Seven Devils Road

  The following morning Albert slept late and woke to partial sunshine with the strong possibility of rain. He loaded up quickly and on departing ran into the two touring cyclists dressed like Californian Surfers. They were also about to depart – still dressed like Californian surfers. Which turned out to be a little odd, as they were from Milton Keynes, England. It turns out that they were at the beginning of an around the world back-packing tour and on a whim, had decided to cycle from Seattle to Crescent City. They had bought WalMart bicycles for $100.00 (they didn’t have enough money for helmets), and were wearing the most suitable of their travel clothing – gear for a little surfing during their world tour. In Crescent City they planned to sell their bikes to a pawn store and catch a bus. They were having an horrendous time cycling, averaging thirty miles a day, and hoped after reaching Crescent City, that they’d never have to see a bike again.

   Albert said his farewells to the two English lads, told them to keep an eye out for a young gal called Ali, suggested that they stay on 101, to avoid potential steep grade, loop-roads, and started his journey south, heading for the North Bend/Coos Bay area. Off in the distance, Albert could hear the sounds of swarming all-terrain recreational vehicles as they attacked the miles and miles of sand dunes found here in ATVlandia heaven.

   Up until North Bend, Albert had only experienced good people along his journey, but upon crossing the North Bend Bay Bridge this all changed. Here were haters. While crossing the bridge, Albert created a short traffic back-up which obviously offended some of the slightly delayed drivers. Eventually able to pass, they had a common means of expressing their feelings to Albert by screaming venomous insults at him from the insides of their monster trucks and cheaply modified automobiles. Albert was startled when an angry motorcyclist pulled up along side him and revved up his engine as high and as loud as it would go. Now Albert knew not to hate back, a lesson from his mother, that hate would only generate more hate. He also new that haters raised haters, but boy would he have liked to have said something in response. At that moment, Blue Bird popped up and all animated said, “why not Albert, why not tell them what for?” Seeing that the (apparently in a hurry to get to the local 7-11) motorcyclist was pulling up ahead, Albert said, “yeah, your right Blue Bird, I’m going tell him what for!” “I hope you’ve planned the words for your righteous little lecture wisely Little Prince, and what you have to say is positive and constructive,” said the suddenly appearing Golden Piglet. “You should know from your mother, that negativity never overcomes negativity, and if it’s a fight you’re looking for, make sure it’s the right fight, a fight worth fighting, not something purely ego-based, besides, I’m sure that there will be greater challenges right around the corner,” she continued. Albert, stopped and thought for a moment, and clearing his mind, reminded of his mother, knew that Golden Piglet was right and that the confrontation wouldn’t lead to anything positive. Albert explained to the slightly disappointed Blue Bird, “it’s best that I put my energy into something positive, like tackling what lies ahead, rather than spending it irrationally on something negative.” “Yes,” replied the fun-loving, care-free Blue Bird, “Piglet never allows herself knee-jerk reactions and always thinks wisely. Come, let’s re-focus and instead conquer the challenges that await around the corner!” And off like a rocket shot the energetic little Blue Bird. Excited and fired-up, Albert tried to keep up with the speedy little Blue Bird, but within moments, was faced with the reality of “the challenges around the corner” – The Seven Devils Road!

   Seven Devils Road (seven devilish hills), just past the town of Charleston (an alternative route to 101), turned out to be quite the little devil. It started off with a steep climb, steeper than most in Oregon, and after a series of ups and downs, leveled off to an open rolling ridge top. Finally came the descent, and racing down Seven Devils Road, Albert passed by Whiskey Run Road and eventually rejoined Highway 101 where the descent continued. Right before the town of Bandon, Albert’s yarn pulled him up at Bullards Beach State Park, where he pitched his tent for the night and after a relatively short, fifty mile ride, rested his weary body. Albert’s body had always been on the lean side, but now after nine days, and seven hundred and twenty six miles of hard riding, he noticed that any remains of youthful fat had burnt off.