After the 90 mile push to Reedsport on the Oregon coast I spent a lonely night in an RV campground where the gracious host didn't feel the need charge me. The next morning I headed south and ran into Rusty and Kristen, a couple who also started in Anchorage and have taken an even longer route than I that started them
out on June 7th.
Seeing the Pacific Ocean was an indescribable feeling since I haven't seen since I was back home.
Rusty, Kristen and I cycled for 3 days together past the California border only to be separated on a 1,000 foot hill climb when Rusty's tire blew out. They were forced to hitch back to the previous town to procure a new tire.
After Team Krusty and I were forced to separate I joined forces with a group of four cyclists (Miles, Michael, Fumie and Joe) who had all started in separate locations and in the spirit of friendship formed a group jokingly called Team Protein!
Miles bombing down the beautiful coast after a huge hill climb.
Fumie so stoked to finally be in the Redwoods!
That night the five of us made an 85 mile push, 15 of which were in the dark, to a campground just 25 miles outside of Arcata. After riding with these guys for just half a day I could't have felt more at home and welcome with any other people.
The very next day we rode a quick 25 miles with a tailwind through a few more redwoods into the town of Arcata, where Fumie's friend Ace invited us all to stay in his home and attend his birthday party! Because of the pace I set for my self out of Eugene I could foresee a rest day in my near future!
When we arrived in Arcata Ace welcomed us with open arms and an open refrigerator. Right away we began to help him prepare his potluck birthday party! It was so hard to believe that I didn't really know anyone there 24 hours before but I couldn't have felt more welcome!
Michael is a chef in real life so he took care of making some delish frosting!
Fumie made sure there was enough desert for those suffering from Joe Byers and Stephen Wilmeth Syndrome.
Joe made sure everyone was having a good time!
And Miles and I helped David test out his 31 layer dip!
The party went off without a hitch! It was so amazing getting to return the favor for Ace in helping him have a great birthday!
Alas! A "REST DAY"! We decided after Ace offered to take us surfing that that would be a great way to recuperate after some hard cycling.
Ace drivin the surf bus to Moonstone Beach
Fun Fact: Ace is planning a bike tour that starts in a month that will take him and one other friend into Central and I believe South America!
Ace droppin some surf knowledge on Micheal before they hit the pipeline!
Joe and I spent an awesome but very tiring hour in the water surfing on the inside sets.
After an absolutely amazing time in Arcata getting to be apart of Ace's birthday and meeting all of his amazing friends, going surfing, and visiting with old high school friends Cassi and Heidi it was time to say goodbye.
Thank you so much to Ace, Peter, David, Allison, Heidi, and Cassi for being such amazing and giving hosts to the whole team!
So the crew set out to discover the Avenue of Giants just off the Redwood Highway!
But due to a deadline that I committed to make for friends Joost and Michiel in San Francisco I had to say goodbye until we would meet again in the city by the bay.
Joe decided that it would be a good idea for him as well to make the 250 mile push in three and a half days
Joe and I completed the hard push without a hitch!
Thanks Joe for always being a solid guy and helping me meet my goal!
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