Woke up to more sunshine, gonna be a great day. The plan for today is Bodega Bay, about 80km away. Nice easy day, and the next and only town between Gualala and San Francisco. Left at about 9:00 after breakfast. The first thing I did, was stop at the local chevron for fresh water and Gatorade. Funny thing, I lost my balance, and fell off my bike in the parking lot. My shoes clip into my pedals, so if you don't get them out in time, you're stuck, and I tipped over helplessly, onto my ass. This was my first - and hopefully my only - tumble off my bike. Good way to start the day.
Anyways, I left a few minutes before Paul, and had a great day in the sun. I was wrong when I said "no more mountains" because I had another couple of massive climbs. My elevation map stops at Gualala, so I had no idea what to expect - I just assumed! The road follows the ocean for the most part, and then climbs the side of a cliff on my right for a good part of the day. Sometimes there's a barrier between you and a cliff, but other times there nothing, only because there's no land in which to stake the post. So basically, the steeper the cliff, the narrower the road, the fewer the safety rails. More than a few times, you're about a foot away from 1000 ft down a rocky embankment into the ocean. Stay steady... and please don't pass... at least right now.
Nonetheless, it was completely unexpected, and beautiful. The descents are very interesting. Lots of switchbacks. Basically, hairpin turns after hairpin turns. I finally got to see where all those car commercials are filmed!
I arrived at Bodega Bay with Paul on my heals at about 3:00 ish, found a nice clean place for $89 (the cheapest in town) and cleaned up, and went for a few beers with Paul at The Sandpiper.
I have about 65 miles (110km) to go to San Francisco. Wow, tomorrow I should be there. I don't know about this leg, how hilly it is, or whatever, but I don't really have much choice, cause there's really nothing between here and there. It'll be somewhat of a long day, but I've done longer. I want to be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge, take some pictures, reflect, enjoy it, cycle across it, and then I have to find a place to stay all by tomorrow night. Kinda nervous about it, cause its like trying to find a motel in downtown Vancouver or something. I'm sure they're there, I just never really looked before. I'll also be arriving late in the day. I'm sure I can find something for at least the first night, then if I have to, I can always move the next day. Maybe. I just checked. $400/night. D'oh!
I haven't figured out how I am getting home yet. I could probably fly to Portland pretty easily, but I still have to get to Astoria for my car. I also have to get my bike home, or sent to Portland, or Astoria. If I had known I'd be going this far south, I probably would have started in Portland. Oh we'll, that'll be a problem to figure out for the next day in San Fran. I'll worry about that then...
Next stop: SAN FRANCISCO!!!! (or maybe I should carry on to San Diego?... Kidding :)
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