hard | Bike 2017

9:00 pm 21Apr17 I’m doing this editing offline in my tent. When it shows up on the site, I will have already left the Pinnacles.

I felt much better today. Google showed the Pinnacles, my destination for the day, as being 58 miles away. A little further than planned, but all right. There was no coffeemaker in the room, but there was a microwave, so I made some nescafe that I had brought along. I filled my water jug. 8 extra pounds of weight, but at least I wouldn’t run out. I also wrapped up the sleeping bag and tent like a package in the tarp, hoping that would help them not to slip out as I rode. Learning from experience.

I left the motel at maybe 8:30, had a gas station breakfast (an outrageous $2 for a danish), and while sitting at the table, met Walter from Santa Clara County services. He and his colleague Paul (? I think) run a mobile medical van that does needle exchanges and screenings. These were the first cards I handed out on the road.

selfie — Highway 25 is pretty good, with wide shoulders from Morgan Hill to Hollister.

important reminder

The first priority in Hollister was to get replacement bike tubes. Google pointed me to Off the Chain bike shop. Robin, the super-friendly owner, came out to welcome me. She and her husband Brian Lucas own the shop. I spent time chatting with them, and Brian told me about how he had ridden in the desert when he was younger. They each took a gallon of water, but rode at like 4:30 in the morning, found shade at mid-day, then resumed in late afternoon. Brian lent me his shoes so I could walk to the nearby Lucky, where I got 3 bananas, 6 bagels, and a full size dry salami. I also got a replacement emergency meal at the Big 5 next door.

bike shop owners — L to R: Robin, me, Brian at Off the Chain bike shop in Hollister. Besides getting 2 more inner tubes, I got a new pair of cycling shorts, with intact padding. Brian gave me a discount, which made the tubes basically free.

at off the chain — L – R: Robin, Gordon, Brian

Back at the bike shop where I had left my bike, I peeled one of the bananas, It was crushed and brown inside, but I ate it anyway.

Robin's crafts — Robin gave me a business card holder, She crafts items out of old inner tubes. Completely waterproof. Just what I need to hold my calling cards.

Hollister BK — A little down the road, I saw a Burger King, so stopped for lunch. Clay, this is in honor of our lunches.

no services — In spite of this sign, there actually are services, just no gas. There was a small store in Tres Pinos, and another beyond that. I didn’t stop, as I was packed in anticipation of no refueling.

Lots of sun. Good thing I’m screening up every day. I stopped under a shady tree for a banana. This one was firmer than the first one

The last few miles before the downhill into the Pinnacles were daunting. I had to unclip, and stop on the hill to rest. Something I didn’t do even once on the TransAmerica trail when young. In fact, I never even used the granny gear until Hoosier Pass. But now I know why they call it a granny. Because I’m a senior citizen, and need it.