Day 44-45: Manchester Beach to Mendocino, Ca

Hey everyone!

Well that Morning I took my time leaving and decided to use the laundry room and cook all my food in the kitchen. I definitely realized after being outdoors for 44 days I really appreciated having a full Kitchen to cook my food in when before this trip I would just take it for granted.

I bought some potatos and just used the microwave to cook them after using my camp stove all this time it felt like cheating lol!

well I didn't hit the road till 1pm today I hadn't camped anywhare that nice for quite awile! but I eventually headed out.

I had more curvy roads and sceneic views to enjoy!

After about 10 miles I made my way to Elk, CA whare I saw a bathroom and a path down to the beach so I stopped and checked it out.

Well then I hit the road again and got some more nice shots as I got closer to Mendocino, Ca

Well once I got to Mendocino I stopped in to the store to get a few things and I also went to a Kitchen co-op called The Corners of the mouth a place that Courtney told me about to get a more supplies. After that I headed to Russian Gulch State Park to camp for the night. 

When I pulled in I saw it was closed but there was no one around so I headed on in.

The next day it started raining pretty hard and nobody was around today either. So I just decided to take a day break to catch up on some blogging do some maintenance work on my bike and relax. Well that's all for this chapter thanks for reading.

Day 43: Still Water Cove to Manchester Beach Koa

Hey Everyone!

Woke up to another Gorgeous day and me and Jessie chatted some more and between that and having to do some work on my bike I didn't leave till almost 2pm! So that afternoon I hit the road.

          Soon after that I made a Stop at Stump beach several people told me to check it out so I did.

I walked in and checked out the views it was definitely a hidden gem!

Well after that I hit the Road again and got some more great views!

Soon after that I saw this sign this which made me more cautious.

Well after some more Riding I got some great sunset views!

I got to the town of Point Area about 5 miles away from Manchester and stopped in for a min before going the rest of the way.

After some more night riding I finally made it to Manchester, Ca!

I was excited about the campground tonight It was the Manchester Beach KOA they only charge 10$/night for cyclists and have a hot tub swimming pool Kitchen and a Laundry room and free showers! Once I got camp set up I went over use the hot tub! 

Well after that I took a shower changed then I headed to bed. Well thats all for this chapter thanks for reading!

Day 42: Bodega Bay to Still Water Cove regional park

Hey everyone!

Well the next morning I got up and I tripped getting out of my tent and Broke My tent pole!

Luckily I remembered I had a tent pole repair kit I could use and borrowed some duck tape from the ranger to repair it.

Well after that I made breakfast and got packed up and headed out. And soon after I left the park I got some great scenery!

Soon after the roads Didn't have much of any shoulder or even none at all as you can see in the pic below!

Soon after the roads improved and I had a shoulder to ride on again and got some nice country scenery!

I loved to ring my bell and "MOO" as I rode by farms All the Animals would stare at you and follow you as you rode by it always made me laugh! :-)

                               Got a good mix of costal and scenic shots on this day!

                  After a bit I had a hill climb that went by Bell Mountain on my way to Fort Ross,Ca.

                           After a bit I finally Made it to the top and had a great view!

There was also a Memorial spot I checked out.

Then I went screaming fast down hill and then I saw a open grass area with a beautiful view so I parked the bike and walk over took a break and laid in the grass!

Soon after I got to Fort Ross Historic Park and If you Drive a Car you have to pay 8$ just to park it my campsite for the night is cheaper then that! I also had seen these signs at several beach viewpoints as well. Bikes however don't need a parking spot so there free!

I saw a windmill by the parking lot and decided to check it out.

I was almost to my campground for the night and saw a great sunset on the way!

Well once I got to Still Water Cove Regional Park I met Jessie he offered me some beer and we stayed up and talked for hours. He was a writer and took a few weeks off work to get some peace and quiet in nature to write his books. I also found out he was in construction just like me! We also went on a night hike as well what a fun night! 

Well after that I got settled in for the night. Thats it for this entry thanks for reading!

Day 41: Lagunitas to Bodega Bay, Ca

Hey Everyone!

Well today I headed out right from the camp ground right on the bike path!

Well towards the end of it my bike was making a squeaky noise and it turns out one of my Tweedy knobs wore out basically it fails to hold the fold joint together effectively. So I had to replace it luckily I had two spares! Well then I hit the road again and got some great scenery. 

Soon after that I hit the town of Point Reyes Station a small little town and decided to stop into the local shop. 

I then hit the local Grocary market and chatted with some guyes that were doing a 200k (about 130 miles) Randoneering ride.

So when I headed out I ended up riding along side them and chatted some more and then they eventually turned off the road and we parted ways. I then had a feeling somthing didn't seem right and it turned out I had gone about 6 miles the wrong way! I got so chatty with those guyes I didn't pay attention to whare I was going! Well I looked at the map and figured out my way back but I did get some nice country scenery!

We after that I got back to Point Reyes and got back on route for some more nice country scenery.

Shortly after that I passed by a group of college kids on the side of the road and they wanted me to stop so I did! I chatted with them for a few and got one of them to take a pic of my for some reason I forgot to take a pic of them oops  oh well.

Well I then after a bit made my way to the Town of Marshall,Ca with a population of 50 and decided to take a short break.

Then I pedaled on and not too long after this it started getting dark and I still had 20 miles to go with no campgrounds before Bodega Bay. That 12 mile detour really ate up my time!

Well if there's several things I learned about having to ride at night:

First is don't panic! That's an easy way to get yourself hit by a car you gotta stay calm check your mirrors frequently. I love using a third eye mirror cause I can look back without having to turn my head all the way back. Cause when you look back you can't see whats in front of you especially at night. Also a lot of people claim they can just hear the cars comming which is true but I found you can't distinct between a car passing by you and one that's comming up right behind you just by hearing. You have to get a visual and using a Mirror makes this a lot eaiser and safer.

Second is always be aware of your surroundings. Frequently check what's on the shoulder for an exit strategy in case a car does comes right up behind you so you can then just veer off the road if needed. This is especially crucial when riding on shoulderless roads. I'd rather fall in a small ditch then get hit by a car! 

 Third is Take your time! It's already dark out and hurrying there isn't going to change that! Take frequent breaks but keep them short or you'll get chilled. And speaking of getting chilled and taking your time Don't sweat! Cause when it comes to biking in the cold, sweat will get you chilled so take your time and on the hill climbs especially! And last but definetly not least is visibility wear reflective gear and also have several rear lights as well cause reflective gear only works when light shines on it so if for some reason a car doesn't have their lights on they can still see you and of course good front lighting is important for you to see as well In addition I like wearing a head lamp the ones that strap on your head cause it shines light where you look unlike a mounted light. Also always carry spare batteries especially on tour it's not fun having your light die out in the middle of using it at night.

Well I eventually made my way to valley ford,Ca I was less then 10 miles away at this point.

There was a neat hotel so I stopped to check it out.

Well soon after that I made it to Bodega bay!

I then headed in to Doran Regional Park and got setteled in for the night well that's it for this chapter thanks for reading!