Day 22 – Eureka to Ferndale – Safe Return Doubtful

32 miles (51 km) – Total so far: 1,260 miles (2,027 km)

Distance 32 miles (52 km) Time riding 2 hours 46 minutes Max speed 34 mph Average speed 11.9 mph Left at 11:45 am Arrived at 3:00 pm

Just as I was checking in to my seedy motel in Eureka I was shouted from across the road by PauL and Tammy who we were riding with a few days ago.mthey wee only supposed to be going as far as Harris Beach then hiring a car and doing a few tourist things before hitting SF. It turns out that Tammy had come off her bike on the downhill into Harris Beach. Fortunately for her she wasn’t badly injured although it had meant and ambulance and police. She lost concentration and hit the kerb, probably at 30 mph. She bruised her thigh badly and her chin, but no open wounds, which can be so difficult to heal. Seems like she was very lucky.

Inspired by the Brewery I deviated off route today to Ferndale and to see some of the Lost Coast. It was always going to be a short day with a late start so it worked well. Leaving Eureka I ran into Michael and Kevin who had camped on the beach between Arcata and Eureka and were headed to Humbolt forest, where I will be tomorrow. It was 101 for a while, which gets busier by the mile as we get closer to the Bay Area, then some quieter agricultural roads through Loleta. A really strong westerly wind developed during the morning that I don’t think helps anyone riding north or South.

Ferndale is the sort of Lytham of this area of California. It’s ornate Victorian buildings interest the older generation primarily. My visit brought down the average age, slightly. There is a rough saloon though in which I had a couple of early local beers. Most people in there had had a couple of dozen already, and I think that is how most days go for them. Also two smart restaurants that were open, and another two closed on Mondays. I waited in one for 20 minutes without any attention, the other had put me off also. Keeping my calm I thought I would just go to the grocery store to get something, but then I saw that the very smart Victorian Inn was a possibility also. And IPA and decent pasta, but also got chatting with the local dairy farmer. Just that changed the evening around, a beer and a good conversation. I live on a diary farm myself.