Day 14 Report - Bandon to Gold Beach

Total miles 58.7
Average Speed 13.2mph
Total Ascent 823m

Tailwind, what tailwind?!?! There was a headwind all the way. Somehow though, there is something strangely reassuring about American weather-people getting it wrong too!

Today I was very sluggish in the saddle. Headwind aside this was a fairly easy ride but I had to force my way through. Perhaps this is finally the days and miles catching up and my body telling me "FEED ME MORE!". I'll try.

I met a couple of other solo cyclists today. First up was Wayne from Vancouver Island at Bandon beach. Next was Brian from South shields (met hi9m just after Port orford). Brian had cycled all the way from northern Alaska - you think I'm bonkers?! It's nice to stop for a few minutes and chat. There is a camaraderie between cyclists.

At the the start of the day I cycled a couple of miles with Wayne until we hit the 101. Then I'm afraid I put the foot on the gas. I can't really claim victory however as he was carrying a tent and was on a hybrid type bike - but still...

It was pretty hot again which probably didn't help my motivation/fitness. I was cycling a bit like a zombie - automatic pilot so I honestly can't remember much else remarkable about the morning shift.

Lunch was at Port Orford, but the Crazy Norwegians were closed! So I ate a fairly classy fish lunch in a restaurant overlooking the "Heads". I think these are the big rocks in the sea you can see in one of the orford (or both) pics. That's how it looks from the map anyway.

While taking one of those pics I saw the blast of air from a whale/porpoise/dolphin. It looked pretty huge so I'm going to say Whale. Cool!

So I finally prized myself from my lunch seat and hauled myself the 30 afternoon miles to Gold Beach. Aptly named indeed as you can see from the pic.

While on my way to a chinese meal I got someone arrested!..... Don't panic. I need to pull back a little and explain. I have been surprised by how courteous the drivers are here - particularly to pedestrians. They are almost too polite. I sometimes just pause having a look over the other side of the road and next thing I know a small line of traffic is forming waiting for me to cross. Bizarre!

Anyway, they are particularly careful at pedestrian crossings. On my way to the chinese I stepped onto a crossing and expected all the traffic to stop as usual. Except this time one car flew by (it was a four lane road so I wasn't in any danger). I thought nothing of this - standard procedure at home - pedestrian beware! - until a few seconds later the police car that had just gone by in the opposite direction did a U-turn and put their lights on in hot pursuit of the offending car. I ducked into the chinese minding my own business. Seems like there is a zero tolerance thing going on and it might be working.

Ok, I'm signing off now. Hope I'm over my blip today. We all have bad days at the office. Let's hope I'm  back at the races tomorrow. Goodnight all.