Back to West          Riders

DAY 10
These trees have been here a long time

Yesterday          Tomorrow
ROUTE: Eureka to Garberville CA DISTANCE: 80 miles WINDS: North 15...nice tailwinds
WEATHER: Sunny and warm in the afternoon...high 78 TERRAIN: Hilly TOTAL CLIMBING: 3600 feet

DAILY REPORT:  It was another great weather day.  It was a bit on the chilly side when we pulled out, but the sunny skies warmed the temperatures quickly and before long we were shedding clothes and enjoying the mild day.  That being said, it was still hard to dress appropriately as when we were in the open, the sun was warm and comfortable.  But when we entered the redwoods, it was on the cool side again as the light was pretty much blocked the entire time we were in the trees.

Our route today was again varied.  The early morning route wound it way through a myriad of dairy farms with Holstein and Jersey cattle grazing in the pastures (above right).  Between these farms we passed through a couple quaint little towns that reminded us of something out of an earlier time...no sprawl with fast food franchises and motels, but a vibrant downtown with the only motel right on main street.  Everything you needed was right on the main drag in downtown where several riders stopped and got a sandwich before tackling the big climbs before the first SAG.  You just don't see towns like this back east.  It was quite nice if you ask me.

A few miles after leaving the SAG, the scenery changed drastically from dairy farms to old growth Redwood forests...trees that were thousands of years old lined the roadway and presented us with awesome scenes as we made our way southward.  These trees were definitely bigger than the ones I grew up with in Indiana.  They were as majestic as they were even when this country was discovered...even spiritual.  It's hard to believe they've survived so long with all the logging and natural phenomenon that affected their growth.  As we meandered through the tall, stoic redwoods, I couldn't help but stop several times just to admire their beauty. 

At the second SAG, we were stationed at a tourist trap with a tree that was over 5000 years old we could ride through.  Even though the tree had seen better days and was supported with cables to keep it upright, you could see signs of life growing from its tough bark as it stood proudly for all to admire.  Somehow I felt it wasn't a fitting setting for such a magnificent tree in it's final days...which may last another several hundred years.  One thing I am happy about is that most of the redwoods we saw today are protected from future logging efforts.  It would be a shame to destroy these wonderful items...live long big trees.

The final punch into town was back on the highway with a kicking tailwind...and most of it was downhill.  I was feeling really good all day and was pushing the pace to the motel when I had a flat just as I was starting up the last 2 mile climb to the motel.  I didn't want to pop a cartridge to fix it for only a mile so I started walking up the hill.  Just as I saw the motel (about a tenth of a mile away), Karen drove up in the mechanic's van..."Need any help?"  All I could think of was, "Where were you a mile ago?"  I fixed the tire within sight of the motel and was able to ride the last tenth of a mile to finish my day.  Bill stated I should roll down to the bottom so I could climb back up, but I thought better of that idea. 

After rap, we had dinner at this little pizza, vegetarian, Mexican, Italian restaurant...you heard it here first.   You could get about anything you wanted if you just looked.  The place was right out out of the 60s just like the rest of the town.  It was decorated with tin signs, model cars, and advertisements from a bygone era.  The whole town is a throwback from the 60s...there were a lot of hippies that were still wandering around the streets...and they smoke something a little different here too.

If that wasn't enough to top off a perfect day, the motel had a wine and cheese reception for everyone just after dinner.  I hope the riders don't expect this every day now...but I must say it was a nice gesture after dinner.

Tomorrow we climb again...I'm really enjoying the climbing so I'm looking forward to another great day in the saddle.  It's supposed to have a chance of rain...hope not.  See you tomorrow...thanks for checking in.  M

 

HEARD DURING THE DAY:

"My bike isn't making noises today...all I hear is the intoxicating hum of the road."
"Was that why you missed the last turn...the intoxicating him?"

"Last time I came through here these trees were only knee high."
"Wow Bill, I thought you planted these trees."

"I'll bet rap is where the route sheets are."

"I'll have trouble navigating today."
"Why?"
"I don't have my KPS."
"You mean your GPS?"
"No, my KPS...my Karen Positioning System."

"Why haven't you had any flats."
"I just ride behind Dave...his tires pick up all the bad stuff."

"Is Barbara your wife?"
"Yes, why?"
"She's a saint."
"You just caught her on a good day."

Heard at 5:15
"Barbara, when's rap?"
"At 4:45."
"Oh, right when you said it would be wasn't it...I guess I missed it."
"Well...yeah."

 CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT:

About 20 miles into the ride I came upon Dave and Bob changing a tire.  Seems Dave had done it again (remember a couple days ago when he ran over a razor knife)...he'd run over a screw that gave him a blow out and it was a pretty bad one...one that required a boot.  By the time I'd gotten there, he'd already put it all back together and Barb was driving by...all was good as she had a pump.  I helped him pump it up to pressure and just as I said, "Let's check your boot," POW!  It blew out again.  OK, let's do forensics again.  Seems Dave had done a good job booting the big hole that was in the tread, but he failed to see the hole the screw had also made in the sidewall. 

Dave's cohort in crime, Bob A wasn't above a "CBIDT" award today either.  Seems he was caught at the SAG adorning his face with grease remover thinking it was our SPF 50 sun screen.  The containers are similar...so you can see how he may have been confused.  Not sure of the protection, but not even a trace of grease could be found on his face for the rest of the day.

SCENES OF THE DAY?

Some people will go to all lengths to get an unusual picture frame.

These trees aren't so big.

Photo supplied by Gerard Boisse

In the small town of Weott, this marker shows the water level in 1964 during a devastating flood that wiped out the entire town.  To put it in perspective a bit, I'm standing approximately 100 feet above the river and this marker shows 33 feet of water over where I'm standing.  Seems they had 32 inches of rain in 3 days on top of a big snow fall...I think they got the town name from the statement, "Weott to build this town higher on the side of the mountain."

This is the ring that was formed the year Christ was born.  This tree was over 3200 years old when it fell.

John was really excited when he found where he was on the map at the motel.  I think it was just because the "You are here" arrow showed him he was in Garberville.  Now if he could just find a way to fold it and put it in his pocket, he'd be in business.

Forget to sign in one more time and you'll have to hold both feet at the same time.

Copyright © 2007 by Bamacyclist  
All rights reserved.