Geek Venturing Outside

The Final Push

2010-10-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

We got our first glimpse into Mexico around 5:30 pm. It was hard to
contain the excitement of being so close. It was also hard to believe
that 2 days ago we were in San Luis Obispo.

The bike signs lead the way!

We passed Tequilla Way In our last few miles.

The boarder was closed to bikes and we didn't find a Welcome to Mexico
sign, so we settled for the Private Property No Tresspassing!

Having attained our goal we headed to Maria Maria's to celebrate with
a large meal. We were not dissatisfied.

We are calling the beard contest a tie. Scott has a darker beard and
is sporting an awesome neck beard, but mine is less unruley. We polled
2 random strangers. Scott won over the waiter, but the a lady sitting
across from us picked my beard.

I was exhausted. Scott drove home and I dissasembled my bike for air
transit Monday morning!

We were both ready to be home!

SAN - Rental Car

2010-10-04T06:51:00.000-07:00

San Diego Airport is around mi 110. We rented a car for Scott so he
could get home and my cousin Dave was waiting for us.

Rental procured we headed down Harbor Ave to finish the last 20 miles.

In Chula Vista we found Moss St. That makes 3 mosses this trip. Moss
Landing, Moss Point, and Moss St.

Nuclear Boobs

2010-10-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

We rode past the nuclear boobs North of San Diego. I got a good photo
with Scott and the boobs.

We met some more friends. Some bikers riding from San Fran to San
Diego which seems to be popular. They were taking 9 days. We took 7
including a rest day.

Our new companions didn't like to stop at lights.

Water over San Diego is beautiful!

Day 21: Long Beach to Mexico, 132 mi

2010-10-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

Long Beach is about 130 miles from the border by bike. Long enough
not to take lightly, but short enough for us to believe we can do it
in a day. I must be crazy.

We stripped down our bikes to be as light as possible and left the
house before dawn.

Fueled up and good to go at Starbux. I'm no longer carrying Quaker
Chewy Granola. I've eaten 50+ bars in the first 2 weeks and ODed. I
think Scott is sick of snickers.

I told Scott my biggest worry was we would go out too fast, as Scott
without the BOB is very fast now. Scott promissed we would keep a 15
mph pace...

When we hit the OC, we stumbled upon a Sunday morning group riding the
PCH and thought to grab a draft. This wasn't your Sunday fat man ride.
We were pushing 26 mph on the flats for a good 10 miles. Huntington
beach was upon us before we knew it. So much for 15 mph.

The Final Countdown!

2010-10-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

Making our final gambit to the border. Left our bags in Long Beach. No
Turning back!

Day 20: Santa Barbara to Long Beach, 125 mi

2010-10-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

In long beach. We are making a run for the border tomorrow.

Today was a long day. Tomorrow will be as well.

Thanks to my college room mate Neal and his mother for hosting us
tonight.

Wish us luck!

Day 19: SLO to Santa Barbara, 116 mi

2010-10-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

Lunch in Lompoc. There isn't much in Lompoc, but they do have food and
water. We didn't stay too long, but the heat was blistering. We had 20
miles of no shade out of Lompoc. I was wishing the rain had stayed as
this is one of the most mentally challanging sections of road.

My watch read 33 C about 92 F, and the hills were relentless.

We met a guy Dan who was doing the same trip. His team disbanded in SF
and he was the last one. He was heading for Long Beach. I think the
heat broke him though. He was planning on calling a friend to get a
ride the last 100 miles. I hope he finished the trip.

We passed by a tunnel right before being dumped on 101.

Night Sky in SB.

One of my sisters friends, Giana, is hosting us in SB. They were at
the avocado festival which they enjoyed. Mostly eating! Thanks again
for allowing us to crash on your couch!

Tomorrow we head to Long Beach!

It doesn't rain in California

2010-10-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

It rained on us this morning. Of course we ditched our rain gear in
Santa Cruz. I can't complain because it was nothing like Washington or
Oregon rain.

Fort joined us this morning to ride to Pismo. He had an awesome idea
to pick up cinimon rolls. I had a fruit wheel. It was so delicious.
I'll post the name of the bakery later, if Fort doesn't. I wish I had
gotten photos of the pasteries.

We said goodbye to Fort at the messa and headed south to Vandenburg
AFB. No rockets launching today.

Farmers @ SLO

2010-10-01T23:35:00.000-07:00

I finished up some repairs in my jacket while Matt tried to study. He
had a remote control helicopter which was much more entertaining than
the air flow problems due on Friday.

I headed to Farmers and at cold stone there was a furry who was
swinging his rave nunchucks and not hitting anyone which impressed me.

There was free bike valet parking and I took advantage of it. Scott's
good friend Pat joined us. The savory aromas from each street vender
made choices difficult, but I eventually chose ribs!

There were live bands playing and dancers in the street on Higuera
street.

Another great SLO farmers market!

2010-09-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

I hung out with Matt, my sister's fiance, who hosted me for the night. He is finishing up a mechanical engineering masters at Cal Poly. We ate at Firestone Grill and the Tri Tip is still as awesome as I remember it. We punished the meal.

Thursday is an official rest "zero miles" day. This means kick back, no time in the saddle, stay out of the sun, hydrate, and catch a flick downtown.

Scott took a spill in San Francisco as he was too excited when we were approaching the city, so we needed to get him a new helmet in SLO. We stopped at my favorite bike shop, Foothill Cyclery. Scott had a sweet present waiting from a special someone which fully covered his new helmet and hopefully will protect his noggin for the rest of the trip and then some.

Josh runs the store and amazingly he still has the original receipt for my road bike so I'll get the frame fully warrantied! It was great to see the new store location in the shopping center on Foothill and Broad. I also picked up some No 5 Chain-L "High Mileage Formula". All of the other chain lube I've tried doesn't seem to even last a day of our rides before the chain starts to squeak. This stuff is high quality and I've only seen it in San Luis Obispo @ Foothill Cyclery.

I'm lining up places to stay so we can ditch more of our camping gear as we finish up the last few days. I'm no longer dehydrated and plan to keep it that way. I enjoy Type 1 fun. Santa Barbara tomorrow!

Day 17: Big Sur to San Luis Obispo 108 mi

2010-09-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

I finally got my appetite back in Pfeiffer State Park. It was warm even when we pulled in around dusk. Dinner was mac'n'cheese and Texas Toast and it was delicious. We didn't require sleeping bags and the mosquitos left us alone for the most part.

I was hoping to take a cold shower, but showers there are only hot and scalding! The water still felt nice after a long day of riding.

We left in the morning after replacing the BOB trailer tire. Over 4000 ft of climbing for the day and most of the climbing happens in the first 45 miles before lunch. We stopped for lunch at Ragged Point and it wasn't as amazing as I was hoping, but I was hungry. We did meet some cyclists getting their gear SAGed on a ride down the coast. It sounded pretty good. It had cooled down to the mid to high eighties, and I drank 8 water bottles.

Elevation Profile from Map My Ride

I stayed in Ragged Point for a good hour and fifteen minutes to make sure I had a solid lunch and rehydrate. Scott who doesn't seem to need to eat or drink had a bowl of chilly and headed off to SLO to draft some of our SAGed friends and make it in time for Pats Birthday. He was in SLO by 5:30. I didn't leave until after 2:30 and arrived in SLO at 6:15 and was happy to be there before 7.

Fort and Erica and Scott were waiting for me at the Frog and Peach in down town SLO and had a curry and beer waiting for me! It was good to see Fort again, he understood how I was feeling.

Big Sur Ahead!

2010-09-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

On our way to Monterey we met Larry who was nice enough to show us
around Monterey. The enterance to Hwy 1 is a bit tricky from Monterey
and not marked well. Thanks Larry!

Just Keep Pedaling

2010-09-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

In the morning leaving Santa Cruz, I wasn't fully focused. With an arm
full of water bottles and my biking shoes on I slipped and fell down
the stairs.

Two bruised elbows are the reminder to always keep one hand on the
railing!

We rode through some farms between SC and Monterey. It would have been
more exciting but I was longing for some kind of tree to protect me
from the sun.

The ocean is just in sight for part of the ride as we headed a bit
inland. I missed the cool breze we left in Santa Cruz.

One thing that struck me about Santa Cruz was how poignant the salty
sea air was along the bike path in the morning. Scott pointed out a
home in Santa Cruz he frequents with his family.

Another Jensen sign at our stop crossing.

I took some pictures of Moss Landing. Those are for you Mr. Waller!
The seals were too lazy to greet us.

Ark helped put things in perspective for me. He said there are two
types of fun. Type 1 is the fun you have in the moment. Type 2 is the
fun you have only after you look back on it.

Up until the dehydration this trip has been type 1 fun.

All the way to Big Sur I was thinking like Dori from Little Nemo:
"Just keep Pedaling."

Three Seconds

2010-09-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

The from Santa Cruz to Big Sur is about 85 miles. It isn't very hilly,
but it is exposed and hot.

This was my worst day. I still couldn't eat. I was exhausted. I forced
down as much water as possible and it still wasn't enough.

Being slow is an understatement. We averaged < 10 mph. I'm not sure
what drove me on.

In wilderness survival training you learn the Rule of Threes.

You can survive for
3 weeks without food
3 days without water
3 hours without shelter
3 minutes without air
3 seconds without the will to continue

More of a simplified heuristic than a rule, but it outlines an
important point that the most important need for survival is the will
power to survive.

My will power was fading as my appitite decreased.

~D
Sent from my iPhone

Leaving Home

2010-09-29T23:50:00.001-07:00

I knew it would be tough to leave Half Moon Bay after passing through
so close to home. It was made even worse that arriving in HMB I was
completely dehydrated. The sun had come out in full force and I had
all the symptoms of heat exhaustion. I did not drink or eat enough.

I had a fever and chills through the night. The next day I had no
appitite. I was completely exhausted, but my wife told me that I could
make it and I believed her.

She also told me that people were taking bets on if I would finish
past Half Moon Bay.

Scott rode off in the morning to hit the bike shop and get a new
phone. I rolled out solo starting at 2pm when I finally was able to
get the energy to ride on.

"Rest Day 50"; I was close to giving up.

99 bottles of beer is only a 30 minute song.

~D
Sent from my iPhone

Having Fun on the Boardwalk

2010-09-29T23:28:00.000-07:00

The great part of staying with Mark and Eileen and kids was the
awesome toys!

Ark gave us a tour of the boardwalk and sent us on our way to big sur!

More cows!

2010-09-29T23:14:00.000-07:00

On our morning out of Bodega Bay, the cows were coming home.

Last SAG day

2010-09-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

The great hay maze!

Santa Cruz getting closer! Only 2 flats today.

My sweetie stopping one last time to say goodbye!

Santa Cruz at last! Cold shower and laundry! Thanks Mark & Eileen!

Scuba Duck @ Mill Rose Inn

2010-09-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

My favorite B&B in HMB.

Thanks for setting this up sweetie!

San Francisco

2010-09-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Heat Wave: Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz, 48 mi

2010-09-27T21:35:00.001-07:00

100 degrees in Santa Cruz. 50 mi "rest day." I'm borderline heat
exhaustion. We'll see how I'm doing in the morning. We are going to
try to leave early to avoid the heat. It's not supposed to cool down
until Wednesday. I hope our Big Sir to SLO is not too hot.

Scott seems to be handling the heat no problem. I need to start
downing water bottles.

My friend Ark is joining us for a bit from Santa Cruz. That should
help me get motivated.

We bumped into a friend of Scott's, Drew, who lives in SC. He is in
the local bike club trying to get more mountain biking trails in the
city and finishing up his degree @ Cal Poly.

Congrats to Kevin who apparently won Expert cross country @ Parkfield
after our death march to get to Eureka.

San Fran and Half Moon Bay were great (minus heat exhaustion). More to
come on that. Next post might not be until SLO.

P.S. Scott's phone has been replaced. So give him a call! ;)

~D
Sent from my iPhone

Iteinerary

2010-09-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

Plans are still up in the air depending on how many miles we can ride and baring mechanical failures but this is the rough plan.

Sunday - Half Moon Bay (Camp)
Monday - Santa Cruz (Friends)
Tuesday - Big Sur (Camp)
Wednesday - San Luis Obispo (Friends)
Thursday - Rest Day (Friends)
Friday - Santa Barbara (Friends)
Saturday - Santa Monica/Long Beach (Friends)
Sunday - San Diego (Friends)
Monday - TJ (in/out)

Day 13: The Hot Spot In Bodega Bay

2010-09-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

I can't get the photos off my iPhone today so I have just a few pictures to post.

Original Plan: 130 mi Mendocino to Olema Camp Ground.

We rolled with Neal in the morning. That guy doesn't need to warm up, he hits top speed straight out the gate. About 50 miles in, we said goodbye to him so he could take a more leisurely day and we upped the pace.

We got a 2nd wind and destroyed roller after roller as we wound along the coast until we got to our main climb of the day. Leggett hill was one of our toughest in terms of length and incline, but today's climb was completely exposed to the sun. The green of the ocean and the sound of the crashing waves mocked us for the entire climb. I burned through three water bottles and was glad to put the climb behind us.

We had lunch about 80 miles in at Cafe Aquatica in Jenner (map). I had a delicious chicken pesto sandwich, a vegetarian sandwich, a chocolate chip cookie, and a naked juice. There was an old chess table inside as well that I'll use next time I'm there.

Bodega Bay is 100 mi from our starting point and is where we were stopped for the night. Apparently there is a brush fire along Hwy 1 and the road was closed to all traffic and we were forced to stop 30 miles short of our goal.

On the plus side we stayed at the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa. It was expensive, but my dad treated us. Dinner was delicious as well.

Scott decided to blast his pecs since we were 30 miles short.

Tomorrow we should be in San Francisco for lunch and 100 mi puts us in Half Moon Bay! If you want to ride along or see us, we are planning on eating somewhere near the Cliff House, and I should have cell reception at that point.

BTW, Scott Destroyed his phone 2 days ago and can't send any messages. He is still receiving them though. =) We are going to try to get him a new phone when we have a shorter ride day.

Scott Slingshoting The Nebraska Ninja Neal

2010-09-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

So Neal was able to keep up with us for all of yesterday and half of today fully laden. This is a video of Scott using Neal to win the Point Arena city limit sprint point. Now that he doesn't have Neal, I have a chance at a few more city limits.

Day 12: Burlington to Mendecino 100 mi

2010-09-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

Photos at the top of Leggett with Neal. And some epic photos of the
coast near Fort Brag.

Tomorrow we'll be in striking distance of the Golden Gate!