Leggett Mountain

We steeled ourselves and took off for Leggett. From Garberville there is a long steady climb to Leggett the town where the elevation is 1100 feet. So we went up and down 400 foot climbs three or four times as we gradually got closer to the real grade of the day. But the grades were not too bad and the breath prayer “Hill, Legs, Bike, Spirit” continued to let me not overwork my legs and just climb.

We stopped for lunch at the Peg House deli and grocery where they made hamburgers to order out on the Weber on the porch. Lovely people and a good place to stock up and take stock before hitting the hill.

Leggett came up soon enough and we left 101 for 1 and the climb. Now the book says that the climb begins at 1100 feet or so, so we are climbing out of Leggett and Dave is asking if we are there yet. It was a good three miles of steady climbing before we were close to 1100 feet and then it did begin.

Contrary to the stories told, the road was well graded and while it was a long climb it was not impossible for us geezers at all. We just kept a steady pedaling up and up, up and up some more, then more up and up. I was checking the altimeter on my GPS looking for that 1930 figure (the mountain is 2000 feet, but the road only goes to 1930). Finally we reached the crest, but the area is so heavily wooded there was no “Vista Point”. We stopped just after the summit and took some pictures and then descended.


Dave and Mike after crossing the summit at Leggett Mountain.

It was a 13 mile descent. Down and down, then down some more and after that some down and down. Occasionally the road would rise a little just to give one a break and let on warm up. After that though, there was more down and down. It felt like this grade was steeper than the one we had ascended, but I was not complaining.

I zoomed into Rockport, a not dead town and one of the few residents left asked me how I was. I told him great cause the mountain was behind me, and he cracked instantly that “The next one is ahead.” It was the 600 foot rise before Westport. So back to up and up and then up some more. It felt longer and steeper than Leggett even though I knew it wasn’t. Finally we topped it too and broke free and onto the coast again.

After a quick breather we took off for Westport. Tired and in need of a place to sleep. We cycled along and I began to despair that there would be anything at all. At the north side of town was a campground, followed by a rise and a curve, followed by the Westport Inn. Whew! And they had a room! It was a cute little place run by a very nice lady who has customers of such regularity that she just leaves the keys in the door. If a door had a key you just took the room.

Dinner was found at a neat grocery deli post office gas station across the street. Pot Roast was the supper of the evening, but since we were a little late and the garlic mashed potatoes were gone, the Pot Roast became a French Dip sandwich. It was yummy.

We had a great sleep and took off in the morning for Fort Bragg.