Mar 9, 2014

Day 3: March 7, Huntington Beach to San Elijio State Beach

sophia Blog Post

Allison, Dan, Rowan and us before the morning blast off

 After a comfy night sleep and this glam shot, we hit the road out of Huntington Beach before 8. We then spent the entire day weaving from beach town to beach town down more of the Southern California coast. We were riding through Laguna Beach when the sight of pastries stopped us dead in our tracks. While Mad guarded the bikes and found us a bench, I went in and spent $16 on pastries. The sugar rush provoked this bit of wisdom from Madeleine:

“Turns out I’m not in that good shape. Rough to find that out this way.” Then, “You know how on weekends we get bagels, and afterwards we always want another? Well now we can just get two bagels.”

 

We road along a dreamy bike path that boarders the coastline that afforded us many miles of stress-free riding. It also included going through Camp Pendleton, an active military base that was relatively un-noteworthy except for the occasional fully uniformed soldier and this crazy training obstacle course that looked like it would take down any American Gladiator. Unfortunately we didn’t risk taking photos, we thought that might offend the code of visitor’s honor.

We ended the day after 67 miles at San Elijio State Beach, just north of San Diego. Our hiker/biker camp site cost 1/4 as much as regular sites, we built a toasty fire, ate a hot campstove meal, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of staying on a beach.

 

 

 

Mar 7, 2014

Day 2: March 6, Leo Carillo to Huntington Beach

sophia Blog Post

77 miles with yesterday’s tailwind wasn’t so bad, 77 miles today with a hefty headwind was a little rougher.

We hit the road just before 7 and immediately came upon the hills of Malibu. I’ve decided that when I’m rich and retired, I will devote myself to creating a flat bike path through all of Malibu. Also, apparently Thursday is trash collection day, because for a full 20 mile stretch the bike lane / shoulder was littered… littered with trash cans. So we wound up spending more time than we would have liked with half our bikes in the driving lane. So it goes. The crowning achievement of this stretch was definitely when LA traffic kicked up and we rode faster than the cars.

We look so happy in this picture because we had just stopped for breakfast with Madeleine’s brother and sister in Venice Beach. Breakfast burritos and coffee will do wonders for tired Malibu legs.

At the end of the day we were excited to cruise into Huntington Beach, where friends Dan, Allison and Rowan hosted us for a night of lasagna and a real bed. Thanks a million for having us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mar 7, 2014

Day 1: March 5, Goleta to Leo Carillo State Beach

sophia Blog Post

With the best intentions of getting on the road by 6:30 our first day, the homemade coffee was too good to pass up and so we started an hour late. No matter, we were in for a smooth day.

For the first 20 miles we rode on familiar roads that we had gotten to know well on our training rides. It seemed anticlimactic, but after passing the Santa Barbara Harbor, we were on new territory. By the 10 mile mark we had made friends with a curious crossing guard, which can only predict positive things for all the streets we’ll have to cross in the next 3 months.

We stopped at the famous surf spot Rincon, in Carpinteria, 30 miles in. We watched this one guy go by and saw him do all kinds of fancy moves, and on his walk back up the beach Mad realized it was pro surfer Mikey DeTemple – which was exciting. Concerned Mother #1 packed us homemade almond butter and plum jam, so we put that to work.

 

We rode through some very pretty and very ugly parts, with some stretches consisting of ocean views spotted with surfers, and others consisting of business parks and seemingly endless telephone towers.

All in all, a great first day. We had a gentle tail wind all day to help us along, and got to camp at Leo Carillo State Beach with enough energy to make a campstove dinner and even throw together a little fire.

77 miles, 0 flats.

 

 

 

 

Mar 5, 2014

Last Day ’til Blast Off

sophia Blog Post

What’s a last day consist of? Tying up many loose ends, packing, making sure our bikes are in working order, and having a big family dinner.

With 35 lbs. of stuff and a 6:30am launch time, we’re just about ready to go.

 

 

 

 

 

Mar 3, 2014

Five Things We’ll Miss

madeleine Blog Post

As we rapidly approach our launch date, I have decided that rather than putting in long hours in the saddle, readying our bodies for the strenuous riding ahead, we should instead spend time we have left taking full advantage of the luxuries of home. We will miss them when we’re gone.

1. Baking/Cooking in a Real Kitchen: On Wednesday, having spent the previous day training in the Santa Ynez Valley, Sophie was ready to get after it again. “What do you want to do today?” she asked. “I want to do no physical activity whatsoever and make delicious baked goods,” said I. And so it was. We made jalapeno cheddar scones and a giant cheesecake.

Sorry I’m not sorry. Eating enough calories is an important part of a big bike tour and I’m choosing to practice for that part of the trip.

2. Netflix: Since we will have limited access to power outlets and internet while camping across the country, we are making the most of our time at home by binge-watching “House of Cards.”

3. Stetson: Though we joked at one point about taking him with us, we couldn’t agree who would pull his doggie trailer so he will have to stay behind. In the meantime, we’re trying to ensure that he won’t forget us by showing him lots of love (read: feeding him under the table).

4. Eating Kengberg’s Cooking: My mom, aka Kengberg, aka Concerned Mother #1, has been cooking up a storm, probably as a ploy to entice us to stay. Whatever the reason, we’ve been going to town.

5. Family: Though we hope that several of them will join us at select points along the way, we will miss our families while away on our ride.