Seattle to SanFrancisco

1 Month, 1000 Miles

2009-08-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

This blog is a record, made via cheapo cell phone camera and keypad, of our September/October 2008 bicycle tour from Seattle, Washington to San Francisco, California made on an antique Schwinn Paramount tandem bicycle while pulling our 55 pound dog Bruno behind us in a trailer. Bruno has asked me to add that he got out and helped to pull us up ALL the hills.

Unwinding

2008-10-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

What an amazing feeling. We rode with michael 30 miles from samuel p taylor through marin to the bridge via sausalito. Perfect weather, cyclists everywhere, and great roads. Couldn't have been a better final day. It was an emotional ride across the bridge. And, um, who called the blue angels?

Time for a shower

2008-10-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

1 couple, 1 bike, 1 dog, 1 trailer, 1 month, 1000 miles.

Feels really weird to be in a car.

1 mile to go

2008-10-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

It's cold let's go!

2008-10-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

The last night

2008-10-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

We're camped with haley and michael at samuel p taylor st park! Today was slow for a long time, because of our big and exhausting day yesterday, but by late afternoon we were feeling ourselves once again. The ride into marin county was beautiful and it was a bizarre feeling slowly recognizing more and more familiar landmarks and places. Tomorrow we plan to enjoy the final 30 miles from here to crossing the golden gate bridge. Hard to believe it's almost over. But there are still a couple big hills ahead!

At manchester state beach

2008-10-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

We were headed for the state park until we heard that the KOA next to it had a hot tub. They also had trash removal service, as you can see.

Sonoma coast

2008-10-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

California coastline at its best. But brutal when you have several of these hills to climb at the end of a 63 mile day. We walked up the last few. Made it to wright's beach st park just after sunset, pooped and pleased. Two days to go.

End of a crazy day

2008-10-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

Camped in cleone at a st park. There's a kid's camp going on, so i must wait in line for a toilet with small people.
This morning saw 2 massive climbs and 2 great great descents. Lunch in westport was yummy, followed by some meaningful conversation with marie, who runs the store there. Actually, it began the same with gary this morning, who runs the peg house back in leggett. "never don't stop," they say there.
1 mile after chatting with marie, which ended on a note about fate and control, we had a good scare. In a really sharp banked turn, the trailer rolled over, throwing Bruno and all our stuff into the road and about sending us out of control. Gladly everything and everyone is fine, though Bruno was a bit shaken up and he did get a couple small scratches. Okay okay, we were shaken up too. We're glad to be in camp safe and sound. The rest of the ride was quite hilly and now we're pooped. More hills tomorrow!

New bridge

2008-10-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

We climbed the 101 where it has clearly fallen into the river below countless times. Not for much longer- they're building a massive bridge to replace this section just south of piercy. The middle section has not yet met either side. It's just balanced on that little cement pillar.

Back at the pacific at last

2008-10-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

It's all the coast on rt 1 from here. Lunch in westport and a little rest for the day's last push. Hoping to cross the golden gate this weekend.

The big one's behind us

2008-10-07T17:51:00.001-07:00

At the crest of the pass south of leggett. 1800 ft. Bruno helped to pull the entire way! It was an awesome 15 mile descent after. We stopped to let the brakes and the wheels cool down, to avoid meltdown at high speed. This was followed by an even steeper 3 mile torturefest. But well worth it, as we coasted coastward.

Sharon's pretty amped about that bridge

2008-10-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

Where to camp?

2008-10-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

Rolling in late to benbow for camping. it was a good long day with gradual improvements in both mood and weather. Rode 30 mile avenue of the giants today - beautiful! Would only be better going the other way. Downhill.

Rainy day in arcata

2008-10-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Just 30 seconds after posting our last photo, we broke a spoke on the rear wheel. No problems riding on into town, but between that and the rain storm it was finally time for a day off. The wheel is being repaired, we're warm and dry in a hotel room and taking turns catching up on our trip journal. All is well, the weather should improve tomorrow, and the pizza joint down the street is calling our names. I think Bruno appreciates the break too.

Wow moment number 739

2008-10-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Cleaning out the cleats

2008-10-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is a road?

Stuck in the mud

2008-10-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

Road repair south of trinidad.

2008-10-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here goes nothin.

Last night in klamath

2008-10-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

No opener

2008-10-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

We've all been here before. I tore off my thumbnail doing this once.

Bruno is Pooped

2008-10-01T14:20:00.001-07:00

He ran up the entire hill today.

Babe the blue ox and Bruno

2008-10-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

We stayed last night in a crescent city rv park for lack of a better campground nearby. It's more or less like camping in a stranger's back yard. It was improved immensely by the company of matt and gretchen, a couple we've befriended along the way. Real good people, and we shared stories into the night by a campfire.
The climb today leaving crescent city about took all we had to give, but we made it over and enjoyed the ride down the other side. That's when we paid a visit to good ol paul bunyan.
We're Camped in klamath, ate our faces off on subway footlongs, ready for some solid sleep. Just gotta wait for that darn sun to go away. In the meantime We're watching a seal swim around in the river and thinking about taking hot showers.
Tomorrow another good climb and then pretty flat till legget. Feels like We're getting close.

UBER ALLES CA-LI-FORNIA

2008-09-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Urp. NOW We're ready to ride.

2008-09-29T11:00:00.000-07:00