Ride The West - Day 21 - Solvang, CA to Oxnard, CA

Today was our last long day (81 miles) and last big climb (total climbing of 3,700 feet; highest elevation of 2,200 feet).  Today's data - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/225767403. The other stooges like to push faster up the big climbs and were on a quest for an in out out burger.  I spent most of the day riding with Gary and also rode several sections with Leo, Tim, Don, and Jim  Major punch buggy sighting leaving Solvang.  Leah would have punched my arm big time!.

Old VW Show In Solvang

Another Tarantula Sighting

Views Leaving Solvang Along Highway 154

We had some warm up climbs as we headed past the Cachuma Recreation Area.  We turned off Highway 154 onto Stagecoach Road  As the name implies, Stagecoach Road was an old stagecoach route back in the 1860's through early 1900's.  It is home to the Cold Springs Tavern that dates back to 1868.  The road was the only way to get over San Marcos Pass until the Arc Bridge was built in 1963.  We had the road all to ourselves and Barb set up our first SAG just after the tavern.

Cachuma Recreation Area

Char ... We Got Some Climbing to Do

Char Leads Me Up The Climb (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

Cold Springs Tavern

View of Bridge After We Reached The Top

 Once we reached the top, the real fun began.  Our descent included a mile on Kinevan Road which was barely one lane and pretty rough.  There were rocks protruding into the road at times.  Speeds were pretty slow.  Next, we spent a few miles back on Highway 154 and hit speeds up to 40 mph.  The last part of the descent was incredible.  We traversed San Marcos Road all the way down to Santa Barbara.  It was 4 miles I will not soon forget.  The bank turns were like riding on a velodrome track.

Gary, Watch Out For That Rock (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

 

Great Group Shot Before The Big Descent - Chris, Leo, Gary, Me, Tim, John (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

Hairpin Turns Like No Other I Have Seen

Bank Turns ... Probably 30% Or So

We were in Santa Barbara before we knew it.  The fog prevented us from seeing a lot of the ocean views.  The beaches and town were full of people and shops.  We meandered on bike paths and local roads and passed the Santa Barbara Polo Club.  We were hungry for lunch, so we pushed on.  Several folks stopped to watch a match that was in progress.  We found a great deli in Summerland (Cantwells).  A bit pricey, but tasty.  I had a teryaki chicken wrap and a nice big chocolate milk.  The locals were a pretty nice sight (at least Don and Jim thought so).

Only Visible Shot in Santa Barbara

Gary Along One of the Nicer Stretches of Santa Barbara Homes

 We had a quick SAG in Carpinteria and then spent about 5 miles on 101 South.  There was a bike lane, but it was busy and cars were flying by us.  After getting back on the Pacific Coast Highway we had better views of the beach for awhile.  Our views were then obstructed for a few miles thanks to scores of trailers and motor homes that park along the road.  Mike Munk calls in the Redneck Riviera. We passed lots of surfers and I could have sworn I saw pig and some of his friends dressed like California dudes riding the waves.  Some more flat riding along ocean side bike paths had us in classic suburban California beach side communities.  It looked like the Brady Bunch could have lived here.

Cruising Along 101 South

Redneck Riviera

Like Wow Pig ... Ride Them Waves Dude

 

I Think Marsha Lived In One of These Houses

The roads really started to get busy as we pushed through Ventura and into Oxnard.  A big bump in the road just after the Oxnard marina jarred my hands off the handlebars.  I was able to maintain control.  We finally pulled into the the hotel and found a very slow check in process followed by a room change (they gave me and Leo a single King size bed at first ... I like him, but not that much).

Oxnard Marina ... Hold On To Those Bars!

Good Night Moon ... Good Night Hairpin Turns ... Good Night Gary ... Good Nights RVs.