It was in the 40s when we set off yesterday morning. Luckily Joyce had a spare windbreaker she was discarding and I grabbed it (my jacket was lost several days earlier and the replacement jacket was set for delivery in Fort Bragg). While the sun was up, it was not hitting the roads we were traveling due to the mountain side and the tall trees.
For the first 25 miles, we were on and off US101, in the early miles on a 4 lane freeway, then later on a narrow 2 land road with cars, trucks and RVs. About 15 miles into the ride, some of us stopped to visit the One-Log House, hollowed in 1946, it was created from a redwood tree over 2100 years old. According to their website,” it took two men eight months of hard labor to hollow out a room 7 feet high and 32 feet long. This special log home includes living, dining and bedroom areas just like any other trailer or motor home.” Sadly mind the narrow road and traffic, Barbara and another rider collided, damaging Barbara’s derailleur and her ride was done for the day.
In Leggett, US101 went to the east and we turned onto US1, and the climbing began: first 3 1/2 miles uphill (reportedly at 6-11%), followed by 9 miles of winding downhill, a bit of a flat valley, and another 2+ mile uphill. The next winding descent took us to the ocean! Sadly with all of that climbing, any vistas were blocked by trees. And we still had another 20 miles to ride along the coast.
Once along the coast, we encountered several construction sites where efforts are being made to save the road from washing out to sea. This was a very barren part of the coast with no services for many miles. We were able to stop in Westport for a candy bar, the sag wagon, and a restroom.
The last 5 miles were along a bike trail, paved but with many potholes, then a trestle bridge and we arrived in Fort Bragg.
Today is a rest day – and once again I have walked over 7 miles. The old town area is about 2 miles down the road and I have made 2 round trips, plus a beach walk. Breakfast with my roommate Robin, a load of laundry and tonight Lola and I are going to Jazz at the North Coast Brewery in town – a bit of an adventure. Earlier today, they were celebrating 125 years of the Guest House Museum. Originally it was on the site of the original Fort Bragg Hospital, later built as “The Cottage” of a lumber baron of the Union Lumber Company.
Garmin statistics: 67.7 miles, 9.9 mph, 5780 ft ascent!
I goofed yesterday and turned off Strava and thus Relive in Leggett and didn’t turn it back on until after the second hill. So the distance and elevations are definitely incorrect – I’ll try to improve!
Relive: https://www.relive.cc/view/1218324057
Photos later.
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