Banjos and raccoons

It's been a little while since I've last got to an Internet connection as have been cycling every day since I got to Oregon. I've got rid of the map at the side as it wasn't updating properly and I always tell you where I am in my posts so it was a bit redundant really!

After staying the night in Astoria last Thursday I set off for Manzanita but stopped 15 miles into the journey by heavy wind and rain. I found a hostel to stay at in Seaside for the night then set off the next day in beautiful weather. I've cycled every day since because you have to make the most of the weather while it's good in this part of the country.

The cycling has been fantastic - lots of hills but amazing dramatic views of seastacks and huge sand dunes. I've been camping every night in Oregon as it's only $4 a night if you are a biker and the campsites are really good. There was a particulary good one called Cape Lookout that I wish I'd stayed a bit longer in.

I've also met a few more bikers doing the same tour as me, we tend to agree a campsite to head for then cycle alone during the day and meet again in the evening. Will from Washington has brough a banjo with him which is good to hear around a campfire. The raccoons were out on force last night and managed to get into Will and Douglas' panniers and eat all their food which was quite funny.

So I've now done about 700 miles I reckon and should get to California tomorrow. One of the first places I'll get to is the redwood forests and the Valley of the Giants which should be a highlight of the trip.

Goonies never say die

I arrived in Astoria last night (after a thorough soaking which was my welcome to Oregon!). I met another cyclist doing a similar route to me yesterday so it was good to compare equipment and experiences.

Apparently lots of movies get made in Astoria, there seems to be quite a local industry around the fact The Goonies was filmed here. You can go and see their house from the beginning of the film (and Data's house next door), and the school from Kindergarten Cop is next door (that will be a special moment for me). In less happy news the lady in the information centre told me Chunk died from a drug overdose aged 32. One truffle shuffle too many .... (sorry!).

So I will actually be a pacific pedalist from today as I head down the coastal road. I'll keep you updated ....

I do believe I'm getting a bit fitter

I've just arrived in Longville which is a bit of a hole (think one big trading estate) but it's a handy place to have my day off the bike tomorrow as I can get a train into Portland and have a look around.

Anyway the big news (for me anyway!) is the cycling is getting easier as my body seems to be reluctantly adjusting to the fact it has to power a heavy bike up and down hills all day. I've really enjoyed the last couple of days cycling. The roads have been quiet and the views have been great. I'm now 350 miles into the trip so feel like I have covered a good bit of distance and am looking forward to getting to the coast (should get to Astoria on Wednesday). I've actually only got about a days cycling before I get to Oregon).

Stayed in a great hotel last night - the Olympic in Centralia. Loads of character (it's over a 100 years old which seems ancient over here), very cheap and free tickets to their in house cinema which is actually an old theatre and has sofa's with table service instead of cinema seats.

I've been meeting people all along the way which is nice. Having a fully loaded touring bike is a great conversation starter and as people in the north west are into the outdoors in general people are very enthusiastic about what I'm doing.

OK I'm off to find some food. I might put some more pictures up tomorrow if I get the chance.

Setting off for the coast

I've spent 2 days in Seattle which has been fun. We went to see a dodgy band at an even dodgier venue called The Comet, I drank a lot of coffee (but managed not to go to Starbucks once which is quite a feat in this town) and genrally had a relaxing time. Thanks a million to James and Stasha for putting me up, being great company and cooking me some delicious food.

I'm off to Shelton today, and I plan to be at the coast (Astoria) by Wednesday then I can start the Pacific highway. It's raining for the first time today so I'm going to take it sloooow.

Hopefully I'll be able to post again within a couple of days.

Got to Seattle ....

And I've finally found an Internet cafe so can do a longer post! I got to Seattle yesterday evening after cycling about 60 miles from Port Townsend. James and Stasha (and Castro the cat) have just got a place here right next to the University of Washington (it's called the U district).

The cycling has been quite hard so far. I'm carrying a lot of weight on the bike which makes hill climbing a lot more difficult than normal. I reckon it'll take me a couple of weeks to get up to a decent level of fitness. I'm on schedule though as I'm not covering that many miles a day at the moment. The cycling gets much hiller when I get to the Pacific coast (I'm starting it in Astoria). I'm going to go through my bags and see what else I can get rid of to lighten my load. I've also lost just under half a stone despite constant snacking and big meals.

Crossing the US border was quite quick but I think the guards there feel like it's their job to give you a bit of a hard time.

Guard: so which way are you cycling down to San Diego?
me: highway 1
Guard: there's no highway 1 on the west coast it's in the east
me: you know, route 1, the pacific highway
Guard:
me: well whatever you want to call the road that goes down the west coast, that's the way I'm going!

Once I got over the border I got lost and couldn't find the road I was looking for. Someone in a bike shop told me afterwards that they've changed all the roads around in preparation for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010.

I'm cycling to Shelton next. I'll try and update this blog as often as I can, they don't seem to have Internet cafes in small towns but apparently I can use the Internet in public libraries.

OK photo time...

Whale watching in Anacortes


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A view taken between Bellingham and Anacortes














Arriving in Seattle

Quick post from coffee shop

Hi all - quick post, I'll write more if I find an Internet cafe later (I'm in a coffee shop waiting for the ferry from Fort Casey to Port Townsend at the moment).

All is fine so far apart from losing my phone in Vancouver! I have a new (ridiculously cheap) US mobile. I should be in Seattle tomorrow (Wednesday) night and will probably go and stay with James and Stasha.

I was expecting to be able to Internet from Anacortes yesterday (where I had a day off the bike) but there were no Internet cafes! I went whale watching and saw plenty of 'em.

Hopefully write more later + I have lots of amazing photos. Weather has been absolutely perfect so far.

The bear wanted him. He was going to eat him.

So I've arrived and am at Greg's place - thanks to Erin and Greg for coming to pick me up! Much appreciated guys.

And thanks for all the comments and advice everyone - very encouraging. Anyone know if it's possible to configure blogger so I can reply to comments?

Went to Greg's parents place for dinner last night as it was his brothers birthday. Everyone was talking about a bear that had attacked a fisherman after jumping into his boat. This happened just up the coast and it's all over the 'quality press' this morning. I was also given plenty of advice on how to deal with different animals that I might encounter when I'm camping. Unfortunately in my jet lagged state I think I've mixed it up a bit so I can't remember if I'm supposed to let off an air horn at a skunk or stand my ground against a bear. And raccoons can gang up on you apparently.

I think I'm going to set off on the ride on Saturday. Perfect cycling weather that day, around 20 degrees, clear skies and hardly any wind. Until then I need to put my bike back together, buy a few bits and pieces (yes including bear spray Liz), and have a look around Vancouver which incidentally looked beautiful when I landed yesterday.

OK well I'd better start doing stuff then. By the way Greg, this sums up your cat perfectly

Finally off!

It's been a long time coming so I can't quite believe it's finally come around but I'm flying to Vancouver tomorrow lunchtime to start my cycle ride down the pacific coast.

Most of you will know about this because I've been going on about it for ages but for those who don't - I'm cycling from Vancouver to San Diego, following the coast as much as I can. It's 1800 miles which at the moment looks like a scary number. I've got 2 months to do it, I'm cycling alone and am camping/motelling/staying with friends along the way.

You'll be able to see roughly where I am on the map on the left.

I had the idea about a year ago after reading an article by a couple of guys who were cycling around the world for Friends of the Earth. They said the bit they were looking forward to the most was the west coast of America and I thought that sounded like a great idea. The guide I'm using for the trip is the Lonely Planet one which has all the maps etc I should need.

When I arrive in Vancouver Greg (my old flatmate from Guildford) is picking me up from the airport and is putting me up at his place. I'll spend a couple of days there and then set off.

I'll let you know how it's going - all comments and encouragement welcome :)