Shayne Khajehnoori
Pacific Coast
Crossing the Oregon-California state-line, I had a huge smile on my face, as I always do anytime I return to the great state of California. Typically, by car, I roll the window all the way down and stick my head out and let out a few screams. By bike, this was unnecessary.  

I rode an easy 25 miles to Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, which I counted as a rest day, and relaxed and swam in the Smith River which backed up against my Hike & Bike campsite in the park. As darkness crept in, the adjoining day-use area cleared out, and that entire side of the park was all mine, as the car-campers crowded on top of each other on the other side of the park.  

I strolled down to the river bank next to my camp, camera in hand, to gaze in, wonder at the colorful dance that the moon, the low laying fog, the redwoods, and the river were creating. Golden orange colors swirled in the sky as the moon traced its path across the river, lighting up the redwoods.  After about an hour of shooting a time-lapse of the spectacular event happening in the sky, car lights hastily pull in from seemingly nowhere, full brights, blinding me. Unable to see, I hear two car doors slam and a voice demands me to drop everything and put my hands in the air. I oblige, moving calmly and smoothly. Luckily, I’m pretty versed at talking to government officials, and I eased the tensions by talking about my photography and cycling trip. Minutes later, the rangers leave just as another ranger vehicle drives up. They stop and chat through open car windows for a minute, then one drives off. I’m back to shooting more photos, when the second ranger does the exact same thing. He blinds me with headlights, and orders my hands in the air. I talk them back into their cars, and I call it a night, not trying to invite a 3rd ranger vehicle to come investigate the mysterious cycling photographer. Thanks California for such a warm welcome back home.

The ride back to my home in Sonoma County was as amazing as always. I’ve ridden that section before on a previous trip, and I relived those memories by riding through some of the tallest trees in the world through the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods state park, and up the legendary Leggett Hill, a 4 mile steep climb with a 15 mile descent to the ocean. This section is beautiful, remote, and challenging, the three basic requirements for an epic ride. A few days later, I arrive home, just north of San Francisco, where I spend a week resting, visiting friends, celebrating my 30th birthday, and repacking my bike. Next up, the final stretch to Mexico.

- IMAGES OF THE ROAD -

Pacific Coast's profile picture
Shayne Khajehnoori

Gear List

- My Blackburn Gear -

  • OUTPOST FRONT RACK $99.99 Buy Now
  • OUTPOST REAR RACK $124.99 Buy Now
  • CENTRAL 20 REAR LIGHT $34.99 Buy Now
  • OUTPOST CARGO CAGE $24.99 Buy Now

- 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's profile picture
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.

- MUST HAVES -