The next morning I had breakfast (coffee and oatmeal with apple, banana, powdered milk and a crushed chocolate chip cookie), packed up and hit the road by 10 am. My destination Pacific Beach State Park that I had miscalculated at being 107 km - I ended up cycling around 155.
The 101 hits the Pacific Ocean at Ruby Beach. From there, it proceeds south to Queets then heads East for 45 km before heading south again (to avoid the Quinault Indian Reservation).
In order to reach Pacific Beach, I had to take an old highway off the 101 through the bottom end of the reservation. After 20kms or so I noticed a black shape on the side of the road and immediately stopped. It was a black bear. Since I was downwind and not in a car, it had not smelt nor heard me. I wasn’t about to turn back – not after cycling over 100km, besides goddamit, I’m a Homo sapiens and all creatures must bow before us. I shouted once, only to have his attention focused onto me. I shouted a second time…no reaction. I shouted again while waving my arms…he kept staring. At this point I figured he was getting ready to charge at me but finally, when I cupped my hands and shouted – he took off into the bush. Not 3 minutes later, a woman in a pick up truck coming from the opposite direction stopped to advise me of another bear further up the road. As I proceeded, I whistled at top volume various tunes including Popeye the Sailorman.
Pacific Beach was a pretty cool town. Many businesses look shut down, but this could still be the low season. I had 3 pieces of fried chicken, a bottle of water and a root beer for $4.80. I also took a 6-minute shower for a dollar. Luxury.
Wildlife count: 1 black bear
The 101 hits the Pacific Ocean at Ruby Beach. From there, it proceeds south to Queets then heads East for 45 km before heading south again (to avoid the Quinault Indian Reservation).
In order to reach Pacific Beach, I had to take an old highway off the 101 through the bottom end of the reservation. After 20kms or so I noticed a black shape on the side of the road and immediately stopped. It was a black bear. Since I was downwind and not in a car, it had not smelt nor heard me. I wasn’t about to turn back – not after cycling over 100km, besides goddamit, I’m a Homo sapiens and all creatures must bow before us. I shouted once, only to have his attention focused onto me. I shouted a second time…no reaction. I shouted again while waving my arms…he kept staring. At this point I figured he was getting ready to charge at me but finally, when I cupped my hands and shouted – he took off into the bush. Not 3 minutes later, a woman in a pick up truck coming from the opposite direction stopped to advise me of another bear further up the road. As I proceeded, I whistled at top volume various tunes including Popeye the Sailorman.
Pacific Beach was a pretty cool town. Many businesses look shut down, but this could still be the low season. I had 3 pieces of fried chicken, a bottle of water and a root beer for $4.80. I also took a 6-minute shower for a dollar. Luxury.
Wildlife count: 1 black bear
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