This updated maps showes where we camped (green camping icon) where we hit up a motel (red bed icon) and where we stayed with relatives (yellow house icon).
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=109894115411202227411.0004566942a58f7bd7c9e&ll=42.081917,-122.096558&spn=2.800728,5.20752&z=8
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
SAN DIEGO!!!!
Well, WE MADE IT!!!! After about 1,140 miles of biking, almost a full month of camping mixed in with a few motels and family visits, we made it to San Diego!!!
The ending was pretty weird for me. We took 3 days off In Brea CA visiting Dan's Grandma which was very nice, but removed us from the biking portion of the trip!!! Which was very good for our soar muscles, but kinda made me forget about all the biking we did and the little portion we had to go!
But that didn't matter, we took off from Brea Tuesday with a little help from Dan's Aunt Shannon and cousin Jenny, how made the trek to Newport beach much easier (thank youu!!!!) Tuesday we biked to San Clemente, a nice short day of biking. But we had one more big day to go!
Wednesday was an interesting last day, we got an early start because believe it or not we had to bike through Camp Pendleton (the marine corps base). It was either that of bike on The 5 (big freeway out here...no thanks!) So camp Pendleton opened at 9, we biked 10 miles to get there on time and rode through the base. Very desolate, weird we saw tank crossing signs and we actually some groups practicing and could hear guns firing. So we got throught the camp and rode on towards San Diego. We thought we had plently of time so midday when I saw a smoothie sign I had to stop! We got a good last lunch, sandwhiches complete with Avacado (had to get a couple more in while in CA!!!)
So we had one more hill that thank goodness we heard about through other people, not to to bad probably about a 2 mi climb up. Nothing horrible, but it wa sooooo hot out so it took a little out of the body! So the time ticked by we were supposed to meet Dan's aunts at Hotel Del at 5. Well at about 4:45 we hit the bike ferry (we had to take that from San Diego to Cornado) long story short we took the ferry and the aunts picked us up at the other side! Super nice, we didn't actuall know we weere done biking until we talked to them on the ferry (nice surprise)
They treated us to a fantastic Mexican dinner in Old San Diego. We started our trip with Mexican, ended Laura's with Mexican then finally ours!!! They also made us shirts that say Crescent city to Cornado 2008 (Laura we have one for you that says to San Louis!!!) They are so nice
So we are done, my bike is apart and in a box to accompany me back on the plane tomorrow. I don't feel like we are done, but I was ready. MY butt was bothering me, my neck and shoulders and two of my fingers have been numb for the last month. But other than that it was a blast and I would do it again in a second! Except I'd try to tell CA they need wider shoulders on the rodes in some parts and deffinitly get a comfier seat and higher up hnadle bars haha! but besides that we all had a good time!
Oh and today, our last day in CA I finally had IN and Out burger for the first and I am happy to say hopefully not the last time! (yes laura I fianlly tried it!!!) It was acutally good, espcially the milk shake. Who knew they made neopolitan milk shakes?!?!
So we are packing up getting ready to go. Tonight we have Dan's grandmas bday celebration to attend which should be lots of fun with all of the Delaney fam.
We head back tomorrow, lots of pictures to come!
Liz
ps- no i don't proof read my blog entries so just sound out the words....i've always been horrible at spelling
The ending was pretty weird for me. We took 3 days off In Brea CA visiting Dan's Grandma which was very nice, but removed us from the biking portion of the trip!!! Which was very good for our soar muscles, but kinda made me forget about all the biking we did and the little portion we had to go!
But that didn't matter, we took off from Brea Tuesday with a little help from Dan's Aunt Shannon and cousin Jenny, how made the trek to Newport beach much easier (thank youu!!!!) Tuesday we biked to San Clemente, a nice short day of biking. But we had one more big day to go!
Wednesday was an interesting last day, we got an early start because believe it or not we had to bike through Camp Pendleton (the marine corps base). It was either that of bike on The 5 (big freeway out here...no thanks!) So camp Pendleton opened at 9, we biked 10 miles to get there on time and rode through the base. Very desolate, weird we saw tank crossing signs and we actually some groups practicing and could hear guns firing. So we got throught the camp and rode on towards San Diego. We thought we had plently of time so midday when I saw a smoothie sign I had to stop! We got a good last lunch, sandwhiches complete with Avacado (had to get a couple more in while in CA!!!)
So we had one more hill that thank goodness we heard about through other people, not to to bad probably about a 2 mi climb up. Nothing horrible, but it wa sooooo hot out so it took a little out of the body! So the time ticked by we were supposed to meet Dan's aunts at Hotel Del at 5. Well at about 4:45 we hit the bike ferry (we had to take that from San Diego to Cornado) long story short we took the ferry and the aunts picked us up at the other side! Super nice, we didn't actuall know we weere done biking until we talked to them on the ferry (nice surprise)
They treated us to a fantastic Mexican dinner in Old San Diego. We started our trip with Mexican, ended Laura's with Mexican then finally ours!!! They also made us shirts that say Crescent city to Cornado 2008 (Laura we have one for you that says to San Louis!!!) They are so nice
So we are done, my bike is apart and in a box to accompany me back on the plane tomorrow. I don't feel like we are done, but I was ready. MY butt was bothering me, my neck and shoulders and two of my fingers have been numb for the last month. But other than that it was a blast and I would do it again in a second! Except I'd try to tell CA they need wider shoulders on the rodes in some parts and deffinitly get a comfier seat and higher up hnadle bars haha! but besides that we all had a good time!
Oh and today, our last day in CA I finally had IN and Out burger for the first and I am happy to say hopefully not the last time! (yes laura I fianlly tried it!!!) It was acutally good, espcially the milk shake. Who knew they made neopolitan milk shakes?!?!
So we are packing up getting ready to go. Tonight we have Dan's grandmas bday celebration to attend which should be lots of fun with all of the Delaney fam.
We head back tomorrow, lots of pictures to come!
Liz
ps- no i don't proof read my blog entries so just sound out the words....i've always been horrible at spelling
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Manhattan Beach
Well we had a nice rest day here in CA! I had my first California beach experience and I thought I was going to drown in those monster waves. But I made it.....barely in and out of the ocean haha. We had a great day around the city, went out for a nice lunch. I had a sandwich with pineapple and avocado on it so I thought that was pretty exciting! Had a great dinner with Dan's aunt and uncle's family. First home cooked meal in awhile and it was delicious!
So back on the road tomorrow. I am praying that I'll make it...haha...no but seriously I am hurting. Surprisingly my legs are fine, it is totaly my back and neck. But we have Dan's Grandma's to look forward to tomorrow night, so it'll be great to have a home destination!
We plan on taking a few days off in Brea. Hopefully we will meet up with my cousins! Lots more of Dan's family, hit El Farlito for some delicious Mexican food I have been hearing about and if we have it planned right hit Disney Land on Monday...yayyy!
Tuesday and Wednesday we plan to finish the ride. I think we might get a little lazy and ship our camping stuff home and motel it the night in between.....sounds good to me!
So tomorrow we are off again....biking....as long as I can get out of bed in the morning...
Liz
So back on the road tomorrow. I am praying that I'll make it...haha...no but seriously I am hurting. Surprisingly my legs are fine, it is totaly my back and neck. But we have Dan's Grandma's to look forward to tomorrow night, so it'll be great to have a home destination!
We plan on taking a few days off in Brea. Hopefully we will meet up with my cousins! Lots more of Dan's family, hit El Farlito for some delicious Mexican food I have been hearing about and if we have it planned right hit Disney Land on Monday...yayyy!
Tuesday and Wednesday we plan to finish the ride. I think we might get a little lazy and ship our camping stuff home and motel it the night in between.....sounds good to me!
So tomorrow we are off again....biking....as long as I can get out of bed in the morning...
Liz
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
We have reached LA!
Alrightie so Dan and I have had quite an adventure since we departed San Louis Obispo without Laura :(.
So we left Laura on Monday. Ridding without her was weird, we felt like we had lost our mother hen. But we had a big day ahead of us so we rode on. Monday was the first of what I like to call the Lompoc Twins.....aka the two big hills we had left. The ride started our great through more fields of vegtables. We made it to Guadalope before noon with more than 30 mi under our belts. But we still had the big hill to come! Either we got in better shape or the hill wasen't to big, because it wasn't that bad. The worst parts of it were; my butt was killing me (guess I didn't put enough cream on), it was super hot, and it was super curvy! After the hill we sailed downhill and got to our second motel in a row by 2:30. The rest was needed. We imediatly found a grocery store, bought a couple bags of chips, drinks, and sat on the curb and ate.....hahaha! This was followed by italian ordered out from down the street and monday night football, my favorite part about this was that the game is on earlier since we are on the west coast.
Alright so Tuesday, now this was a day! We had our last major uphill aka the second Lompoc Twin in the morning, again not so bad....just hotttt....which lead Dan to bike without a shirt, a little blinding but I guess it helped him ventalate. So after a rural morning we hit the highway, yes the highway. We even got to stop at a rest stop! We were on the highway for 24 mi! It wasen't that bad, there was a huge shoulder, just lots of glass and whizzing cars. So we made it by the highway, made it through Ventura and hit the beach in Santa Cruz. Actually we just hit the beach bike path because we had more miles to go. We made a decision at about 4 o'clock with 67 miles under our belt and at our prjected campsite to keep going. So we hit the highway again, this time at rush hour but no worries there was a bike lane....on the highway who would have thought!?? Anyways we ended up doing about 95 miles and camped at okay hike and bike site in Mcgrath.
So apparently I was hide awake from the ride all day because I could not sleep last night! But more biking was to be done today. Since we biked extra far yesterday we were going to hit Dan's Aunt and Uncles early...aka today! It was enough to power me through the day.....well atleast for the first 50 miles the last 20 I was dying hahaha. My neck hurt, my butt hurt, my arms hurt....pretty much everything but my legs but in the end those joined the party. It was an okay day of biking, I got my first flat tire of the trip...booo. We rode through Malibu, huge houses but right on route 1...???? no thanks! There were also a few more hills in Malibu than I thought thered be. Then once again we hit the beach on a nice bike path, but it made for slow curvy riding, espcially since I was dogging it. I was super tired, actually I still am....but i am excited for a real bed!
So we made it to the LA area, just 3 more days of biking left. We are spending tomorrow here on Manhattan beach relaxing (hopefully) then I think we are hitting Dan's Grandma's Friday. Not sure when we will finish our last two days of biking to San Diego but It will have to be before next Friday!
Liz
ps- We miss you Laura!!! Thanks for the super long update, I wrote one here for ya hahah!
So we left Laura on Monday. Ridding without her was weird, we felt like we had lost our mother hen. But we had a big day ahead of us so we rode on. Monday was the first of what I like to call the Lompoc Twins.....aka the two big hills we had left. The ride started our great through more fields of vegtables. We made it to Guadalope before noon with more than 30 mi under our belts. But we still had the big hill to come! Either we got in better shape or the hill wasen't to big, because it wasn't that bad. The worst parts of it were; my butt was killing me (guess I didn't put enough cream on), it was super hot, and it was super curvy! After the hill we sailed downhill and got to our second motel in a row by 2:30. The rest was needed. We imediatly found a grocery store, bought a couple bags of chips, drinks, and sat on the curb and ate.....hahaha! This was followed by italian ordered out from down the street and monday night football, my favorite part about this was that the game is on earlier since we are on the west coast.
Alright so Tuesday, now this was a day! We had our last major uphill aka the second Lompoc Twin in the morning, again not so bad....just hotttt....which lead Dan to bike without a shirt, a little blinding but I guess it helped him ventalate. So after a rural morning we hit the highway, yes the highway. We even got to stop at a rest stop! We were on the highway for 24 mi! It wasen't that bad, there was a huge shoulder, just lots of glass and whizzing cars. So we made it by the highway, made it through Ventura and hit the beach in Santa Cruz. Actually we just hit the beach bike path because we had more miles to go. We made a decision at about 4 o'clock with 67 miles under our belt and at our prjected campsite to keep going. So we hit the highway again, this time at rush hour but no worries there was a bike lane....on the highway who would have thought!?? Anyways we ended up doing about 95 miles and camped at okay hike and bike site in Mcgrath.
So apparently I was hide awake from the ride all day because I could not sleep last night! But more biking was to be done today. Since we biked extra far yesterday we were going to hit Dan's Aunt and Uncles early...aka today! It was enough to power me through the day.....well atleast for the first 50 miles the last 20 I was dying hahaha. My neck hurt, my butt hurt, my arms hurt....pretty much everything but my legs but in the end those joined the party. It was an okay day of biking, I got my first flat tire of the trip...booo. We rode through Malibu, huge houses but right on route 1...???? no thanks! There were also a few more hills in Malibu than I thought thered be. Then once again we hit the beach on a nice bike path, but it made for slow curvy riding, espcially since I was dogging it. I was super tired, actually I still am....but i am excited for a real bed!
So we made it to the LA area, just 3 more days of biking left. We are spending tomorrow here on Manhattan beach relaxing (hopefully) then I think we are hitting Dan's Grandma's Friday. Not sure when we will finish our last two days of biking to San Diego but It will have to be before next Friday!
Liz
ps- We miss you Laura!!! Thanks for the super long update, I wrote one here for ya hahah!
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
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
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
MEASUREMENTS!!
So we forgot to update you guys on our measurements....
The first night we measured our thighs and calves
Dan came in with the biggest measurements, but to date he has lots in his thighs and gained in his calves...
Laura had a measurement error along the way which we all got pretty excited about because we thought she grew some massive muscles, but she has stayed about the same just losing a little in the calf
Liz has pretty much stayed exactly the same, although I happen to think my two massive ice cream sundae's are going to help me in the long run with some muscle build up!!!
The first night we measured our thighs and calves
Dan came in with the biggest measurements, but to date he has lots in his thighs and gained in his calves...
Laura had a measurement error along the way which we all got pretty excited about because we thought she grew some massive muscles, but she has stayed about the same just losing a little in the calf
Liz has pretty much stayed exactly the same, although I happen to think my two massive ice cream sundae's are going to help me in the long run with some muscle build up!!!
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