Day 23 – Bandon to Ophir

85.7km out of 1522km so far

We woke up, let the tents dry a bit from the overnight light rain and headed off back to the old part of Bandon for breakfast and internet access to research for our next destination. We managed to find a bakery that had by far the best collection of baked goods I’ve seen on this trip. It reminded me all the good boulangeries in France. We had a generous breakfast and started cycling south.

A second hand bookshop in Bandon

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The beach by Bandon is just amazing with a couple of dozen massive rocks sitting right in front of the sandy beach. Apart from the occasional surfers, I still haven’t seen anyone swimming in the ocean, as it’s way too cold to do so. Maybe further down California I will have my chance.

The nearby beach at Bandon. Check how small the people are.

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This one is for sale if anyone is interested

This one is right in front of the beach and it’s for sale if anyone is interested

We caught up with highway 101 again and started heading south. On the way I saw a place with more creepy animal sculptures, similar to the one I saw yesterday in Bandon and it all made sense. It is an art studio that produces all these. With the help of volunteers, they collect plastic debris from the ocean and create these massive creatures. At a closer look you could see all kind of good that we use and throw out daily. I always knew I am contributing to something valuable by throwing my plastic bottles and flip flops in the sea.

Creepy bird

Raw materials

On the same topic, have a big foot as well

On the same topic, there is a big creepofoot

We stopped for some food supplies on the way and spent most of the morning cycling non-stop. The route this morning was mostly in-land, via farmlands and a few hills. The weather was equally good all day long, so I was happy to be on the road.

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Watch out children, this beast is for sale.

Can’t get any better than this

We got to Port Orford and we stopped for lunch and some internet access in the local Library to check camp sites further down the road. We planed to cover some distance, so tomorrow’s ride won’t be as long. On the way out of the library, Garry met a friend of his that he was cycling with for several days a few weeks ago. She was with another two cyclists, so all of a sudden we became 5 of us. They wanted to stop at the National Park campground just 10 kilometers down the road, but I wanted to cover more distance as it was still early in the day and I know tomorrow there will be many big hills to go over. So after spending 5 days together, we said goodbye and I moved on. I wouldn’t be surprised if I see them further down the road, as we are all heading the same direction. So here I am again, me and my bike, cruising the coast in solitude. Sometimes it’s nice to be with others to share the experience, have company and help each other, but other times it’s nice to be independent and take your own time during the day.

Garry and the fellow cyclists

Ophir was just another 25km south, the wind was on my back and the sun was still shining. The view was amazing and it’s the first time I can see the ocean with such a clear atmosphere. It was also the first time I see the ocean so calm. I just can’t get enough looking at the sea disappearing into the horizon.