day 11 - myers flat (is where it's at)

86 miles today. But not just 86. It was 86 with an average of 16 mph. I know it doesn't sound very impressive but that's really fast for touring. In the prior days I'd been averaging around 10-12 mph. It was the first day that this really felt like a road ride, rather than a long tour. Adam, Ben, and I pace lined and raced up climbs. And I think the thousands of calories we took in at the pizza buffet lunch in Arcata helped too.
Right now I'm lying at the base of a redwood in the Avenue of the Giants. The rays of the sun rarely reach this ground. It's a bit inland so lots of climbing. But the indifference that was in my muscles last week has now moved to my joints and now my muscles almost enjoy the struggle. In Myers Flat I got a free bumper sticker that says 'myers flat is where it's at.' Thought that was funny. I'm looking forward to the biggest climbing day tomorrow.

-niko (not really by the Pacific)