For the past week, we've been getting back in shape riding the beautiful coast and Redwoods, and feeling exhausted, as we don't have the time to catchup and talk to the wonderful people about sustainability. Rather then varying it up with conversation with new friends, we just ride and rest, ride and rest, ride, and breathe, heavily.

This part of the last leg is definitely exhausting, and I find it more so mentally, then physically, as all I can think about is biking and how I am going to make it another 5 hours through the hilly terrain. At first I was excited with the downhills, as the cool breeze of the shaded redwoods brushed my body, yet quickly I realized that with every descent there would be another ascent, and many times harder. So my thoughts were "Yes, a downhill....No, not another uphill climb...if i can just make it around this curve, and then this one. Alright Melissa, breath in through the nose out the mouth....man, a doughnout sounds great....did I just smell cigar smoke from that car.....a truck with empty space in the back. I'm sure our bikes and trailers could fit; are they going south? Oh yes, breath again. how far did we go, and what time is it". The thoughts never stop as I'm continually convincing myself that I'll make it, or cursing at this project, and how touring really isn't all that fun.

So yes, it's been mentally challenging, but I have to input the physical damage, as that is also the reality when riding a bike hours a day, up and down uneven terrain. For example, I've had new aches and pains as I'm getting used to the mountain bike and the up and down hills. The handlebars are a little lower, so I'm adjusting my back a little differently, where my neck gets tired quicker and I need to take rests to stretch more. The seat is a bit more blush and sits a little higher causing additional rubbing and chafing. In fact, I've got a tiny blister on the underside of my bum. And under normal circumstances I would break it, but with bacteria and sweat in that area, it's probably best just to leave it alone. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for the mountain bike shocks, as the last 3o miles through the Redwoods has been a bit bumpy and I don't think my palms and hands have been nearly as sore as Andy's. Lastly, the hills and climbs take my breathe and tire my muscles, especially after we have rode all day. So it definitely has been physically challenging as well.



On the brighter side of this last leg of the bike trip, I actually feel we are touring, as finally we have seen many other bikers going down the coast. Seeing bikers was a rarity, if nonexistent in the midwest. So, it's been fun meeting back up with people, such as Chris and Paul, who we have now seen twice. When meeting random people, there definitely is this sense of camaraderie as most of the bikers we have met are going to San Fransisco and we can talk about the upcoming elevation of climbs, or the beautiful peaks we passed miles or days past.

Though I may feel exhausted mentally and physically, i get the reprieve when we meet new people. It also helps when Andy and I have time to reconnect, as we have been.

-So Andy and I are off to the south. Our first stop will be Garberville, CA. Stay tuned.