VANCOMEX: 09/14/12

Thanks for your interest

Thanks for your interest in our blog - over 2900 page reviews to date - thank you. We are having such a great adventure but nursing the body soreness of 1200kms so far makes us realise the seriousness of the challenge. Ice machines in the hotels are coming in very handy!!

Please send us your comments - rude, encouraging or any other comment! We appreciate hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Vancomex team

Toms column

Hello from Tom.

Chris (aka David Bailey ) and Brian (aka Piers Morgan) are producing some stunning copy of our truely extraordinary trip, which I hope you readers are all enjoying. If you do get a kick from taking a ganders please let us all know with a brief comment from time to time. Reading silently deprives us of the oxygen of feed back ( my friends and family buck up, please!)

Chris and Brian, very conscious of their positions and of the Leveson Enquiry are being very circumspect in what they say. Me, retired from active service, can let you have some insight into the features that are left on the cutting room floor. Unsurprisingly many - but no means all- of these concern the intrepid duo from Hadlow. Of course we are all boys. And as the miles have rolled by we have got to feel more relaxed with each other, and also increasing sore in the nether regions. Those of a sensitive disposition should stop reading here. PAUSE.

The issue is this. Boys have a certain build which does seem at fundimental odds with the design of the racing saddle on our bikes. O.K we can manage 50 miles or so and not every day. But our anatomy is definately not destined to be placed on an upside down ironing plate for 6-7 hours a day. I will not attribute remarks personally ( except to assert that none have passed my lips). The comments have however become increasingly vociferous: "My a-s is killing me"; "I have a pimple on my bum" "Its so numb down there that I pissed myself without knowing". And so forth. This has prompted many a discussion of the merits and demerits (WHICH style) of the potions and lotions on the market to, allegedly, alleviate such dire conditions. I will let you readers into a personal secret: I have never deviated from good old Vaseline ( which if you purchase from the baby secton of Boots is so much more inexpensive compared to the same concoction sold in a tiny tin marketed with fanfare as a lip salve - with added aloe vera crap. Better still one can buy an ENORMOUS, but unbranded, tub at the 99p store for, well, 99p). Of course there are those that insist on the cyclists' speciality of expensive chamois cream, the idea being that your strides get as much smeared on as your a-s. Others, remembering with fondness (or otherwise) their role as fathers, swear by sudocream and the like. Well this will never be resolved but you get the drift of the high minded conversation as we pedal.

More anon, probably about our bowls.... Tom

14th September - Coos Bay to Gold Beach

The day got off to a disappointing start as at breakfast we found out Tim had had a bad night and was a feverish. He decided not to ride, take the pills and sleep out the afternoon - the right decision because it was a long day with restricted views due to heavy mist.

We departed just before 8.00am aware that the ride was at least 150km distance. About 25kms into the ride we took a 16km detour to Cape Arago – well worth it just to hear and see the seals and sea lions honking. The views were a bit restricted due to sea fog which persisted for most of the day. On the way out of Cape Arago State Park we were treated to a procession of vintage American cars who were participating in a car rally through Oregon State – 45 cars in all and I think we saw them all.

On the way to Bandon we cycled the Seven Devils Road. We soon found out that each Devil was a steep hill. Maurice was counting carefully, but gave up after the ten of them. After cycling for 60kms we stopped at Bandon for coffee and blueberry pancakes – jummy! After Bandon we had an uninteresting 45kms cycle along US101. It was great to meet up again with Vince (trailor man) who is doing the same route as us. We stopped for lunch at Port Orford, a small fishing port – Clam Chowders all round – lovely!

The remaining 45kms was head down on US101 as the weather (fog) had closed in and visibility was poor. Unfortunately, we missed some great scenic views of the coastline, but we can’t complain – our weather has been great so far.

Once we had decided that site-seeing was over for the day we finished in great style cycling quickly to the hotel – even Bradley would not have stayed with our pace. We end the ride at Gold Beach having completed 150kms+ for the day.

Additions: We have named Chris’s Garmin ‘Bridget’. She has a mind of her own, she is contrary, changes her mind frequently and for spells refuses to cooperate. However, she has her uses and we love her dearly.

No Twit of the day award – boring behaviour by most – Tom on the edge as ever!