Ride The West - Day 19 - Paso Robles, CA to Santa Maria, CA

Back in the saddle again!  Today's map and data - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/225075229. I had a much better night's sleep with almost no coughing thanks to the nighttime knock out medicine that Jeff got me ... think he might of added some special ingredients.  Leaving Paso Robbles, we were quickly in rural ranch lands. There were also a few vineyards.  A bunch of us rode together the first 15 miles or so.

Me Making It Up One The Early Morning Climbs (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

Another Short Hill Past A Vineyard

Our biggest climb of the day brought us to almost 1,500 feet in elevation.  The climb broke up the group and I pushed ahead alone as I was feeling much better ... the fresh air in my lungs felt good.  The descent was particularly nice and even longer then the climb.  Great road surface ... fairly good shoulder ... not as technical ... I was able to hit almost 42 mph.  Mike Munk was positioned well again, and snapped another great action shot of me.

My Favorite Part of the Day ... Descending (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

After the long decent, we approached the town of Morro Bay and could see the big rock getting closer and closer.  Joe's research would reveal it is called the Gilbralter of the Pacific and stands almost 600 feet high.  Our SAG was directly across from the rock and marina.  The town had several nice shops and eateries.  I paused to spend a few minutes with some sea lions just after the SAG.

Morro Bay Rock ... Sea Lions Too

Another Neat View A Little Further South

One Last Look From The State Park

The ride from into the 2nd SAG was about 30 miles.  I spent the first half of that riding with Char.  It was the fun to spend some one on one time with her.  We rode a few steep rollers together and our trusty leader was there again to snap the perfect photo.

Views Moving Inland After Morro Bay

Me And Char On a Short Climb (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

The last 15 miles from San Luis Obispo (home of Cal Poly) into Pismo Beach I rode with Jeff.  We had a bit of a head wind, but made really good time into the SAG.  The beach had a nice pier and there were some great goodies at the SAG thanks to Russ and John (I think).

More Agriculture and Crops Along The Way

Pismo Beach

The last 25 miles into Santa Maria included more crop harvesting, a medium size climb (Jeff and Joe chose the steeper 15% optional climb ... what hee men), and some fast speeds on the flats.  I rode alone and really flew ... solo riding at 20-28 mph (tail wind certainly helped!).  It seems my luggage was absconded by a mystery man (or woman) in an attempt to follow up my bold move last night at the T-shirt swap when I took Barbara Munk's shirt.  No one fessed up, but my bags magically appeared right outside my door after I went looking for them.  Maybe if I had pig's suitcases, people would show me more respect.   I did laundry for the last time before heading to IHOP for dinner.  Tomorrow we have a short 40 mile day into the fun town of Salvang.

More Strawberries On The Way To Santa Maria

My New Six Gap Century Shirt

Pig's Luggage Would Be Easily Identifiable At Morning Load

Good Night Moon ... Good Night Gilbralter Rock ... Good Night Char ... Good Night Luggage

Ride The West - Day 18 - King City, CA to Paso Robles, CA

Mike Munk says that everyone who rides with ABB should spend one day in the van to get a true appreciation of what the crew sees and deals with.  Today was my day.  I had a really rough night coughing and got very little sleep.  I decided my body needed a day off to enable me to ride the remaining days of our trip.  Mike was right ... not riding provided me a totally different perspective.  It also provided me some rest and a little recovery time.  I hope to be back on the bike tomorrow.

Quarantined in Barb's Van

Joe and Jeff Trying To Avoid The Plague (AKA Me) At Load

From the start of luggage load to the arrival in Paso Robles my focus was not on the route, the road, the hills, or the passing cars.  It was not on the vistas or the scenery either.  It was about the luggage, the bikes, the riders, the logistics, the SAGs, and most importantly, accounting for everyone on the road.

Mike Loads My Bike On The Van

Seems Susan's Bag Was A Tad Over Weight This Morning

Crew View ... Has Everyone Checked In and Loaded?

Jim Almost Locked Mike in the Trailer

I spent the first 40 miles in the mechanics van with Jim.  Approaching each rider or group was so different high up in the van.  It provided a unique view of each rider's style and proximity to the shoulder.  We would periodically stop and double back to make sure we knew where some of the folks at the back of the pack were.  It gave us more time to chat about past rides, current events, and future plans.  At the first SAG, Jim dropped me off and went back to help Char with her derailleur.  At the SAG, I was not focused on replenishing myself, but on how the others were doing and what the day had been like.  I missed a few tough climbs out of the fog and some ranches and scruffy golden hills.

Jim Helps CD and Phylis With A Flat

More Time For Better Pictures ... Jeff On The First Climb

Toronto Mark

Mark Would Miss The Right Out Of The SAG

Tracey Pulling Into The First SAG

From the SAG, it was a quick 17 miles to the only store for miles around.  The Bee Rock Store (for sale if you are interested) is a seasonal establishment that gets a lot of boaters and fishermen from the local lakes.  Jim dropped me off and headed back down the road.  I was the official greeter for for the riders and hung out until Barb arrived in other van.  As there were other folks in the van (Shirley - sore knee; Leticia - sore shoulder; and Susan - sore tushy), I donned a mask to keep from passing any unwanted germs.  As displayed in the picture at the start of the BLOG, I was quite the sight for sore eyes.  It would get lots of good laughs upon arrival in Paso Robbles.

Only Spot For Miles Around ...

A Slight Miscalculation By A Local Fisherman

Our Happy Leaders

The final 20 miles in the van were a blur to me ... I caught a few Z's. Here are few shots of the scenery we passed.  Again, on the bike, I would have looked intensely at my surroundings and paid attention to each undulation in the road ... in the van, it was just a quick drive.

Top of One The Climbs

Lake Nacimiento

We got in to the hotel nice and early and I immediately grabbed a nap.  Joe did the same and Jeff and I had some fun with him.  Tonight we had our T-shirt swap.  I was pretty risque and took the shirt from Barb.  I ended up with Joe's 6 Gap shirt. Tonight's pig moment is brought to you by Mose.  He is a strong rider who has an affection for whiners (his local club).  Pig is obviously an honorary member.  I hope to ride the long and hilly 84 miles into Santa Maria tomorrow ... let's see how the evening goes and how I feel in the morning.

Mose Rides With The Pigs At Home

Source Of The Plague??

Barb ... "You Made Me Wear A Mask Today" ... I Better Make Sure My Luggage Doesn't Get "Misplaced" Tomorrow

A Fun Night ... Lots of Laughs

Good Night Moon ... Good Night Vans ... Good Night Riders ... Good Night Mask ... Good Night Barb

Ride The West - Day 17 - Carmel Valley, CA to King City, CA

Today was a short mileage day by our standards ... only 56.5 miles.  We climbed over 3,200 feet and almost all of that was in the first 20 miles.  As we have grown accustomed to, it was chilly (in the 40's) and foggy at the start.  The fog would burn off as would our layers by the first SAG near the top of the climb.  My breathing is off due to the cold/cough I am struggling with, so I took a more subdued pace up the climb.  The grades were reasonable, but had a few 10-14% sections that really pushed me to the limit.  We followed a river bed and had the road mostly to ourselves.  I rode the majority of the climb alone, although a lot of folks were nearby.

Up And Over The Hills We Go

The Long and Winding Road Points Upward

The SAG was a few miles from the summit of 2,500 feet.  The descent was almost 10 miles long and fairly technical.  That means the road was narrow with lots of twists and turns. My brakes got a good workout.  There were several cattle guards along the way.  You can ride over these but it rattles you quite a bit. Perhaps pig could do a better job than me?  The views of the Santa Lucia Range and valley below were stunning.  I picked up Leo on the descent and toward the bottom we found the Oregon boys, Don and Jim.

Great Views As I Started The Descent

Heading Down Into The Valley

Pig Might Navigate The Cattle Guards Better Than Me

Part Way Down ... "California Or Bust" (I Think It Was Both)

The valley roads were not without some climbs of their own, but nothing big. The mountains remained all around us, with vineyards and agriculture everywhere.  The road finally flattened out as we approached the small town of Greenfield.  The four of us stopped for a nice leisurely lunch.  Tracey came in a little later and joined us. I should have ordered the loaded potato ... it looked awesome.

Don Passes A Neat Vineyard With A "Lighthouse"

Vineyards With Mountain Backdrops ... Cool

Cliffs Too

Leacving Greenfield, Leo and I had some fun fighting for position on the road.  Mike Munk was strategically positioned for another photo.  I called out "Mike, he's bothering me ..."  We all got a great laugh.  A few last hills greeted us as we left town.  My energy level was increasing and I powered through them. 

LOL ... Mike, Leo's Bothering Me (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

The Last Climb ... Leo and Jim Out Front of Me and Don (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

The last 10 miles were filled with agriculture and field after field of crops.  My 2010 North roomie Dave was great at identifying them.  We saw lettuce, broccoli, garlic, and onions.  The onions were really fragrant. The road totally flattened out and seemed like the Maryland Eastern Shore (minus the mountains on all sides!).  I put the hammer down and was pumping it out at 22-25 mph.  Not to be outdone, Leo put in a chase on his trusty Bike Friday and caught me just before we turned for the town of King City.

Crops A Plenty

Watering Time

Before stopping at the hotel, I went in search of chocolate milk and postcards.  No postcards.  Chocolate milk was finally found on my fourth try at a 7-11.  We had dinner a local diner.  My chicken parmesan was big enough for two.  More climbing tomorrow as we head for Pasa Robles.  Here is today's map and data - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/224396925.

Too Much Food ... Even After Burning 4,000 Calories

Good Night Moon ... Goon Night 20 Mile Climb ... Good Night Cough ... Good Night Leo

Ride The West - Day 16 - Santa Cruz, CA to Carmel Valley, CA

I have been fighting a cold the last few days and this morning it finally took its toll.  After finishing the long 92 mile ride yesterday very strong, I was just the opposite when I woke up today.  Breakfast was a few miles from the hotel and provided what usually would have been a great energy boost (nice omelette and pancakes), but I left the restaurant feeling mighty crappy.  I pushed onward and was able to stay up with Jeff and Jim (new rider from England).  Joe had turned from saboteur to traitor and had gone up the road with Mark, Susan, and Gary. Our route took us through mostly agricultural areas with huge fields of crops ... artichokes, strawberries, kiwi, asparagus, lettuce, and more. Many of the fields were filled with workers picking the crops by hand.

A Freshly Planted Strawberry Field (Courtesy of Mike Munk)

The Harvest Was On

Toronto Mark Captured a Great Shot of Susan Joining The Harvest

We caught up with Mark, Susan, and Gary and kept a nice easy pace through all the fields.  My strength was really fading by the time we hit the SAG at mile 24.  The weather was still overcast and I was layered, but still cold.  Riding with the group kept me more focused and before I knew it we were on a nice path approaching Monterey.  The day and and my mood would take a nice turn for the better.  The sun magically came out, I started to feel stronger, and the sites got a lot more interesting.

The Gang Along The Path To Monterey

Sunshine Finally Had Me Smiling

There was no formal second SAG.  Instead, Barb set up the van just as we entered Monterey in case we wanted to shed clothes or get any supplies.  Mark and Susan headed to the wharf for lunch.  Jeff, Joe, Jim, and I headed to Cannery Row and had a nice light lunch overlooking the water.

Monterey Marina and Wharf

Great Spot For Lunch

More Smiles

Joe and Jeff On Cannery Row

After lunch the sites got even better as we rode along the peninsula and the 17 mile drive.  Great vistas, high end golf courses (Spanish Bay, Spyglass, Pebble Beach), and super high end homes. A few pops upward, but nothing too severe other than one wall into Carmel.  So many pictures to choose from ... here's a sampling.

Great Coastal Views Along 17 Mile Drive

The Lone Cypress Tree (Over 250 Years Old)

Pebble Beach

This House Was Particularly Huge

Carmel was bustling with people and shops.  Joe and I pushed on as Jeff had stopped with Jim for an up close look at Pebble Beach.  The last 10 miles brought us into Carmel Valley. We had to climb to get to the hotel.  We are staying at the Los Laureles Lodge which is a neat converted stable facility.  Pig might get a chance to ride (a horse that is).  Only 55 miles tomorrow, but a good bit of climbing to King City.  Here is today's map and data - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/224108580.

Carmel Valley - The Climbs Are Coming

Quaint and Rustic Lodge ... Great Dinner Too

Pig Gets to Ride

Good Night Moon ... Good Night Monterey ... Good Night 17 Mile Drive ... Good Night Carmel ... Good Night Cold and Cough ... Good Night Stables