West Coast 2018

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!

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!