Coastal cool.

After our much needed rest in the sweltering town of Garberville, we woke to cooler temperatures and pedaled BB Baker and Bluga into Mendocino County. We rode a short 23 miles to Standish-Hickey campground. Although the ride was a short 23 miles, it was hilly and had us climbing 1000 feet. To our surprise across the highway was an incredible little market with an amazing outdoor patio serving good beer on tap and food. Naturally we partook and happiness filed us up!

The hiker/biker camp site filled up with cyclists that night and we enjoyed socializing and sharing food, libations and laughter into the night. There was talk about the ominous 2000 foot high Leggett Hill; a climb cyclists have warned us about for the past several weeks. We've heard many a story of how cyclists had to push their bikes up this crazy climb due to the the steep gain in elavation. We got an early start and proceeded with curiosity as we left Highway 101 to Highway 1.

Well, we killed that hill! We rode right up it, never once did we dismount our beastly bikes!

Then...WHOOSH...the downhill! Twelve miles! Yes, you read that right, twelve long steep miles of descent. It got so cold we had to put on jackets and gloves and our teeth were still chattering as we screamed down, down, down. Finally, we made it back to the coast.

At the end of our four hour and twenty-five minute ride we logged 45 miles and were fatigued from the up and down terrain. We rolled into our campsite, tired and hungry. Our reward for such a trying day of cycling was a free pack of hot dogs and ground beef, along with buns, ketchup and mustard. A generous gift from a fellow cyclist. We feasted and felt great!

Poncha puts Burger King's flame broiled burgers to shame!