San Francisco to Monterey, via way of Rivendell picnic
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dougP
Oct 3, 2015, 9:47:18 PM10/3/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
A bit later than planned but pictures prove we were there:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/33786397@N03/albums/72157659369351876
We needed some kind of bike tour & the Rivendell gathering provided the ideal motivation. From a friend's house in Monterey, we shuttled the trusty pair of Atlantis' to San Francisco, and wandered around the Embarcadero / Ferry Building / Fisherman's Wharf / marina area on our way to our lodging. After enjoying the city for a couple of days we met up with David, Will et al who were doing a Marin Headlands area ramble. Not really able to keep up with those guys, we opted for photo ops and bit of wandering around GGNRA (?) before arriving at the picnic. We both won visors in the "fishing for lugs".
Monday we left via Golden Gate Park & the Great Highway in absolutely perfect weather. Even the Devil's Slide Climb cooperated and we opted for the "old road" which appears to have been completely re-built, with overlooks, smooth pavement and extensive work to keep rockslides at bay. Arriving in Half Moon Bay, we found our lodging by "looking for the fire truck parked in front". Quite the character & a wonderful host. Tuesday took us to Capitola via Hwy 1 as civilization thinned out & the scenery was spectacular. Sorry about the lack of photos; I tend to get lost in riding & forget to take them. Stocking up on goodies at Gayle's in Capitola, we rolled south on Wednesday, finding what appeared to be a sculptor's workshop in Half Moon Bay (but no one home?). To reach our goal in Monterey (area) we angled inland thru Marina / Seaside & across old Fort Ord property. Our last challenge was Laureles Grade ("10%; trucks use low gears") but we had a tip on a roundabout way to climb, off the main hwy, that proved well worth doing. One teensy little bit of trail (an abandoned local road) was much more pleasant than the alternative. Roughly 150 miles, 3 days + the San Francisco portion. Loads of fun.
In the car, we headed south thru Big Sur. Still plenty of touring cyclists out there. We stopped in Lucia for the view and met an Aussie on an expedition loaded Thorn. His response to the obvious "where ya' headed?" was a casual "...tip of South America...". And where did you start? Equally casually, "...Alaska." But there's more! He'd already ridden to the US / Mexico border, then hiked back up to Canada, before riding down the Pacific Coast again. "Really pretty country, worth a second look." No timetable, he expects to be at it years, not months. Said 50 miles a day was fine, no sense in getting worn out. Those Aussies.
dougP
https://www.flickr.com/photos/33786397@N03/albums/72157659369351876
We needed some kind of bike tour & the Rivendell gathering provided the ideal motivation. From a friend's house in Monterey, we shuttled the trusty pair of Atlantis' to San Francisco, and wandered around the Embarcadero / Ferry Building / Fisherman's Wharf / marina area on our way to our lodging. After enjoying the city for a couple of days we met up with David, Will et al who were doing a Marin Headlands area ramble. Not really able to keep up with those guys, we opted for photo ops and bit of wandering around GGNRA (?) before arriving at the picnic. We both won visors in the "fishing for lugs".
Monday we left via Golden Gate Park & the Great Highway in absolutely perfect weather. Even the Devil's Slide Climb cooperated and we opted for the "old road" which appears to have been completely re-built, with overlooks, smooth pavement and extensive work to keep rockslides at bay. Arriving in Half Moon Bay, we found our lodging by "looking for the fire truck parked in front". Quite the character & a wonderful host. Tuesday took us to Capitola via Hwy 1 as civilization thinned out & the scenery was spectacular. Sorry about the lack of photos; I tend to get lost in riding & forget to take them. Stocking up on goodies at Gayle's in Capitola, we rolled south on Wednesday, finding what appeared to be a sculptor's workshop in Half Moon Bay (but no one home?). To reach our goal in Monterey (area) we angled inland thru Marina / Seaside & across old Fort Ord property. Our last challenge was Laureles Grade ("10%; trucks use low gears") but we had a tip on a roundabout way to climb, off the main hwy, that proved well worth doing. One teensy little bit of trail (an abandoned local road) was much more pleasant than the alternative. Roughly 150 miles, 3 days + the San Francisco portion. Loads of fun.
In the car, we headed south thru Big Sur. Still plenty of touring cyclists out there. We stopped in Lucia for the view and met an Aussie on an expedition loaded Thorn. His response to the obvious "where ya' headed?" was a casual "...tip of South America...". And where did you start? Equally casually, "...Alaska." But there's more! He'd already ridden to the US / Mexico border, then hiked back up to Canada, before riding down the Pacific Coast again. "Really pretty country, worth a second look." No timetable, he expects to be at it years, not months. Said 50 miles a day was fine, no sense in getting worn out. Those Aussies.
dougP
James Warren
Oct 3, 2015, 10:01:51 PM10/3/15
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Doug, I was lucky enough to do a beautiful ride in Sonoma County today, but even after that, hearing that you are back at it is the thing that ended up making my day!
Thank you for the excellent description and story.
-Jim
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
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dougP
Oct 3, 2015, 11:08:11 PM10/3/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Thanks Jim. It's been an eventful time, and I'm grateful to have aced my final. Still slow but still going.
dougP
dougP
cyclotourist
Oct 4, 2015, 12:07:23 AM10/4/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Glad all your pumps are pumping!
This looks like the perfect outing and ride! How did you choose the lodging, Warm Showers?
--
Cheers,
David
David
Member, Supreme Council of Cyberspace
"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal
"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal
Curtis McKenzie
Oct 4, 2015, 11:52:22 AM10/4/15
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Doug,
So very glad you are out and about on the bicycle. Looks like a great ride.
Curtis
--
dstein
Oct 4, 2015, 9:16:36 PM10/4/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Great to meet you for the brief ride over the bridge and again at the picnic! Looks like an fun adventure all said and done. I've always wanted to ride the coast down to Big Sur and hope to one day.
Those riders from Alaska to South America are nuts, and inspiring at the same time. I remember a blog a while back about a couple with 2 kids who did that with trailers on their bikes for the kids, just quit their jobs and went. My wife 1000% declined that idea.
dougP
Oct 4, 2015, 10:54:04 PM10/4/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
David:
We had fun meeting you guys & hanging out at the picnic. My wife is still in awe of her Atlantis, and how laid back Rivendell people are.
San Francisco to San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara is a fantastic ride. SLO & SB are luggage stops for Amtrak, so you can box your bike and get back to the Bay Area on the Coast Starlight. It's a lot easier process than what the airlines put you thru. Some friends are currently in central Oregon, after taking the Starlight from LA to Seattle, and report the service went well.
Ultra-long distance cyclists are on another planet. They are fascinating to talk to, as they have worked out the details of "living on a bike". I'm sure they get the same questions over'n'over, and simply load the track "standard answers" when approached. For me, I love riding my bike, but I'm over the "if a little is good, more must be better" syndrome. I enjoy accounts of ultra rides, but mostly for the unexpected events and not the biking itself. My guess is that's what propels these people who can spend months or years traveling.
doug
We had fun meeting you guys & hanging out at the picnic. My wife is still in awe of her Atlantis, and how laid back Rivendell people are.
San Francisco to San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara is a fantastic ride. SLO & SB are luggage stops for Amtrak, so you can box your bike and get back to the Bay Area on the Coast Starlight. It's a lot easier process than what the airlines put you thru. Some friends are currently in central Oregon, after taking the Starlight from LA to Seattle, and report the service went well.
Ultra-long distance cyclists are on another planet. They are fascinating to talk to, as they have worked out the details of "living on a bike". I'm sure they get the same questions over'n'over, and simply load the track "standard answers" when approached. For me, I love riding my bike, but I'm over the "if a little is good, more must be better" syndrome. I enjoy accounts of ultra rides, but mostly for the unexpected events and not the biking itself. My guess is that's what propels these people who can spend months or years traveling.
doug
Bruce Smitham
Oct 5, 2015, 6:06:46 PM10/5/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Hi Doug,
It looks like you had a wonderful trip. I enjoyed the pictures. Glad to see you out there.
Cheers,
Bruce
hsmitham
Oct 6, 2015, 12:36:24 PM10/6/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Doug,
Glad the cranks are still turning, making me so happy. By the description, you and Melanie had a wonderful trip. Great ride report. Hope to ride with you soon.
Tail Winds,
~Hugh
On Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 6:47:18 PM UTC-7, dougP wrote:
dougP
Oct 6, 2015, 10:39:22 PM10/6/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Coffeeneuring beckons. Out of town until next week. Let's plan something.
Doug
James Warren
Oct 6, 2015, 11:11:26 PM10/6/15
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I'm in need!
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 6, 2015, at 7:39 PM, dougP <doug...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Coffeeneuring beckons. Out of town until next week. Let's plan something.
>
> Doug
>
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 6, 2015, at 7:39 PM, dougP <doug...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Coffeeneuring beckons. Out of town until next week. Let's plan something.
>
> Doug
>
Hugh Smitham
Oct 6, 2015, 11:18:16 PM10/6/15
to RBW Owners Bunch
Hey Doug,
Fairly busy myself. Probably not too free till first of November. Let's plan a day ride in November.
Tail Winds,
~Hugh
On Oct 6, 2015 7:39 PM, "dougP" <doug...@gmail.com> wrote:
Coffeeneuring beckons. Out of town until next week. Let's plan something.
Doug
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