Monday, September 29, 2008

End of the Road for Laura

Today Dan and Liz continued on their journey to San Diego. I have reached my destination of San Luis Obispo. To get her I traveled 724 miles ~ mostly by pedaling a bicycle ~ sometimes by pushing a bicycle.

We started our trip at a small family owned Mexican restaurant in Crescent City and decide to end our trip together by doing the same.

Our highlights of the trip was the redwood forests in Northern California. We could think of no better way to experience the grandness, the smells, the quietness these forests give than on a bicycle.

The other highlight was the day spent getting over Big Sur. Dan and Liz opted to add the famous "17 mile" drive of Pebble Beach. They cycled through famous golf courses, beautiful homes and amazing ocean scenery.

We all cycled Big Sur at our own pace. We were lucky that the fog lifted that day, giving us beautiful views of the Pacific ocean on our right and the San Lucia mountain on our left.

Our least favorite experience was the bicycle shop at For Bragg. The shop owner, Mark, was able to take care of our needs. His approach left you wondering if he would be able to get the task done. His demeanor was that we were a bother and an annoyance. (Other bikers we talked to told the same story).

Our highlights of our stop over in San Francisco was the accommodations provided by Rose, dinner and city tour by Doug and Pam Barry, and our history lesson and Napa wine tour and tasting by Tom.

Rose's swanky downtown apartment put us in the heart of the city ~ giving us a real pulse of the city. A small (open a garage door small) coffee "cafe" named the Blue Bottle is directly across the street. Its claim to fame is individual drip coffee. Which is very good. We are still scratching our heads at it s apparent success. People wait outside in line for 20+ minutes to drink the coffee. There is no seating. There are a dozen other designer coffee shops. You literally walk up to an open garage door.

Doug and Pam Barry (Go UConn!!) took us through China town, down the most crooked street, up to twin peaks, down the "docks", by the ball park, dinner at a local brewery and ice cream at the famed Ghriadalldi (sp?) chocolate factory. Great time, greater company.

Tom's wine tour was outstanding. Unpretentious and down to earth. We all learned so much and have a new apprecitation. Lots of local stories to make the all day experience memorable.

After San Fran, we continued on through Devil's Slide ~ an area known for its narrow winding road through rock slide prone areas. With a clear night we were able to see the sunset over the ocean at Half Moon Dunes State Beach.

Wednesday, September 24th we made our way through Santa Cruz. Along the way we went through acres of artichokes, strawberries, and lettuce. Pelicans are a pretty common sight when we are near the coast. We stop at Pigeon Point Lighthouse for a break and to admire the view. We have another great sunset from our campsite just outside Aptos. Today we broke the 5600 mile mark.

Thursday, Sept 25. We have our usual breakfast of instant oatmeal. Our destination will be Monterey. We travel through more farmlands. We like farmlands because they are flat. Dan has become our "spokesperson". He talks to anyone and everyone. Liz and I listen and quietly double over with laughter at his conversations. You would think he is a harden pro at this to listen to him. Today his BS skills hit pay dirt. On a long bike path to Monterey, he had a cycling conversation with Andy on a recumbent bicycle. Andy turned out to be a local Monterey resident with tickets to the Aquarium. Andy met up with us latter and gave us three ticket to the aquarium. You go Dan!

Friday, Sept 26. This is the day we split up. Dan & Liz did the 17 mile drive and Big Sur ~ making this their longest cycling day yet at close to 80 miles. We all agreed that today was one of the best. We also break the 600 mile mark.

Saturday, Sept 27. Today is my last big climb over Ragged Point. Because of the fog we could not see the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs. At the bottom of the hill was a sandy beach crowded with elephant seals sunning themselves. What a life! On to Sam Simeon each where I choose to sit by the beach while Dan & Liz played tourist and went to the Hearst Castle. Last campsite for me! Last time to set up the tent, blow up the sleeping pad, put quarters in a shower, eat a one pot meal, listen to raccoons fight just outside the tent. How will I ever adjust to civilization?

Sunday, Sept. 28. Final destination; San Luis Obispo! Master map reader Dan only screw up so far. He sailed by a turn we were to make in the middle of nowhere. Luckily trustworthy sweeper position caught the error, sprinted up the unnecessary hill, turned the troops around and saved the day! The missed turn was an awesome road that cut through the mountains.

Travelodge Motel never looked so good. I adjusted to civilization in all of five minutes.

Miscellaneous stuff: Over bidder we talked about some stuff we observed along the way. Here goes......
Coffee was really good in northern California and got better up to and including San Fran. After San Fran it nose dived to "gas station" quality.
Campsights. The stat run sites were the best although they were variations in cost and amenities between them. The federal national park campsite (now privatized) was bad. Blame it on the republicans.
We kept an informal pint system of Dan's tourist and biker conversations. He got the most points for the shoe/pedal demonstration. Had he dared to demonstrate the benefits of his gel shorts ~ Liz and I were leaving him.
Another daily observation was Liz's unusual digestive track system. I'll leave that alone. Those that know her will understand.
We all have bike tans. Short lines, white hands, tan faces except for sun glass and helmet whiteness.
There were two flat tires. Two bike spills.
We were in the saddle fifteen days. We camped eleven nights. We moteled it for four.

And finally ~ the thigh/calf results
Start Finish
Dan thigh 22.00 22.00
Dan calf 14.50 14.50
Liz thigh 20.00 20.25
Liz calf 13.75 13.50
Laura thigh 21.75 22.50
Laura calf 16.00 15.00