Epilogue

I knew that I had lost some weight on the trip, but this is ridiculous!

Final Day- Mexican Border and back

10-21-15. 

We got an 8 am start to the border. There was a ferry along the way. The ride was a 50 miler out and back-piece of cake, right? We only climbed 303 vf. It was a nice easy day. 

Ride stats:  1949 miles

                   100,109 vf climbed

                   42 days

I'm tired and resting. If I mention riding a bike within the next week, shoot me!

S Carlsbad SP to San Diego Hostel

10-20-15. 

We saw many local sights as we entered San Diego County, and another coffee shop. Today was finally a short ride of 31.7 miles, with 1267 vf-tough vf I might add. The Torrey Pines lodge was at the top-terrific views!

Seal Beach Pacific Inn to S Carlsbad SP

10-19-15. 

Another incredibly hard, long day. A 20+ mph headwind, 71.1 miles, 1939 vf, and

3876 calories burned. I went to an Italian restaurant for dinner. The campground was very nice, and directly on the beach-sleeping to the sound of the waves. 

Leo Carillo SP to Seal Beach Pacific Inn

10-18-15. 

70.1 miles today while climbing 1120 vf. 

while burning 4073 calories. That is why I ride, I can eat whatever I like, as much as I want. The motel is the nicest place in which we have stayed. 

The ride was hard, especially along the 

"CEMENT RIVER", that is the LA River. A 20+ mph headwind no less! I kept looking for the Terminator on a motorcycle!

You will notice that we find a coffee/pastry shop daily. 

Carpinteria SP to Leo Carillo SP

10-17-15. 

In case you don't recall-Leo Carillo was the Cisco Kid's sidekick on tv when I was young. I never missed that black and white program. He was Pancho. He was an early enviromentalist. We had some of his descendants in the adjacent campsite. They partied until 5am. I got one hours sleep. Long day next day. 

Rest Day in Carpinteria

10-16-15. 

Everyone slept in this morning-nice. We had a good breakfast, relocated our campsite, and went to do laundry. I also got a haircut, and a big greasy hamburger for lunch. Mmmmmmm!

It is nice to just sit around and relax. Five riding days to the finish in San Diego. 

We had a mentally challenged person living in the park next to our site. It was an interesting time there. 

Look I got a haircut there. 

The Rock is called Point Mugu!

Lompoc River Park to Carpinteria

10-15-15. 

We had a long climb out of Lompoc-gentle and easy 3-4 % all the way. A great descent to the coast, then 22 maddening miles on US 101 along the coast. The traffic noise was unbearable. We made it to Santa Barbara and rode through the campus of  UC Santa Barbara-simply beautiful, on a peninsula on the coast. 

Pismo Beach to Lompoc River Park

10-14-15. 

Another long day-only because I had to grocery shop and cook. I feel guilty when I don't stop when I see a grocery store. 

This was also the worst campground of the trip. After we cooked the showers were closed, so the cooks went to bed dirty. 

Another 2000 vf, 49 mile day. We had a long 4+ mile climb-switchback after switchback. 

San Simeon Motel to Pismo Beach

10/13/15. 

A cooked breakfast in a restaurant-a unique concept. My usual breakfast is yogurt with granola, and half of a peanut butter sandwich. 

Today should have been a rest day after the difficult day yesterday. I was really tired all  day. Only a few days remain of the trip. Without a doubt, this is the most difficult thing that I have ever done. 

Pfeiffer SP to San Simeon Village Motel

10/12/15. 

I just thought the days were hard. Today was it. 65 miles and 5000 vf. The climbs today went on forever. I've never seen or done anything similar. The Blue Ridge Parkway is more difficult overall, but sections of the Pacific Coast are amazingly difficult. 

Monterey Red Roof to Pfeiffer Big Sur

10/11/15. 

The rides keep getting more difficult. 

2270 vf today and 46 miles. The scenery was the same-beautiful. 

New Brighton SP to Monterey Red Roof Inn

10-10-15. 

The ride today started in heavy traffic in Santa Cruz and ended in heavy traffic in Monterey. The plants that are blurred are artichoke plants, but of course you knew that. The countryside here is like a big sand dune. 

There is a saying that is attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect: the United States is tilted to the southwest, and everything loose rolls to Southern California. It is true!

Half Moon Bay to New Brighton Beach SP

10-9-15. 

The campground was in Santa Cruz. Traffic was really bad there. The park was quiet. As usual we bought groceries to make our dinner. The park was crowded due to the holiday weekend. I don't like the larger towns-crowded and lots of traffic. You can see the fog rolling into camp. We were camped on the ocean. 

Marin Hostel to Half Moon Bay SB

10-8-15. 

We got a real treat after leaving the hostel this morning. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on our bikes. People were everywhere!  We wound our way thru the city, to Daly City, and Half Moon Bay. Lots of climbing-AGAIN! 1976 vf. We only rode 35 miles, but it was hard!

Rest day at Headlands Hostel

10/7/15. 

Take a look at our sleeping facilities-can you say college dorm room?

We are here with a large group of teen age kids who are sea kayaking, peace and quiet? They go to a private school in Sacramento-real world?Actually the place is neat. It is an old army hospital, circa 1903. The dining room was the OR. I am now a vegan!

This is the largest pizza I've ever seen!