DAYS 70 - 82 - ALL GOOD THINGS

So I kinda didn't update this blog as I traveled down the west coast.  The main reason was the lack of libraries in the small ocean side towns I cycled through.  Another reason was with all the climbing along the coast (after making it across the country) my legs were sore and I was taking my time completing the 60-70 miles a day I was doing, and sitting in a library trying to update a backlog of days didn't sound appealing.  The west coast was my "bonus" ride that I thought was going to be a wind down ride, which turned out to be chuck full of climbing!

So, how was the west coast?  Awesome scenery, some of the best of the trip!  But the roads!  Oh, the roads... lots of traffic and no shoulders!  If I was going to get hit by a car at any point on this trip, it would have been the west coast.  

But the sights, from the ocean views to the giant redwood forests to crossing the golden gate bridge, it was awesome.  And I loved the convenient state parks all along the coast, $5 hiker/biker sites and most had showers.  I started getting used to this ease of camping.  

I also met a whole bunch of friends along the way.  The west coast route was by far the most popular route of the trip, every night the hiker / biker sites would be full of 5-15 bikers, and you would see the same people almost every night in sections where there were state parks every 60 or so miles, which was a good distance to cover for a day.

Alas, all good things have to come to an end.  By the time I hit San Francisco I could tell I needed an extended rest off the bike, my knees were telling me they wanted more than a token day off every two weeks or so.  Plus, my friends from home were planning on doing a cycling tour around Lake Champlain in a week's time which I really wanted to join them on.  

My good friend Jose who lives in San Jose drove down to Santa Cruz and picked me up on day 82.  We went back to his place and I hung out with him and his family for the weekend while I packed up my bike.  I flew out on Sunday evening and arrived in Syracuse, NY, Monday around noon!

All in all, 82 days & 5,340 miles!  It was an epic adventure!  At times I questioned if I would make it, but I met so many great people along the way, some hosted me, some rode with me.  I will remember this trip for as long as I live.  What should I do next?

Seaside, OR to Santa Cruz, CA