One of the fun things of having a new bike is introdicing it to your favorite rides and getting its feedback. What? A bike gives feedback? Well sure, every time you turn the crank it tells you what it thinks of the road and of you. My new bike went smoothly up to the peak of Soledad, climbing confortably.
Sadly it was a moisture filled day and so the view was not totally clear. Nevertheless it was a great first time up the big hill in town.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Moving to a Longbike
Well after lots of thought and reflection, I bought a new recumbent. It is a Slipstream, made by Longbikes in Colorado. It is another long wheelbase, underseat steering bicycle. Greg Peek the owner of the company worked with me to assemble a touring combination that matched the needs I identified on my trip down the pacific coast. In addition I had it built with S&S couples that allow me to disassemble the frame to fit into cases that airlines recognize as standard.
The bike is a beauty and rides quite sweetly. I am introducing it to the various hills in the area.
The bike is a beauty and rides quite sweetly. I am introducing it to the various hills in the area.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Blog Sabbatical
I just realized I had not written here since the end of August! My life has been so crazy that having just barely had time to work and ride I was not getting on here to write.
So what are the highlights of the fall and winter? Well I have had good and bad weeks in terms of getting out on the bike. Twice most weeks, but plenty of weeks with no rides because of things at work or sickness.
I now try to keep at least one day auto-free and do two when I can. I am routinely climbing Mt. Soledad and the Tidal pool hill. Both give me a great ride. I have a new route to explore some more that goes east around the bay to the bike trail to Bonita and then can go all the way out to Otay Mountain. Soon I will go climb it too if there is paved road to the top.
The best result of the coastal ride is that I can run up all the hills around here now. I want to keep that strength.
I have added a seconf linear to my collection and just two weeks ago ordered a Slipstream from Longbikes. Greg Peak was out this way for another reason and brought me a bike by to sample. It was a sweet ride. Greg will set it up for the sort of touring I do.
The big question is what to do for a ride next year. There are three candidates:
England's Sustrans trails
The Underground railroad route from Columbus OH, on south
A ride in Canada, either in the northern parks or somewhere on the Alexander Mackenzie trail.
The least expensive is the Underground RR route because I will already be in OH as part of the Episcopal Church's General Convention. Add to that the costly airfare to other places and.....
I'll put up some pictures soon from my fall riding.
So what are the highlights of the fall and winter? Well I have had good and bad weeks in terms of getting out on the bike. Twice most weeks, but plenty of weeks with no rides because of things at work or sickness.
I now try to keep at least one day auto-free and do two when I can. I am routinely climbing Mt. Soledad and the Tidal pool hill. Both give me a great ride. I have a new route to explore some more that goes east around the bay to the bike trail to Bonita and then can go all the way out to Otay Mountain. Soon I will go climb it too if there is paved road to the top.
The best result of the coastal ride is that I can run up all the hills around here now. I want to keep that strength.
I have added a seconf linear to my collection and just two weeks ago ordered a Slipstream from Longbikes. Greg Peak was out this way for another reason and brought me a bike by to sample. It was a sweet ride. Greg will set it up for the sort of touring I do.
The big question is what to do for a ride next year. There are three candidates:
England's Sustrans trails
The Underground railroad route from Columbus OH, on south
A ride in Canada, either in the northern parks or somewhere on the Alexander Mackenzie trail.
The least expensive is the Underground RR route because I will already be in OH as part of the Episcopal Church's General Convention. Add to that the costly airfare to other places and.....
I'll put up some pictures soon from my fall riding.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Two tired, too tired
Not all days on the bike are glorious, even in San Diego. Some rides just end in a melt down. Yesterday was such a day.
Somewhere on the paths around Mission Bay, but most likely right along the canal by the mobile home park I had a flat. This is a narrow path with high fences on both sides, so a really useless spot for fixing a bike. I had to walk it to where the Mission bay Park picks up again.
I pulled of the back wheel, stripped out the inner tube and inspect the tire. It had been breached by one tiny tiny tiny, and I mean small, thorn! I could not believe that an organic thorn that small could get the leverage to puncture the tire, but it had.
I pulled out my replacement inner tube and my tire patching kit fell out of the bag. So I thought, lets give it a try since it was a new sort of glueless patch. I roughed up the surface and the patch seemed to adhere fine. Put it all back together, pumped up the tire and off I went. And everything was good for eight miles.
Coming in along Nimitz I decided to go over Point Loma Blvd and stop at the bike ship and get a new back tire and some inner tubes. Seemed like a smart decision.
Next sensation I have is that I am riding in melting asphalt. So I stop and check the back tire and it seems ok, then I check the front and it is flat! Two tires. Lo and behold it was another thorn! Now I did not have a 20" inner tube so I had to use the glueless patches again. It held the air ok but then........ the back tire was flat again. This time I walked into a gas station and put the replacement tube in.... no more messing with glueless patches!
I got to the bicycle shop just fine and bought a new tire and some inner tubes and when I came out the front tire was flat again. At this point I was too tired to mess with it. So I pumped the tire up and it held and rode home.
This evening I have to take them both off, replace the front tube and the back tire and make sure none of those wicked little thorns are anywhere to be seen.
Somewhere on the paths around Mission Bay, but most likely right along the canal by the mobile home park I had a flat. This is a narrow path with high fences on both sides, so a really useless spot for fixing a bike. I had to walk it to where the Mission bay Park picks up again.
I pulled of the back wheel, stripped out the inner tube and inspect the tire. It had been breached by one tiny tiny tiny, and I mean small, thorn! I could not believe that an organic thorn that small could get the leverage to puncture the tire, but it had.
I pulled out my replacement inner tube and my tire patching kit fell out of the bag. So I thought, lets give it a try since it was a new sort of glueless patch. I roughed up the surface and the patch seemed to adhere fine. Put it all back together, pumped up the tire and off I went. And everything was good for eight miles.
Coming in along Nimitz I decided to go over Point Loma Blvd and stop at the bike ship and get a new back tire and some inner tubes. Seemed like a smart decision.
Next sensation I have is that I am riding in melting asphalt. So I stop and check the back tire and it seems ok, then I check the front and it is flat! Two tires. Lo and behold it was another thorn! Now I did not have a 20" inner tube so I had to use the glueless patches again. It held the air ok but then........ the back tire was flat again. This time I walked into a gas station and put the replacement tube in.... no more messing with glueless patches!
I got to the bicycle shop just fine and bought a new tire and some inner tubes and when I came out the front tire was flat again. At this point I was too tired to mess with it. So I pumped the tire up and it held and rode home.
This evening I have to take them both off, replace the front tube and the back tire and make sure none of those wicked little thorns are anywhere to be seen.
Monday, August 22, 2005
How many faces does Mt. Soledad have?
Before my bike trip along the Pacific Coast Mt. Soledad was the "challenge" of a local ride. I could not, in fact, make it up to the Cross at the top. To long and too steep a climb and not enough fortitude. After all, I didn't have to get over it to get home!
After the trip though, Soledad has become a regular part of my rides during the week. having built up some hill climbing capacity I am determined not to lose it. And in fact, it is now a friendly and doable ride.
But lo and behold, Soledad has more than one way up! From the top I can count at least four different routes. Two from Pacific Beach and two from LaJolla. So now I am thinking that I should be climbing all four faces and maybe even on the same day! I have done the two face from pacific Beach and today I road down one into south Lajolla (see the Mission Bay picture).
There is one more that I can see just as I leave the monument, which I think heads to what is now called LaJolla Parkway. I will do my next descent along it to see where in LaJolla it brings me out.
I have picked up a wonder long distance bicycling book called "Medal Cowboy: Tales from the Path less pedalled" It is a delight series of stories of people this rider has encountered as he has Forrest Gumped his way around the US and the world on his bicycle.
After the trip though, Soledad has become a regular part of my rides during the week. having built up some hill climbing capacity I am determined not to lose it. And in fact, it is now a friendly and doable ride.
But lo and behold, Soledad has more than one way up! From the top I can count at least four different routes. Two from Pacific Beach and two from LaJolla. So now I am thinking that I should be climbing all four faces and maybe even on the same day! I have done the two face from pacific Beach and today I road down one into south Lajolla (see the Mission Bay picture).
There is one more that I can see just as I leave the monument, which I think heads to what is now called LaJolla Parkway. I will do my next descent along it to see where in LaJolla it brings me out.
I have picked up a wonder long distance bicycling book called "Medal Cowboy: Tales from the Path less pedalled" It is a delight series of stories of people this rider has encountered as he has Forrest Gumped his way around the US and the world on his bicycle.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Biking in London and Kenya
I am just back from eight weeks spent in London and Kenya. Sadly I could not take my recumbent along with me, although I am thinking of buying one and leaving it in London for my use.
While in London I used one of the bikes that my host family had. It was the first wedgie I have ridden in ten years! Those seats still hurt. But I enjoyed riding in Wandsowrth Common and around the neighborhood, constantly reminding myself that everything is backwards in London....you ride on the left.
Eric and I tok bikes on the train out to Cheswick where his daughter was participating in a crew race. So we road along the rive path as she raced screaming encouragement and drawing not a few looks from the people just out for a Saturday stroll.
The recent bombings in London have sent a spurt in bicycle sales and in fact London is painting in bicycle lanes all over the place. The city's roads are so narrow however, that most everyone drives paying attention to the oncoming traffic and the bikes since you are constantly forced to pull over to let someone else come by in the other direction.
I spent a great afternoon in Trafalgar Square at a bike show. Tons of people and exhibits and free maps of all the best bicycling routes in London.
The off to Kenya. Most people in Kenya travel by foot or by mini busses called Matatus. But there are also tons of folks on Indian and Chinese made bikes. I thought we were loaded down on out trip until I saw these folks carrying everything from coffins to cases of coake bottles stacked six high on the back of their bikes.
Most of the bikes have just one gear, I road a fairly broken down bike from the Theological School over to Maseno University. It was tough work bumping along the rutted dirt roads on what is essentially a street bike. Buying bikes is easy, getting parts and repairs more difficult.
The toughest riders in Kenya though might well be the Boda-Boda bikers. These are folks with a padded rack on the back who offer rides to be for 10+ shillings (about 13 cents US). Originally these folks ferried people across the no-person's land between the Ugandan and Kenyan borders. So Border to Border riders became Boda-Boda and spread as informal taxis. If it is hard to ride the roads with one gear all by yourself, imagine what it is like to do it with a person on the back.
I think it would be great fun to do a Mombassa to Uganda ride, although you would have to plan your places to stay pretty carefully.
While in London I used one of the bikes that my host family had. It was the first wedgie I have ridden in ten years! Those seats still hurt. But I enjoyed riding in Wandsowrth Common and around the neighborhood, constantly reminding myself that everything is backwards in London....you ride on the left.
Eric and I tok bikes on the train out to Cheswick where his daughter was participating in a crew race. So we road along the rive path as she raced screaming encouragement and drawing not a few looks from the people just out for a Saturday stroll.
The recent bombings in London have sent a spurt in bicycle sales and in fact London is painting in bicycle lanes all over the place. The city's roads are so narrow however, that most everyone drives paying attention to the oncoming traffic and the bikes since you are constantly forced to pull over to let someone else come by in the other direction.
I spent a great afternoon in Trafalgar Square at a bike show. Tons of people and exhibits and free maps of all the best bicycling routes in London.
The off to Kenya. Most people in Kenya travel by foot or by mini busses called Matatus. But there are also tons of folks on Indian and Chinese made bikes. I thought we were loaded down on out trip until I saw these folks carrying everything from coffins to cases of coake bottles stacked six high on the back of their bikes.
Most of the bikes have just one gear, I road a fairly broken down bike from the Theological School over to Maseno University. It was tough work bumping along the rutted dirt roads on what is essentially a street bike. Buying bikes is easy, getting parts and repairs more difficult.
The toughest riders in Kenya though might well be the Boda-Boda bikers. These are folks with a padded rack on the back who offer rides to be for 10+ shillings (about 13 cents US). Originally these folks ferried people across the no-person's land between the Ugandan and Kenyan borders. So Border to Border riders became Boda-Boda and spread as informal taxis. If it is hard to ride the roads with one gear all by yourself, imagine what it is like to do it with a person on the back.
I think it would be great fun to do a Mombassa to Uganda ride, although you would have to plan your places to stay pretty carefully.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Returning the Linear
Today I had to give back my loaned Linear. I took it to San Clemente to turn it over to Charles Coyne of Tandem and Recumbent Magazine. Before I turned it over to him I rode about San Clemente looking for my lost flag, but to no avail.
We met and chatted awhile about his magazine and my review of the bike and then it was time to move it from my car to his..... And so the little Linear goes off to be road tested by his writers and then on to more adventures.
Monday I will ride my bike and reacquaint myself with it. I will take it up Mt. Soledad and bring back some pictures.
We met and chatted awhile about his magazine and my review of the bike and then it was time to move it from my car to his..... And so the little Linear goes off to be road tested by his writers and then on to more adventures.
Monday I will ride my bike and reacquaint myself with it. I will take it up Mt. Soledad and bring back some pictures.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Riding Mt. Soledad
A few months ago when I began this blog I included a picture of Mt. Soledad with a caption noting the challenge it represented for me. Yesterday I rode right on up it as my last ride on the 2005 welded Linear I have been using for my trip.
With it all unloaded it was an easy climb up to the top in a mid gear and the payoff at the top was wonderful, a great view for about 270 degrees of the San Diego landscape. Once there I thought remembered I did not have my camera.
Mt. Soledad offers three ways to climb it, so my plan will be to make it a regular part of my riding schedule when I return from Africa. A personal goal for me is not to lose the strength I have built up over these weeks of riding along the coast.
I have already begun plotting for my next trip. The two options are to do the Northern Tier trans American Route in several month long pieces. Or to try some of the Eurovelo routes that are being developed along the lines of Adventure Cycling's.
For example, I think it would be fun to cycle the Atlantic Coast of Norway which would take me near the town where my Mother's family originated.
But there is also a route from Canterbury to Rome (or symbolically we might ride Rome to Canterbury, eh?) and one from the Netherlands to Kiev, which I think might be great fun. Of course none of these have any topographical to descriptive route content to them yet, but I am hopeful.
Tomorrow I will drop the Linear off with its next holder, the Publisher of a Tandem and Recumbent magazine. I emailed him an article this morning so we will see how he likes it. Monday I will ride again up Mt Soledad on my trusty 10 year old Linear. It will be interesting to see how I find it after seven weeks now on a new bike.
With it all unloaded it was an easy climb up to the top in a mid gear and the payoff at the top was wonderful, a great view for about 270 degrees of the San Diego landscape. Once there I thought remembered I did not have my camera.
Mt. Soledad offers three ways to climb it, so my plan will be to make it a regular part of my riding schedule when I return from Africa. A personal goal for me is not to lose the strength I have built up over these weeks of riding along the coast.
I have already begun plotting for my next trip. The two options are to do the Northern Tier trans American Route in several month long pieces. Or to try some of the Eurovelo routes that are being developed along the lines of Adventure Cycling's.
For example, I think it would be fun to cycle the Atlantic Coast of Norway which would take me near the town where my Mother's family originated.
But there is also a route from Canterbury to Rome (or symbolically we might ride Rome to Canterbury, eh?) and one from the Netherlands to Kiev, which I think might be great fun. Of course none of these have any topographical to descriptive route content to them yet, but I am hopeful.
Tomorrow I will drop the Linear off with its next holder, the Publisher of a Tandem and Recumbent magazine. I emailed him an article this morning so we will see how he likes it. Monday I will ride again up Mt Soledad on my trusty 10 year old Linear. It will be interesting to see how I find it after seven weeks now on a new bike.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Fellowship of the Wheel Comes Full Circle
Yesterday, Dave and I finished our coastal ride with about six folks from All Souls and around the Diocese. We took off from All Soul's at about 9 a.m. and had a leisurely ride around the east side of the harbor to Imperial Beach, finishing at the end of Palm Street where it runs into the ocean.
Fr. Mike tells stories from the ride to the Brotherhood at All Souls`
Dave arrives for the final stage.
Dave, Mike, and special guest rider Teri Mathes touch down at Imperial Beach.
It was a perfect San Diego day for the ride, sunny cloud free sky and only light winds. For once the winds favored us, they were from the WSW as we left Imperial Beach and rode up the strand to Coronado, pushing us along with a nice trailing breeze. In Coronado we stopped at the Hotel Del for some well earned ice cream. I had the first root beer float I've had in years. Of course since I will not be riding 50-90 miles a day I can no longer eat "anything I please." We zoomed around to the ferry and came across the harbor for the final bit of riding back home.
I got home with just enough time to fire up the grill, shower, set out drinks and then welcome people to the party. We had a great turnout of folks from the parish and they mostly ate and drank everything in sight. This is for me the sign of a good party. We opened champagne and Dave and I toasted the end of a successful adventure.
The Linear arrives home, anxious for its next adventure.
In the end we went about 1660 miles averaging about 50 a day. Even after a week home, I am still waking up thinking about packing the bags and getting on to the next town. I find myself looking for the signs of the road that became so familiar, the sweeping descents to beaches, the headlands rising ahead of us at the end of the beach, the game of wondering how the road would cut up and through the headland, since it had to be climbed. None of those signs are there inside, so I find my eyes darting around looking. After a couple of days' rest, I am ready for the next ride. Who can say what will be the next chapter of Speed of Bike. But do stay tuned in, because reflections and local riding adventures will continue to be chronicled.
Fr. Mike tells stories from the ride to the Brotherhood at All Souls`
Dave arrives for the final stage.
Dave, Mike, and special guest rider Teri Mathes touch down at Imperial Beach.
It was a perfect San Diego day for the ride, sunny cloud free sky and only light winds. For once the winds favored us, they were from the WSW as we left Imperial Beach and rode up the strand to Coronado, pushing us along with a nice trailing breeze. In Coronado we stopped at the Hotel Del for some well earned ice cream. I had the first root beer float I've had in years. Of course since I will not be riding 50-90 miles a day I can no longer eat "anything I please." We zoomed around to the ferry and came across the harbor for the final bit of riding back home.
I got home with just enough time to fire up the grill, shower, set out drinks and then welcome people to the party. We had a great turnout of folks from the parish and they mostly ate and drank everything in sight. This is for me the sign of a good party. We opened champagne and Dave and I toasted the end of a successful adventure.
The Linear arrives home, anxious for its next adventure.
In the end we went about 1660 miles averaging about 50 a day. Even after a week home, I am still waking up thinking about packing the bags and getting on to the next town. I find myself looking for the signs of the road that became so familiar, the sweeping descents to beaches, the headlands rising ahead of us at the end of the beach, the game of wondering how the road would cut up and through the headland, since it had to be climbed. None of those signs are there inside, so I find my eyes darting around looking. After a couple of days' rest, I am ready for the next ride. Who can say what will be the next chapter of Speed of Bike. But do stay tuned in, because reflections and local riding adventures will continue to be chronicled.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Ascension Cycling
Dave and I are home. We arrived Ascension, the 40th day of Easter after 35 days on the road. On our last day we both rode centuries (100 miles) and Dave did even better than that.
Sitting in Oxnard on Tuesday, we realized that we were only 180 miles from home and that we could, if we pounded the pedals make it on Thursday, or at least be sleeping in our own beds Thursday. Sitting and visiting with Donald and Joan in their great home made this all the more desirable. Our next destination was Hermosa Beach (70 miles) where we had lodging with The Rev. Kate Lewis daughter of All Souls' parishioner Molly Bodeen. So we thought we'd go for a long day from Hermosa Beach (right next to LAX) to SD if we could.
The ride from Oxnard to Hermosa was a mixed bag. Oxnard is a town surrounding a military base surrounded by farmland. It was one of the places the Farm Workers organized in the 60's and 70's. Huge fields of fragrant celery and thousands of acres of sod. Once again there was a low pressure system dominating, forcing us to cycle through the wind.
When we finally got to the unimpeded coast south of Oxnard we had a lovely ride except for Dave's flat along Hwy 1 as we cruised by the Santa Monica mountains. I had been waiting to see Malibu, but was sorely disappointed. What a dump. It was a 27 mile dump though with no real distinguishing features. We did, however, like the Malibu Pier, where we rode to the end and chatted with many colorful people.
Leaving Malibu you cycle by miles of houses with their back doors pressed right to the 1 and their front doors to the ocean. I suppose it is cool, but never quiet.
Santa Monica offered us the beginning of a real treat: a paved bicycle trail that would essentially take us all the way around LA. It was a total delight to ride and we took some time at Venice Beach to enjoy the flavor of the culture. I had a great Venice Beach hot dog and several conversations with bikers who came by to admire our rigs. Linears always start conversations. We rolled into St Cross by the Sea Episcopal Church at 4:30 to be given the run of an apartment by Rev. Kate. The plan for the next day was to be on the road by 5:30 a.m. and ride home. The only possible impediment was the threat of rain.
We actually were on the road by 5:30 after a quick breakfast of bacon and eggs (I think we ate them all Kate). The bike path was populated by runners and cyclists and walkers. In one of our guide books they had suggested just riding the 1 at this point despite it being loaded with glass and pot holes, because the bike path went through garages and stuff. We found the path well planned and delightful, specially at 5:30 a.m. It took us to Palos Verdes and out of the main LA area.
The road climbed through the residential areas of PV which is a lovely town. Some crazy drivers were out early to bedevil us. The dramatic change is when you descend from this gorgeous Palos Verdes to the west end of Long Beach. One rides from plush rich homes right into a refinery and port. Ugh. Busy cruddy streets with pushy drivers and typical urban blight storefronts. Several miles of that took us over the LA river and into Long Beach proper, a bit nicer, but nicest as you head east towards a reworked downtown area. We stopped and had some nice pastries at a shop.
Continuing we came to Huntington Beach, riding between the 1 and the ocean once more on a beach path. Because of work on the 1 they had built this special detour including a path crossing guard who helped us carry our bikes over a two foot deep road of sand used by the construction folks to move sand to the beach from where they were working. The town proper, like Newport to follow, was another polished retail strip.
All this while, by the way, we are NOT getting rained on, but riding into wind, which was slowing us down.
After Newport came the big psychological turn, a climb to Dana Point and then a descent and entry into San Clemente. Remember the old "Turn right at the star and then on to morning" from Peter Pan? This was that sort of break. At San Clemente the Coast Highway is taken over by the 5 (booooo!) and so we got to wend our way through residential streets once more. Lots of turn and hills to climb. In residential areas they do not care about the grade of the hills as much as they do along the highways. The neighborhoods were great, with lots of adults and kids shouting encouragement. They get to see lots of cyclists since this is the way through San Clemente for everyone doing what we were doing.
San Clemente ends in a bike trail that is supposed to take us to the gate of Camp Pendleton. It actually does do that, but the maps did not really do justice to the distance you have to go to get there.
The path turns into the abandoned roadbed of the Pacific Coast Highway (PC). A wide three lane road with nothing on it except us and a few runners. It was the first sense of being in the film "On the Beach". It ends at a short path that goes to a chain link fence with a section cut out. It is clearly marked as the path, but feels a little odd. We were expecting Pendleton, but got San Onofre instead. It was dumping us onto the frontage road that runs by the power plant and state beach. We thought it would be a quick pop to Pendleton. Wrong again.
The frontage road past the nuke plant (closest I've ever been to one) leads into a park that is totally deserted at this time of the year. We road for several miles wondering if we were in the right place, or just cycling to a dead end that would force us to turn around. Several times it brings you to little booths that look like guard stations, but none were. Then the park ends and cyclists have to go around another barrier, clearly marked, and ride again on the abandoned road bed.
Finally, finally it ends. The path turns left and goes under the 5. There is a tunnel sigh warning to look out for cyclists and military vehicles while in the tunnel. There was another little path that went up to a Vista point, and we decided to see if we could get on the 5 there and skip Pendleton even though we were right there. Turns our that by sliding our bikes through a broken panel in the barrier gate we could get into the Vista Point. Then we quickly rode the 5 to Oceanside.
This was a horrendous ride. Loudest, busiest, scariest, in some ways, of all the highways we had traveled. But I found it to be the perfect contrast for the point of our ride: speed of bike and speed of auto/truck. The road is pretty clean and the cars and trucks far enough away, but I felt less safe than when I was riding the white line with logging trucks going by.
But we made it to Oceanside. Dave's desire was to sprint for SD and see if he could make it before dark, but we had also discussed going 100 miles and then finishing the ride in the next day or so after some recuperation in bed. Dave had been chomping at the bit for this all day, so I told him to go for it and I would ride to the century mark and then come back and finish the ride (treating home just like any other motel or hospitality stop. Dave will have to tell you what the end of that day was like for him, but I had Kathleen and Katie pick me up at the Century mark because 13 hours of cycling into the wind was my limit for the day. No doubt I could have made it the next 20 miles since my legs were working fine. I would have taken no pleasure in the ride and pleasure in the ride was my objective each and every day.
So we are home and safe. Well actually Dave is on a plane to Chicago to surprise his dad for his birthday. On Saturday the 14th we will have the last stage ride from All Souls to Imperial Beach and a party/open house at the Rectory.
The Speed of Bike will continue, though it will take some hiatus while I am in Africa, since I do not think I will be cycling there. But who knows.
I will see today what re-entry into the speed of car world is like............
Sitting in Oxnard on Tuesday, we realized that we were only 180 miles from home and that we could, if we pounded the pedals make it on Thursday, or at least be sleeping in our own beds Thursday. Sitting and visiting with Donald and Joan in their great home made this all the more desirable. Our next destination was Hermosa Beach (70 miles) where we had lodging with The Rev. Kate Lewis daughter of All Souls' parishioner Molly Bodeen. So we thought we'd go for a long day from Hermosa Beach (right next to LAX) to SD if we could.
The ride from Oxnard to Hermosa was a mixed bag. Oxnard is a town surrounding a military base surrounded by farmland. It was one of the places the Farm Workers organized in the 60's and 70's. Huge fields of fragrant celery and thousands of acres of sod. Once again there was a low pressure system dominating, forcing us to cycle through the wind.
When we finally got to the unimpeded coast south of Oxnard we had a lovely ride except for Dave's flat along Hwy 1 as we cruised by the Santa Monica mountains. I had been waiting to see Malibu, but was sorely disappointed. What a dump. It was a 27 mile dump though with no real distinguishing features. We did, however, like the Malibu Pier, where we rode to the end and chatted with many colorful people.
Leaving Malibu you cycle by miles of houses with their back doors pressed right to the 1 and their front doors to the ocean. I suppose it is cool, but never quiet.
Santa Monica offered us the beginning of a real treat: a paved bicycle trail that would essentially take us all the way around LA. It was a total delight to ride and we took some time at Venice Beach to enjoy the flavor of the culture. I had a great Venice Beach hot dog and several conversations with bikers who came by to admire our rigs. Linears always start conversations. We rolled into St Cross by the Sea Episcopal Church at 4:30 to be given the run of an apartment by Rev. Kate. The plan for the next day was to be on the road by 5:30 a.m. and ride home. The only possible impediment was the threat of rain.
We actually were on the road by 5:30 after a quick breakfast of bacon and eggs (I think we ate them all Kate). The bike path was populated by runners and cyclists and walkers. In one of our guide books they had suggested just riding the 1 at this point despite it being loaded with glass and pot holes, because the bike path went through garages and stuff. We found the path well planned and delightful, specially at 5:30 a.m. It took us to Palos Verdes and out of the main LA area.
The road climbed through the residential areas of PV which is a lovely town. Some crazy drivers were out early to bedevil us. The dramatic change is when you descend from this gorgeous Palos Verdes to the west end of Long Beach. One rides from plush rich homes right into a refinery and port. Ugh. Busy cruddy streets with pushy drivers and typical urban blight storefronts. Several miles of that took us over the LA river and into Long Beach proper, a bit nicer, but nicest as you head east towards a reworked downtown area. We stopped and had some nice pastries at a shop.
Continuing we came to Huntington Beach, riding between the 1 and the ocean once more on a beach path. Because of work on the 1 they had built this special detour including a path crossing guard who helped us carry our bikes over a two foot deep road of sand used by the construction folks to move sand to the beach from where they were working. The town proper, like Newport to follow, was another polished retail strip.
All this while, by the way, we are NOT getting rained on, but riding into wind, which was slowing us down.
After Newport came the big psychological turn, a climb to Dana Point and then a descent and entry into San Clemente. Remember the old "Turn right at the star and then on to morning" from Peter Pan? This was that sort of break. At San Clemente the Coast Highway is taken over by the 5 (booooo!) and so we got to wend our way through residential streets once more. Lots of turn and hills to climb. In residential areas they do not care about the grade of the hills as much as they do along the highways. The neighborhoods were great, with lots of adults and kids shouting encouragement. They get to see lots of cyclists since this is the way through San Clemente for everyone doing what we were doing.
San Clemente ends in a bike trail that is supposed to take us to the gate of Camp Pendleton. It actually does do that, but the maps did not really do justice to the distance you have to go to get there.
The path turns into the abandoned roadbed of the Pacific Coast Highway (PC). A wide three lane road with nothing on it except us and a few runners. It was the first sense of being in the film "On the Beach". It ends at a short path that goes to a chain link fence with a section cut out. It is clearly marked as the path, but feels a little odd. We were expecting Pendleton, but got San Onofre instead. It was dumping us onto the frontage road that runs by the power plant and state beach. We thought it would be a quick pop to Pendleton. Wrong again.
The frontage road past the nuke plant (closest I've ever been to one) leads into a park that is totally deserted at this time of the year. We road for several miles wondering if we were in the right place, or just cycling to a dead end that would force us to turn around. Several times it brings you to little booths that look like guard stations, but none were. Then the park ends and cyclists have to go around another barrier, clearly marked, and ride again on the abandoned road bed.
Finally, finally it ends. The path turns left and goes under the 5. There is a tunnel sigh warning to look out for cyclists and military vehicles while in the tunnel. There was another little path that went up to a Vista point, and we decided to see if we could get on the 5 there and skip Pendleton even though we were right there. Turns our that by sliding our bikes through a broken panel in the barrier gate we could get into the Vista Point. Then we quickly rode the 5 to Oceanside.
This was a horrendous ride. Loudest, busiest, scariest, in some ways, of all the highways we had traveled. But I found it to be the perfect contrast for the point of our ride: speed of bike and speed of auto/truck. The road is pretty clean and the cars and trucks far enough away, but I felt less safe than when I was riding the white line with logging trucks going by.
But we made it to Oceanside. Dave's desire was to sprint for SD and see if he could make it before dark, but we had also discussed going 100 miles and then finishing the ride in the next day or so after some recuperation in bed. Dave had been chomping at the bit for this all day, so I told him to go for it and I would ride to the century mark and then come back and finish the ride (treating home just like any other motel or hospitality stop. Dave will have to tell you what the end of that day was like for him, but I had Kathleen and Katie pick me up at the Century mark because 13 hours of cycling into the wind was my limit for the day. No doubt I could have made it the next 20 miles since my legs were working fine. I would have taken no pleasure in the ride and pleasure in the ride was my objective each and every day.
So we are home and safe. Well actually Dave is on a plane to Chicago to surprise his dad for his birthday. On Saturday the 14th we will have the last stage ride from All Souls to Imperial Beach and a party/open house at the Rectory.
The Speed of Bike will continue, though it will take some hiatus while I am in Africa, since I do not think I will be cycling there. But who knows.
I will see today what re-entry into the speed of car world is like............
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Tour Duh Coast Endo, Completo. Finis!
9:50 pm. Home at last in Point Loma rain.
Charlie couldn't care less.
The last two days were some of the best riding from Oxnard to Hermosa Beach, then home on Cinco de Mayo. Exactly 5 weeks.
Boring bike stats.
1560 mi.
longest ride 132 mi. (last day)
On my bike:
17 spokes broken (8 were cut for damage)
rear axel snapped
rear brake busted
rear tire replaced
three flats
seat stay busted in Del Mar
One chain wheel kaput
And one sore butt.
The ride home was great. Got dark as I was climbing up Torry Pines(an easy climb for us even after 115 mi). The dark was OK since I was now in streets I knew well and I was well lit(the bike silly). It started raining at Sea World but didn't pour until I was in my own house. I finished just as I started, in the rain.
Halfway home on last day.
Venice Beach was calm, so we rode right down the boardwalk.
Lunch in Venice Beach.
Sailing on the sand in south LA.
Construction worker on hand to help us through Huntington Beach.
Malibu Pier
Dunes in Oxnard.
El Fin
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Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Monday, May 02, 2005
Tour Duh Coast Stage Twenty Somethings
"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race" H.G. Wells
We are almost in La so here are some pics starting from the North Coast to Monterey.
Bodega Bay. Still storybook picturesque.
Even in the fog.
The only bear encounter we had.
Cafe at Elk.
Indian Paintbrush everywhere.
And no rain thankyou.
Can you see Mike?
O.K. Time to cross this bridge into the real California and head home. I am so motivated.
Mike on a golden ride.
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We are almost in La so here are some pics starting from the North Coast to Monterey.
Bodega Bay. Still storybook picturesque.
Even in the fog.
The only bear encounter we had.
Cafe at Elk.
Indian Paintbrush everywhere.
And no rain thankyou.
Can you see Mike?
O.K. Time to cross this bridge into the real California and head home. I am so motivated.
Mike on a golden ride.
Tour Duh Coast Big Sur Stage
The mother of all stages. The tour de France can't match this locale.
Hold On and pedal hard.
Big Sur looking north. Best experienced by bike.
Bixby Bridge, Big Sur.
Riding down from the clouds in Big Sur
Leaving Big Sur behind us. Time to go fast
Wine country in Santa Barbara County. All the hills are so green.
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Hold On and pedal hard.
Big Sur looking north. Best experienced by bike.
Bixby Bridge, Big Sur.
Riding down from the clouds in Big Sur
Leaving Big Sur behind us. Time to go fast
Wine country in Santa Barbara County. All the hills are so green.
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