Day 27, San Clemente to Imperial Beach, Ca

Well, we did it!

Today was a long day so we left our hotel in San Clemente at 7:15 am.  At mile 11 we entered the Naval Base at Camp Pendleton, exiting the base at mile 21.    We rode through the town of Oceanside where all the surfers were getting an early start.  We passed through Carlesbad, a town filled with surf shops and then on to Encinitas where we stopped for a quick drink and muffin at this wonderful pastry shop that was a favorite of cyclists.  We saw hundreds of riders today, it was a beautiful day for riding.  We proceeded on through Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach Del Mar and La Jolla.

The sea lions attracted tourists with their barking.  I couldn't wait to get through town because the smell from the birds and sea lions was so strong.

At mile 65, we took a 10 minute ferry ride from downtown San Diego to the Island of Coronado.  Then after another 20 miles we made it to our final destination, Imperial Beach.  Imperial Beach is as far as you can go in California without crossing the border into Mexico.  Several helicopters were overhead, I'm sure trying to spot people trying to illegally cross the border into the USA while border patrol were canvassing the area on 4 wheelers,

We celebrated with Champaigne before taking a final 10 mile ride to our hotel in Chula Vista (a suburb of San Diego).

Upon arriving at our hotel, bikes were packed and we headed off for our last dinner together as a group.

There's no better way to see the Country than by bike.  It opens your eyes to the good, the bad and the ugly................and you get to eat whatever you want.

We traveled just under 1,800 miles in 27 days, we had 2 days off, we had one accident (Sherman) and we had one bike stolen (mine).  We made new friends and we got to ride again with friends from previous rides.  Sue and Graham , our leaders, did a remarkable job keeping us safe and fed and rolling.  2014 was ou Cross Country ride, 2015 was our LEJOG (length of UK) ride, 2016 was the West Coast ride...................I wonder what's in store for 2017.  Stay tuned!

We'll spend 2 nights in San Diego and then head home to see the kid's and grandkids, we can't wait!!

Best,

M and Big

More pictures to come.........

Day 26, Redondo Beach to San Clemente, Ca

today's 63 mile ride had us passing through popular California towns like Long Beach (major West Coast Port), beautiful Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point.  The ride was mostly flat with much of it on bike paths; towards the end of the ride we did have some of those 200 foot lumps to make sure our legs were completely exhausted.

In Long Beach we got a glimpse of the QUEEN MARY.  I believe she is still operational but I'm not sure..........need to google to find out the details.  I also need to google to find out how many miles of beaches there are in California; they seem to go on forever.  We saw hundreds of surfers today, they looked like seals bobbing in the waves.

 We finish tomorrow with an 83 mile Ride to San Diego.  The last 30 days seem to be a blur.

Best,

M and Big

Day 25, Ventura to Redondo Beach, Ca

Today's 75 mile ride brought us back to the ocean traveling past some of the more well known California towns like Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach.

We rode the first 60 miles with just one quick stop to refill our water bottles.  At the 60 mile mark we stopped at SHUTTERS on the BEACH which is the hotel we stayed at prior to the Cross Country ride 2 years ago.  We stopped and had a wonderful lunch.

Back on the road (actually the bike paths that run through the beach) we stopped briefly at Manhattan Beach which was the actual start of the Cross County ride.  The sight brought back fond memories of a milestone ride and of good friends that became part of our family over the 50 days of riding.  I also though about the length of the XC ride being the same as riding the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego and then BACK to Seattle!!

Today's ride was mostly flat so our overall speed was just under 16 mph for the 75 miles.  That brought us into the hotel around 2:00 pm.

So, there are just two riding days left on this adventure.  Tomorrow is a 63 mile ride and Friday is an 87 mile ride to the Mexican border.  It's hard to believe we've been gone almost 30 days.

Sherman continues to improve.  He'll spend a week in a rehab facility in Arroyo Grande to get some strength back prior to his trip home.  We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Best,

M and Big

Day, 24, Solvang to Ventura, Ca

Some of the hotels offer breakfast; when we showed up for breakfast there was a long line of Danish motorcycle riders waiting for the service to open.  Tim, Michelle and I decided to walk down the street for a "real" breakfast at Paula's,  I enjoyed Danish pancakes (crepes) and eggs.  Wonderful!

We started out a little late, around 8:30.  The first 20 miles was up hill, an average grade of 6% but reaching 10% in a few areas................a loooong climb.  Again, my riding partner did a great job.  The long climb was followed by a 7 mile descent.

We rode into Santa Barbara and stopped at the pier for a drink before getting back on the road to complete the remaining 30 miles.  We rode along the beach for the balance of the ride.  There were RV's as far as you could see, parked parallel to the beach, with generators going, grills set up and beach chairs lined up.

We arrived in Ventura at our hotel without much gas in the tank.  We went out for a quick lunch and then to do laundry.  We got back in time for route rap, a time to discuss tomorrow's ride and the headed out to dinner at a local fish taco dinner..........delicious!

We spoke with Sherman via Skype.  He's feeling much better after surgery to pin his hip.  He should be cleared to fly home at the end of the week.  We'll miss him at the finish but are happy the outcome was better than it could have been.

75 miles tomorrow and then 2 final days of riding before we reach the Mexican border.

Best,

M and Big

Day 23, Arroyo Grande to Solvang, Ca.

We traveled 64 miles today, mostly away from the coast to the town of Solvang.  The town has a heavy Danish influence as it was founded in the early 1900's by three Danes.  Lots of shops in town selling clogs and nutcrackers.  The town itself looks like there should be trolls running around.  The area is also know by cyclists for the Category climb, a 9 mile climb that hits a 19% grade and averages 8%.

We received the good news a short while ago that Sherman is out of surgery and expected to be able to travel home at the end of the week. 

Tomorrow we enter "Southern California" and pass through well known towns like Santa Barbara.

Only a few more days till we reach San Diego.  We're both ready to finish this adventure and get home to see the kids and grandchildren..............and our own bed.

Best,

M and Big

Day 22, San Simeon to Arroyo Grande, Ca

Today's ride was 56 miles with no too much climbing.  We started out at 7:30 am out usual set off time.  Our friend Sherman Bull typically sets off at 7:00 am to get a head start on the faster riders.

We met up with Sherman about 30 minutes into the ride.  He'd had a puncture and Richard, one of the U.K riders stopped to give him assistance so we continued on.  At about the 45 mile mark Michelle received a call on her cell, it was the paramedic that scooped Sherman off the pavement after he collided with a pick up as he came down an exit ramp.

The paramedic said he was banged up but not in serious condition.  He was taken to the hospital in San Luis Obispo which was just minutes from the site of the accident.  After all the tests and scans were taken the results showed a broken hip, broken pinky finger and three broken ribs.  We are thankful as it could have been much worse.]

We remained with Sherman at the hospital until he got situated in a room.  His wife Peg, who just happened to be in Denver seeing grandchildren is flying in tomorrow morning.  Sherman will have total hip surgery tomorrow and most likely will spend a week before being ready to fly home.  We will miss having our friend on the trip and finishing the ride with him in San Diego but we are glad the accident wasn't worse.  We'll pray for his speedy recovery.

Tomorrow we head 63 miles to Solvang, a town that is know for it's Norwegian influence.  We've been told we need to try the pancake balls that are filled with fruit fillings.

The riding is beautiful and challenging.  After 3 weeks and some 1,400 miles we'll be glad to reach San Diego this Friday.

Best,

M and Big

Sherman on the Coast of California

Day 21, Big Sur to San Simeon, Ca

Today's 68 mile ride was hard but one of the most beautiful so far.  The weather continues to be nearly perfect with temperatures in the 50's when we start and the mid 70's during the afternoon hours.

Today's ride was challenging with lots of ups (5200 feet gain) and just a bit less in loss.  I am proud and amazed with my riding partners cycling ability.  She cooks on the flats and is doing a great job on the long climbs and descents.

At dinner last night we were told about a spot we needed to stop for breakfast.  It was up the road about 5 miles (i.e. It was a 5 mile climb) and slight descent to the Big Sur Inn.  It reminded me of an English Cottage with fireplace burning as we entered.  We enjoyed a delicious breakfast prior to getting back on the road to continue climbing and descending for the next 55 miles.
The final 6 miles were reasonably flat, passing the Hearst Castle and an area that was filled with Elephant Seals.

San Simeon is a town of only 465 people but we found a wonderful restaurant for dinner that served fresh fish and big steaks.

Tomorrow we're on to Aerroyo Grande a town of about 20,000.  From here, all our stops are in sizable towns.  Only 6 more days of riding.

Best,

M and Big