SF:SD Carlsbad to San Diego

Yesterday I mentioned there were 36 restaurants near our hotel.  Well they were all full last night.  Our Mexican restaurant had a waiting line when we arrived and when we left.  But the shrimp Quesadilla's were to die for.

As we left Carlsbad this morning the beach was pretty much deserted; I guess the surf wasn’t up enough for the surfers. But there were plenty of people walking, running and cycling on the streets and paths above.

Before long we were once again in the fog.  It’s not supposed to be this way in Southern California.  The weather changed from fog to sun and back many times during the day.  When the sun was out it was hot – preparing us for the return to Texas?.  This was especially true during a 400 foot climb in a sunny canyon.

 

 

 

 

 

I had to stop in Encinitas when I saw this bike shop.  Alison, a.k.a. “Pink Lady”, this is for you.

 

 

 

 

 

In La Jolla we took a detour and stopped at a Starbucks.  Soon we were at the beach (photo below) in area with heavy pedestrian traffic.  Soon we realized this was not safe, so we detoured back to Mission Road.

There was an optional 10 miles, supposedly scenic, but with the fog we decided we’d forego it. Besides, we’d had enough cycling for in the past two weeks.

So we’ve ridden from San Francisco to San Diego.  The first half, to Santa Barbara, was certainly the most scenic part.  It would have been better without all the fog.  I wasn’t impressed with the second half. Not much scenery, female volleyball players notwithstanding.  And the traffic was more than you want on a bike tour.  The route keep taking us off Highway One to go through residential areas – or on bike paths.  But these were just diversions.  A really good bike route doesn’t require diversions.  We now know why many people only did the first half of the ride.

We had a few minor problems. My rear wheel disintegrated but we were a half mile from a bike shop so I had a new wheel in short order. The shop didn’t have wheels so they took one from a bike for sale. Fortunately for me it was a Trek shop because I like Trek’s Bontrager wheels.  And we had five flats, one on each wheel of both bikes and 2 on Brenda’s rear wheel. Two were caused by thorns, one a pebble (I think), one a torn valve stem (probably caused by me when inflating the tire) and one unknown.

The Pacific Coast Highway isn’t a real highway.  It’s made up of segments, primarily of Highway One in California (There’s a also a Pacific Coast Highway in New Zealand, which we’re ridden.)  Total segments of the California PCH are 655.843 miles.  My records show we rode 699 miles in the past two weeks so I guess we’ve ridden most of it.

I primarily write blogs when on bike tours.  The next planned tour is in Ireland in May 2013.

SF:SD Dana Point to Carlsbad

Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana (1815 – 1882), author of "Two Years Before The Mast", a book I read many, many years ago.

Today started with high clouds, which were welcomed since it’s been getting pretty hot and the cloud cover helped.  Today’s route was free of traffic but pretty boring.  A lot of it was on bike paths and some of the residential areas we rode through were different from what we usually experience. We usually experience million dollar homes with garages hiding Mercedes’ and Porsches’.  But today, many of the houses had Chevy’s and Fords’ in the driveway and on the street.

Terrorists don’t ride bikes, at least in the US.

We rode through Camp Pendleton where two of my grandsons, Rickey and Austin, attended boot camp in the US Marine Corps.  Their graduation ceremonies were very moving.  Our route sheet today had unusual warnings: “Watch for tanks” and “Planes have right of way.” We had been warned and a sign at the entrance also said “100% identification required”.  But all bicyclists – and there were a lot of us – were admitted without showing any id.  Don’t tell this to terrorists.

By the way, this is the penultimate day for the Santa Barbara to San Diego ride.  CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S ROUTE.

Since it was a short day, most of us took a side trip to visit Mission San Luis Rey.

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Carlsbad, California.  We’re staying at the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort which is a pretty nice place. There are 36 restaurants within a 12 block area so I don’t think we’ll have a problem finding a place for dinner.

SD:SF Seal Beach to Dana Point

Today we spent a great deal of time on bike paths on the beach and the remainder on Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway.  Most of it was at least “ok” cycling. But the last 10 miles along the PCH we had no bike path and lots of traffic.  As we left Seal Beach this morning, we saw this bizarre building. No, it’s not a water tower; it’s a home.  Well maybe unoccupied since the sign is advertising “vacation rental property”. Yes, there is an elevator.

Speaking of California real estate we saw a billboard the other day advertising “Your second home” – 800 square feet – at a cost of $1,295,000.  Ahhhh, California Life Style.

 

We took another ferry today; this time to Balboa Island.  See photo below.  Just as we were about to board the ferry, Brenda told me she had a flat time. That makes three.

If you ignored the two options, this was only a 37 mile day. So we bypassed the hotel, had lunch and rode an additional 4 miles to the Mission San Juan Capistrano.  See below.  By the way, a mission by the same name in Texas is 60 years older than this one in California.

 

 

 

 

 

SF:SD Santa Monica to Seal Beach

We rode along the beach much of today. The only exception was the mid part where we climbed the hills and rode through expensive neighborhoods, those with a great view of the Pacific Ocean.

We have to get around Los Angeles and today is the day.  Part of it is on the beach. In the photo to the left, (actually taken opposite the direction we’re travelling, we have LAX on one side and the ocean on the other.

 

 

Our instructions at mile 13.6 warn us of “volleyball player distractions.”  I can’t wait.  And was not disappointed.

The other architectural wonder of the day was Wayfarer's Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, Frank Wright.

Click on any photo for a larger image.

 

 

The other was around Los Angeles is to take a ferry.  We have one chartered.

HERE IS TODAY'S ROUTE, INCLUDING THE FERRY RIDE.

SF:SD Port Hueneme to Santa Monica

There is a large US Navy presence in Port Hueneme.  Yesterday we rode by the Seabees Museum.  We should have stopped – had plenty of time – but didn’t.  On leaving town today we passed the outdoor Navy Missile Museum.

At mile 10 we came across the “famous rock at Pt Mugu.  No one seems to know why it’s famous.  Not even Wikipedia.  And if Wikipedia doesn’t know, then no one knows.  Not even Google.

We had a beautiful morning and the sun reflected on the water as we rode south toward Santa Monica.

(Click on any picture for a bigger image.)

We were riding mostly on Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) which was originally called Roosevelt Highway.  In the early morning, and away from the big cities, it was a fairly quiet and pleasant road.  First stop was Starbucks at Trancas Canyon Road, mile 23.5.  A couple more miles down the road and we detoured to a place called “Malibu Riviera”.  All I can say is I hope you enjoy the photograph below; I had to climb a hill with 15% grade to take the damn thing.

I stopped to take a photo of Pepperdine University at mile 33.  It was here that my daughter Pamela, while in Law School At Southern Methodist University, won second place in the national entertainment law moot court competition. That would have been over 10 years ago.

 

 

 

Also on the Pepperdine campus is a flag memorial for those fallen in the 9/11 tragedy.

We had a great lunch at “Duke’s Restaurant”.  Duke Kahanamoku was a native Hawaiian, a six-time Olympic swimming and water polo medalist and the father of modern day surfing. He was a self-appointed Hawaiian ambassador from 1912 until 1968.

The closer we got to Santa Monica, the worse the traffic. Vehicles frequently parked in what we considered the bike lane. This forced us in the right lane, often with approaching traffic.

We by-passed our hotel and rode to the “colorful” Venice Beach.  “Colorful” in this case means the homeless, hippy, hookah and tattoo culture with sex on the beach (We saw it.).  I don’t relate to this life style any more than I relate to Mitt Romney’s secret bank accounts in the Cayman Islands.

Brenda had two flats today, one on each tire. Both were caused by thorns.  But no problem since she travels with her mechanic.  THIS SHOWS TODAY'S ROUTE.

SF:SD Santa Barbara to Port Hueneme

Photo from yesterday afternoon – to prove that the sun does eventually come out.

And we woke to clear skies this morning. Brenda and I walked to the beach for breakfast at “Sambo’s”.  This is the location of the very first Sambo’s in 1957. Eventually there were 544 of these restaurants in 39 states. Today there is only one – the original on the beach in Santa Barbara.  We witnessed a wonderful sunrise; too bad I didn’t bring my camera.

On the road we first stopped with Mark and Charlotte at mile 20 for cappuccino in Ventura. I had a sinfully large pastry. 

Went back for a photo of Mission San Buenaventure. (Click on any photo for a larger image.)

We’re only a couple of miles from the Channel Islands National Park Visitor’s Center but that doesn’t prevent us from getting lost.  With the help of two Hispanic cyclists, the route sheet, Android navigation and (primarily) Brenda’s navigation skills we finally find it.  The islands are somewhere way off shore in the photo below.

 

 

Brophy Brothers Restaurant is recommended for lunch and it is quite good.  I have fish and chips – better than yesterday’s fish and chips and Brenda has a shrimp and avocado salad.  It’s only 10 miles to Port Hueneme and we ride into town first on the beach full of resorts (and sand on the bike trail)  and then on a tree-lined boulevard. The hotel, which is being converted to a Holiday Inn Express, is quite nice – with complementary happy hour each night.

SF:SD Rest Day in Santa Barbara

Clack on any picture for a larger image.

We’re staying a block from the beach, but there will be no sunbathing today:

As we walked along the beach, we saw evidence that we really are in California;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s where we’ve cycled so far:

This is a maintenance day: sleep in late, laundry, manicure and pedicure and bike cleaning.

SF:SD Solvang to Santa Barbara

After eight days in the saddle we finish the first part, San Francisco to Santa Barbara. On Tuesday we will begin part two, the six day Santa Barbara to San Diego ride.

Today was unusual; we started with brilliant sun! The temperature was cool compared to yesterday’s 96 degrees. At mile 5 we turn right and leave Santa Ynez Valley.

It’s not a long ride to Santa Barbara but there’s that damned mountain we have to cross.  The elevation rises gradually to mile 19 and then there’s 4 miles of fairly steep grades. We have a little head wind which cools us for a while. Then, near the top, it becomes a troublesome head wind.  The 2,000 feet descent is fairly scary.  We’d been warned of rough road surfaces.  But the biggest problems were the very tight switchbacks.  We had to control our speed – think I’ll check the brake pads tomorrow.

Santa Barbara must be large geographically; we rode almost 15 miles in the city to get to our hotel.

As we begin the next section of the tour, I think we make the transition from North/n California. to Southern California.  What are the differences? Geology? Agriculture? Politics? Personalities and Lifestyles?

CLICK HERE TO SEE TODAY'S RIDE.  The hill doesn’t look like much here, but it was. I’ll guarantee it.

SF:SD Santa Maria to Solvang

This is the penultimate day of the San Francisco to Santa Barbara tour but the weather gods didn’t let us off the hook.  We started with dense fog. I estimated visibility at 0.25 miles. Then it went to 0.1. Or was that because of the moisture on my glasses? It was also a cool 60 degrees.

But things can change quickly. (Look at the Middle East.) Within two hours the temperature is 85 degrees and we have full sun.  We ride almost 30 miles on Foxen Canyon Road.  It is a great cycling road. On this Saturday morning there are far more cyclists than cars on the road. We passed several pelotons going in the opposite direction. The road is smooth, at least on the Santa Maria side.

We start with many, many large farms with dozens or maybe hundreds of workers in the fields. This gradually changes to cattle ranches and wineries.  As you can see, there are many wineries on Foxen Canyon Road, including Fess Parker’s great tasting room.

We have a gradual climb for the first 30 miles then three short but fairly steep climbs of from 200 to 300 feet.  From Foxen Canyon we enter the top of Ballard Canyon Road.  We ridden this many times when staying in Solvang. In fact I taken this picture more than once.

There are 22 riders on this tour: 6 from California, 7 from Colorado, 4 from (Dallas) Texas, 3 from Canada and 1 each from Mass. and Indiana.  Only 7 of us are continuing on to San Diego.  But we are being joined by 10 new riders. The second section begins on Tuesday. Tomorrow we ride to Santa Barbara and Monday is a much needed rest day.

CLICK HERE TO SEE TODAY'S ROUTE.

Solvang, “the Danish Capital of America”was established in 1911 by a group of Danish educators from the Midwest as the site of a Danish folk school.  Today is is a popular tourist destination. 

 

SF:SD Morro Bay to Santa Maria

Since we’re going somewhat inland today, there should be less fog. At least that was the theory. Or not.  We had both fog and minor precipitation.  We had to stop often to clean our eye glasses.  The road was good but we couldn’t see the scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By mile 10 the precipitation stopped.  By mile 15, sun,  Well no – fog again by mile 20. And so it was all day.  The sun was out much of the afternoon but the scenery was dull. No majestic vistas, just farms. The ride was 54 miles with about 2,000 feet of climbing.

We’re spending the night in the historic Santa Maria Inn.

Tomorrow’s ride is to Solvang, where the temperature is forecast to be 95 degreed. Ouch.

SF:SD Ragged Point to Morrow Bay

We woke to: guess what? Fog!  Here’s what is looked like from the back of our room.  Brenda commented “What ocean?”

The fog was so dense, the visibility on the road so poor, that most of us were hesitant to get on the road on our bicycles. The café didn’t open until 8:00 so that delayed us somewhat.  And then we got reports from locals that the fog was not as dense down the road. And sure enough by mile five the visibility was significantly better.  At mile nine, we stopped to observe baby Elephant Seals – nasty creatures.

The rest of the day was part sun and part fog.  But mostly fog.

Today was an easy ride, about the same distance as yesterday but with only one fourth the climbing.  And we had a significant tail-wind. My only difficulty was keeping up with Brenda who seemed anxious to get to Morrow Bay. CLICK HERE TO SEE ROUTE. Navigation in town, primarily on bike paths, was tricky but Brenda figured out every turn. We were at the motel by 1:15.  Unfortunately the van with our clothes – including dirty clothes – didn’t arrive for another hour.  But we have guest laundry – and internet – for the first time in three days.

SD:SD Big Sur to Ragged Point

This blog will be posted late due to the lack of internet service.  It’s interesting that we can find internet service almost anywhere in the world, including the smallest towns in Spain.  But no service has been available for the past two days in California.

Today (Wednesday) we finally had morning sun mingled with morning fog.  This made for fabulous photos. Click on any photo for a larger image.

 

The sun and the fog played cat and mouse in the morning but by noon the fog won out; no more sun. 

Today was the most difficult ride in this tour, 49 miles and over 4,000 feet of climbing.  The climbing is the difficult part; the miles are easy. But we felt good, other than my saddle sores, and were finished with the ride by 2:00.

For much of the day we could easily smell the the wild fennel growing beside the road.

End of the cheers: All week we’ve been on the same route at the Amgen Coastal (charity) ride.  As we pass their support stops there’s ringing of cow bells and cheering. As I rode into Ragged Point at the end of our ride today the cheering was particularly loud. But the cheers should go to their riders who had another 20 miles and another 1,000 feet of climbing – then had to sleep in tents!  The cheering is over for us; their routes are different than ours from now on.

CLICK HERE TO SEE TODAY'S ROUTE