Tour de Coast Stage 19

Although the “Avenue of The Giants” sounds like an area of high elevation it is really in a valley along the south fork of the Eel River and you get to gently ride into it without much difficulty, thus making it that much easier to enjoy the majesty of an ancient forest. It has been more than 50 years since I was last touring down this road as a brat in the back seat of a two door woody Ford wagon. As I was pedaling through the tunnels of trees it was comforting to realize nothing has really changed. The trees are practically the same. The road is almost exactly the same. And once a brat…..well…that hasn’t really changed either. The only thing different is the speed. Ten miles an hour now instead of fifty. That is an improvement. Thirty miles of wooded sanctuary and nary a car to interrupt our feast. Of course no wonder of nature can be experienced with out a few Big Foot, Ripley’s believe it or not, drive through tree, one log house, Hobbit Town, and a few Mystery Spots. All in all the best stage to enjoy so far, and no mountains!


Riding through the Giants.


This Giant fell in 1991, (the one on the left that is).


Nice Home.


On the Avenue. No traffic!

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