And suddenly everything is different. All the drama and scenery (which I missed) from the last few days gave way to rolling grassy hills with little beach towns here and there.
I rode a breezy 90 or so km today. Flat by comparison the preceding days. Through Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo and finally Pismo Beach where Karen and I stayed some years ago.
I passed 500 km for the trip so far and 10,000 for the year. I took almost no pictures as most things were pretty plain looking or shrouded in misty fog.
By the way that fog makes things cold. It comes and goes several times a day, though has parked over my campsite for the night. I stopped at a store today and bought another pair of sleeves because of it. Who knew a California camping excursion would be so much cooler than any I’ve done in Canada.
There are no hiker biker spots at campgrounds here and not surprisingly sites are booked solid, except for the beach camping. Which I thought sounded great until I went to check it out. The problems were: (1) the haze, (2) the mile plus walk through sand to a ‘spot’, and (3) the possibility of getting run over by a monster truck or dune buggy. It seems the beach campground is one of the few places in North America that allows driving all over the dunes and sand. I’ve had enough of motorized vehicles, thanks.
Speaking of which, anyone care to guess the make of car most likely to go whizzing by a cyclist without the least bit of consideration? I’ll give you a hint. The guy who runs it is the richest jerk in the world. And people who drive his cars apparently share his arrogance.
Anyway, so instead I am staying at a county owned trailer park in Oceano, Pismo Beach’s decidedly less sparkling sibling. It appears to be a little rough around the edges.
But guess what is right around the corner. Jose was on asada duty and was a little surprised by my bike ride. So he fed me meat right off the grill and a taco on the house while I waited for my takeout.
Due to missing a day of riding I realized that I won’t get to Oceanside until Monday. And I was hoping for Saturday. I think I’ve devised a plan for a Sunday arrival which works. But there are limited campgrounds in LA and what does exist is full so I’m not sure how to deal with that. It’s possible I’ll take a bus or train through part of LA. It’s not really cheating! More that I’m just not convinced that 2.5 days of city riding is what I’m after. I have 120 km ride tomorrow to stew on it though.
A bleaker landscape than your first few days, sounds like California. Also seems safer, except for the darn cars. That Mexican grill must have seemed like an oasis in the fog for you. I say take your time in LA, it’s a huge city with LOTS of interesting things to see and do, when in Rome, as they say. Safe travels.
There’s a taco tour by bike in LA. But you could also do your own, more Chad-friendly, tour:
Not just a taco town:
https://la.eater.com/maps/best-burritos-los-angeles-mexican
https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/the-best-burritos-in-los-angeles
Chelsea gave me some good local insider tips 🙂
Thanks for sharing your momentus ride. Love that you’re sharing your food choices, as well as scenery. Glad you have managed to find a place to sleep. Be safe.
Fuel is a big part of these trips
We’d love for you to get to Oceanside earlier than later BUT you’ll only do this ride once, do what you want, take your time. LA biking has me more freaked than the cliff biking as I don’t think LA drivers are friendly or safe……so if you have street biking not trail biking take the train, bus whatever to get through LA!! We’ll be seeing you soon.
I think I have a way to bike the whole thing and be there Saturday now. Only took an hour on the phone with California parks
That’s great. Hope you can find places to camp. Safe travels. Enjoy your long day. Hope you have lots of food packed for energy!!