Friday 20 September 2013
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Day 13. Encinitas to San Diego. 30.1 miles. Job Done 650 miles.
We made it, 650 miles, down the Pacific Coast from San Francisco to San Diego, from the ruggedness of the north to the endless beaches of the south.
We left late as we knew we had plenty time to enjoy such a short cycle. Sun was out as we quickly passed through the numerous beach towns on our way to SD. Quite a few short, sharp hills and one final, long, steep hill to tax us on our last day. Again, a lot of map reading through La Jolla, Mission Beach and finally Point Loma. We passed Ocean Beach where I had started in, March 2012, my cycle across America. It felt strange, then I was on my own and anxious about my impending trip. Now suddenly we were at out hotel and this journey was over. It has been a good trip, not as challenging as some, as the distances were shorter; not as challenging as all decisions, right or wrong were shared. Nevertheless a great trip, a great holiday and that is what we wanted.
I have loved the Californian outdoor way of life, their climate, beaches, parks, the openness of the people, their courteousness and tolerance. They have put all the amenities in place to enjoy their country to its full potential. At times en route, because there was no hard shoulder we were thrown into the busy, fast traffic but mostly there was a bike lane and, I think, herein lies the secret. All road users know their place and keep to it. Cars can flow freely, as can bikes. When their paths do cross their is not irritation but tolerance knowing the other will soon be back in their 'place' .
Murray and I are still talking, and on a trip like this, an achievement in itself. Spike has done well, hasn't he, he does get about.........till the next one.....Nepal/India Feb 2014
We left late as we knew we had plenty time to enjoy such a short cycle. Sun was out as we quickly passed through the numerous beach towns on our way to SD. Quite a few short, sharp hills and one final, long, steep hill to tax us on our last day. Again, a lot of map reading through La Jolla, Mission Beach and finally Point Loma. We passed Ocean Beach where I had started in, March 2012, my cycle across America. It felt strange, then I was on my own and anxious about my impending trip. Now suddenly we were at out hotel and this journey was over. It has been a good trip, not as challenging as some, as the distances were shorter; not as challenging as all decisions, right or wrong were shared. Nevertheless a great trip, a great holiday and that is what we wanted.
I have loved the Californian outdoor way of life, their climate, beaches, parks, the openness of the people, their courteousness and tolerance. They have put all the amenities in place to enjoy their country to its full potential. At times en route, because there was no hard shoulder we were thrown into the busy, fast traffic but mostly there was a bike lane and, I think, herein lies the secret. All road users know their place and keep to it. Cars can flow freely, as can bikes. When their paths do cross their is not irritation but tolerance knowing the other will soon be back in their 'place' .
Murray and I are still talking, and on a trip like this, an achievement in itself. Spike has done well, hasn't he, he does get about.........till the next one.....Nepal/India Feb 2014
Tuesday 17 September 2013
Day 12. Laguna Beach to Encinitas. 51 miles.
An eventful day which started with nae breakfast as at 8.00am the diner across the road from the motel was not open. We decided to start riding anyway as the road was busy, would become busier and for the next 8 miles have no shoulder or bike lane. By contrast at the end of our day, the cycle signs were stating ' cyclists may use full lane'. We ate a good breakfast about 11.00am, felt fine. Our route travelled 10 miles through Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Reservation, at the gate marines checked our passports and asked our business. Very interested and friendly. Apparently at one time you could pass freely through this massive base but since 9/11 security has been tightened considerably. We could hear the ' thump' of mortar or tank fire in the distance. We felt our progress was being monitored the whole time. Found a motel easily enough and had time to hit the beach and enjoy the surf. The surf, I suppose, was relatively small but was oh so powerful, could knock you over and with a strong undertow. Lifeguard tower was making sure surfers stayed clear of swimmers, sea was warmish and I just loved it. Tomorrow is our last cycling day as we are now in San Diego County, don't want it to end.
Monday 16 September 2013
Day 11. Hermosa Beach LA to Laguna Beach. 51.2 miles .
Today we continued through the metropolitan area of LA. As my book says ' Travel through any city is demanding. Riding through the nine cities of that make up the Los Angeles coast area stresses the word ' demanding ' to a whole new dimension. ' I followed our excellent cycling maps and managed fine, to quote Murray ' you were bloody magnificent '. I felt quite chuffed, praise indeed. Amazing the number of beaches we passed, must be about 100 miles of almost continuous sand. We ate breakfast at a beachside restaurant and watched a couple set up a exercise circuit on the beach, then complete all the stations. Wondered if they do that every morning before work. Long Beach was fabulous, affluent, miles of berthed cruisers, beautifully laid out. Yes, we did see the Queen Mary, looking glorious. By afternoon the temperature was mid 30's but as usual more bearable on the bike than off. Mixed roads today, some exceedingly busy with no shoulder, others broad and safe. Some terrific broad quiet bike paths, by the sea, where we could get up some speed. Another short day of 50 odd miles, any more and Murray's butt hurts him too much, he really is suffering. Finding good motels without any problem, people very interested in our journey. On arrival I immediately wash any dirty clothes then the bikes become washing lines, usually dry by next day. Loved today, was varied, challenging, places of interest, a few hills to enjoy. Good stuff.
P.S. Not getting good wifi signal so photos etc a bit slow to go. Will catch up eventually.
P.S. Not getting good wifi signal so photos etc a bit slow to go. Will catch up eventually.
Sunday 15 September 2013
Day 10. Port Hueneme to Hermosa Beach. LA 70.7 miles
We knew today would be a difficult day because we were approaching the urban sprawl of Los Angeles. Another beautiful, sunny day but as we left early, the air felt lovely and cool. A quiet back road took us past a Naval Airforce Base, before we found ourselves again on Hwy 1. We passed beach after beach, families already there enjoying their Sunday break, surfing is certainly their favourite sport. We made Malibu in good time passing some very expensive looking properties, gated big entrances, made you wonder who lives there. We passed a field of American flags, presumably to commemorate 9/11. Santa Monica next, this is a very wealthy area, we had planned to stay in Venice but decided to go on further. We were on a beach path then ran for 20 miles making slow progress due to other walkers, jogggers, skateboarders and cyclists too numerous to mention. I have never seen a beach so long or so broad, it just went on and on. People watching had never been more fascinating. We had to make a short detour inland but missed our turn off, ended up going round in circles for a while. This seemed to get to Murray and as there were no signs of motels anywhere, and time was getting on, he was not a happy chappy. We eventually picked up the beach path again and asked some locals for advice, they pointed us to a couple of motels so all's well. LA is huge, cities within a city, at one time building over three storeys was forbidden so it spread out and out. Everyone seems to love the outdoors but who can blame them with this warm, sunny climate and massive well kept beaches.,
Saturday 14 September 2013
Day 9. Santa Barbara to Port Hueneme. Just 40.2 miles.
Another very enjoyable, meandering short day. A good job too as our route paralleled the coast, at times on bike paths, where our progress was hampered by the Saturday crowd out exercising or relaxing. Fascinating though to see all the different sizes, shapes, ages, dress, abilities going through their paces. Had to concentrate on map reading today as we crossed a built up area with many twists and turns, not always easy when dealing with constant, heavy, close traffic. Another hot, sunny day so we made quite an early start. At Rincon Point, popular with surfers from around the world, we watched them ride the waves. R.V's. (Residential Vehicles) lined the roadside for mile after mile, families enjoying their weekend in the sun, huge vehicles that must cost tens of thousands pounds. A surfer competition was in progress with stalls and sideshows. We had to enter Highway 101 which proved quite scary; fast, constant traffic very close to us, just had to concentrate hard and hold our line. Near Ventura a biker cycled alongside Murray asking where we were going, this is not unusual. This time Mike asked us back to his house, it was near our route so we agreed, met his wife Barbara and enjoyed their hospitality. Very kind, friendly couple. In Port Hueneme, we started going round in circles looking for accommodation, difficult to find any. I asked a lady for advice, turned out she had lived in Fife for a year and was delighted to hear our accents. She directed us to this hotel, Casa Via Mar, which has turned out to be one of the best so far. Great amenities, swimming pool - which we spent the afternoon beside, and very cheap. Great restaurant nearby, I had a fish dish 'Orange Roughy' ( steamed white fish ) and Murray had the biggest slice of Carrot Cake I have ever seen, must have been 9 inches deep, he ate the lot. Murray says he is losing weight, I don't know how as the portions are massive here.
Friday 13 September 2013
Day 8. Rest Day in Sunny Santa Barbara
Lovely long lie till about 9.00 am then after a light breakfast headed out for a wander. Most of the Motels we stay in provide breakfast but it is very meagre by our standards - coffee, juice, different cakes and pastries, waffle machine if you are lucky and that is it. Enough to get us on the road but still in need of a second breakfast, any excuse. Beautiful hot sunny day, found it more exhausting sightseeing than being on the bike, on the bike you create a breeze which keeps you cool. Like Santa Barbara very much, clean, vibrant, pretty, lively but not too busy at this time of year. I expect in the summer it is mobbed. We briefly visited the the Museum of SB, apparently when the first Spanish/Mexicans arrived here there were 15000/17000 Chumash Indians living in the area. After a generation there numbers were decimated through illness and disease and they had lost their old way of life. We then walked to the end of Stearns Wharf, a long pier with shops and restaurants, it was windy but lovely and cool, out in the Pacific we counted 10 oil rigs. Headed back to the Motel, sun bathed and relaxed, a good way to end the day, ready to hit the road again tomorrow. A week on the road already, another week to go.
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