Nearly 2 weeks in, Soundcraft Chairman, Kevin Smith, along with good friend Tim Green share their journey so far of the longest and toughest adventure of their lives, fundraising for the remarkable charity O2e – Ordinary to Extraordinary.
The adventure began when arriving in Vancouver to grey clouds, wind and rain – not the start the boys hoped for. The front breaks on Kev’s bike had also been damaged in transit so first stop was a bike shop. Morale was pretty low by the time they set off on the first day.
Day One
Stop and start: short burst of cycling and two ferry rides to get them to their first stop, Port Angeles.
Day Two
9 miler to Shelton and judging by the look on Kev’s face, it was pretty tough going.
Day Three
Upped the mileage to 113 for and it was a relentless 11-hour slog to Astoria. Weather stayed dry buy they had strong head winds for 80-90 miles. Tim said ‘Kev was on fire’ and in his opinion, he was slowing Kev down. Probably not a bad thing, don’t want him to peak too early! They cycled through logging country which means lots of huge lumber trucks on the road so they were glad to get past that lot. They stopped in Richmond for a bowl of soup – chicken, tomato and jalapeno. Very hot apparently and I suspect made them cycle that little bit faster in the afternoon.
Day Four
A ‘shorter’ 107 miles to Lincoln City – in Tim’s words, ‘a brutal day – amazing weather and scenery but we’re both really sore and aching; still, two more easy days ahead, only 80 milers!” They’re both in good shape though but aching a lot.
Kevin – “Sponge and I are useless at keeping tabs on the day of the week! Today was meant to be an easier day at c80 miles. But more head wind and far more hills than the GPS profile suggested – so another pigging hard day. Made worse by both of us having sore Achilles. Been ice packing and stretching all evening”
“We’re in a town called Florence. Still in Oregon. Beautiful little town. First sighting of some seals basking on rocks was pretty cool. We stopped for some much needed food in one town and met a some locals”
“Stopped at a bike shop – had brakes checked. There’s so many up hills, therefore so massive downs – and being a couple of whimps we are narf burning the brakes!”
Day Five
Kevin – “I managed to snap something holding my back bag on – so another stop at a bike shop required today. Just about to go get breakfast and head off – another semi easy day c80 miles. No doubt it will be hilly, with a head wind and is currently wet!
Day Six
Kevin – “Just stopped for some lunch. Just under 40 in to today’s near 90. The giant redwoods are absolutely amazing”
‘We really rather dawdled through the redwoods national park which we enjoyed enormously. The hill just outside of Crescent City was far less enjoyable. It was at least an hour and a quarter of none stop climbing!!! We got so cold on the decent we had to stop on the way down!!! Was shrouded in mist and was early so was flipping cold. In fact it’s been really rather cold every morning. Never expected the cold!”
“But suns out now so looking forward to knocking out this afternoon mileage. 2 big hills done, just one to go before we get some more rolling terrain. It’s been sooooooooooooooo much hillier than expected. We definitely are benefitting from yesterday’s semi-day off. Shame we don’t get anymore till San Francisco.
Day Seven
Kevin – “After an absolutely awful meal in what looked a good restaurant we spent a very restless night in an absolute dirty dump motel in the naff old town of Gold Beach. Nothing gold about it at all.
So we made our escape really early and are sat in a restaurant having finished for the day in Crescent City. 60 miles again today. But we got here at c13:00 – going to go back to the room and crash out and ice everything!!! We are both really knackered”
“Good day on the bikes though. We flew along at a cracking good pace all day. Especially over one of the bridges! Highest bridge in Oregon. 345 feet – felt higher”
Day Eight
Kevin – “Well – yesterday was brutal. We arrived in Eureka very very exhausted. Soooo hilly, grabbed a bit of pool time which helped”
“We were a little fed up last night – the cold cold starts and hill after hill was a bit demoralising really. BUT what a day today. We woke to the warmest start so far. Bit chilly but lovely cycling weather. We clocked up 25 miles in about a hour and a half. Best riding to date. We then came off the 101 and joined the Avenue of the Giants. For about 40 miles. We both agree it’s the Best 40 mile cycle we’ve ever done”
“The Giant Redwoods are what the word “awesome” is all about. What we didn’t realise is that in the Redwood Forest temperatures are about 20 degrees lower than outside. Just lovely. When finally popped out for the last 15 miles to the finish – the heat was by far the hottest we’ve had….by a very considerable margin. Stiflingly hot. Very dry. So different problems to face now. We’ve now arrived in Gaberville. Nice hotel, great little town. Kev’s had a HAIRCUT!!!”
“Today was just the tonic of a ride we needed. Still c6000 ft of climbing but longer, shallow runs – to put it into context – Snowdons only 3560 feet. And most days we’ve been about double that.
Tomorrow however – we are back to a mountain! We climb c10,000 ft……..”
“We’ve been keeping tabs on the good wishes and the just giving pages and it’s a real boost to see the well wishes and sponsorship donations coming in. So a huge big thanks from us.”
