6th Day, Gaviota State Beach Park to Santa Barbara

Left Gaviota State Beach Park around 7 AM. Had a small package of cold cereal for breakfast, and planned to have a decent breakfast in Santa Barbara.

Almost all of the 36 miles to Santa Barbara were on Highway 101 (Garmin GPS Plot). Lots of truck traffic on the highway! The only good part was that the shoulder next to the highway was wider than the actual lanes of the highway. There was one section on a bridge where the shoulder was non-existing. At that point it was all about waiting for the right moment, and then pedal as fast as you can to the other side before traffic would come from behind again.

Arrived at 9:30 AM in Santa Barbara and had a nice breakfast with a good coffee.

Arrival at Santa Barbara Wharf

During my breakfast I reflected on the journey from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, and what was still to come if I wanted to bike all the way back home. After contemplating  for a while I decided to go with my earliest plan; stop in Santa Barbara. If I would like to bike all the way home, I would have to push 2 days for 100 miles a day on a “not so interesting route”. Meaning, parts that are not scenic, or I have ridden many times before (SD-County Coast-line).

After discussing this with Saskia, she agreed to pick me up on Saturday, stay the afternoon and night in SB, and then drive home together. After looking at some hotel options, I found out that the Tourist Hostel also had small cottages that rented for $99 a night. Instead of a dorm, you would have  your own room with a bathroom, and a small kitchen

Summary of my trip:

Day	Milage	Elev.Gain	Cal. Burn	Avg. Spd	Max. Spd
1	62.41	3064	3891	12	34.4
2	74.51	2671	4427	12.9	35.7
3	59.45	5498	4357	11.7	31.8
4	81.35	4856	5424	13.1	33.2
5	81.41	3416	5180	13.6	33.8
6	35.91	946	2172	13.9	27.4
Totals:	395.04	20451	25451

# of broken Spokes:               2

# of flats tires:                 1

# of “scary moments”:             2

# of nights camping:              3

# of nights in motel:             2

# of times pushing bike up-hill:  2

Weights:

Bike: 27 lbs

Gear: 50 lbs (including 3 bottles of water)

Lessons learned:

If you think that you did not pack enough stuff,  you can remove at least an extra 10 lbs!

You can never have enough tools to fix your bike.

On a touring-bike it is OK to have a granny gear.

Chamois butter is your best friend, trust me!

Even the Dutch Diesel will have to push his 77 lbs bike+gear uphill now and then.

Thank you!

Thank you Saskia for letting me ride this adventure, AND picking me up in Santa Barbara.

Thank you blog-readers that posted motivations and/or witty comments on the blog, or face-book links.

And last, but not least, thank you California drivers for not running me over!

5th Day, Obispo to Gaviota State Beach Park

Today (Thursday) I got up early again, wheels rolling out of San Luis Obispo at 7:30 AM. I stopped for breakfast around 8:30 AM in a restaurant build within 2 old railroad cars; It consists of two streamlined passenger cars: a smooth-side diner and a fluted Budd obs-lounge.They served an “el-cheapo” weekday breakfast of 2 eggs, 2 links, hash brown potatoes, and whole wheat bread.  Al for $5.99.

While I was having my breakfast, Tyler (another touring cyclist who started in SF) rode by again. Over the last few days we have been passing each other several times. Typically he passes when I am having a break, and later I will pass him uphill. Today we met twice on the road, exchanged some chit-chat, and then each continues their own pace.

Today there were several long stretches without any markets or gas stations for refueling, so while enjoying the beautifull views, I had to plan my water and food carefully.

Beautifull Views

Just before a long climb up to Lompoc,  I was running out of water, but was able to divert my route for half a mile in to the town of Orcutt. Filled up my 3 water bottles, and treated myself for a strawberry ice-cream at “Dr Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab” ;o)

Dr Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab

In Lompoc I stopped for lunch at “Panda Express” and had a “Panda-bowl” with chow-mien and Orange-Chicken. Yummy! Out of Lompoc I saw a whole bunch of horses. I wasn’t sure if those were from the Lompoc horse sanctuary.  A Dutch friend did a photo-shoot seminar in Lompoc a few months ago. Took a picture, maybe she recognizes them.

Horses in Lompoc (Sanctuary?)

Trip ended uneventful (no flats, no broken spokes) in Gaviota State Beach Park after riding ~83 miles (Garmin GPS Plot) and several thousand feet of climbing. Had again a “hiker/biker” site, now for $10.

Hiker/Biker Site

The hot showers were next to my campsite, and I was spotless clean again for 3 quarters.  That was 50 cents for the body, and 25 cents for shampooing my cycle-gear.  Hey…a man wants to smell good while riding his bicycle! Even my swallow friends up in the attic approved of my cleanliness  ;o)

Peeping (Tom) Swallow

Since there were no stores around, I had to settle again for noodles and tuna. Had some nuts for desert and went to bed around 8 pm.

Tomorrow I will decide whether I stop in Santa Barbara, or keep going as far south as I can. At this moment it is clear that riding home to Ramona before Sunday is out of reach. I might as well enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara with my wife for a day (if she is willing to pick me up...).