Bike4Christ Biking for charities

DAY 13 - Tuesday, October 2 - DAILY QUOTES

Josh - I enjoyed my ride with Daddy today for 22 miles. We saw cows and deer on our ride.

Kristi - The 22 miles I rode today were great….probably the best miles of the day with the least hills/mountains. Support crew is going well. We have a great team.

Jesse – I missed putting in something the last few days. I am usually the last to write on the computer because I write so much, and everyone tries to get on before me. So, by the time they get done, I am ready for bed at 8pm. Which reminds me, the schedule for our days go something like this. Get up at 6am and get ready to ride. The temp has pretty much been 40-45 degrees each morning. We have a little snack before we leave, usually a banana, some hot chocolate, and something sweet (donut, or something like that). WE leave camp by 7:15 am, and ride until breakfast at around 9:15. WE get in around 25 miles before breakfast. Then we ride about another 30-35 miles before lunch (with our support crew stopping somewhere in between to give us snacks or water). Then we ride until we finish 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 miles. We eat dinner after everyone gets in from the ride and most have a shower – we usually eat around 6pm. Finally we hang around until bed time around 8-9 pm. And then the whole routine starts all over again the next day.

Now, back to the last couple of days. Sunday we rode from Eureka to Peircy CA. Eureka was along the coastline, while Peircy was in the mountains. To get there we had to ride through the Redwood forests again. They are so majestic. I got to stop at one place where they had a room inside the bottom of the tree. Once we got to Peircy we camped in the redwood forest. In fact, Someone set there tent up inside a partial hollowed out part of a redwood tree that was about 17 feet in diameter. They even stayed dry because of that, as it rained that night, and we had to start out in the rain the next day.

Monday we had to climb up about 2000 feet from the Redwood forest back to the coastline. The climb was lasted a total of 7 miles or so, with some very technical descents. That mean there were a lot of switchbacks as we descended. I got way out in front on the climb, but it worked out as I have had some small bike problems. Therefore once I got into a town, I stopped at a bike shop and got my bike fixed. But once again, it took about 2 hours or so to get it all done. I even had to go back after I left the shop the first time. I got into camp later than most, but enjoyed the ride back to camp with Jim and Jan Crouse. We stayed on the coast, and we got to see some seals even.

Today we had a pretty tough time of climbing, as we went along the coast. There were even a few hills that were so steep that a few of the people had to walk up them. The hills were up and down all day, as we went 91 miles. There were also many switchbacks in the route today too. I really did enjoy the challenge though. After today’s ride we have completed 1009 miles in 11 days of riding. Only 9 more days of riding left.

Well, I am getting a hard time by Dutch because of writing this book, but I just want to say “hi” and “miss you” to Solomon and Josiah, my two wonderful boys. And I also want to “hi” and “I love you” to Sherry, my awesome wife who put up with my training and let me go on this trip. Thanks honey, we are halfway done, looking forward to seeing you next week.

Dutch - Today started off with a bang as we saw Jeff fly about 8 feet out of his tent. Some suspect his wife, others the dog, but those of us in the know believe it was a tag team operation. The ride started with a 14% climb just to get from the RV park to highway 1. And it never let up. At a place called Ocean Cove I met a beautiful young woman named Christine. She was cycling from L.A. to Vancouver Canada all by herself and self supported. Good luck Christine! Phoenix (Neil) from the Love Forum met some of the group on the road. They were encouraged by his ringing of the cow bell. Phoenix, that was me (SoCalRoadie) sitting with the good looking gal in front of the store. Remember keep the rubber side down and fleshy side up!

Craig – It was another very cold start this morning. We were soon warmed up by the 14% grade climb out of the river bed campground up to the Albion River Bridge. The northern California coastline along route 1 is simply amazing. We also saw elk, deer and sea lions along our route today. I praise God for Mexican Medical Ministries and the Gabriel House and I pray people are supporting these worthy ministries.

Jody – By God’s Grace, I made it another 92 miles. Glad to be moving on out of the darkness. I’m thankful for the sunshine. I was encouraged today in a number of ways. I’m hoping to make it two more days and then I can rest. I’m really looking forward to that. It was a treat to get some smoked salmon and albacore at a natural foods store today. Have had a number of times on this trip when I’ve been desperate to find a bathroom. I could write quite a lot on those experiences but will refrain.

Dave - Today we rode down highway 1 along the beautiful coastline. There was lots of wildlife. As we passed Fort Ross, I remembered when my good friend Jim Kirkwold was living their while restoring the Fort for the state of CA. At that time he gave me a tour and I was intrigued by the history of the whole area. We rode a 92 mile day of ups and downs. Our Grand total mileage is: 1009.