Wheelsucker Blog - Week Seven

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Sunday 29th June

Willits, California. 74 miles. Average speed 12.1mph. Left Garberville 7am. Thermal top and shorts with dark clouds lurking over head. Had to start climbing straight away so changed to long sleeved top. Lots of big hills one after another. Late breakfast at Laytonville and then it really started to get hot. Had a McD's when I got to Willits and met a English guy who now runs his own business in the area. My clothes are all getting a bit smelly and damp after all that rain so decided to stay in a posher Best Western Hotel, they usually have a laundry room. Got all my clothes washed and dried, including my shoes! Picture shows one of the big climbs that kept coming at me.

Saturday 28th June

Garberville, California. 80 miles. Average speed 13.4mph. Left Arcata at 7.30am. Thermal top and shorts. Normal roads for a change, a few hills but only 500ft (like Goodwood). Started to warm up. Had a snack at Rio Del and afterwards was able to bare my arms, and the wind was in my favour. Complete contrast to the other day when I was wearing full wet gear, overshoes and leggings! Wifi not very good so that why there was no update on my website. Picture shows the Main Street in Garberville with my motel on the left.

Monday 23rd June 2014

Newport, Oregon. Another rest day. Took bike to local bike shop. Gave the rear mech, cassette, chain and chain rings a good clean. The mist came in off the sea but cleared up in the afternoon. Walked down to the harbour for some lunch then came back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's depart. Another picture of the Pacific Ocean.

 



Pacific Ocean

Tuesday 24th June

Coos Bay, Oregon. 99 miles. Average speed 12.8mph. Left Newport about 6.15am. Thermal top and shorts. Had to climb over that bridge more less straight away, when my legs weren't ready. Little bit of mist coming off the sea made it little bit overcast. The road follows close to the sea at the beginning and then becomes quite hilly, and goes into the forests. The wind was across me today, perhaps tomorrow it be in my favour. Passed quite a few cyclists going in my direction but they didn't seem to want to talk much. Turned out a nice day in the end and bared my arms for the first time in a while. Picture shows how rugged and hilly the coast line is and can you see the lighthouse at the far end of the bay. Rugged and hilly cost line with lighthouse in the bay Wednesday 25th June Brookings, Oregon. 108 miles. Average speed 12.3mph. Left Coos Bay at 6.15am. Dull and misty at first then started raining after about 7 miles, and kept raining all day. Big long hills kept coming at me all day, including Humbug Mountain at 1756ft. Had late breakfast at Port Orford and a pizza at Gold Beach. The big long hills and the rain made it a hard day in the saddle, and took me 10 hours. Picture shows the mist and rain, and bridge I crossed into Gold Beach. Thursday 26th June Brookings, Oregon. Got up this morning and it was still pouring with rain, it had been yesterday and through the night. Decided to have a rest day, let everything dry out and hope the weather improves slightly for tomorrow. It actually stopped raining at mid day when I went to get some lunch. Walking back to the motel I met Dean and Katy, the only cyclists I met on the road yesterday. They had camped out last night in all that pouring rain, respect! Researching motels along the coast on Highway 1 revealed there aren't very many in places I want to stop. So I have decided to use Highway 101 where there are more options. Whatever the weather I will ride to tomorrow. Picture shows the motel I have been staying in. Friday 27th June Arcata, California. 105 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Brookings at 6am in the pouring rain and mist. Full wet weather gear which made you feel hot and uncomfortable. After about 7 miles crossed the State Line into California, where's the sun! Rode through big redwoods forests. The climbs were big, six 1500ft climbs, which made it very tough going. Had late breakfast at Klamath, which was in a log cabin run by Native Americans. Then had a snack at a place called Trinidad, came out and it stopped raining, only 8 miles to go though. Paul and Stef are flying out to Las Vegas on Saturday (have a safe flight) and we will be meeting up in Fallon on 6 July. It will be really emotional to see them after all this time. Can't wait. Brookings, Oregon. 108 miles. Average speed 12.3mph. Left Coos Bay at 6.15am. Dull and misty at first then started raining after about 7 miles, and kept raining all day. Big long hills kept coming at me all day, including Humbug Mountain at 1756ft. Had late breakfast at Port Orford and a pizza at Gold Beach. The big long hills and the rain made it a hard day in the saddle, and took me 10 hours. Picture shows the mist and rain, and bridge I crossed into Gold Beach. Thursday 26th June Brookings, Oregon. Got up this morning and it was still pouring with rain, it had been yesterday and through the night. Decided to have a rest day, let everything dry out and hope the weather improves slightly for tomorrow. It actually stopped raining at mid day when I went to get some lunch. Walking back to the motel I met Dean and Katy, the only cyclists I met on the road yesterday. They had camped out last night in all that pouring rain, respect! Researching motels along the coast on Highway 1 revealed there aren't very many in places I want to stop. So I have decided to use Highway 101 where there are more options. Whatever the weather I will ride to tomorrow. Picture shows the motel I have been staying in. Arcata, California. 105 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Brookings at 6am in the pouring rain and mist. Full wet weather gear which made you feel hot and uncomfortable. After about 7 miles crossed the State Line into California, where's the sun! Rode through big redwoods forests. The climbs were big, six 1500ft climbs, which made it very tough going. Had late breakfast at Klamath, which was in a log cabin run by Native Americans. Then had a snack at a place called Trinidad, came out and it stopped raining, only 8 miles to go though. Paul and Stef are flying out to Las Vegas on Saturday (have a safe flight) and we will be meeting up in Fallon on 6 July. It will be really emotional to see them after all this time. Can't wait.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Six

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Monday 16th June 2014

Ukiah, Oregon. 95 miles. Average speed 10.8mph. Left Walla Walla at 7am. Lots of up hill with a strong headwind hitting me all day. Had some food in a place called Pendleton and a ice cream at Pilot Rock. Then had a 4,270ft climb at the end of the day. Can't describe the hotel, absolute rubbish in the middle of a mountain range.








Ukiah, Oregon

     

Tuesday 17th June 2014

Mount Vernon, Oregon. 71 miles. Average speed 11.7mph. Left Ukiah at 7am. Been raining most of the night, but eased off enough for me to go. Four mountain climbs to do today, the highest at 5,000ft. Had breakfast at Long Creek. Then it became very, very cold and freezing rain. Just to finish things off a few flakes of snow. Wouldn't like to be here in the winter!

Wednesday 18th June 2014

Mitchell, Oregon. 61 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Mount Vernon at 8am. Had breakfast there to be on the safe side. Surprisingly thermal top and shorts after yesterday's freezing temperatures and hardly any wind! Had a ice cream at Daysville. Then cycled through a fantastic gorge and then a 4,000ft climb and descent to finish with. Tell Martin his wheels are doing the business.

Thursday 19th June 2014

Sisters, Oregon. 88 miles. Average speed 12.5mph. Left Mitchell at 6.15am. Thermal top and shorts. Sunny but quite chilly. Started climbing straight away up to the Ochoco Pass 4,722ft. Had breakfast at Prineville and found a really nice motel. Picture shows the snow capped Cascade Mountains which I will cross tomorrow.



Snow capped Cascade Mountains


Friday 20th June 2014

Lebanon, Oregon. 87 miles. Average speed 12.7mph. Warmish when I left, thermal top and shorts. At top of first climb (4,236ft) started to get cold. Then freezing rain. After last mountain was an 11 mile descent. I was absolutely freezing cold. Had to stop about six times. Nowhere to get food either, had to wait to Sweet Home and a Big Double Cheese Burger at Mac's. Then an easy ride to Lebanon. I had to show you all this picture of Dave and Jeanne. They came to see me off on the 12th May. They really looked after me when I was in Danvers, and without their friendship and kindness this dream journey of mine would not have happened. From Dave picking me up from the airport and Jeanne taking me down Whispering Sands' to dip my feet in the Atlantic the night before the Grand Depart, a big thank you. Fingers crossed I will see the Pacific Ocean tomorrow!



Jeanne, me and Dave

Saturday 21st June 2014

Left Lebanon at 7.15am. 75 miles. Av 12.8mph. Slightly coldish, thermal top and shorts. Didn't realise it was going to be so hilly. Four big 500ft climbs. Had something to eat at Toledo. Took picture of Newport sign at top of wooded climb, then descended round a corner and there was the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Unbelievable sight after 41 days! Rode straight down to sea to take in the moment and then looked for a hotel. Booked in and rode straight back and got another cyclist to take a picture of me. Then he took me to the local bike shop where I booked in the bike in to have a clean-up round the rear mech. Still can't believe it. So long on the road. All those days of suffering into that horrendous headwind and freezing temperatures on those 5,000ft climbs, and the freezing cold rain. All I can think of now is my family and friends, and all the people who kindly donated to St Wilfrid's Hospice. Thank you. But one of proudest things is that I have worn the Bognor Regis Cycling Club jersey coast to coast. It's been a privilege to wear the jersey and represent the club.

Me at the Pacific Ocean

Sunday 22nd June 2014

Rest day in Newport, Oregon. Paul and Stef rang me at my hotel. It was good to hear their voices and the fact that they will be flying out to Las Vegas on 28 June. Had a long walk down beside sea towards the harbour and took this picture of the bridge I will be crossing on Highway 101 on Tuesday. The harbour is a working fishing port and also does trips out to sea for whale watching. Then had some lunch in a cafe overlooking the harbour and then walked back to the hotel to watch the USA v Portugal game.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Five

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Monday 9th June 2014

East Glacier Park, Montana. Left Shelby at 7am. 70 miles. Average speed 9.4mph. A lot warmer than yesterday. Thermal top and shorts. Climbing all day into an horrific headwind. Took picture of Rockies about 30 miles away. The conditions were so bad it nearly cycled the cycling out of me. Hopefully tomorrow will be easier!






Rockies in the Distance

  

Tuesday 10th June 2014

Kalispell, Montana. 88 miles. Average speed 13.6mph. Left East Glacier Park at 6am. Very cold in the mountains but no wind. Climb about 12 miles up to Continental Divide, then lots of beautiful scenery to West Glacier for breakfast. Traffic quite bad in Kalispell but found a Motel 6. Also changed the tyres today, front to back etc. Much easier ride than yesterday.  Kalispell, Montana  Wednesday 11th June 2014 Libby, Montana. 91 miles. Average speed 12.7mph. Left Kalispell at 6am. Very cold and misty. Climbing right from the start with a slight wind against me. As soon as I got into the forests the wind left me. Planned to stop for breakfast at a place called Happy Inn but both diners were shut. Had to carry onto Libby before I could get food. Ten miles from Libby big roadworks, again surface like a dirt track. Then one of workers diverted me down a minor road so I missed more of the same. Found a good motel and the people were nice and friendly. Picture shows one of long descents. Long Descent Thursday 12th June 2014

Sandpoint, Idaho. 87 miles. Average speed 12.8mph. Left Libby at 6am. Cold and in winter gear. Climbing straight away. Soon warmed up though. Now in thermal top and shorts. After 32 miles crossed the state line into Idaho. Now into the Pacific Time Zone and 8 hours behind UK time. Also finished with Highway 2 today, started riding on it in Michigan! Had a nice breakfast in a place called Bonner's Ferry and found a good hotel.

State line in to Idaho

Friday 13th June 2014

Plummer, Idaho. 81 miles. Average speed 12mph. Left Sandpoint at 7am. Warmer than last few days. But the wind was there to meet me. Thermal top and shorts. Started to get colder though, good job there was plenty of little up hills. Stop for breakfast at a place called Hayden. Traffic was quite heavy in a place Coeur d'Alene, but this was nothing compared to the climb out. Then the big hills kept coming together with wind made it a hard ride. When I entered Plummer there was a group of cyclists by a trailer parked up. Turned out they were an organised group of Venture cyclists riding from Seattle to New York. They were really nice friendly people who made me feel welcome. Best of luck to them and may they all have a save journey.

Saturday 14th June 2014

Lewiston, Idaho. 83 miles. Average 11.6mph. Left Plummer at 6am. Very cold and misty, and a 3 mile climb out of town. Then it started raining which lasted for about 5 hours. Had breakfast at Potlash Junction. Front mech playing up so had to go to bike shop. Might have change bar bag, brake lever can't move far enough when changing 28 to 39 chain rings. Spectacular views overlooking Lewiston, then 6 mile descent.

Sunday 15th June 2014

Walla Walla, Washington State. 96 miles. Average speed 11.1mph. Left Lewiston at 7am and within a mile passed into Washington State. Gears still not right. Then a 12 mile climb out of valley to 2,800ft. Then the wind came to meet me again. 20-25mph into me across open land. Massive climbs I can cope with, but with the wind hitting me as well made it suicidal at times. Again no food on route so it was a banana and an ice cream at Dayton.

 

 

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Four

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Monday 2nd June 2014

Rest day in Minot today. Had a lay-in to 7.30am. Looked outside and it was raining and didn't stop until mid-day. Receptionist made some reservations for me, so that put my mind at rest. In Wolf Point there are lots of oil men, they are "fracking" there, so taking a lot of the rooms. Also booked up for East Glacier Park because there is limited accommodation. Going to give the bike a good clean then go and have a burger. Picture of my hotel room.

      

My Hotel Room



Tuesday 3rd June 2014

Williston, North Dakota. 125 miles. Average speed 14mph. Left at 5am. Thermal jacket, gloves and shorts. Saw sign saying 51F. Then became quite misty, this lasted for about 40 miles. Also lots of road works going on. They were resurfacing and made the hard-shoulder very narrow and at an acute angle. This made it very difficult to balance properly, especially with the extra 30lbs I'm carrying in the pannier bags! Stop for breakfast in a place called Stanley, 54 miles, by then the mist had cleared and roads were better. Sun came out, so short sleeved top for last 20 miles. Saw my first oil well today. Quite a few works camps alongside the road, and lots of big lorries carrying all the fracking equipment. Arrived at Super 8 hotel at 4pm.



Oil Well

 Wednesday 4th June 2014
Had a restful day in Williston. Researched as many hotels and motels as I could to the west coast, because I might not be able to pick up wi-fi when I'm the Rockies. It's been another hot day, but the wind has picked up quite badly. Looks like it could be a hard day tomorrow. Looking at the map I see it climbs over 2000ft, just a little tester before the Rockies. Thought I'd show a picture of the hotel I'm staying in. I've used about 10 of these Super 8 hotels already.

My Hotel - Super 8

Thursday 5th June 2014

Wolf Point, Montana. 97 miles. Average speed 11.3mph. Left Williston at 7am into horrendous traffic of pickups, big lorries and road works. Thermal top to breakfast stop, then short sleeved top rest of day. Turned into a really hard day of roller coaster hills and a full-on headwind. Last 23 miles was a gradual uphill to 2000ft into the wind at 8-10mph. Highlight of day was passing into Montana and a new time zone. I'm now 7 hours behind UK time.

Wolf Point, Montana

Friday 6th June 2014

Malta, Montana. 119 miles. Average speed 13.6mph. Left Wolf Point at 5am this morning to try and get the miles before that horrendous wind came up again. Quite chilly today, had thermal jacket on all day. Stopped for breakfast at Glasgow and lunch at Saco. The wind was kind to me and the hills manageable. The picture shows a group of dinosaurs on the hillside outside Glasgow. Took 10 hours today, but easier than yesterday.



Dinosaurs on the hillside outside Glasgow

Saturday 7th June 2014

Havre, Montana. 90 miles. Average speed 13.9mph. Left Malta at 6am trying to miss that wind. Sunny but very cold. Full winter gear on. Easy going roads. Wind picked up but fortunately in my favour. Encountered roads works over the last 3 miles. There'd taken the surface off, it was like a dirt track. I'd been riding beside a railway line for about 20 miles when I took this picture. The train was about half a mile long.

Railway Line

Sunday 8th June 2014

Shelby, Montana. 101 miles. Average speed 12.4mph. Left Havre at 6am. Again very cold and sunny, wearing full winter gear. Stopped for late breakfast in a place called Chester. Met two fellow bikers but they were doing c2c in opposite direction. The hills were long and then the wind hammered me for last 40 miles. Lots of Native American culture in these parts, so I took this picture. Saw the Rockies in the distance today, still lots of snow on them. They look massive!

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Three

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA Monday 26th May 2014 Ironwood, Michigan. Lots of long, long hills in pine forests and lakes. 86F today and that nagging headwind. Entered new time zone today. Now six behind UK time. 106 miles. Average speed 12.8mph.




Lake Superior and the white line you see is actually the ice flow

 

Tueday 27th May 2014 Superior, Wisconson. Good day. Left 6am. Hills not so big. Wind not in my face. Internet in room not that good. 116 miles. Average speed 14.4mph.

Wednesday 28th May 2014

Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Started 6am. Very cold. Had to wear full winter clothes. Then hot at mid day. Entered Minnesota today. Roads are terrible. Big cracks and bumps every 25 yards. Picture shows Highway 20 sign. This should take me through all the way to the Rockies in Montana. 96 miles. Average speed 13.1mph.

Highway 20

Thursday 29th May 2014

Had a lay-in today. Left at 7am. Thermal jacket and shorts. Then in the 80's again. Bitten by loads of bugs when you stop for a drain-out. Roads much better today, but still broken up in places. Stopped at a nice place called Cass Lake for a late breakfast (pictured). Restful day. 76 miles. Average speed 13.5mph.



Cass Lake

Friday 30th May 2014

Left Bemidji about 7am and arrived in Grand Forks about 4.30pm. Quite warm when I left, just short sleeved top and shorts. Made good progress. Road surface good. Then last 35 miles slightly uphill into a strong headwind, only maintaining 8-10mph. Then to finish the day off thunder and lightening. Then crossing the bridge into Grand Forks and North Dakota (see picture). 114 miles. Average speed 13.5mph.

Bridge into Grand Forks and North Dakota

Saturday 31st May 2014

Devils Lake, North Dakota. Left Grand Forks at 7am. Thermal top and shorts. It was spitting with rain, but thankfully held off. Some of the roads were terrible, but I had the wind in my favour. Super 8 hotel was full so found another across the street. The Mosquitos are everywhere. Just going out to find food I got bitten quite a few times! 88miles. Average speed 13.9mph.

Sunday 1st June 2014

Minot, North Dakota. Left Devils Lake at 5.30am. Very misty for first 40 miles. Then stopped for breakfast at a place called Rugby. This happens to be the geographical centre of North America. Road surface and terrain good. Winds favourable. Then torrential at end trying to find my hotel. Going to celebrate tonight because I am now at the halfway point. Going to have a rest day tomorrow. 131 miles. Average speed 15.4mph.

 

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Two

Week Two

Monday 19th May 2014

Able to ride much faster today. Reached Tobermory late afternoon. Beautiful little place. Sunny afternoon and had fish and chips by the harbour. 90 miles. Average speed 13.8mph. Only downside was that the previous night yahoo cut my email link. Thanks to my brother-in-law Stan, I was reconnected 23rd May.




Ferry leaving Tobermory



Tuesday 20th May 2014

Rest day. Took the ferry across Lake Huron from Tobermory to South Baymouth. Met a lovely couple called Dennis and Robyn who were driving cross country to Vancouver. It was cold and wet when I arrived. Found a motel and had a good feed up in the evening.

Ferry terminal at South Baymouth

Wednesday 21st May 2014

Was going to stay in a town called Espanola. All the motels were full. Decided to carry on riding and went onto Highway 17, the most dangerous road I have ever ridden on. Every motel was fully booked so I kept riding until I found one, thank goodness, in a small place called Spanish. 104 miles. Average speed 12.7mph.



Pennisula riding out of South Baymouth



Thursday 22nd May 2014

This Highway 17 is so dangerous I decided to make a big push to Sault Ste Marie and get back into USA. The big lorries pushed me off the road three times. Usually I ride inside the white line at the side of the road but this was broken up and very narrow. The road had massive long climbs and the wind was very strong and cold. Went past a sign that said 9C. Had to cross a massive bridge which takes you over Lake Huron and Superior into the USA. I was running on empty, so decided to find a posh hotel and give myself some TLC. I am two days ahead of schedule so decided to have a rest day tomorrow. 128 miles. Average speed 11.8mph.  Bridge linking the two countries 

Friday 23rd May 2014

Rest day in Sault Ste Marie. The day I got my email back. Picture shows the Soo Lock Gates behind my posh hotel.



Soo Lock Gates



Saturday 24th May 2014

Left at 6am. Quite chilly. Thermal top, gloves and shorts. Roads were a lot smoother and the hills where easier. Was able to ride at a steady pace. 88 miles. Average speed 14.2mph. Decided to stay at Seney. A nice looking motel. Picture shows that I am in Native American country.

 

Native American Country



Sunday 25th May 2014

Three Lakes, Michigan. Left at 5.30am. Long, long steady climbs. Temperatures in the 80's. Found nice little motel by a lake. 119 miles. Average speed 13mph. Not able to send picture for some reason.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week One

Week One

Friday 9th May 2014

The start of the great adventure.







Me leaving home

 
Saturday 10th May 2014

Rocky Atlantic Coast

Sunday 11th May 2014

CC Basingstoke - Sunday Club Run

 
 

Dave Selsky in the middle with the beard

  

Monday 12th May 2014

Setting off from hotel in Danvers. Really hot day, in the 80's. Lots of big long hills. Drank six bottles of water. 117 miles. Got lost three times. Took 11.5 hours. 12.3mph average speed.



Me leaving hotel in Danvers



Tuesday 13th May 2014

Not so hot today. Passed out of Mass into New York State. 

Still some serious climbing though. 85 miles.




New York State Sign

Wednesday 14th May 2014
Cold at first. Had to wear thermal jacket. Then 24 mile climb which took nearly three hours (Average speed 9.7mph). Then in the 80's again. Burnt my arms. Another hard day. Stopped in Diner in Prattsville. 81 miles. 11.9 mph average speed for the day. Rode through the Catskills Mountains today.

Catskills Mountains

Thursday 15th May 2014

Another hard days riding. Quite hot but still the hills kept coming at me. One roller coaster after another. The one in the picture took 10 minutes to climb and went down to 3mph. 88 miles today at an average speed of 11.7mph.



10 minutes to climb this hill

Friday 16th May 2014
Did not arrive until 6pm. Then had to find food. Thunder and
torrential rain until midday, then cold head wind. Temperature has dropped to mid 50's. 113 miles. Average speed 11.7mph. Only took one photo at my last banana stop. Where's a burger bar when you want one..

 

Saturday 17th May 2014

Didn't arrive until 6.30pm, then had to wash and find food. Changed location to Mount Hope. Went to have a meal in a place called Bobbies, run by a lovely lady 
called Glenda. Got talking to a young couple and their son who was 12 years old. Unknowingly they paid for my meal. What lovely people they were to do this. It 
just goes to show what descent, kind, friendly people there are in Canada. And if you read my blog, thank you. Today was an easier ride. It was a very cold wind in my face all day. Visited Niagra Falls 
and then it very difficult to find my way out on the correct road. 109 miles. average speed 11.8mph.



Niagra Falls

Sunday 18th May 2014

Again didn't arrive until 6pm. Very cold at start. Was wearing full winter clothes. Warmed up mid day and was wearing thermal top and shorts. Have arrived in a place called Hanover. Decided to alter route and take the ferry across Lake Huron from Tobermory to South Baymouth. Will ride to Tobermory tomorrow. Today was very windy, which made riding quite hard at time. Especially on the exposed long, long climbs. 110 miles. Average speed 12.4mph. Couldn't find anything interesting to take a picture of, so here's my motel, my room with the door open.