Day 101 Bodega Bay to Samuel Taylor State Park, Marin County

You can tell that you are getting closer to San Fransisco when:

The oyster bars on the side of the road have free valet parking.

A latte costs $5

Every othet car on the road is a convertible

You're sat in a cafe surrounded by lycra clad cyclists and they are not interesred in talking to you.

The map says 27 miles to go.

However another great days cycling finished offf with an excellent Indian meal.  Passed another couple of around the world cyclists today. The global mobile family, with 4 children the oldest of which was 8 and the youngest 8 MONTHS. Amazing.

Miles Tofay 50
Total       5300

Day 100 Manchester KOA to Bodega Bay State Park

Despite being described as medium in the route book today's ride was ridiculously difficult. It was also ridiculously amzing with Coastal scenery par excellence all the way. This is the California that I had envisaged. I think the northern end of California should perhaps be called something else.

The day ended with an excellent mexican seafood meal in Bodega Bay after a 2 mile supposed walking shortcut that was anything but. We ended up back on the campsite and cycling. Just what we didn't need after a tiring day.

We also bumped into a new bunch of people on the campsite doing the Pacific route. Jeremy and Jen from New Orleons and Christine from Los Angeles.

Miles Today 69
Total        5250

Day 99 Fort Bragg to Manchester KOA

After waking up to temperatures in the low forties todays ride was one of outstanding coastal scenery, once we had got out of the built up area around the pleasant town of Fort Bragg. As the book said it was quite strenuous going into and out of all the coves and inlets along the route,

To get a hot shower tonight we are staying on the private KOA at 9$. The campsites over here are amazing value for hikers and bikers. Pity that due to the recession California is closing down over 70 State Parks.

I'm definately counting down the days now. Not attacking the hills with my usual gusto. Will be glad to reach San Francisco now and get the cycling over and done with.

Miles Today 44
Total          5179

Day 98 Leggett to Fort Bragg

Our introduction to US Highway 1 was a long steep climb  out of Leggett through wooded forest and then a long gradual descent  back to the Pacific Coast. Glorious riding under the Californian sun and certainly as challenging as some of the climbs on the Transam.

From then onwards US1 hugged the coast plying us with lots of short sharp hills and descents into and out of the many coves that we passed. Not bad but not quite as good as the road between Whitby and Scarborough.

And considering that we are now only about 180 miles north of San Francisco I cant believe how cold it is. In camp tonight I am having to wear 2 T shirts, fleece, long cycling pants, gloves and a hat to keep warm.

Miles Today  53
Total          5135

p.s Thanks Ken for offering to pick me up at Manchester. I will let you have the flight number nearer the time.

Day 97 Burlington State Park to Standish Hickey State Park. Leggett

After celebrating with a small glass of red wine last night, courtesy of John ( Man Utd and Beckham fan!) and Richard from Philadelphia, our neighbours on the campsite, the journey continued for a further 20 miles through the Valley of tbe Giants (Redwood Trees) and then back onto US101.

From that point onwards the ride deteriorated. Just a 20 mile slog up a busy dual carriageway with tbe temperature back up in the nineties. Lots of hippies, homeless people and hobo cyclists in this part of California too, although I am not getting a good vibe so far. The locals I have spoken to so far have been pretty unfriendly compared to what I have experienced in the rest of the USA. I read in another blog about a cafe owner that doesn't like cyclists in this part of the world and I think I came acoss him this morning.

Bumped into Jill this afternoon on US101 on her way to Sacramento (as you do). Looks like she wont have the time to cycle with us but she is hoping to meet up for a meal with us all when we meet Greg in San Francisco.

Tomorrow we hit the infamous US1.

Miles Today 50
Total           5082

Day 96 Eureka to Burlington State Park - Mission Accomplished

Today at 12 20 PM United States Pacific time just north of the Victorian town  of Ferndale my cyclometet showed 5000 miles precisely. I know that the photo in the blog looks very suspiciously as though it could be anywhere near Harrogate but I can assure you that this whole thing has been for real. I really have grafted my way for 5000 miles across this very big, hilly and windy country ( including writing this blog every day) It is very tempting to just chuck my bike into the Pacific Ocean now but I guess I had better do the whole thing  keep blogging and cycle the few hundred miles more to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

So far I have raised £4600 plus Gift Aid so I would like to offer  a big thank you to all of you that have sponsored me including those that intend to but have not quite got round to it yet :)

My blog has attracted nearly 15000 hits so I hope you have all found it entertaining and another big thank you for all your comments  ( despite Google's attempts to make it as difficult as possible)

I shudder to think how much Mcdonalds junk food I have consumed in order to use their free wi fi.

And this afternoon as I was cycling through the Avenue of the Giants in the Redwoods National Park the Californian Sun finally came out.

p.s  Would anybody like to pick me up at Manchester Airport. I fly in at 10 00 AM on 26th August.

Miles Today 63
Total         5032

Day 95 Redwoods State Park to Eureka

After 2 days in Caifornia I have still not had the opportunity to wear my super cool new shades replacing my third lost pair. It is quite cold, damp and misty at tbis end of California.

Following the magnificent Redwoods the ride this morning was pretty dull with nothing of any  consequence to photograph. Things can only get better.

And they did. After a nice lunch at the trendy Beachcomber cafe in Trinidad  ( also appeared to be a meeting place for Mums and toddlers) we picked up a cycle path that took us closer to the sea and the 'not quite as good as Oregon' coastal scenery.

The final 5 miles of the day were on the very busy US101 to Eureka only to find that the Eureka KOA campsite was actually 3 miles behind us in Arcata. That will teach me to read the guide book properly. Still it gave us the opportunity to feast at Mcdonalds and get the blog done. But still no sunshine!

Miles Today   48
Total           4969