Thursday, 12 September 2013
Day 7. Lompoc to Santa Barbara. 57.5 miles. Beautiful.
Looking forward to today, last of the big hills and arriving in Santa Barbara. A steady, gradual, climb to 1000ft meant we had the hills over in the first 20 miles, and a bonus, the sun came out by 10.00 am. Lovely. After that we had a mostly flat, straight route to S.B,we could see oil rigs, out to sea, in the distance. We passed through the campus of University College Santa Barbara, beautiful grounds, must be a joy to study here, students on all types of bikes going about their business. The road into S.B. was busy but as we continue to find there is excellent provision for cyclists. All roads have bike lanes, with a lane for parked cars near the pavement - parked cars, bikes, cars. At junctions, with no lights, the cars slow and wave us through, unbelievable. Everywhere you look there are young, bronzed bodies on bikes, skateboards, walking, jogging, playing baseball - Murray and I fit in just fine. I really like the look of S.B., palm trees, wonderful beach, we are making good progress so plan to take tomorrow off. Think we will do little touring and spend time on the beach, can't be bad.
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Day 6. Pismo Beach to Lompoc. Strenuous but Thrilling
The pattern seems to be cloud in the morning which clears by lunchtime. Today we had to leave the coast and turn inland to skirt Vanderberg Airforce Base. The road was good with a broad, 8 ft shoulder, terrain was rolling with one big hill ahead of 1000 ft. We passed through Guadalupe, poor Mexican area, quite drab. As we headed inland the road became long and straight and seemed to stretch out forever, vast farmlands on each side, the temperature rose to 33C. Thank goodness we had the mist when on the Big Sur hills or it would have been unbearable. The hill was a steady slog but rewarded us with a fabulous view over the Lompoc valley, then a great run down into town. An uneventful day but I enjoyed the change of scenery and earlier finish, time for a huge milkshake at Wendy's mmmm. Thought I was being a good girl at dinner tonight when I ordered Vegetable Tacos, felt I was eating too much rubbish, then the girl put a bowl of popcorn on the table !!!!! Just to keep us going till the meal arrived, of course we had to eat it. Another good day and we are more than halfway to San Diego and still talking, quite remarkable. Thanks for concern over Murray's health, cold has gone and derrière is improving, thanks to some TLC !!!!!
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Day 5. San Simeon to Pismo Beach. 55.1 miles. Highs and Lows.
Set off about 8.45 am on a cloudy and cool day, we were looking forward to having an easier cycle, less hills, maybe a tail wind. Not so, full on head wind, nothing for it but get it done. My legs felt quite tight to begin with but then loosened up. Murray's derriere is giving him a lot of discomfort so we bought some butt cream in a cycle shop. I had told him to put cream on at the start of our cycle but he said he was OK. Hope he will be !!To begin with the countryside was quite dry and barren but then changed to fertile agricultural land. We have left Central California and are now in South California. We could actually smell the strawberries growing in the fields. The sun came out, the wind dropped and we cheered up. Saw Morro Rock at Morro Bay, a huge volcanic rock, one in a chain of nine called the Nine Sisters. Had lunch at San Luis Aluspo, free unshelled peanuts on the table with bucket for shells. Quite salty but delicious, we ate the lot. We arrived in Pismo Beach by mid afternoon so time to change into shorts and have a wander. Beautiful beachside town, surfers, walkers, many cyclists but not too busy, apparently it is mobbed in the summer. We watched the stunning sunset then had a lovely dinner in seafood restaurant - cod, calamari, shrimp and clam strips. The day started disappointingly but finished on a high. It was good to have an easier day.
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