Thirty-eight years ago as we began our married life, we cycled out of Strafford, Vermont and began a year-long bicycling adventure traveling around the world. (The photo is from Nepal.) Then came another wonderful adventure -- children and careers. With children on their own and our careers behind us, we entered the next chapter, again with a bicycle adventure. That one was more modest, train trips across the country and five weeks on bikes from Los Angeles, CA to Portland, OR; but it greeted us with we good riding, great sights, and interesting people.

After two bicycle trips on the west coast, we tried something different. With an old dog along for the ride and a camper in the bed of the pickup, we set off for the desert southwest exploring national parks, enjoying daily cycling, and even playing a little golf.

In Spring, 2017, we decided on an international adventure. We landed in Lisbon, Portugal and rode a loop through Portugal and Spain and back to Lisbon. Once again, seeing the sights, meeting people, and pedaling 1600 miles were wonderful!

In March 2018 we left Maine after a big snow storm and headed to North Carolina for some warmth - we didn't find it. We went further south to SC - still didn't find it! But we did discover new places to cycle and explore!

It is now August 2023, kids are married with families of their own (five wonderful grandchildren) and we are off on another adventure! Our first stop will be Lily Bay State Park on August 13, then head north and west, across Canada and into Alaska driving and camping with bikes and a canoe. Here is the family, though missing Miles' wife, Baily.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

End of the Pacific Coast ride . . .

Today we made it to San Diego and concluded our ride down the Pacific coast.  We are not sure we're ready to leave the ocean behind.  It has been a spectacular and fun ride.  The past two nights we have camped at the beaches, in state parks at the hiker/biker spots for $12.

A few days ago we left Palos Verdes and aside from a short stretch through an industrialized area, we have been sailing down the coast on bike paths along the beach and passing through towns that sounded familiar, but now have an image associated with them - Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna.

A mid morning break...

 We spent Thursday night at Doheny State Park in Dana Point. 

Yesterday more coastal towns - Capistrano, San Clemente, Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinitas - and a night at San Eijo State Beach. We rode through Camp Pendleton for 10 miles too. Lots of surfers everywhere!







Today we biked through La Jolla (and right by Torrey Pines Golf Club) on our way into San Diego.  




Yesterday we stopped at a great bike shop in Oceanside and had the owner, Chuck Hoefer, check out Dana's rear wheel. It was a good thing we stopped as his rim was cracked and could have been a serious issue. Chuck built a wheel for him as we watched and chatted for an hour or so.




Back in Big Sur we had met Carl, who owns a shorefront restaurant in Carlsbad. He gave us a coupon for a free lunch or dinner and we gratefully showed up yesterday for a delicious, filling lunch!



And two other images from the road, one sobering. Sadly, we have seen a few other memorials like this:


And how would you like to drive and camp in this?



Tomorrow we will turn east, climb over the mountains, and find out what's ahead.

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1 comment:

  1. JeanMarch 23, 2014 at 4:36 PM

    I haven't yet cycled down along the Pacific coast in California, but my partner has solo-bike toured several times in that area. Looks like a wonderful trip.

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