Monday, 6 October 2008

I is halfway!

I'm staying on a campground just outside Eureka, 900 miles into my trip and I reckon that's about halfway which is a bit of a milestone. It's also easily the equivalent of cycling Lands End to John O'Groats.

The weather has cleared up now which is a relief. There was no rain yesterday, and it's supposed to be sunny today. Last night I stayed on a campground in the redwood forest - it was called Elk Prairie I think. I didn't see no elk, though Douglas did, when I met up with him at the end of the day he had photos of a whole herd (is that the right collective noun?).

I haven't see that many animals so far actually, living ones anyway. Have seen plenty of roadkill, don't worry I haven't succumbed to the temptation yet. I'm sure a raccoon I saw yesterday was really fresh though, still steaming.

Have been cycling a bit with a guy called Wolfgang who is originally from Germany , but has lived in Vermont for a while. He has just cycled from Vermont to Vancouver via Alaska, he is now cycling down the Pacific coast like me, then he is going to go into Mexico - down through Baja California then over to the mainland. I'm not sure how old he is but he's retired with 3 grandchildren! He was telling me one year he traced the route of the tour de france - keeping 3 days ahead of the riders the whole time. Quite an impressive guy.

So I'm heading back into the redwoods again today, I'll be cycling some of the avenue of the giants today and camping in the redwoods again tonight.

7 comments:

misguise said...

Well done young man, though you do sound like you are on the verge of becoming feral. My dad would be shocked that you were leaving all that perfectly good food stuck to the road. G x

MJH said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MJH said...

Nice one Alf. Found out recently what you're up to. Well impressed. Nice one. I used to bike a bit (as you know) and I'm lucky if I do 20 miles a month. Hope to see you on the Tour next year then? Don't tell me you've shaved your legs? Anyway good luck with the rest of the trip! Watch out for bandits, Dil.

Alastair said...

cheers MJH! haven't got to the leg shaving stage yet. not too aerodynamic with all the panniers attached!

Dad said...

Hi Alastair
Congratulations on making the half way mark and may the best be still to come. Fantastic to keep in touch via the blog and I am enjoying the descriptions of the places you have been and the people you’ve met. Looking forward to the next instalment. Dad

Gary said...

Hey Al. Your body has become a finely tuned cycling machine. Keep the photos coming. I've got a photo to send you which will make you chuckle - recently accosted by a ladyboy granddad in Harrogate!
keep peddling
Gary

Eliza said...

Ah, the elk in the woods...