Day 19 William M Tugman to Bullard Beach State Park (46 miles)

So after the stress of the previous day I set off from Tugman Park around 9am with the good intention of making it simply to Sunset Park around 24 miles away. The ride took me over the biggest bridge I have rode across so far. I had to walk part of it due to the high wind and the fear of being blown into the path of an oncoming wagon. I safely made it across and in a short time arrived in the town of North Bend. This was my turning point to go to Sunset Beach but the ride had been so easy I decided to push on another 24 miles to Bullard Beach. The next town to I came to was Coos and it was while riding through here that I saw Brendan and Kat again. They hadn't stayed at the same camp as me the night before and I was disappointed I hadn't been with them at the end of their journey but I was very happy to see them one last time. I explained what had happened with my card and about the ride I had off the man and as long as I could draw money out from a cash point or ATM I would be okay. I shook hands and had a hug and we said our goodbyes. They have a long. trip back to New York and I wish them well for the future. I managed to sort getting cash and buying food so that isn't a worry anymore. Getting back on the ride I pushed on to Bullards Beach Park, now roughly 20 miles away. The wind was really bad, luckily from North to South and it was at this point I doft my cap to all the riders heading in the opposite direction. With around 10 miles left the road went into the woods so the wind wasn't now either helping or hindering but it meant the heat was ridiculous. Stocking up on water at every opportunity is a must on these rides as you don't know how long it will be until the next chance. I was in the zone, head down, music coming in one ear from my ipod, focused on the road when I heard a loud bang in front and a screech of brakes. I looked up and zig zagging side to side around 30 yards ahead was a FedEx lorry.

The driver quickly pulled over and I pulled along side and asked if he was ok. Apart from probably filling his pants he was good. Thank the luck of the road it was 30 yards ahead and not right along side when it blew as it threw rubber and shredded tyre quite a distance. I went up one last hill and rolled into Bullards Beach around 5pm.

Already there and set up were Andy and Julia, good I thought, friendly faces with introductions already done. I went for a walk to the beach with Julia but didn't go in the sea as when exposed to it on the open beach the wind was very cold. We got back and Andy asked if anyone wanted to come into town for food and beer. I think I was on my bike and peddling before he finished asking. One BBQ Chicken Pizza extra large later and we were leaving. Not before taking half a pizza that had been left by another group. It's waste not want not when your a hiker biker.....