Days 15, 16 & 17

Hello All,

Sorry I haven't been current on my blogs - it has been a much more hectic ride with no rest days than our ride in 2011.  Lately, by the time we get done riding, get to our hosts, clean and eat I am in a state of coma and don't feel like sharing.  So, you get three days at once tonight.

Day 15
miles - 54.5
elevation gain - about 1,990 feet

Day 16
Miles - about 32
elevation gain - not sure, i forgot to write it down before I cleared it for Day 17.  duh

Day 17
miles 52.63
elevation gain 3,342

Day 15 we ended in Fort Bragg and stayed at the Grace Community Church.  Fort Bragg basically rolls up the roads at 8pm.  So, the pastor of the church called his wife and said, "I'm bringing home 7 guests for dinner."  Pastor Greg, his wife Val and their son Joel made us a great meal of enchiladas.  They live on a bluff with views of a lighthouse and the ocean.  Not sure I would ever go to work if I lived there.  If you are ever in Way Northern Cal - Mendocino County - you need to stop at Fort Bragg.  It is a cool little town that sure could use our tourist dollars.

Day 16 we ended in Elk.  Our hosts had expected us to have camp gear, which we didn't have, so we drove to Point Arena and found a hotel.  This was another blessing in disguise.  The hotel had affordable rooms available - including a hot shower and a great breakfast - so we stayed there.  Had some more fish and chips and clam chowder for dinner followed by a whale siting, a sunset and some ice cream.  The couple who were running the place were very nice and helpful.

Day 17 we ended in Jenner - ahead of our 4:30 cutoff.  Our lodging was about 30 miles away so we got some chocolate milk and hit the road.  Today we had an incredible view the whole way along the coast.  We had a nice tailwind that pushed up the hills.  Mom would not have liked today's miles as they were on a curvy, up and down hilly road.  I thought they were awesome.

Shannon, Mona and Carl just got back from doing laundry so Shannon said he was not blogging tonight.  You will have to wait for his insights and humor.

I was asked today about chamois cream - what it is and what types we are using.  Cycling shorts have a chamois in the buttocks region which serves two purposes (or so I think) - padding and sweat absorption (aka a "big sweat diaper).  Yes, it feels like a diaper and is uncomfortable to walk in.

Just like a baby's butt - ours are sensitive....especially after about 50 miles or consecutive days on the bikes.  To help combat chaffing and saddle sores, some wonderful chemists have created chamois cream and some marketing geniuses have named these products creatively.  The names include Butt Butt'r, Assos, Dznuts and Hammer Seat Saver.  Now you are probably laughing about the names but this is no joking matter.  A sore butt makes for very long miles and days on the bike.  As you ride more, you experience some bruising, soreness and eventually callouses are created.  You still need to use chamois cream if you want to enjoy your ride.

One comment about Hammer Seat Saver - Hammer started as an athletic nutrition company.  They make two lines of nutritional products to be used before, during and after exercise.  So when I saw they also made chamois cream - I was little surprised and thought - guess it makes sense for a nutrition company to want to be vertically integrated (think about it).

Well, it is passed my bedtime.  I have a bunch of pictures trapped on my phone which I will at some point enter into a blog.

Tomorrow we ride to the Golden Gate Bridge....how cool is that!  On Friday we cross this historic bridge....I never thought I would be doing this.  Not sure why I am so blessed to have this opportunity.  I do not take this lightly and trust our efforts are encouraging those impacted by PD to carry on and those impacted with other health challenges to stay the course and continue living life.

Good night all.


PS - Mom, Dad is doing ok.
Leisa - Carl is doing fine.  He has a new nickname we will share with you when we see you next week.

Both are sleeping through the night and not waking up early. :)  They are incredibly determined (stubborn) individuals.