didn't have my wallet that had my credit cards, driver's license and health card in it. Barbara let me check my suitcase in the luggage van. I found it in the back pocket of my jeans. I was really worried, but things turned out OK. Out here on these rides, we develop a consistent pattern of doing things and when we depart from that schedule, problems sometimes occur. I did something different last night and that caused my problem. ABB staff always tries to the best they can to make things run smoothly for the cyclists.
At 25 miles, we did a 4 mile winding climb up a mountain. This was probably the most difficult climb yet. For those of you back home in Ledyard, it was like climbing Geer Hill going south on Colonel Ledyard Highway for 4 miles. Then there was a 10 mile descent with 102 curves in it (I counted them), some were hairpin turns and switchbacks. This was followed by a 3 mile climb and descent. In cycling language, they were both very "technical". After this we were treated to a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. We then rode the last 23 miles down the coast to Fort Bragg (this is a town, not a military Fort). The weather was sunny, with a 25 - 30 mph NW wind with 40 mph gusts. I continue to be awed by the scenic ocean views. I arrived at our hotel at 2:30.
I was able to start my journal much earlier so maybe I can get a good nights sleep tonight. I need it!
Tomorrow is a 75 mile ride to Cloverdale.
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