Day 37: skipping big sur landslide with a train
Train was from Salinas at midday. Given how slow I cycle, the number of punctures I have been getting and tendency to like being early, I decided to get up at 6am. Was hoping to be out of camp by 7am but was out by 6.30am. So this was my first time cycling in the dark, which was cool.
There were no hills or punctures in the 44km. But man there was the strongest headwind I have experienced so far in the 2nd half of the cycle. Even so, I pushed more than usual and I was there by 9.30am. Hung out in a coffee shop for an hour and was in the train station by 10.30, more than 90 mins early.
Then everyone waitting got word that some fucking idiot with a car and trailer ignored some flashing red lights and rail crossing guards causing the train to hit the trailer. This required police inspection and a 1+ hour delay. No problem. An hour passes and we get word the train is delayed yet again because of high tide and they need to “Inspect the tracks”. Many people waiting decided to take the bus alternative but this wasn’t an option for me with the bike.
Eventually the train arrived. Had to run to one end of the train, take my bike bags off the bike, throw my bike up 6 feet into a storage carriage, then run to the other end of the train to the economy carriage where plebs like myself ride. I had been worried that I would have to take the bike apart and put it in a box so this wasn’t so bad. I was also worried as the AmTrack website said the max tire width is 2 inches but my tires are 2.1 inches. But no one called me out on it so all was good.
There were no double seats free so I had to make a choice who to sit beside. I notice a very worn and interesting looking backpacking bag holding one of the seats, but no occupant present. While a risk, I decided that this could be the most interesting seat so sat next to the backpack. The backpack owner comes back a minute later and I learn he is a 30 odd year old thru hiker that had just yesterday finished the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is a 2650 miles of proper thru hiking from the Mexico border to the Canada border through mostly wilderness and mountains and generally takes 5 months to complete. I learned his trail name is Plankton. I had come across the idea of trail names before. Many people when doing such very long distance thru hikes will adopt a trail name. Generally your trail name is bestowed upon you from those around you based on something stupid or funny you did. Was super interesting to hear some of the stories from his PCT including a scary close call with 2 mountain lions.
I had planned to research campsites while on the train but that didn’t happen. Was close to 6 when I arrived in SLO so I decided that I would just check into a motel rather than cycle in the dark.
