Shayne Khajehnoori
Pacific Coast
The Final Stretch
The final stretch. Just over 600 miles remaining. I ditched my rear panniers at my house in an effort to go light, fast, and minimal. Goodbye fishing gear, tent, books, food, and clothes for the most part. What a difference that made. With no weight over the rear wheel except my own, dropping at least 20lbs of gear, I felt like I was flying.Momentum built as I neared the cliffs of Big Sur.The road is carved precariously into the side of the mountain, and the views are so magnificent you forget that your legs are burning from all the climbing. Whales cruised northbound by the dozens, playing just off shore, splashing and shooting spurts of water into the air. Flocks of seabirds hovered closely nearby, ravenously diving for whatever fish the whales left in their wake. Hands down, the best day on a bike I ever experienced.
Days later, approaching the Mexican border through San Diego, my tour was coming to an end, but there was just one last adventure. Deciding to make the most of my stay in San Diego, I found my way to one of the local gay bars in the city which was coincidentally hosting a wet underwear contest. Last night in America, last night on tour, $100 first prize, why not? Details aside, I walked away that night with a fresh $100 bill which I took to Mexico and blew on beer, tacos, gifts, and more beer.
Thinking back on this tour, I can only express my endless gratitude for the gifts that I found in the people I met, the places that I visited, and the energy exchanged between myself and my bike. After two months, I had reached my goal, a monumental adventure in my life that will never be forgotten.To everyone who was there along the way, thank you!
- 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
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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.
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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.
