Making the Necessary Stops
8 days left on this trip. Has there ever been a better time to donate to Kids with Cancer? Click HERE to support our cause!
Total distance ridden: 1,301 miles
Cumulative elevation gain: 76,234 feet
Today's ride profile: click HERE
Day 24 Vlog--click HERE
There is an online friend that we have made named Jeff Kahn. He is also participating in the great cycle challenge and has raised a lot of money. Recently, he sent over an email that I though was a lot of fun. He sent a list of the highest mountain peaks, not just on Earth but in the ENTIRE solar system. You may recall that way back in Oregon, I included a note next to our cumulative elevation gain that pointed out when we went past Mt. Whitney, Everest Base Camp and so on. Well, when Jeff sent the email, our total elevation gain was good enough to surpass all but two peaks in our galaxy: one on the dwarf planet Vesta (73,920 ft high) and the other on the planet Mars (88,600 feet). I am happy to say that only Mars has us beat at this point and, unfortunately, I think we are running out of mountains to climb to get to the top of the list. Still, thanks for the info Jeff! As much as I hate the hills, I love them at the same time!
Since we rode all the way to Cayucos yesterday, today was a pretty simple day--only 35 miles and that included some mandatory detours. The destination today was the home of the Taylor family--we have known them for upwards of 20 years and they have an incredible house up in the hills in Arroyo Grande. First though, we had to stop by Bubblegum Alley. For those of you that don't know what it is, a long time ago, some college students started sticking their gum to the brick walls in between two buildings. The trend grew and grew to the point where everyone now uses that spot for icky photos and leaving their mark in San Luis Obispo. Personally? I didn't want to touch anything at all. We had to stop though because Katelyn wanted to see if the gum she left last year was still there. Unfortuately, she was not able to locate it. We did chew a couple pieces just to leave a piece of us there.
After Katelyn's mandatory stop, it was time for mine. For years I have followed a photographer online. His name is Chris Burkard and he has a studio in Pismo Beach. This guy is incredibly talented and he travels around the world doing shoots for companies like Patagonia. His specialty is cold water surfing--finding remote spots on the planet where few would ever dare to get in the water. Seriously, I think he is the Ansel Adams of our time in the making. He just happened to be in the studio today so we swung by to say hello. The studio was pretty cool and it was fun to see a place that I have seen in so many pictures before now. He has a strong Instagram presence. If you don't follow him, I highly recommend you do.
At this point, we were already 30 miles into a 35 mile ride. These shorter, less hilly days are what we have worked to create so we are taking advantage of them. We rode to Arroyo Grande and had a long late lunch and then walked a couple doors down for some ice cream. Our diet still consists of eating anything we want to and we try to take full advantage of that. By the time we finished, we met up with Teresa Taylor who took us up to her house. We were happy to find out that they had plans to go to the movies and we tagged along to finish the day. She was worried that we may be too tired for an 8:00 movie but, after only 35 miles, I felt as if my day hadn't even started yet!
As for today: 45 miles to Lompoc, only one significant climb at the end and a bit of a headwind. Actually, all the way through Los Angeles, we will be getting wind out of the south. Oh well. It was good while it lasted. Not sure there is a ton to do in Lompoc so we will get a late start. We are inching closer and closer to the end!
Total distance ridden: 1,301 miles
Cumulative elevation gain: 76,234 feet
Today's ride profile: click HERE
Day 24 Vlog--click HERE
There is an online friend that we have made named Jeff Kahn. He is also participating in the great cycle challenge and has raised a lot of money. Recently, he sent over an email that I though was a lot of fun. He sent a list of the highest mountain peaks, not just on Earth but in the ENTIRE solar system. You may recall that way back in Oregon, I included a note next to our cumulative elevation gain that pointed out when we went past Mt. Whitney, Everest Base Camp and so on. Well, when Jeff sent the email, our total elevation gain was good enough to surpass all but two peaks in our galaxy: one on the dwarf planet Vesta (73,920 ft high) and the other on the planet Mars (88,600 feet). I am happy to say that only Mars has us beat at this point and, unfortunately, I think we are running out of mountains to climb to get to the top of the list. Still, thanks for the info Jeff! As much as I hate the hills, I love them at the same time!
Since we rode all the way to Cayucos yesterday, today was a pretty simple day--only 35 miles and that included some mandatory detours. The destination today was the home of the Taylor family--we have known them for upwards of 20 years and they have an incredible house up in the hills in Arroyo Grande. First though, we had to stop by Bubblegum Alley. For those of you that don't know what it is, a long time ago, some college students started sticking their gum to the brick walls in between two buildings. The trend grew and grew to the point where everyone now uses that spot for icky photos and leaving their mark in San Luis Obispo. Personally? I didn't want to touch anything at all. We had to stop though because Katelyn wanted to see if the gum she left last year was still there. Unfortuately, she was not able to locate it. We did chew a couple pieces just to leave a piece of us there.
After Katelyn's mandatory stop, it was time for mine. For years I have followed a photographer online. His name is Chris Burkard and he has a studio in Pismo Beach. This guy is incredibly talented and he travels around the world doing shoots for companies like Patagonia. His specialty is cold water surfing--finding remote spots on the planet where few would ever dare to get in the water. Seriously, I think he is the Ansel Adams of our time in the making. He just happened to be in the studio today so we swung by to say hello. The studio was pretty cool and it was fun to see a place that I have seen in so many pictures before now. He has a strong Instagram presence. If you don't follow him, I highly recommend you do.
At this point, we were already 30 miles into a 35 mile ride. These shorter, less hilly days are what we have worked to create so we are taking advantage of them. We rode to Arroyo Grande and had a long late lunch and then walked a couple doors down for some ice cream. Our diet still consists of eating anything we want to and we try to take full advantage of that. By the time we finished, we met up with Teresa Taylor who took us up to her house. We were happy to find out that they had plans to go to the movies and we tagged along to finish the day. She was worried that we may be too tired for an 8:00 movie but, after only 35 miles, I felt as if my day hadn't even started yet!
As for today: 45 miles to Lompoc, only one significant climb at the end and a bit of a headwind. Actually, all the way through Los Angeles, we will be getting wind out of the south. Oh well. It was good while it lasted. Not sure there is a ton to do in Lompoc so we will get a late start. We are inching closer and closer to the end!
 |
| Katelyn had to point out where she left her gum the last time she was in Bubblegum Alley. Quick story: last time she was there, she stuck her gum on that nasty wall and this guy walks by, pulls her chewed gum off the wall, pops it in his mouth and walk away--she had to put another piece on the wall. This time, she was unable to find her gum she left and she is convinced the man came back and ate that one as well. |
 |
| The newest addition to the wall--so disgusting! |
 |
| Getting to meet Chris Burkard--a guy that has inspired me to try to do more and see more. |
 |
| When given the choice between a small and a large milkshake, I smile, think of the miles ridden that day, and then always respond, "large please." |
 |
| We try and eat 4 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, ice cream, dinner. |
 |
| Soo many holes in the Jurassic World movie! But it was fun to get out with our friends and enjoy the evening. Also, the movie setting was in the Pacific Northwest and we saw signs for the roads that we had traveled down only a couple weeks ago so that was fun! |
Thanks for the "shout out". Glad you both enjoyed the email. As stated before - it has been a pleasure following your trip. As a "misplaced Californian" its cool seeing places that I used to visit and all. Wishes again for continued safe travels and the return of tailwinds before you reach the end of your journey. Take care and keep having fun!!!!!
ReplyDelete