The Avenue of the Giants and a broken hub

Sunday July 5, 2015, 217 miles (349 km) – Total so far: 9,004 miles (14,491 km)

Four days 217 miles On Thursday July 2nd we had one of our best rides ever through Humboldt County the Avenue of the Giants. This road runs parallel to US101 and takes you through some of the tallest redwoods in the state. We rode in awe as we looked skyward for the tops of these giant trees. I’ll list it as one of our favorite rides so far in our world trip. Andee has been having a difficult time with finding us camping spots as this is 4th of July weekend. The next available campground Giant Redwoods RV and Camp, Myers, California, put us at 73 miles for the day. It was exhausting with the hilly conditions but very satisfying. Right next to the camp we met Andee at Riverbend Winery and enjoyed a tasting before settling into our camp. The next day we continued through the mountains towards the coast. Andee called and visited several campsites but all were booked. She even called motels but nothing available. Previously we had talked with a ranger and was told that all state parks have “hiker and biker” spots available at $5 each and you will not be turned away. We checked out Standish-Hickey State Park in Leggett before a large mountain pass. We then inquired about parking a car. They didn’t like that but gave us a nice buffer spot for the night. These spots normally are not used but held in reserve in case someone needs to move their camp. So we lucked out again except it turned into a big loud party night that didn’t settle down until about 3 am.

The next day we rode over the Leggett Pass at 1900 feet and back to the coast and continued south to Fort Bragg. It was foggy again and the temperature dropped from 100 F to 50 F in the fog. Since it was the 4th of July there was no camping or rooms available anywhere. Andee talked to a guy who worked in the North Coast Brewing Company who offered us his yard for camping. We took him up on his most generous offer and he let us use the bottom floor of his 1920’s house. What a great deal. Right down the street from his house is the North Coast Brewing Company restaurant and along with a fireworks show it turned out to be a good 4th. The following day while climbing I heard a loud pop from my bike and discovered a broken spoke and a very large crack on my rear hub. My bike is out of commission and we will search for a bike shop tomorrow. Andee picked me up while Jocelyn and Nicole continued on their own for a very tedious 57 miles. Tonight we are camping on the beach at Gualala.

Delicious oysters we steamed in beer.
Delicious oysters we steamed in beer.
Our hosts for two nights in Arcada, California, Diana and Paul. Delicious meals and very comfortable home.
Our hosts for two nights in Arcada, California, Diana and Paul. Delicious meals and very comfortable home.
Cool bridge next to the Avenue of the Giants.
Cool bridge next to the Avenue of the Giants.

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One of our most enjoyable rides yet among the massive redwood trees.
One of our most enjoyable rides yet among the massive redwood trees.
Another cool bridge. In 1964 there was a flood here that went 8 feet over the road.
Another cool bridge. In 1964 there was a flood here that went 8 feet over the road.
Our morning commute.
Our morning commute.
How big?
How big?
Contemplating the enormity of it all.
Contemplating the enormity of it all.
What a great support driver in Andee - stopped to give us each an ice cold beer in the Avenue of the Giants!
What a great support driver in Andee – stopped to give us each an ice cold beer in the Avenue of the Giants!
Sometimes it takes nature to show us how really small we are.
Sometimes it takes nature to show us how really small we are.

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A drive through redwood tree - but not in our truck.
A drive through redwood tree – but not in our truck.

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Riverbend Winery in Myers, California.
Riverbend Winery in Myers, California.
A case of wine in this bottle!
A case of wine in this bottle!
We have been on the road for a month now mostly camping and staying with a few friends. No motels yet!
We have been on the road for a month now mostly camping and staying with a few friends. No motels yet!

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Majestic views.
Majestic views.

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Where's Waldo?
Where’s Waldo?
Bigfoot is everywhere from Washington to California.
Bigfoot is everywhere from Washington to California.

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Another foggy day on the coast.
Another foggy day on the coast.
The northern California coastline is beautiful.
The northern California coastline is beautiful.
Our host's home for our 4th of July camp. We camped in his yard and used the bottom floor bathroom and kitchen. Nice guy. Everywhere was booked.
Our host’s home for our 4th of July camp. We camped in his yard and used the bottom floor bathroom and kitchen. Nice guy. Everywhere was booked.
Riding south outside of Fort Bragg.
Riding south outside of Fort Bragg.
A cracked rear hub. Shimano Deore XT. About 10,000 miles of heavy load.
A cracked rear hub. Shimano Deore XT. About 10,000 miles of heavy load.
Ouch!
Ouch!
A real showstopper.
A real showstopper.
Point Arenas Lighthouse.
Point Arenas Lighthouse.
A very fine lighthouse.
A very fine lighthouse.
Our campsite at Gualala. We could of had a beachfront site for $11 more but there was an empty beachfront site two down where we put our chairs.
Our campsite at Gualala. We could of had a beachfront site for $11 more but there was an empty beachfront site two down where we put our chairs.
A fine salmon and asparagus dinner on the fire pit.
A fine salmon and asparagus dinner on the fire pit.

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One thought on “The Avenue of the Giants and a broken hub

  1. You guys are doing awesome. How much fun going through the redwoods. Charlie n I made that trip…though by car…pedal pedal pedal

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