Death Valley

Posted by Alex on 26 November 2009

Having only my imagination to guide me, I entered Death Valley expecting along flat area with not much apart from sand, dirt and the odd stone. Just like so many times on this trip, our imagination was put to shame by the beauty of our surroundings. It is quite literally impossible to think up such amazing landscapes. Climbing up our first pass out of Owens Valley the vegetation changes markedly, leaving way to small bushes and the odd cactus. Dusk as casting a golden light on the interminable high plateau that we were climbing onto. Coming to the edge of the plateau, the view that offered itself to us in the evening light was indescribable, if only by the sheer magnitude of the spectacle before us.

7 comments. Tags: Alex, fin, death valley. Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA

Eastern California

Posted by Alex on 26 November 2009

After the breathtaking scenery of Yosemite, coming down into the desert of Eastern California offered a strong contrast.

2 comments. Tags: Alex, . Location: Tucson, USA

Death Valley, Eastern California and Nevada

Posted by Fin on 19 November 2009

Cycling through the Death Valley was the highlight of the trip for me so far. I hadn't prepared myself for the beauty of the desert and thrill of freewheeling downhill on a 6% gradient from an elevation of 5500 feet to 285 feet below sea level (Badwater Basin - the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere).

6 comments. Tags: Fin, Alex, Death Valley. Location: Las Vegas, USA

Video on top of North Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

Posted by Fin on 16 November 2009

We took three days off to hike and explore Yosemite National Park. It was incredible. November is a good time to go as there were very few tourists, but I guess we were lucky not to be snowed out that time of year. We camped in Yosemite Valley and did several day hikes; to Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in the US, Nevada and Vedal Falls and also the North Dome. We couldn't hike up Half Dome as the cables to get you to the top had been taken down for the season. If there is ONE thing you should do before you die..its see this place. Check out the video below and Alex's photos in the blog before as they are WAY better than mine.

2 comments. Tags: Fin, Alex, Yosemite. Location: Yosemite , USA

Yosemite Valley

Posted by Alex on 14 November 2009

There are no words that can describe the spectacle that is Yosemite... So here goes.

3 comments. Tags: Alex, Fin, Yosemite, California, Half Dome. Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA

California Redwoods

Posted by Alex on 28 October 2009

Riding through the Redwoods has to be one of the most awe inspiring experiences on a bike. The mere size of these giants is enough to make your head spin.

5 comments. Tags: Alex, . Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

The Oregon Coast

Posted by Alex on 17 October 2009

There is no other way to see the Oregon coast than by bike. Although I have already driven this section several years ago, being on a bike removes the barrier that separates you from the elements when in a car. Feeling the cool sea mist on your face and hearing the sounds of the crashing waves and the raucous sea lions, one feels completely immersed in the landscape.

7 comments. Tags: Alex, Fin, Oregon, Coast. Location: Florence, Oregon, USA

A Day Off in Smith Rock

Posted by Alex on 14 October 2009

Having spent a year in Oregon on a university exchange 5 years ago, Smith Rock has become one of those places that I know I will always return to. As a day off from cycling and to give my legs a rest, Mikio and I headed out to central Oregon to climb "Monkey Space", a rather exposed route on the picturesque Monkey Face tower at Smith Rock.

4 comments. Tags: Alex, Smith Rock, Mikio. Location: Corvallis, USA

The Pacific North West

Posted by Alex on 11 October 2009

Coming back into the US again, we are finding out that we now have to share the road with a lot more people than up North. Our new strategy has therefore been to look at a map and choose the smallest roads, even if it means taking a slightly longer route. Although busy roads are unavoidable when entering or leaving the big cities, we have found beautiful country lanes in between, giving us a real feel for the Pacific Nortwest and allowing us to really experience the serenity and beauty for which this region is renouned.

2 comments. Tags: Alex, Fin, Oregon, Washington, Corvallis. Location: 44.564618,-123.263569

Stewart, Hyder and Prince Rupert

Posted by Alex on 24 September 2009

Throughout our trip, everybody coming from the south has told us to go to Stewart and Hyder, both to see the glaciers and more importantly the bears that congregate there to feed on the spawning Salmon. The road to Stewart is an amazing 67km stretch , with glaciers and waterfalls coming right down to the road. Arriving in Stewart after this is even more surreal, as we come from a high mountain environment straight into a fishing and mining port town, with salty air filling our nostrils and mist lingering over the relatively warm sea waters, quite the contrast.