Monday 19 November 2007

Last night we got an unexpected surprise - Erica and Ryan turning up on their way back to Santa Cruz, so the night was spent catching up in our respective trips.

Today was a day off for the little cycling community we have become members of, so after enjoying a leisurely sleep in and breakfast we took off into town to do laundry, Internet and shopping before we returned to camp to do trike maintenance and of course more visitation with the other cyclists in the group. Our day was a day off but felt like it was just as busy as being on the road. The evening was spent chatting and generally having fun together.

Morro Bay

Tuesday 20 November 2007

Up early this morning we said our farewells to Ryan and Erica before heading off towards Oceana, Alex, Jamie and Bill still packing up as we ride out from under the tall eucalyptus trees that we had camped under in the hiker/biker part of the campground.

Heading out of town on a rather ordinary road we decided to take a short detour from the highway and the large volume of noisy traffic that was on it.

Riding through dry farmland we spent some time climbing as the road wound its way through the small canyon like area, the fence making seem like we were riding through a tunnel as the large rocky outcrops towered around us as we made our way back to the busy highway.

We were riding towards San Luis Obispo where we hoped to get some stove fuel and to top up our food supplies, but we had to turn into a strong, cold headwind, and climb a few hills to get there. Arriving in a very large town amid plenty of traffic and no idea where we were going. Successfully obtaining our required items we managed to extract ourselves from the town via the bike lane and on towards our selected location for the evening.

Our ride towards the North Beach campground took us through some very nice, expensive homes sat high up on the hills that run along the coastline. Dropping down into town we managed to locate the campground, the "Campground Full" sign and no hiker/biker spot at all, courtesy we were told of too many locals enjoying it. It was here that we met Nicole and Anthony, two riders who were making their way from San Francisco to San Diego at quite a pace.

Unable to get a campsite we rode on and headed towards another. Called into a campground on the way by Nicole and Anthony we were invited to share their campsite. They told us we were allowed to put as many tents on the site as would fit, so after setting up we searched for and found Bill and then spent some time waiting for Alex and Jamie to ride past. By the time we ate we had five tents set up on the site, had borrowed a second table, bought some fire wood, grabbed some old fence paillings to add to the fire and were having a great time. Nicole and Anthony sharing their red wine in exchange for using our stove to heat their food and even buying me some doughnuts.

Today's Stats

From: Morro Bay

To: Oceana

Ride Time:
1 hrs 46 min's

Distance:
21  km's

Av Speed:
11.8 km/h

Max Speed:
34.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
67 m

Av Climb: 3 %

Max Climb: 10 %

Weather: 8-20deg C. Sunny.

Camp Location:

N: 36°58'46.8"

W: 121°56'01.7"

Wednesday 21 November 2007

Despite our camp being sandwiched between the busy highway and the Amtrak railway line we all spent a peaceful night in the campsite. Packing up and heading off we began what was to turn out to be a big day on the road.

Leaving town we decided to take the alternate route as indicated by the bike route signs. Looking at the large hill the primary route was going to take us around we opted for the shorted route, only to be confronted once committed, with a very, very large hill, which upon reaching the top, had registered 24% at one point.

Riding through more and more gum trees we were right at home and enjoying the smell and feel of our surrounds, in fact the trip has for some time now been the same as riding in Australia, except we are on the wrong side of the road and the money is different. Descending from on high we were again amongst farmland where crops were growing as far as the eye could see. Snow peas, strawberries, broccoli, brussel sprouts and celery growing everywhere, workers picking, and boxing, driving tractors towing trailers full of product, flat roads and the sun shining over the top of us all.

Riding into Guadalupe, a small town that resembled that of a Mexican town more than a US one we passed through before stopping near a small roadside stall for a bite to eat. Mangoes and other items bought we moved on, finding and picking up quite a few broccoli heads on the side of the road after they had fallen off the back of the truck.

Lunch near the town of Orcutt we began climbing and descending the hills near Vandenberg Air Force Base, home of the USAF Space Command. The hills surrounding the area bleak and empty, the large golf ball on the hill the only clue to what lay inside the boundary.

Up and down the hills and passing the impressive front gate to the base, we eventually made it into Lompoc, a large town where we stopped for some supplies before attempting to find the campground. Unfortunately for us the GPS download had the campground located some 3 kilometres away from its actual location, thereby causing us to spend some time wandering around looking for it and then asking people for its location. Arriving at the campground we set up in the hiker/biker spot and just when we thought we were alone for the night, Alex and Jamie turned up.

Today's Stats

From: Oceana

To: Lompoc

Ride Time:
5 hrs 32 min's

Distance:
79.11  km's

Av Speed:
14.2 km/h

Max Speed:
65.5 km/h

Max Altitude:
187 m

Av Climb: 3 %

Max Climb: 24 %

Weather: 6-24deg C. Sunny.

Camp Location:

N: 34°38'48.2"

W: 120°25'55.0"

Thursday 22 November 2007 Happy Thanksgiving America!

Waking to a cool morning and with a cold, stiff wind blowing we decided that today would be a good day to take off, so we did. Leaving the tent up so that the sun could dry it off we spent the morning enjoying the sun and chatting with Alex and Jamie before we packed it all up.

Saying goodbye to Alex and Jamie we rode the few kilometres back into town and took up residence in a motel where we have been enjoying the luxuries of a room, Wi-fi and of course the cable TV.

Lompoc

Friday 23 November 2007

Another day off! Whatever next? Today was spent organising things and looking at the way ahead. Our first and most important task was to sort out the tent problem we have. Like last time, the tent poles have been developing hairline cracks around the joins and then splitting and breaking at the most inopportune time, so a call to MEC and arrangements to return the tent were made.

We like the tent and it suits our purpose very well, but the unreliability of the poles is a real issue for us, and having it all held together with pole repair sleeves and duct tape is not a very good long term solution. So after arranging for the tent to be returned to Canada we then went about organising a new tent from REI (MEC's equivalent in the US). The tent change over and return will now occur in Santa Monica next week sometime.

Lompoc

Saturday 24 November 2007

Rested and relaxed from our day off we rode out of Lompoc this morning into a stiff, cool breeze, the Lompoc Canyon making it colder as the surrounding hills blocked any warmth the sun was providing. Thankfully the canyon didn't last that long and before we knew it we were basking in the suns warmth that we had been craving for minutes earlier - we were also climbing a hill.

The countryside through we were riding through very similiar to that in Northern Australia except without the red dirt. The sparse vegetation, gum and tee tree's adding to the feeling. Climbing to the top of the only climb of any significance, we quickly descended the 2 miles of 7% road, rejoined Highway 101 and eventually arrived back on the coast.

Riding in the brilliant warm sunshine was a pleasure, as was the view off the coast, offshore oil or gas platforms were silhouetted against the the flat, still ocean as it sparkled in the sun, small sparks of light dancing across the water like the shooting ends of a cracker night sparkler, the road running alongside the railway line and vacant land as it made its way along the coast.

Traffic was rather heavy and the Californian State Police were out making sure the drivers paid for their indiscretions and gave us a friendly "How ya doi'n?" as we rode by.

Passing Refugio State Beach and the campsites right next to the beach we rode on a few more kilometres to El Capitan State Park where we took up residence in one of the hiker/biker sites sitting up, overlooking the ocean, for once, we had a front row seat.

Today's Stats

From: Lompoc

To: El Capitan State Beach

Ride Time:
3 hrs 57 min's

Distance:
57.7  km's

Av Speed:
14.6 km/h

Max Speed:
64 km/h

Max Altitude:
326 m

Av Climb: 3 %

Max Climb: 8 %

Weather: 4-24 deg C. Sunny.

Camp Location:

N: 34°27'48.1"

W: 120°02'03.7"

Sunday 25 November 2007

Waking during the night to attend to a full bladder paid dividends other than comfort. The almost full moon was shining quite brightly and nicely over the ocean, the water glowing from the moon's light and looking quite serene, but as beautiful as it looked, there was sleep to be had.

Waking to a clear warm morning, the warmest we have had for quite some time, we packed up and ate breakfast whilst looking over the ocean and watching the dolphins cruise by as they no doubt ate their breakfast. Riding out of the hiker/biker spot and following the bike path allowed us to enjoy some more ocean views before we had to climb back to the highway.

There was not much of interest to speak of along the highway as it continued to work its way along the coast. Two people stopped and asked us if we knew where a gas station was, the second too busy and flustered to even notice that I had said "do I look like I need or use gas? - try down the highway a bit".

Leaving the highway we rode through quieter streets past the airport and through the shopping area before we eventually arrived in Santa Barbara, the hills around the back of town rather bare, spots of rock standing out among the vegetation that looks like it was recently burnt, and the further we went the more and more homes we saw up along those hills. The town of Santa Barbara is a picturesque town nestled between the hills and the ocean. It has a very nice warm, easy going feel with that palm tree and Mercian look that any small amount of sunshine automatically brings out the best look in the place.

We found our way to the local hostel and managed to book ourselves a private room. With the trikes unloaded we settled in to enjoy the facilities, but unfortunately for us the Wi-fi didn't work properly and then we heard it, the unmistakable sound of a train, and a train that was sounding its horn at every road, path, walkway, building, car, bike and person that the driver could see. We had neglected to notice the Amtrak station that was tennis ball throw away from our window, so after the train running past our campsite yesterday, we still hadn't managed to get away from it today.

Evening fell and we walked a few blocks from our room to Rusty's Pizza where we enjoyed a nice BBQ Chicken Pizza topped with cashews whilst watching some American football on the large TV screen. Taking a nice walk back to our room via some of the streets where the evening lights of a warm seaside town had replaced the sunshine of the afternoon.

Today's Stats

From: El Capitan State Beach

To: Santa Barbara

Ride Time:
2 hrs 19 min's

Distance:
35.45  km's

Av Speed:
15.1 km/h

Max Speed:
42 km/h

Max Altitude:
55 m

Av Climb: 2 %

Max Climb: 13 %

Weather: 14-21 deg C. Sunny.

Camp Location:

N: 34°24'44.8"

W: 119°41'31.3"

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