California Dreaming..(or cursing)

Posted by Fin on 30 October 2009

The photos and video make the ride down the Northern Coast of California look incredible - it was amazing to get out of the forests and back on the coast, but the constant swtichbacks, up and downs, and lack of shoulder to ride on almost broke me to tears. 6400km so far and hurting still....

7 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: San Francisco, USA

California's Redwood National Park

Posted by Fin on 28 October 2009

Cycling through the Avenue of Giants made us feel very small. The Redwoods are the largest trees in the World and riding a bike for 30 miles through the forests was an awe inspiring experience.

1 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

The Beautiful Oregon Coast

Posted by Fin on 25 October 2009

Here are a few shots of the our ride down the Oregon Coast - I had been looking forward to this part the most and it didn't disappoint - the Land of the Goonies - one of my favourite films!!

1 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: Fort Bragg, CA, USA

Onto the 101, Oregon and the Pacific Coast

Posted by Fin on 22 October 2009

Approaching the 6000km mark, Alex and I left Corvallis and headed directly west to Newport on the central Oregon Coast. From there it would be 1100km south to San Fransisco, along the Pacific Coast, the stretch I had been looking forward to the most.

1 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: Bullards Beach, USA

Portland and Corvallis, Oregon State, USA

Posted by Fin on 17 October 2009

We had a week off in Portland and Corvallis in Oregon. It was the perfect place as Alex had good friends there from his university days and I was very happy to stay in Portland with Dan, Lauren and co.

3 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: Corvallis, 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

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

On to Portland, Oregon State, USA

Posted by Fin on 8 October 2009

It was a big shock returning to camping on the side of the road to find winter had hit and we were facing below freezing temperatures at night. I had packed gear for summer and starting 7 weeks late has meant my sleeping bag is woefully inadequate - layers of ice had formed on the tent and pannniers and it took 2 hours of riding until I could feel my hands. We camped in the grounds of a fire station on the first of three nights to ride to Portland as finding remote 'stealth' camping spots is getting harder and harder as we head south.

2 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: Portland, USA

Seattle, Washington State, USA

Posted by Fin on 6 October 2009

We pedalled like crazy from the Boeing factory the remaining 45km into Seattle to avoid rush hour, fading light, thunderstorms and lightening. The hail stones and thunder caught up with us and we were soaked through for the final three hours. Highway 99 was our best route in for bikes but it was still three lanes of traffic - pretty intense in torrential rain.

2 comments. Tags: Fin, . Location: Seattle, USA

Roller Blading in Vancouver's Stanley Park

Posted by Fin on 1 October 2009

We could have cycled around Stanley Park but Alex persuaded me to try Roller Blading. This was an error. I used to be pretty good at roller 'skating', the old skool 80's style back in the day on saturday mornings at the Oak Park Leisure Centre when I was 10. But blading, I found out is completely different. I am still hurting a few days later. Huge highlight had to be the marching pipe bands of the many Canadian and American Police Forces in honour of those killed in the line of duty. See the youtube link below for a little video. Here are some photos of our wonderful 4 days in Vancouver - thanks SO much to Heidi Coleman, a friend I had made in the Marshall Islands, who gave up her apartment so we could stay (and boyfriend Les for the cookies!)