On a bicycle

Sept 29, 2017.  Following my own advice to riders on the Pacific Coast Highway, I took a bus from Aberdeen to the Westport  Park'n'Ride and  biked to Bruceport County Park and Campground. Much of the road after the cranberry farms (Mile 10 below) to Raymond had fresh chipseal (rough!).  From Dexter by the Sea to Raymond, the shoulder mostly disappeared.  I explored Tokeland--that road was also flat and rustic.  I rode down 105 in the smoother right car track, keeping an eye on my mirror and moving to the edge of the road when cars began to overtake me--overtaking cars moved left to avoid a close call.  This route is really flat and is perfect for going to Raymond if you  overloaded your bike  beyond reason and  want/need to avoid riding up the hills on the shortest path between Aberdeen and Raymond. My bike  with fenders, front & rear racks, a pump and a Brooks B17 leather saddle   is 31 lb and my camping kit is 2...

Willapa Hills Trail bike ride.   A 56 mile trail of which 5-6 miles have been paved. Preparation:  1992 vintage Cannondale mountain bike with front shock and Performance seatpost rack 740 gm (1.63 lb.), an old Kirtland rack top trunk 227gm (8 oz.), a light (?) handlebar bag 212 (7.5 oz), Brooks Flyer Saddle (sprung!!), one bottle cage in the triangle.  Another bottle cage would fit on the seat tube, but wouldn't fit a 24 oz bottle.  I resolved to make a frame bag that would take both bottles, bikepacker style.  I took two full 24 oz bottles of water with NUNN tablets, ten Clif bars, water purification drops, camera, a keyed cable lock, deLorme Explorer, minimal tool kit, a spare tube, more NUUN tablets.  With no clothing on the bike, the bike and listed gear weighed 38 lb.  Worn: an Osprey Synchro 15 backpack which I'd stuff with clothing shed as the earth warmed. Itinerary:  Bus from Aberdeen to Elma, another to Centralia ...