Day 37: The Long Haul- Santa Barbara to Malibu

Up and out early into the sunshine.

The day started with a ride through Santa Barbara in the early morning sun, Santa Barbara is a lovely town, lots of nice Spanish architecture and you have the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other.

The ride continued on through the towns of Summerland, Carpintera & Ventura, where we cycled along bike paths and beaches full of surfers, this is SoCal as you would imagine it to be, except for the weather, upon leaving Santa Barbara a fog had rolled in and the day was to remain overcast, so none of the famous California sunshine today, ah well you can't have it all.

After Ventura we cycled through the towns of Oxnard & Port Hueneme then headed out down a mountainous rugged section of coastline that would probably be our last stretch of open country riding before we hit LA. The start of this section was met with a huge headwind that had me riding in my uphill gearing it was so strong, luckily it did not last.
As we stopped to look at the ocean we saw a school of dolphins swimming by which was a lovely sight, we have been so lucky to have seen so much amazing wildlife on this trip.
Following that we hit the sprawling community of Malibu. So many huge and amazing houses were gathered by the sea and dotted on the hillside, you can see that this area is the preserve of the rich and famous.
Got to a motel tired and hungry, out largest amount of miles covered today! LA tomorrow!
Miles today 80. Total miles 1,661.

Day 36: The last big climb - Lompoc to Santa Barbara

First pot of call for the day was, you guessed it, the bike shop - which never seem to open until 10am anywhere, so we had to wait around. The guy was really hekpful  and didn't actually have any wheels to fit Dave's bike, but managed to rebuild his wheel. Rebuilding a well isn't a quick job, so we had to wait around until lunch, which is just so frustrating when all you want to do is get on the road.

Finally by about 1pm we were back on the road with a new wheel and new front tyres. From leaving Lompoc it's a gradual climb for about 15 miles. It wasn't too bad, but the road surface was just really bad so hard to pick up speed. We finally made the summit of the hill, just under 1k feet and I was so excited to think this was the last big climb, and it was actually pretty easy.

The downhill was awesome about 2.5 miles of straight down, although I realised half way down that this would also be our last big descent - so I made the most of it ha! The road took us back onto the 101, onto a really busy section through massive rock, on the northbound side there is even a tunnel. I was really glad we were heading south and still downhill. Taking a break at the rest stop,I had a cuddle by three lively dogs which helped me relax.

We were pretty much on the 101 then until Goleta, which meant we could keep the speed up and make it to Santa Barbara before sunset.
Coming into Santa Barbara was awesome, we followed a bike path that took us all through the university - which looked more like a holiday complex than a uni - the how town had such a great vibe, wow such a great place!
We finally arrived at our motel just after 7pm, which was pretty good going.
Miles today 54. Total miles 1581.

Day 35: Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air - Santa Maria to Lompoc

With the wheel problem on my bike continuing we decided we needed to get a new one, two popped spokes in two days= broken wheel I think and there's no way I want to be changing spokes everyday until the finish line. It's annoying to have to get a new wheel so close to the end but what can you do?

The nearest bike shop was twenty miles down the road but unfortunately it was closed on Sunday and we couldn't risk another fifty miles to Santa Barbara with such a weak wheel. We decided to just do a short day to Lompoc where the shop is located and get the new wheel first thing on Monday.

The short day gave us chance to hit the breakfast buffet in the hotel, all this riding has made me an eating machine so I definitely got my monies worth!

We set off into the sunshine for a short but certainly not uneventful ride.

About two miles in Holly got a flat in her front tyre, then after another two miles she got another one then after another two miles I got one! Unbelievable! All three flats were in the front tyre which neither of us had previously had a flat in for the entire trip (our succession of earlier flats had all been in the back tyre) which made it even more unbelievable. On close inspection both tires are very worn so we may have to add new tyres to tomorrow's shopping list. I have to admit changing the third tyre in the bkazing heat by the side of a busy freeway was pretty frustrating and I needed to let a strongly worded shout to release the tension.

Luckily after this we didn't get any more flats for the rest of the day.
The ride progressed from the highway through some farmland and up a 900 foot climb where we got a nice view of the valley below us, then it was all downhill to Lompoc where we grabbed a motel for the night.

Miles today 20. Total miles 1527.

Day 34: Some people stand in the darkness - Morro Bay State Park to Santa Maria

The bike shop in San Luis didn't open until 10 so we took our time sorting out what weight we could lose. As after today there wasn't many places we wanted to camp again we decided to get rid of all our camping gea
Our pot, burner and bowls were all starting to break so they headed for the bin, but we didn't know what to do with the tent and mats as it wouldn't have been worth sending them home we decided to give it all to a young family from mexico who were camping in the next spot. They only had one tent between mum, dad, grandma and granddaughter. They were really appreciative and were really lovely people, we felt happy our tent would be going to a good home. Just as we were about to head off Ron from yesterday turned up on his bike to check we were OK and had got our spoke fixed! Amazing, what a great guy! People sure are nice and friendly around here!
Heading into farmland a little lighter on our way to San Luis Opisbo. With the glorious sunshine we stopped to apply sunscreen. As we were slathering the cold cream over us, a car pulled up and a guy wound down his window "I live just around the corner, do you need any help?" We all had a laugh when I said we were just creaming up. I think Morrow Bay is officially the nicest town!
After about 16 miles we reached San luis. Wow what a nice place (Matt and Leah you are so lucky it's your home town!) It had such a great vibe, friendly people, lots of independent cafes and bars we wish we could have stayed longer. When we were finished in the bike shop we took the 227 and Price Canyon Road into Pismo beach and couldn't help singing the Baywatch theme tune out loud as we road - So Cal, we have arrived!
The beach looked amazing and the houses were just so nice, if it wasn't for all the warning signs everywhere of what to do if you hear the nuclear warning signal I would be moving in! Who's bright idea was it to build a nuclear power plant on a fault line?!
Stopping for lunch in the centre of town, bustling with Saturday visitors, we had a wonder round the seaside town.
Following the Highway 1, now the Pacific Coast Highway was passed through Grover Beach and Ocean and up a fairly steep hill back into farm lands and terrible, terrible road surfaces. After quite a few miles I needed a bathroom break so we stopped at a garage in Guadalupe, but a guy got the key before me.... we wsited for a good 15 mins. I decided I didn't want to go in there after that amount of time so we headed onwards. Guadalupe was a bit scary, a real farm town, we actually felt like we were in Mexico, but no more bathrooms - ahh, so pushed forwards to the next town Orcutt.
The first few miles there was a terribly heavy head wind, but as it cleared we started powering quite fast along the roads, not a good idea.... yes you guessed it... spoke number 3 for Dave broke - that's 2 in 2 days! Damn. Dave made it most of the way to Orcutt, but had to push the last mile.
We were so tired and all we wanted was a motel, turns out there are no motels in Orcutt. An awesome old town with old styled shops and buildings but no motel, b&b nothing! I was really close to tears as we just didn't know what to do. Lots of people stopped to chst and tell us what a nice town it is and how nice and helpful everyone is, but funny thing was nobody really helped us! One lady directed us to a hotel 'only half a mile down the road' (it was 4). We had to mend the spoke there and then and cycle to try and find this hotel.
Finally the spoke was fixed and we were on the highway... heading north towards San Francisco - a little soul distroying. The sun had set and we were losing daylight, we finally found the hotel by the Santa Maria airport - a Radisson. I head to go in with my charity top on and pigtails and beg for a cheap room. We were so relieved they had a room spare, as there was a female pilot convention on! They gave us a special rate in the room - but was still way over budget - if only we had got Dave a new wheel when we got mine, you live and learn hey?
The room was amazing, the bed even had air control to adjust the firmness of the mattress, it was the nicest bed I can remember sleeping in. I never want to leave.
Miles today 61 (4 in the wrong direction - doh). Total miles 1507.

Day 33: Broken spoke 4 - Time to lose some weight. Limekiln State Park to Morro Bay State Park

The riding today was varied and feels like it could easily be categorised into sections, so here goes:
Section number one was some pleasant small hills with some amazing views of the ocean to our left and the early morning sun cracking through the mountains to our left, as it was early there was hardly any traffic on the road so it was nice and quiet. We did however, see a vulture eating a dead skunk, just goes to show that vultures will eat anything, then again so will some people (McRib anyone?)
After this came section number two, the big climb! This climb started at around sea level and rose to around 1,000 feet, it then fell and rose sharply again, even steeper than before, over the whole climb there were some nice views to be had, but it was hard work and I think we were both glad when it was time for the descent. On to section three!
The third section of the ride was over some rolling hills at around sea level right next to the ocean, on this stretch we saw some pelicans diving into the ocean to catch fish and a colony of elephant seals on the beach, these creatures are amazing, so big but they can move really fast if they need to. We cycled past Hearst Castle which was perched high on a hillside overlooking the highway.
We headed inland through section four, which took us through farmland and some small towns before we hit the ocean again.
Section five took us along the ocean and into the lovely seaside town of Cayucos where stopped by the beach and ate some sandwiches in the sunshine, the weather had been great all day, really warm and sunny and we didn't even have any fog in the morning, I guess we now must be officially getting into Southern California.
We chatted to a really nice couple from Morro Bay who were on a tandem bike and reassured us of how nice the campsite was (there were two in town, the beach campground was a car park for RVs, so not to be confused!)
As we headed into the town of Morro just two miles from the campsite disaster struck and I broke another spoke, boo! This is the second one for me and the wheel won't be in great shape now. Just as we had stopped on the side of the road the couple we had been talking to earlier, drove passed us in the car and Ron came out to help us locate a bikeshop. So lovely of him. We managed to get to the campground but will need to get it checked over at a bike shop tomorrow.
We really don't want to break any more spokes and so with only a week to go and a few cities to pass through we decided it would be easiest to lose our camping gear to lighten our loads for these last few days, so, last night in the tent tonight. Thank you tent, you have been good to us.
Miles today 68. Total miles 1,446.

Day 32: Under the bridge - Monterey to Limekiln State Park

Wow what a day!
Dave and I took an unscheduled rest day yesterday in Monterey as we were both exausted, Dave's knee was sore and it was forcast thunder storms. I'm not sure if it was the extra rest or the excitement of booking our onward travel but we whizzed through today, which us detailed as a difficult day in our guide book.
Following back onto the 1 from Monterey the road took us up to the steep cliffs of Carmel Highlands. The houses here were amazing, huge and must cost a small fortune!
The road followed the coast for most of the day towards Big Sur, where the views were amazing. There was still a lot of climbing, but compared to some of the other days the climbed seemed to be made easier as each canyon or bay had a bridge joining the roads rather than taking you right down to sea level and back up again. Some of the bridges were fantastic to look at and even more amazing to cross over on the bikes. Some you could look straight down almost beneath you.
Highway 1 takes you back inland for Big Sur through more mighty redwood trees which meant it was lovely and hot again. We stopped for lunch in the Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park and ate our lunch by the Big Sur river surrounded by naughty Blue Jays.
Leading out of Big Sur is a climb of over 1k feet, i mufh earned by ice tea from the shop at the top! The descend down took us through the redwoods and red sand opening up into red ocean cliffs. The views were just breathtaking and made every second of each climb worth it - thank god there was no fog, or lightning!
Stopping at a point we heard sealions barking up from below and could smell them (they stink!), the more we starred the more we could see. Lining every rock in and out of the water, there were even pools of them in the water.
The road followed the rugged cliffs with connecting bridges and amazing views, we started talking to another cyclist on his way to San Diego who advised us some of the campgrounds didn't have drinking water, so we decided to end the day at Limekiln State Park. It sounds a bit strange to say its under a bridge of the highway, but it really was lovely. We managed to get a hiker biker spot right by the ocean and watched the sun set before bed. What an awesome day.
Miles today 58. Total miles 1378.

Day 31- Has the get up and go gone? Santa Cruz to Monterey

Today was hard at first, but not because of any big hills or scary moments but for some more mundane reasons, firstly it was very foggy again this morning and our journey began on the busy streets of Santa Cruz so the riding was not much fun either added to which I'd developed a pain in my knee, whinge whinge whinge, all this was leaving me feeling slightly uninspired, not to worry though, this would not last.

The ride took us from the streets if Santa Cruz, through the fruit and vegetable farms of Monterey County via a quick pit stop at La Selva State Beach where we were lucky enough to see some more great bird life. As we cycled through the farm fields (which at times smelled if the lovely sweet strawberries that were being grown in them) we saw lots if people hard at work harvesting the crops and it reminded me how lucky we were to have the opportunity to be in this trip and have some time off from working and it snapped me out if my bad mood.

There wasn't much in the way if amazing vistas in the ride today but we did have several animal sightings to keep us entertained. Outside of Moss Landing we saw a large colony of sea lions jostling for position on a jetty all piled on top of each other and jumping and playing in the water. We were also very entertained by all the ground squirrels we saw whilst riding the bike path through the grass lands leading up to Monterey. Following the Hifhway on the bike path we saw our first sign for LA, can't believe how close we are now to the end!

The day ended in Monterey along a route that took us by the beach and the clouds have lifted now. Time for some rest, big climbs tomorrow as we head for Big Sur.

Miles today 46. Total miles 1,320.