We woke with the tent slightly wet from dew and with a hint of frost, even though we were only at 1500 feet height. Ambled out to a refreshing breakfast and then Skyped Pippa and Ant using the internet at the campsite, where the staff were very helpful.

Continue reading Oakhurst to Bass Lake: 12 miles and 1560 feet (A day off really) →

David: Today was an epic and one of the highlights of the whole trip, despite the efforts of a group of Tea Party Congressmen and Congresswomen to spoil it. We reached the highest point of the whole route (9945 feet) and cycled our longest day yet. The scenery was spectacular throughout the day and, as I type this, I can genuinely say we felt we had pushed the limits. Continue reading Lee Vining to Indian Flats RV Park : 82 miles and 5500ft up →

David: Day 3 of the shutdown of the US government saw us wake after a good night’s sleep in the motel in little town of Walker (at about 5400 feet and so not too cold). Continue reading Thursday 3rd October: Walker to Lee Vining: 56 miles →

This was a tough day but had 3 of the ‘BESTS’ this holiday. The Best downhill, the best panoramic view and the best autumn colours. Continue reading Wednesday 2nd October. South Lake Tahoe to Walker. 63 miles. →

David: We got up early enough to say farewell and thanks to our wonderful hosts, Mike and Kim. They finally left at 7.30 and I fear that we may have chatted so long that Mike was late for a meeting on the effects of the Federal Government shutdown which started today. Continue reading Tuesday 1 October: Truckee to South Lake Tahoe →

We had a luxurious wallow in the morning, reading in bed with cups of tea, in MIke and Kim’s lovely house.  We spent some vauable time plotting out the next phase of the trip with maps etc and emailing a couple of other potential warmshowers hosts along the way. It is such a great way to meet interesting people and soooo much nicer than a hotel.

We then cycled into Truckee (not panniers or trailer, horray!).  The town had a pleasant ‘oldy wordly’ downtown of a couple of streets but extends out some distance in all directions.  We got directions to a bike shop, who were very friendly and tuned up David’s brakes and gears and we brought some emergency space blankets  to line the tent if very cold as we have some high camps ahead ( a tip from someone else on turning the 3 season tent into a 4 season tent).  Lovely coffee and paninis in town before heading back to the house for some more strenous reading and relaxing.

When Mike and Kim got back we decided to get a Thai take out. On the way to pick it up they drove us up to Donner Summit, which had wonderful views over Donner Lake and the surrounding mouintains as the sun went down. We had a great evening chatting and getting to know and like Mike and Kim topped off by a game of scrabble (Kim the winner!)

Bernie: It was odd to set off without being able to say goodbye to Gary and Avery and thank them properly. It was a shame not to get to know Gary better and Avery, who is clearly a very talented baseball player and motorcyclist, and even at 14 seems to be a really nice lad. Continue reading Sunday 29th Sept – Quincy to Truckee. 70 miles. →

72 miles; 2700 feet of climbing.  David: We woke in a bed – such a delight – and gradually got going. The first 20 miles or so was up and down through a lovely forest, and then a long downhill towards Chester (3 miles off the route but worth it). Continue reading Saturday 28th September: Child’s Meadow to Quincy →

Today was just one of the BEST days. We woke in our snug cabin, pleased that Elisa and Eli had also been able to share a warm night. Continue reading Friday 27th September: Manzinita Lake to Child’s Meadow →

Bernie: We did not linger long in Weed, which in the rankings is my second least favorite town (Chemult still bagging first prize). As we were slightly off route we needed to take a small road parallel to I5 for a few miles. Continue reading Wednesday 25th September: Weed to McArthur Burney Falls →

Got up early (cold) and packed up. Bernie not slept too well and so a bit drowsy in the morning. Continue reading Thursday 26th September: McArthur Burney State Park to Manzanita Lake (Entrance to Mount Lassen) →

 ML, our warmshowers host, had come in late on Sunday evening after we had both nodded off.  Her welcome was warm and it took us about 30 seconds to decide to stay for a rest day in her beautiful house. Continue reading Monday 23rd September. Rest day in Ashland: 0 miles →

David and Bernie both contributed to this:  We had our breakfast in the very pink dining room of the Prospect Hotel. Beautifully and tastefully done, but to honest the hotel wasn’t really our style. We felt managed to within an inch of our lives in the nicest possible way. It was all a bit too organised but it did allow us to have a lovely evening with Bjorn and Mika! Continue reading Prospect to Ashland (76 miles – a record!) →