Fred and Wayne had another great week cycling, generally eating well, maybe losing a pound or too, getting a little fitter, and leaving another claw mark in the dirt as we get drug fighting and kicking into old age.
We would have cycled the rest of the way from Oceanside, but we were tired and sore and we would get the full day 'on the trip' regardless of whether we were riding or not. Beside, that's why we call the blog 'OLD GUYS on bikes,' not 'healthy young studs on bikes.'
3 things NOT to say to your wife after returning home from a bike trip:
#3 "We found four new kinds of beer just in Santa Barbara."
#2 "There sure are a lot of women bike touring this year."
And the #1 thing not to say to your wife when you get home from a bike trip:
#1 "I think dancing tired my legs more than the bicycling."
Fred and Wayne are planning a China bike trip late spring 2010.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Day 9 Tuesday May 12 San Clemente to San Diego
Up before 7:00 again. We are both tired with sore legs. Too many hills are hard on the thighs.
Rode 1/2 mile to Cafe del Sol for breakfast rolls and coffee. They have really good coffee.
It was after 9:30 before we started riding south. It is good riding through the San Onofre area. They allow dogs on two of the beach trails. But there is also a preponderance of rattlesnakes. ACTIVE rattlesnakes, per the notice at the
guardhouse. Hmmmmm. Dogs, yes. Nudity, no. Rattlesnakes, yes. What about nude dogs?
Roadside memorials. We saw way too many of them.
Not a bad ride through Camp Pendleton. A lot less traffic than riding on the I-5 shoulder. After 23 miles we arrived in Ocean Side.
We had lunch at the same organic restaurant we ate at the last time we biked thru here.
Then we hopped the Oceanside 2:12 train 2 stops to downtown San Diego. 6 miles later we were at Fred's place in Ocean Beach.
Another good week. Another good bike trip.
Firsts:
We've made this trip several times. This time we found a new route south of San Clemente Pier along the beach. We also stayed in a new campground - San Clemente State Beach. And most importantly, we found a new coffee stop just south of San Clemente. We found 'downtown' Seal Beach after riding by it on past trips.
Today
Distance 26 miles
Total trip
392 miles
Rode 1/2 mile to Cafe del Sol for breakfast rolls and coffee. They have really good coffee.
It was after 9:30 before we started riding south. It is good riding through the San Onofre area. They allow dogs on two of the beach trails. But there is also a preponderance of rattlesnakes. ACTIVE rattlesnakes, per the notice at the
guardhouse. Hmmmmm. Dogs, yes. Nudity, no. Rattlesnakes, yes. What about nude dogs?Roadside memorials. We saw way too many of them.
Not a bad ride through Camp Pendleton. A lot less traffic than riding on the I-5 shoulder. After 23 miles we arrived in Ocean Side.
We had lunch at the same organic restaurant we ate at the last time we biked thru here.
Then we hopped the Oceanside 2:12 train 2 stops to downtown San Diego. 6 miles later we were at Fred's place in Ocean Beach. Another good week. Another good bike trip.
Firsts:
We've made this trip several times. This time we found a new route south of San Clemente Pier along the beach. We also stayed in a new campground - San Clemente State Beach. And most importantly, we found a new coffee stop just south of San Clemente. We found 'downtown' Seal Beach after riding by it on past trips.
Today
Distance 26 miles
Total trip
392 miles
Day 8 Monday, May 11 Dana Point to San Clemente State Beach
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Today is a planned easy day. We packed up and rode 4 1/2 miles to San Juan Capistrano...and Starbucks (surprise!). Patrons there suggested Mollie's Famous Cafe, the local's favorite for a late breakfast. Not Mollie's Cafe. Mollie's FAMOUS Cafe (32033 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949-240-9261. Ask for waitress Tami and tip well).
We rode around the San Juan Capistrano historic District. There were some interesting fountains in a shop next to the train station (photo below). The public restrooms suck. I am writing the mayor (separate photo not include in the photos below).
We rode back to Dana Point and followed the seaside bike path to San Clemente Pier. Took a break at the pier, walked out to the end and watched the fishermen. We talk to everyone. Part of the path is firm dirt right along the water. The same going south from the pier to San Clement State Park and the Hike and Bike. $3 each.
We found dinner at Cafe del Sol Restaurant on the north I-5 access road (3817 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949-492-7120) across the free from the campground and 1 mile south. This is probably the only meal on the trip where we overate. It was good, but a lot of food.
A homeless, obviously mentally deficient, bicyclist arrived after us. Singing to himself was ok, but the dancing kinda made me nervous. I moved my tent closer to Fred's.
Showers $.25 for 2 minutes. Typical for the hike and bike sites.
Today
Distance 18 miles
To view the photos click on 'View All Images' below.
Day 7 Sunday, May 10 Torrence to Dana Point
Out of the Travelodge 1/4 mile to Starbucks. Down Crenshaw Rd. toward the Coast Highway. Southeast thru Long Beach industrial area. We pulled into recently opened Vespa Long Beach (795 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, http://www.vespaoflongbeach.com, ask for James Lamb 562-216-7280[they work on commission]). Fred was thinking I looked kinda tired and might need something with an engine... James says they'll beat the price of any dealer on the coast.
The beaches of Long Beach are surprisingly nice and clean.
We rode south to Seal Beach along a long, very nice seaside bike path adjoining the beach. At Seal Beach we went to Beachwood BBQ for lunch (131 1/2 Main St., Seal Beach, 310-428-2723, info@beachwoodbbq.com). AAA magazine recommended the restaurant and the fried green tomato sandwiches. The waitress had a fascinating tattoo. Note the scary eyes on the skull tattooed on her upper arm. Yikes !!
The seaside bike path continued thru Manhattatan Beach. The beach allows dogs. Bart would be thrilled. "Obviously an area of enlightened citizenry," Bart said.
There were some tired riders, obviously taking a break, at Manhattan Beach. When Fred and I get tired we just pull over for a cool drink.
Further south we took the car ferry from Balboa Peninsula to Balboa Island at Newport Beach. $1.25 each. Balboa Island is a crowded tourist area and a perpetual traffic jam.
We followed the Coast Highway up and down hills to Dana Point State Park and the Hike and Bike. $5 each. Tawny and her colleague at the main gate were especially pleasant. The newly completed bathrooms and showers are the nicest on the coast. YIPPEE! We met the cleaning crew. As usual, we are the only ones in the hike and bike.
Today
Distance 55 miles
Saddle time 7:20
To Date
Distance 246 miles
Saddle time
To view the photos click on "View All Images" below.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Day 6 Saturday, May 9 Malibu to Torrence (LA)
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Up early again, about 6:45. It is a cool, misty morning. Luckily there is a big uphill 1st thing out of the campground so we warmed quickly. 3 1/4 miles and we FINALLY reached a Starbucks. (I dont know why they put them so far apart).
There were other cyclists at the Starbucks and our bikes attracted the usual attention. We met Bruce Tenny, CEO of yikesid.com (www.yikesid.com, 888-842-2305x13, mobile 310-567-0067). He has developed a medical ID which attached to a strap on a bike helmet. He agreed to 'ID' Fred and I for our China trip.
More hills like yesterday thru Malibu. Not fun.
There is a 22 mile on the beach bike path from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach. Nice!
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Lunch at Cora's Coffee Shop (1802 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica 90401, 310-451-9562), where we stopped on our last bike trip. GREAT Coffee. Tastes like Italian coffee; strong but not bitter. As for Jose, the waiter. Nice guy.
We walked our bikes through Venice Beach. Lots of interesting people. Weird and interesting. Lots of street vendors and performers.
I passed 9 ice cream push carts and didnt buy an ice cream bar. We I saw the 10th one, I figured it must be God's will, and who am I to rebuke God. But I did wait until the evening. When I saw the Baskin Robbins, I knew it was meant to be. Fred, showed stoic discipline and didnt have any, probably because God wasnt giving the signs to him.
We saw several interesting beach houses. Interesting modern architecture with lots of glass.
Muscle bound guys were lifting weights at Muscle Beach. Fred and I decided to keep our shirts on.
Arrived at the Travelodge in Torrence about 6:00. Showered then went out for dinner (getting tired of grocery store salads) at The Hawaiian King. Hawaiian chicken for each.
Today
Distance 39.5 miles
Ave speed 8.3 (we walked our bikes through Venice beach)
Max speed 32 mph
Saddle Time 4:43
Total to Date
Distance 191 miles
Saddle Time 27:45
To see today's photos click 'view all images' at the bottom of the slide screen.
Day 5 Friday, May 8 McGrath to Malibu
Up early and riding after 0800 to Oxnard for Starbucks. We sat at the table, Fred with his minicomputer and me with my microcomputer. Times have changed.
We rode through an agricultural area. The smell of strawberries permeated the wind. And they were growing sod.
Stopping at the display of airplanes near the entrance of Ventura Naval Air Station, Pt Magu is always interesting. A little out of the way display you would never see unless you were on a bicycle.
We rode past the Pt. Magu Nature Preserve as Hwy 1 reached the Pacific.
In West Malibu Fred found a cell phone in the bike path. Eventually it rang and we spoke with the owner. He requested we leave it at customer service in a nearby grocery store, which we did. But first we had a passerby take a photo of Fred and me with our bikes. Imagine his surprise when he looks at his photos later. Good joke.y.
Lots of hills in the Malibu area. Not fun riding.
Dinner of grocery store salads from Von's.
We arrived Malibu RV Park about 6:00. $29 dollars ! And it wasnt a very nice site. Small, uneven plots for tents. There were 15 tents in the tent camping area. A lot of young German tourists.
Lights out for us at 9:30.
To view the photos click 'View Images' at the bottom of the slide screen.
Today
Distance 45 miles
Saddle Time 5:05
Total to Date
Distance 151 miles
We rode through an agricultural area. The smell of strawberries permeated the wind. And they were growing sod.
Stopping at the display of airplanes near the entrance of Ventura Naval Air Station, Pt Magu is always interesting. A little out of the way display you would never see unless you were on a bicycle.
We rode past the Pt. Magu Nature Preserve as Hwy 1 reached the Pacific.
In West Malibu Fred found a cell phone in the bike path. Eventually it rang and we spoke with the owner. He requested we leave it at customer service in a nearby grocery store, which we did. But first we had a passerby take a photo of Fred and me with our bikes. Imagine his surprise when he looks at his photos later. Good joke.y.
Lots of hills in the Malibu area. Not fun riding.
Dinner of grocery store salads from Von's.
We arrived Malibu RV Park about 6:00. $29 dollars ! And it wasnt a very nice site. Small, uneven plots for tents. There were 15 tents in the tent camping area. A lot of young German tourists.
Lights out for us at 9:30.
To view the photos click 'View Images' at the bottom of the slide screen.
Today
Distance 45 miles
Saddle Time 5:05
Total to Date
Distance 151 miles
Friday, May 8, 2009
Day 4 Thursday, May 7 Carpenteria to McGrath State Beach
Up for breakfast at the Worker Bee. Before leaving Carpenteria, we saw serious felons outside the grocery store lined up in a chain gang. Their lips are discolored because they were forced by their teacher (oops, I mean "guard") to eat popsicles.(photo)
A leisurely ride to the downtown Ventura Historic district for healthy salad lunch at the Natural Grill. We are both eating healthily. No sodas yet. Generally only 2 full meals each day, and the afternoon meal is usually a large salad.
A nice ride around Ventura Harbor. We stopped at the Channel Islands national Park HQ. The Channel Islands sound like a great place to camp, snorkel and kayak. No bicycles or dogs allowed. Bart will be angry.
We arrived McGrath State Beach about 5:00 after a grocery stop at Von's. It isnt much except a campsite for sleeping and not a very nice campsite at that. Worse are the 60 year old showers which have hot water issues. We were each in our tents before dark. $5 each for the Hike and Bike.
It was another good day on bicycles.
Today
Distance 32 miles
Ave Speed 9.4 mph
Max speed 22.5 mph
Saddle time 3:25
Total to Date
Distance 106 miles
Saddle Time 13:05
To see the photos click on 'view all images' at the bottom of the slide screen.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Day 3 Wesnesday, May 6 Carpenteria and Photos !!!
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We were both up before 7:00. Early morning visitors included and unidentified bird and an identified gopher.
It was 8:20 before we were packed on on the way to "Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf" at the corner of Carpenteria and Linden. Coffee, yogurt rolls. We stayed till noon updating the blog (me) and checking the stock market (Fred). A little shopping and it was time for lunch. A healthy half sandwich, salad and hummos. Until 3:30.
Smoke from the Santa Barbara fire is blowing on us. The flames are visible from here in Carpenteria, 15 miles east of the fire. lets see - the wind is blowing about 25 mph west to east, we are east of the fire 15 miles, we smell smoke, we see flames.... Actually we should be fine, however, many of the home in Santa Barbara are not including the city's historic district.
In the evening we rode leisurely around town looking at the architecture, and visiting the nature preserve.
Back to the Carpenteria State Campground for a 2nd night. It was a very warm day and is a pleasant evening. Another $5 total (for 2) at the Hike and Bike.
To view the photos click on "view all images" below the slide screen.
Day 2 Tuesday, May 5 Rufugio State Beach to Carpenteria
Fell asleep to the waves and thee wind. Fred was up at 6:00 checking the stock market on his Acer mini and Verizon broadband (a USB plug in). It was 6:45 for me. Early morning snack of an apple. We packed and started riding about 9:00.
We passed a terrific old bridge outside Refugio. And llamas grazing near the road. It is the little things you notice on a bike trip that you miss from a car.
We rode on Hwy 101 with a 10 mph tailwind until the Goleta turnoff and pulled into Bob's Bicycles. I heard a 'pop' after the first 1/4 mile and thought it sounding like a spoke, then I forgot about it. Turns out the spoke was broken. Bob's replaced the spoke and retrued the wheel. It is the rear wheel that carries most of the weight no matter how hard I try to front load the bike.
We had a late morning breakfast at Cajun Kitchen Cafe while the wheel was being repaired. A $5 special of 2 eggs, 2 strips bacon, and toast or pancakes. We needed the carbs! After the wheel was fixed and we finished breakfast we boarded our trusty steeds for a grueling 100 yard ride to Starbucks where we drank coffee and chatted with people. Cyclists as old as us on bikes heavily loaded like ours attract people with questions. Fred told everyone we started in Anchorage in February.
We rode the Coast Bicycle Trail thru Santa Barbara. A nice downhill past the upscale home in the Hope Ranch development. Then along the beach past Santa Barbara Harbor. We just rode slow and took out time.
We could see today's new wildfire in the hills near Santa Barbara. Hmmm, strong winds today. And blowing toward the city.
Eastward through Summerland to Carpenteria. 1st stop: Reynaldo Bakery on Linden Ave. for homemade tamales and beans. But not Mexican fruit bar ice cream ! Yikes! Turns out the freezer broke, so they dont carry the ice cream any more. Interesting business model. I suppose if the cooler broke, they wouldnt offer cold drinks or if the oven broke they wouldnt offer tamales.
We arrived at the campground about 6:00. It is next to the railroad tracks. I mean right next to the tracks, where when the train goes by you can look at the engineer and see he didnt shave this morning and has a little food stuck in his teeth. And it is noisy as he blows the horn a lot. It will be an earplugs nite for Wayne. Fred eschews such modern conveniences preferring the true wilderness experience, except for his laptop, cellphone, bank card, etc.
The campground is near the ocean. The showers are nice again tonite. $.25 for 2 minutes.
Today, May 5, 2009
Distance 44 miles
Saddle Time 4:30
Ave Speed 9.5 mph
max Speed 27.2 mph
Trip Total
Distance 66.5 miles
7 hours
Today expenses
Breakfast at Cajun Kitchen $12 total
Bike repair $32
Starbucks $5
7/11 drinks in Santa Barbara $3.50
Dinner at Reynaldos $11.50 total
Von's water, drinks $4.25
Carpenteria Campground $5
Pastry for brakfast $3 total
Lights out about 9:00 pm.
We passed a terrific old bridge outside Refugio. And llamas grazing near the road. It is the little things you notice on a bike trip that you miss from a car.
We rode on Hwy 101 with a 10 mph tailwind until the Goleta turnoff and pulled into Bob's Bicycles. I heard a 'pop' after the first 1/4 mile and thought it sounding like a spoke, then I forgot about it. Turns out the spoke was broken. Bob's replaced the spoke and retrued the wheel. It is the rear wheel that carries most of the weight no matter how hard I try to front load the bike.
We had a late morning breakfast at Cajun Kitchen Cafe while the wheel was being repaired. A $5 special of 2 eggs, 2 strips bacon, and toast or pancakes. We needed the carbs! After the wheel was fixed and we finished breakfast we boarded our trusty steeds for a grueling 100 yard ride to Starbucks where we drank coffee and chatted with people. Cyclists as old as us on bikes heavily loaded like ours attract people with questions. Fred told everyone we started in Anchorage in February.
We rode the Coast Bicycle Trail thru Santa Barbara. A nice downhill past the upscale home in the Hope Ranch development. Then along the beach past Santa Barbara Harbor. We just rode slow and took out time.
We could see today's new wildfire in the hills near Santa Barbara. Hmmm, strong winds today. And blowing toward the city.
Eastward through Summerland to Carpenteria. 1st stop: Reynaldo Bakery on Linden Ave. for homemade tamales and beans. But not Mexican fruit bar ice cream ! Yikes! Turns out the freezer broke, so they dont carry the ice cream any more. Interesting business model. I suppose if the cooler broke, they wouldnt offer cold drinks or if the oven broke they wouldnt offer tamales.
We arrived at the campground about 6:00. It is next to the railroad tracks. I mean right next to the tracks, where when the train goes by you can look at the engineer and see he didnt shave this morning and has a little food stuck in his teeth. And it is noisy as he blows the horn a lot. It will be an earplugs nite for Wayne. Fred eschews such modern conveniences preferring the true wilderness experience, except for his laptop, cellphone, bank card, etc.
The campground is near the ocean. The showers are nice again tonite. $.25 for 2 minutes.
Today, May 5, 2009
Distance 44 miles
Saddle Time 4:30
Ave Speed 9.5 mph
max Speed 27.2 mph
Trip Total
Distance 66.5 miles
7 hours
Today expenses
Breakfast at Cajun Kitchen $12 total
Bike repair $32
Starbucks $5
7/11 drinks in Santa Barbara $3.50
Dinner at Reynaldos $11.50 total
Von's water, drinks $4.25
Carpenteria Campground $5
Pastry for brakfast $3 total
Lights out about 9:00 pm.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Day 1 Monday, May 4 San Diego to Refugio State Beach, Goleta
We arrived at Goleta train station on time at 3:40pm and promptly rode 3 miles to Costco for a salad for dinner. Being health conscious, we split the salad.... then each got our own frozen yogurt (fat free). Battling those 25 mph winds we rode north on Hwy 101 arriving at Refugio State Beach about 6:15. It is a beautiful place to camp. The Hike and Bike site is right on the water.
Neither Fred or I had taken out our tents or sleeping bags since our last bike trip in the summer of 2008. We expected the worst - mold, bad smells. But they were ok, at least by camping standards. Well, at least by OUR camping standards.
There are 5 other cyclists in the Hike and Bike. Young folks traveling together riding north to Vancouver. Of the 5, 4 are 2 married couples. All are unemployed -
an opportunity for adventure. 2 guys are riding Scorpion trikes they bought on Craigslist. 2 wheels in the front, 1 in the back. About $3,000 each. One guy has a small and light guitar. I might need one of those, perhaps for my birthday ... Mary PERHAPS FOR MY BIRTHDAY.
TODAY (total), Monday May 4
Distance 22.6 miles
Saddle Time 2:28
Expenses:
Train tickets $34 each
Latte in San Diego (for the train ride) $3.25 each
Costco shared salad $4.50 total, fate free yogurt $1.65 each
Refugio State Beach Hike and Bike camping fee $5 each
Neither Fred or I had taken out our tents or sleeping bags since our last bike trip in the summer of 2008. We expected the worst - mold, bad smells. But they were ok, at least by camping standards. Well, at least by OUR camping standards.
There are 5 other cyclists in the Hike and Bike. Young folks traveling together riding north to Vancouver. Of the 5, 4 are 2 married couples. All are unemployed -
an opportunity for adventure. 2 guys are riding Scorpion trikes they bought on Craigslist. 2 wheels in the front, 1 in the back. About $3,000 each. One guy has a small and light guitar. I might need one of those, perhaps for my birthday ... Mary PERHAPS FOR MY BIRTHDAY.
TODAY (total), Monday May 4
Distance 22.6 miles
Saddle Time 2:28
Expenses:
Train tickets $34 each
Latte in San Diego (for the train ride) $3.25 each
Costco shared salad $4.50 total, fate free yogurt $1.65 each
Refugio State Beach Hike and Bike camping fee $5 each
Day 1 Monday Morning, May 4 San Diego to Goleta
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Monday morning. We left Fred's in Ocean Beach and road our fully loaded bikes to the train station in downtown San Diego.
7.2 miles
Ave speed 10.1 mph
Max speed 19.1 mph
Saddle time 42 min
To help overcome our exhaustion from the grueling ride we grabbed Starbucks lattes for the train ride.
The train left at 0930. We should arrive Goleta (north of Santa Barbara) at 3:20 to a 25 mph headwind as we ride north to the campground.
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