Strenuous ride, climbing 101 over 1200 feet, then plunging back down to the ocean.  On the scenic loop (the old 101) the road climbs again to 900 feet, then levels out into a long downhill through seeming endless groves of ancient redwoods. 
The complaining mind is silenced by the huge presence of the trees.  I arrived at Elk Creek and decided to head on to Patricks Point State Park.  There I met other cyclists traveling from British Columbia to Argentina.  We shared a blazing fire and stories of the road.