Jennifer Schofield
Pacific Coast
Sunny side up
The first full day in Oregon: The beach! Toes in warm sand! Smiling people on vacation with their beautiful families! Cute little dogs! It was glorious.And then it got even better with a rest day - in a real house, with a real bed and most importantly, a real towel. It was great having a walk around the beach and Manzanita, doing a little boogie boarding and just hanging out without studying maps, setting up camp or counting miles.
And then, back on the road the weather changed. The once bluebird skies turned an angry gray and drilled rain into our faces. A powerful headwind slowed us down considerably and after a long struggle we reached the Newport bike shop where Pierre needed to stop for repairs. Not only was it dry shelter but the staff pointed us upstairs to their cyclists’ lounge (wifi, tv, couches, and a dryer). I could have stayed for hours, but James and Pierre urged me on for just a few more miles.
Our next challenge was crossing the Newport bridge. I was worried about the Oregon tunnels, but a two-lane bridge with a nasty crosswind was just plain scary. We had no hope of staying in the shoulder - the wind pushed the three of us all over the lane. Thankfully the drivers behind us were very courteous, and eventually we made it across.
We called it a day after 17 miles and splurged on a KOA cabin. We talked at great length over who would get the big full-sized bed and who would sleep in the bunks. I suggested that we assign beds according to height, which would place Pierre in the big bed, and James and me in the bunks. No, over and over, they insisted they were English gentlemen who couldn't live with themselves were they to let a lady sleep in lesser conditions. After all, I had been such a wonderful local tour guide, had arranged for the lodging on our rest day, on and on. Finally I gave up just to have a (big) place to roll out my sleeping bag. As soon as the words left my mouth, they turned on me. "Had to twist your arm, did we?" "Oh sure, the littlest one gets the big comfy bed."
When it rains it pours.
- IMAGES OF THE ROAD -
Jennifer Schofield
Gear List
- MY BLACKBURN GEAR -
- MY BIKE SPECS -
- • FRAME-Voodoo Wazoo. Steel cyclocross frame
- • SHIFTERS-Shimano Tiagra
- • TIRES-Continental Gatorskin
- • FORK-Columbus Foderi Unicrown EL Rineforzati
- • BRAKES-Avid Short4
- • SADDLE-Bodygeometry Riva
- • PEDALS-Shimano
- • WHEELS-Mavic 28s
- • BAGS-Blackburn Barrier rear panniers, trunk bag and handlebar bag.
- •
- PERSONAL ITEMS -
- • Soap
- • Moisturizer
- • Mascara
- • Mascara
- • Tampons
- • Eye drops
- • 1-2 books to read (hardcopy)
- • Nail clippers
- • Baby wipes
- • Laundry soap
- • Sunscreen
- • Eye pencil
- • Eye pencil
- • Toothbrush & paste
- • First aid kit
- • Tweezers
- • Vitamins
- • Chamois butter
- • Shampoo, conditioner
- • Lip balm
- • Lipstick
- • Retainers
- • Journal
- • Mirror
- • Advil
- TECHNOLOGY -
- • iPhone 4S, charger
- • Bike computer (Blackburn Atom SL 3.0)
- • Goal Zero 10 Plus solar charger
- • GoPro camera
- CAMPING GEAR -
- • Toilet paper
- • REI Chrysalis UL solo tent, footprint and rain fly
- • Matches
- • Headlamp, batteries
- • Duct tape
- • Bowl
- • Mountain Equipment Helium 400 down women’s sleeping bag
- • Clothespins
- • Plastic bags
- • Plastic bags
- • Chamois towel
- • Utensils
- • Thermarest ProLite Plus women's sleeping pad
- • Clothesline
- • Zip ties
- CLOTHING -
- • 2 pr bike shorts, 1 below-the-knee
- • Rain jacket
- • Bike boots
- • Surf shorts
- • 2 pairs panties
- • Sunglasses
- • Warm camp socks
- • Full finger gloves
- • Rain pants
- • 2 pair cycling socks
- • T-shirt
- • 2 sports bras
- • Arm warmers
- • Bell Volt helmet
- • 2 jerseys
- • Rain booties
- • Swimsuit top
- • Skirt w/shorts underneath
- • 2 bike hats
- • Leg warmers
Jennifer Schofield
- FROM: Seattle, WA
- DOB: 1974-09-20
- Married w/2 chihuahuas
- OCCUPATION: Performance Consultant
- What was the genesis moment or inspiration for your upcoming adventure? Have you traveled by bike in the past? Reading Bruce Weber’s New York Times posts about his 2011 cross-country bicycle trip rekindled my 20-year old dream of doing a long bike ride. Then I talked with several friends who have done long tours – both the PCH and Transamerica…and I started thinking, hey, if these guys can do this, I can too. I’ve done the Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic a couple times – what’s a few more hundred miles?
- What was the genesis moment or inspiration for your upcoming adventure? Have you traveled by bike in the past? Reading Bruce Weber’s New York Times posts about his 2011 cross-country bicycle trip rekindled my 20-year old dream of doing a long bike ride. Then I talked with several friends who have done long tours – both the PCH and Transamerica…and I started thinking, hey, if these guys can do this, I can too. I’ve done the Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic a couple times – what’s a few more hundred miles?
- What is your goal for the route? What do you hope to get out of this journey? I intend to ride from Port Angeles, WA to the US-Mexico border. I am hoping for adventure, time on the beautiful Pacific coast, a good tail wind and embracing life outside the cubicle! I’m looking forward to visiting the small towns along the coast and especially meeting new people along the way.
MY MUST HAVES
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Magic Feather
Because believing I can do it is what's going to get me there
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My Journal
Documenting the memories as I go
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My Phone
Staying connected with friends and family
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Lip Balm
A little bit of comfort that I carry with me on every long ride
