Back home in Colorado

Arrived back in Colorado this past Thursday. Ended the journey just north of San Francisco. Had an opportunity to catch a ride from S.F. to Denver with a guy who used to live right down the street from me in Aurora. Small world. A young Australian woman from Tasmania also rode with us, which resulted in some fun, interesting conversations. Final tally was just under 1200 miles. I got to see some amazing scenery in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California. I also was able to obtain a wealth of knowledge for any future cross country rides. I made a number of rookie mistakes but feel like I learned from them. Once again, thanks to everyone who supported the ride and cause. I'm still hoping to find ways to have bikes donated to kids who would otherwise not have the opportunity to have access to them financially. Anyone who has any ideas or know of bike shops in your area that would be open to donating bikes to kids, please let me know.

Two days out of San Francisco

Been cycling down the rugged California coast via Hwy.1. Going to camp just north of the Golden Gate bridge the next 2 nights, then hoping to hook up with a guy with a van who is driving to Denver, leaving Wednesday morning. Could be back in the Mile High city by Thursday if things go as planned. 1105 miles behind me with less than 100 to go!

Been a pretty eventful last 3 days. Biked from Eureka to Humboldt Redwoods State Park on Tuesday. Unbelievable scenery. The gigantic redwoods are pretty much beyond description. If you haven't been there...go. Then biked to Standish-Hickey State Park and had a great night camping with an awesome group of people of all ages. We sat around and drank beer and exchanged stories of things we've encountered on the road. I met a young Mexican national who was biking north from Mexico City. I also met an amazing woman, Pierrette Roy (http://www.freedomwalkforpeace.com/) who is walking...yes walking...from Canada to Mexico and beyond to raise awareness for peace. Her inspiration was another incredible woman, Peace Pilgrim (http://www.peacepilgrim.org/) who walked over 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. Today, after some grueling climbs, my bike gave out on me. Had to hitch a ride from just south of Westport to Ft. Bragg so I can take the bike into a bike shop to assess the damage. Covered close to 140 miles including the last 10 miles I was able to transport my ailing bike.

Change of plans

When I first started seriously planning this trip, it was difficult because I had never done anything like this before. I really had no idea how I was going to be able to handle all the climbs or how far I could average per day. After 861 miles, I've come to the realization that it is going to take me longer and cost me more money than I had anticipated. I am currently approximately 320 miles from the San Francisco area and have decided I don't have the legs or the necessary funds to go any further. With that in mind, I have decided to end the ride there. Not going to hang my head in shame for completing at least 1200 miles, although it would have been nice to say I went from Canada to Mexico. Maybe another day. I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement along the way. And a special shout out to my daughter Rachel, who has administered the facebook page (Old Guy on a Bike) and posted all the updates throughout the ride. I will continue the blog for the next 300 plus miles. And remember, it's still not too late to donate (http://oldguy63onabike.blogspot.com/2013/06/donations.html) to the cause through here or directly to Louie's Kids.

Crescent City to Eureka

Left Crescent City Saturday morning and made it just south of Orick. Two monster hills with basically no shoulder I wasn't really up for so jumped on a bus for part of the ride. Turns out most of the passengers end up being cyclists with the same mindset, so felt a little better about the decision. Stayed at a privately owned campsite, then biked into Eureka Sunday. Looking forward to biking through the heart of the redwoods the next few days.

Good-bye scenic Oregon Coast.

Overcame some mechanical issues and completed the Oregon portion of the ride. Highlights were spending a day with my son and his lovely bride in Lincoln City, all the gorgeous scenery along the coast and the unexpected beauty of watching the sunset at Harris Beach State Park last night. Crossed over into California late this morning and spending the night (and possibly an extra day)in Crescent City to plan out the northern California route. Have close to 775 miles behind me and some monster hills ahead of me.

Another day....another broken spoke.

Had another broken spoke on the same (rear) wheel a few miles short of Coos Bay. Decided the tires needed to be replaced so found a bike shop that fixed the spoke at no charge and sold me a couple of new but clearance priced tires that are more made for touring. Hope that solves the problem. Spent two days getting from just south of Florence to Coos Bay. Very frustrating. Still hope to make California sometime on Friday.

Good Day/Bad Day...Part II

Had a very pleasant, scenic ride from Yachats to Jessie M. Honeyman State Park where I camped last night. Good day. Woke up today after it rained all night. Packed up all my wet stuff and headed out around 9am and hoped to make it to Coos Bay, 47 miles south. Got 2 miles down the road and had my first mechanical issue. Broken spoke. Had to bike back to Florence to fix the spoke problem. Luckily, found a bike shop open on Labor Day. Lost an entire morning and added 12 miles to the days ride. Finally headed south and hit a strong headwind and horrible holiday traffic. Biked 38 miles to gain 26 miles and finally gave up and set up camp at Umpqua. Bad day.

Back on the road....

After 2 days off the bike in Lincoln City, OR to rest up my legs and spend a really nice, relaxing day with the newlyweds, Mike and Bethan...my son and daughter-in-law who drove down from Portland, I had to get back on the saddle and continue the journey south. Biked from Lincoln City to Yachats. Nice little town on the ocean. Even mingled with the locals for a bit. Puts me pretty much halfway through Oregon. If I can continue to bike 40-55 miles a day, should cross into California mid-week or so.

Resting up.

Made it to Lincoln City yesterday afternoon. I've pedaled a little over 180 miles in the last four days. My legs are pretty dead so going to take a little time off here in this oceanside city to give the old legs a break. Post a progress report again in a few days.

North Oregon Coast

Spent back to back nights with Warm Showers hosts. Last night in Seaside and tonight in Bay City. Went out to a pub and swapped stories with my Seaside host and sat around the table and enjoyed a great meal and homemade wine with my Bay City hosts tonight. A young couple, with their dog, also are spending the night. Good people all around. Biked through my 1st tunnel, saw great scenery, and had a flat along the way. Total biking experience.

Goodbye Washington....Hello Oregon!

Left Raymond during a dense fog early this morning and biked to the Astoria Bridge. Contemplated camping on the Washington side because of all the weekend traffic on the bridge, but then decided to go for it. Now I'm glad I did. Staying in Astoria tonight and starting the Oregon Coast portion of the journey. From everything I've heard, the scenery is going to awesome. Legs are getting stronger every day.

Good Day/Bad Day

Had a great day yesterday. Woke up to an awesome breakfast provided by my WarmShowers hosts, Larye and Judy. Biked from Shelton to Lake Sylvia State Park north of Montesano, about 38 miles of gentle hills. Camped overnight, and was planning on biking to Bay Center, but ended up stopping at Raymond after a not particularly pleasant ride. Rained most of the day, lots of splashback from trucks, very hilly terrain and my chain came off. Good news is...approximately 60 miles to the Oregon border!

With a little help....

Over the past 3 days, I have made it from Port Angeles, WA to Shelton, WA. A guy I met in Discovery Bay offered to transport myself and bike part of the way in the back of his pick-up truck after warning me of some dangerous curves with little to no shoulder, so I took him up on his offer. After biking into Shelton, I stopped at Blondie's for a bite to eat and saw a bunch of Packer stuff up on the wall. Ended up getting to know Blondie's sister, Rose, who informed me both her and her sister were big time Packer fans. Upon getting up to leave and pay, she tells me, "Don't worry about it...it's on me"! And tonight I am experiencing my first Warm Showers hosts. I am staying at the house of a wonderful couple, Larye and Judy Parkins. They host bicyclists on a regular basis. They told me I am the 39th rider they hosted just this year. They are extremely generous and friendly. A Dutch couple, coming to the end of a 5,000 mile adventure are also staying the night. This has definitely been the most social day of the ride so far.

Back in the U.S.

Spent 2 nights camping south of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, then spent the last 2 days biking to Victoria and catching the ferry across to Port Angeles, Washington. Wish I could have spent more time in Victoria, seems like an interesting city to spend a couple days in. Tomorrow starting the 101 route through Washington. Have no idea what kind of pace I'll be able to set, but not going to push it. Post again in a couple of days.

On the road...

Finally left Bellingham on Friday morning. Wasn't planning on a knock-down cold to start things off. Crossed the border and biked through Vancouver and Stanley Park, then up to Horseshoe Bay to catch the ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Found a campsite about 5 miles out of town. Got in really late, so going to stay an extra day to continue getting over this damn cold. Only one direction for the rest of the trip.....SOUTH!

Heading North

Hopped the train to Bellingham, WA and arrived late last night. Going to spend the day here getting my bike ready for the ride. Hope to be in Vancouver tomorrow. Fighting a nasty cold so might delay things a day or two, but no turning back now.

The Wedding!

Together with the family at Mike and Bethan's wedding in beautiful Hood River, Oregon on August 10th. They were married outside on a slightly cloudy, but otherwise gorgeous day. It was a very happy occasion and a great way to start off this adventure. I will be catching the train to Bellingham, Washington tomorrow (8/12) and reuniting with my bike the following day.

Bike is on the way!

Bike and gear have been shipped to the Canadian border. I will be flying into Portland on 8/9 for my son's wedding the following day. Then taking the train to Bellingham, WA to pick up my gear and bike across the border into Vancouver, B.C. The plan at this time is to bike around Vancouver Island for a few days before heading south back into the U.S. and down the coast. I'll post as often as I can during the journey. Thanks to Louie's Kids for their help and the great work they do to help combat childhood obesity.

Change in Departure Date

I was originally planning on leaving Vancouver, B.C. on or about July 22nd. About 2 weeks ago, a cyst in my back became infected. I've been in and out of the VA Medical Center in Denver having this thing cut open and drained, then packed and re-packed pretty much every 2 or 3 days since. This has been quite a painful and really bad timed situation. I was hoping to be healed enough to still depart as originally planned. Unfortunately that's not the case at this point. I will now be leaving Vancouver on August 12th or 13th, fully healed, after attending my son's wedding in Hood River, Oregon on the 10th. Slight change in plans, but luckily this happened now as opposed to 2 or 3 weeks into the ride. Glass half full, right? Can't wait to start this adventure.

Donations

If anyone would like to donate anything to support this worthy cause, click on the provided button below. Anything would be appreciated and nothing is too small. Thanks!

About the ride

I will be setting out from Vancouver, B.C. on a solo bike ride to bring awareness and hopefully raise funds to help combat childhood obesity. I will be traveling the Pacific Coast Highway along the entire west coast until I reach Tijuana, Mexico. My planned departure date is July 22nd, which gives me another month to prepare. I will be posting updates and pictures throughout the ride. Wish me luck! Attached is a link from the Denver Post that has published a story about the ride: http://yourhub.denverpost.com/aurora/bike-ride-childhood-obesity/2YFxKccrycOXzHgDWJe8zK-ugc