Jennifer Schofield
Pacific Coast
Stepping Up
I bet real adventure cyclists don't cry this much. Nerves, anxiety about being on my own and fretting over missing my husband got the better of me on the drive up to the border. The sadness clashed with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on the car radio. It's hard to feel down while listening to your hometown heroes doing "Can't Hold Us" (Little bit of humble, little bit of cautious, somewhere between Rocky and Cosby / Sweater game nope nope y'all can't copy.... Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over / So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us, like the ceiling can't hold us.)
Once the ride was officially underway - after the border marker photos, a tearful goodbye, realizing I was starving and scarfing a Clif bar, the scenery beckoned. You won't find anyone more excited for a clear sunny day in the Pacific Northwest than someone who lives here - because we know just how rare it is. I visited new places like Birch Bay and Ferndale and also familiar Chuckanut Drive and Whidbey Island - all with the sun shining over neatly groomed farm fields, winding roads dipping down to pretty little coves and white fluffy clouds dotting blue skies. With bald eagles circling overhead, pine needles toasting in the sun, and the miles ticking by, my anxiety level decreased a couple notches.
I met Bob from Tampa, FL as we were navigating downtown Bellingham. He had just ridden the Southern Tier and then a road route that follows the Pacific Crest Trail. He told me about so many nice people that he had met on his trip. (Anxiety level lowered a couple more ticks). Later that day when I stopped for lunch, a few folks asked about my solar charger. They were curious about my tour and kept telling me what an amazing time I would have. I was starting to feel pretty confident that I would.
Their daughter who was maybe three years old, eagerly said hello until she was sure of capturing my attention. Their son eavesdropped as he ran laps around the patio, occasionally eyeing my bike and me. I flashed back to the woman I met 20 years ago as she was embarking on a cross-country trip. And I realized, now I am that woman, talking to a family about her grand adventure over lunch.
- 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
-
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
