Day 21 – Prairie Creek Redwood State Park to Eureka

52 miles (84 km) – Total so far: 1,228 miles (1,976 km)

Distance 52 miles (85 km) Time riding 4 hours 14 minutes Max speed 33.7 mph Average speed 12.2 mph Left at 8:55 am Arrived at 3:05 pm

The hiker biker site last night was busy, but quiet and lots of people to chat to. Probably 20 people in all, all headed south down the coast, mainly to San Francisco but some further on to LA and San Diego. The first place also where mosquitos have been a problem, in others there have been a few, but lots here.

I left with an older Swiss guy, Michael and Kevin students from Berkeley who I have seen on and off for the last few days. We had coffee in Orick then rode together until Arcata. The route was only on highway 101 for a few miles today. Before Trinidad there was a quiet section on what looked like the old road. Then thanks to my GPS we found a rough single track road that continued south, very up and down, but great views of the ocean beaches. There is then a 10 mile section on the Hammond Trail which is an old rail trail and away from cars. Great riding, though from time to time the smoke fumes from the fires burning a few miles inland is noticeable.

We made Arcata and Ramone’s fresh market for lunch, before heading our separate ways, the young guys to camp in the beach, me to Eureka.

I’ve a couple of quieter days coming up. It’s that or rest day, will have to consider it. Time is on my side.