Shayne Khajehnoori
Pacific Coast
Garberville, CA
It was time for a break. I’m not the type of cycle tourist that wants to crush miles without taking moments to explore new areas. The Oregon coast is unrivaled in its magnificence, but the mountains, rivers, and hot springs of the interior were calling to me. To my delight, I was picked up in Manzanita, OR by my incredible boyfriend and partner-in-crime, Julian, who made the 16 hour drive up from the San Francisco bay area to join me for ten days of exploring and adventuring off the bike.Beginning in the small coastal town of Manzanita, a local art gallery owner overheard us debating which nearby campground we would go first. The man leaned in and with a lowered voice gave us his locals-only recommendation; a campground nestled in the woods on the border of the Tillamook State Forest adjacent to a pristine river full of swimming holes. We swam with fish, sang to birds, and over a glowing campfire gave thanks to our space there in the forests arms.
We crossed half the state the next day as we made our way to Hood River, OR and White Salmon, WA, neighboring cities divided by the Columbia River. Reunited with old friends, now a group of 5, we headed into Mt. Hood National Forest to camp on a remote lake. As we circumnavigated the lake shore skipping stones and eating berries, Ospreys appeared overhead, crying out to us in declaration that this was, in fact, their lake. Mt. Hood rooted powerfully in the distance, the sun setting spectacularly in the western sky, fish leaping out of the water, it was another summer evening in nature’s paradise. I had all but forgotten that I was on a bike tour at all.
No visit to Oregon is complete without a visit to one of its abundant hot springs. Hidden near the border of the Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests lies Breitenbush Hot Springs, an intentional community and retreat center nestled in the forest and exploding with geothermal activity. Our weary travel-worn bodies soaked in the abundant pools scattered around the grounds, our muscles and minds relaxing and melting into the water. I could get used to this.
Wrapping up the tour through Oregon, we headed back toward Manzanita where I would continue cycling the coast to Mexico. We enjoyed the last few nights stealth camping on the banks of a gorgeous river watching the occasional kayaker drift by. With my bike and also my body freshly tuned and rejuvenated, I was back on the Oregon coast, sad to see Julian leave, yet eager to continue this adventure down the pacific coast.
- IMAGES OF THE ROAD -
Shayne Khajehnoori
Gear List
- My Blackburn Gear -
- MY BIKE SPECS -
- • FRAME-NINER RLT 853 REYNOLDS 853, 142MM X 12MM THRU AXLE, RACK/FENDER BRAZE ONS
- • FORK-NINER RLT RIGID, CARBON, 9MM QR
- • FRONT WHEEL-SRAM RISE 60 29
- • REAR WHEEL-SRAM RISE 60 29
- • FRONT TIRE-WTB CROSS BOSS 700C x 35C
- • REAR TIRE-WTB CROSS BOSS 700C x 35C
- • INNER TUBES-WTB INNERTUBE PRESTA 700C X 18/25C
- • CRANK SET-SRAM FORCE CX1
- • CHAINWHEELS-SRAM FORCE CX1 X-SYNC, SEVERAL SIZES
- • BOTTOM BRACKET-SRAM BB30 68MM
- • CHAIN-SRAM PC-1170
- • REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM-XX1 X-HORIZON
- • REAR DER SHIFTER-SRAM FORCE CX1 HYDRAULIC
- • FRONT DER SHIFTER-SRAM FORCE CX1 HYDRAULIC
- • CASSETTE-SRAM XG-1199 10-42T
- • HEAD SET-NINER
- • STAR NUT-NINER
- • HEADSET CAP-NINER
- • HEADSET SPACERS-NINER
- • STEM-TRUVATIV STYLO T40 STEM SEVERAL SIZES
- • HANDLEBARS-ZIPP SERVICE COURSE BEYOND BLACK
- • TAPE / GRIPS-SRAM SUPER CORK BAR TAPE BLACK
- • SEAT POST-TRUVATIV STYLO T40 SEATPOST 27.2MM DIA, 400MM LENGTH
- • SEAT POST CLAMP / BINDER-NINER
- • FRONT BRAKE-SRAM FORCE CX1 POST MOUNT, 160MM ROTOR, >1,000MM HOSE
- • REAR BRAKE-SRAM FORCE CX1 POST MOUNT, 140MM ROTOR, >1,800MM HOSE
- • BRAKE LEVERS-SRAM
- • BRAKE HOUSING / CBL-SRAM
- •
Shayne Khajehnoori
- FROM: Santa Rosa, CA
- DOB: 1999-11-30
- OCCUPATION: Adventurer
-
The inspiration for my upcoming cycling and paddling adventure is rooted in my desire for exploration, both internally and externally. I am able to better fully understand myself and learn from others as well as my environment when I launch myself into the unknown. The excitement lies in every rotation of the cranks, every untraveled road, and every unexplored river and coast. Adventure is the currency that I barter in, and my bike, my trading post.
Over the last four years, I have embarked on several multi-day bicycle and bike-rafting tours throughout the west coast including the Humboldt Redwoods, the Northern California coast, and the Olympic Peninsula. My personal highlight was bike-rafting from Seattle to Portland via the Olympic Peninsula. With my packraft carefully nestled atop my rear rack, restlessly waiting for inflation, I was able to mix adventure cycling with some hair-raising whitewater paddling on several rivers on my way through the Washington. This upcoming trip, I am excited to revisit these same waterways and explore more as I head south through Oregon and California.
I have several goals for my trip, all challenging in their own way. As I disconnect from the habitual daily rituals that dictate my current life schedule, I gladly welcome the ability to set aside time and energy to focus on self-exploration and development through writing, photography, videography, breathing and meditation. My goal is not to log a hundred miles a day or climb 5000 feet a day, but to allow myself to stay open and seek out new experiences, people, thrills, and uncertainties.
This coastal journey from Canada to Mexico will undoubtedly be a life altering event. Through my communion with my bike, packraft and the environment around me, I hope to learn something new every step of the way. My focus does not solely rest on what I can get out of this journey, but also on what I can give. A poem, a picture, a prayer, a smile, a hug, an inspirational glimpse at adventure. I hope to open myself up in a way where I am in a position to give as well as receive, to equitably exchange knowledge, joy and energy with people and my surroundings.
-
What’s in my bag?
Packraft - This is the best way for me to get off the road and explore more remote areas.
Cameras (Canon 60D & GoPro Hero 4 Black) - These are absolutely essential tools for documenting the adventure ahead.
Fishing pole - I’m hoping to snag some surfperch and rockfish.
Homemade, homegrown, organic healing salve - A combination of calendula, yarrow, comfrey, and plantain from my garden, infused in coconut oil with a bit of arnica oil and lavender essential oils. Great for cuts, abrasions, sun burn, sore muscles, or giving a massage.
Recorder - A simple musical instrument. Nothing like busting out a Disney show-tune around the campfire.
