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Last Day

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We had thought our last day would be a short trip to the finish – “only fortysomething miles”. But the combination of feeling a little the worse for wear and a very slow-going route (hills, followed by tortuously slow cycle lanes) made the ride take longer than we’d expected. Whilst slow, cycling through La Jolla was a treat, with a beer scenic route following the coastline. But trying to cycle at any reasonable pace was difficult along the Sunday morning cycle/runner/walker/electric scooter traffic along Mission Beach. Great for a “pootle” but not if you actually want to get somewhere. After a final breakfast at Quivera Basin we had a little extra treat – a ferry ride to Coronado (part of the route to avoid a horrible bridge) before covering the final mikes to the Mexican border at 4pm. We took photos at the pedestrian (rather than vehicular) entrance to the Mexican border. The actual entrance was a one-way revolving door with bars on. It looked like the entrance to
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Day 27

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We had decided to set off early to get a few miles done before it got too hot. Unfortunately I figured out that the Airbnb reservations I thought I’d made for Sarah, Eddy and myself had been cancelled (my error entirely). So I spend an hour rebooking them (with the help of Simon and Kenny who both have patience and skill, neither of which I seem to possess) so delayed our departure drastically. Ken (with the patience of a saint) escorted us by bike through Long Beach back to our route. Our stay with Ken and Kenny was really special and when it was time to say goodbye it felt like we were leaving good friends behind. I hope they are able to come and stay with us in the UK. Indeed, they have inspired me to host warm showers and as Ken said ‘pass it on’. We made it as far as Leguna Beach (32 miles) before stopping for lunch, then headed off at around 2pm into the heat for another 52 miles – “daunted” didn’t even get close. As it happened, the miles went swiftly, passing s
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Day 26

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An easy 27 miles took us through Malibu (lots of surfers – and a range of different waves from barrelling tubes to mellow longboard waves) where some of the properties looked both extremely expensive and very precarious right in the seeding, some supported by poles embedded in the sand. We cruised along the Santa Monica cycle way which was pretty empty at 9.39am  before stopping for a bite to eat on Santa Monica pier We had arranged to stay with a warm showers host (Ken) in Long Beach. Ken had offered to take us kayaking in Ling Beach harbour so we got a shift on weaving our way through the now busy cycle lanes of Venice beach. We arrived outside Ken’s workplace (as arranged) and he led the way back to his house. Ken is on the board of warm showers and he and his partner (Kenny) made us extremely welcome and not only took us kayaking around the beautiful harbour but also cooked a scrumptious BBQ and even did our washing! Yet again I am in awe of how strangers have bee
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Day 25

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A relaxing 50 miles on the flat. We followed the 101 on a cycle path which ran alongside but separate to the road. Overall, we’ve come across many cycle lanes that have been really good and well planned – when they are it makes so much difference rather than the “add on afterthought for 30metres” that we tend to get in the UK. This was the first day we have seen several surfers out in the water – many of them in board shorts rather than wetsuits. Ventura was clearly a great spot for longboards with dozens of people in the line up. Instead of going surfing ourselves we continued on and made it to a diner and took shelter from the heat (yes it was hot enough for us to seek air conditioning) for breakfast. Arriving at Leo Corrilio really hit the spot. After a swim in the sea which was the perfect temperature to be refreshing yet very comfortable, we ended up sitting in the beach eating fresh strawberries watching the surfers. The state park was the first that we have found t
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Day 24

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Leaving Lompoc we climbed our last big hill of the entire trip. As it turned out it was a very gradual climb for 10 miles or so, but never taxing. The seven miles of downhill which followed were wonderful! If you look closely you’ll see we are taking the Santa Barbara turning (photo above). Surprisingly enough at this part of the coast there was nowhere to eat until we were out the outskirts of Santa Barbara – so breakfast turned into lunch at 12pm and after 41 miles. Entering Santa Barbara was like entering another  world. It is full of fit healthy people enjoying  the sun - almost the polar opposite to the Washington Coast. The afternoon was a relaxing 20 flat miles to Carpinteria where we camped literally metres from the beach. The sea was warm and the shower block was clean – we are living the dream!
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Day 23

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Day 22 Woke this morning without so much as a smidgen if bird poo on the tent. Result! 70 miles and 700m climbed – a relatively easy day, with one big climb shortly before arriving at Lompoc Lompoc itself seems like a nice place – but having cycled through it we found the only campsite in town which was satisfactory. Unlike the state park campsites this is a private one – with the bizarre policy to close the shower (yes one for the whole campsite) at 6pm! The campsite was several miles from the centre of town so we treated ourselves to Dominoes Pizza -  who deliver!
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Day 22

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Having now formally adopted Spencer we are a party of four. We set off in the fog (this very chilly and wet) for our final 22 miles of the Big Sur. The views would probably have been impressive but we were in the mist so saw very little. By the time we stopped for breakfast after 22 miles and almost 600m of climbing we were certainly ready for a break. We stopped at Raggged Rock hotel and whilst expensive the hour we spent there gave us a chance to charge our various devices and drink our own body weight in coffee (most places here sell bottomless coffee for a few dollars – and we always consume as much as we can). Once past Ragged Rock the road evens out and the miles come much easier and we saw a groups of elephant seals - it was like looking in a mirror By lunchtime an hour and a half later we had covered 42 miles and enjoyed a very relaxing time at Cambria, where they had WiFi and we could reconnect with the world. Time slipped by and we did it leave Cambria u
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