This was a long day, starting as day light began to appear, ending about 75 miles later. The beaches along this stretch seem endless. I was glad I was not riding the paths along the beaches on a weekend.
I saw an interesting flower at Will Rogers State Beach.
Flower
I met Dave on the right and his friend from the Netherlands about lunch time near Lax, but on the beach path.
This is the view from my tent this morning at Plaskett Creek Campground, looking out at the Pacific. I needed to take the tent down to finish packing, so there is less light than later in the morning. The day started with a climb, a descent with switchbacks and curves then a steep climb. After 15 miles the serious climbing was finished. I rode a little over 60 miles today. Another sunshiny day.
Elephant seals
I stopped a few times to watch elephant seals today. These are large, but not as large as the full grown males.
Near Hearst Castle
I rode past the Hearst Castle this morning, stopping at the Hearst Beach for lunch. The views along the coast were great.
Old Ford
This beautiful old Ford was one of the cars I saw at lunch time. a car club had stopped for lunch creating an impromptu car show.
Mark
At Cayucos, a stopped to check my book for the route into Morro Bay. Mark pulled up on. Carbon fiber road bike, asking if I needed directions. I followed him in to Morrow Bay along some scenic and some nice residential areas. it kept me off of a busy section of Highway 1. He was near the end of a hundred mile ride for the day. Thanks Mark.
I met Ken Bettencourt at Bodaga Dunes last week. We have camped in the same campground many times in the last week. He is an experienced bicycle tourist eventually headed to Costa Rica. We had many chances to exchange stories of our bicycle travels. he has been out seven months one.
It is not every day that you meet one of the pioneers of mountain biking. Don Koski’s old business card says he had the world’s first mountain bike shop in 1970!
Kyle
We saw the Biketober Fest during set up as we rode California Highway one to San Francisco. It was a fun interlude. We met Kyle with Cliff Bar’s. He was touring in Oregon at the time the big storm hit. I love that mojo dark chocolate, almond with sea salt.
I first met Rowan and Laurel the morning after I rode in to the Nehalem Bay State Park on a dark and stormy night. Rowan grinds coffee every morning. I next saw them at Cape Lookout near Tillamook and then many times after that up to yesterday at Bodega Dunes. I enjoyed camping and and visiting with them over that time.
I first met Lee and Shirley at Harris Beach in Brookings,Oregon. They are here from England bicycle touring the Pacific coast. We met off and over a ten day period. They have toured excessively, and added greatly to the enjoyment of touring and and camping together.
At Manchester, California I met Nick, Deb and their dog Ziggy. This was several days ago now. They are making their way back to San Francisco about 20 miles each day. Ziggy weighs 70 or more pound; add to that the heavy duty trailer.
Since crossing the challenging hills at Crescent City, California, I have been traveling with Mark Miller and Mark Kim. After camping together for five nights, they seem like long time friends.
Late this afternoon we parted as I stayed at the Manchester KOA and they continued on to a campground another 20 plus miles away. They are returning to Sacramento while I continue my bicycle travels south.
September 27, day 11: I stopped for groceries before leaving Lincoln City, Oregon. As I checked out the Cashier asked about my trip. He said he say me earlier standing in front of the automatic exit door, wondering why it would not open. He had to laugh, adding they can’t laugh in the customer’s face. I read his name badge. He said, “Maybe you know my cousin Bubba Gump.” We both laughed. I told him he had brightened my day. When he came out to collect carts, I asked to get a picture with him.