Time to ride. Camp. Explore. Hang with the family. Here's what we did:
Van Nuys Amtrak Station
Notes:
• Storing the bikes on board was as easy as pulling into a bike rack. Way easier than last year.
• The train ride was fantastic. We had never seen the coast along Hollister ranch. Wow.
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Lompoc-Surf Amtrak platform
Notes:
• A more gorgeous drop off point would be hard to find.
• 10 mile cruise with tailwind in to the town center, whoot!
• Check in to M6.
• Dinner at Mikes Café, marginal burgers.
Next morning:
• Drizzle with a side of fog and gloom.
• Tommy is off early toward Jalama Beach.
• I (Doug) have 4 hours till the second half of our group arrives at 1PM - and spend it riding up towards Vandenberg Village in a 10mi loop.
• Back to the beach platform, meet the guys, and back towards town - this time with a big right hand turn south towards Jalama Beach.
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Jalama Beach
Notes:
• A tough ride for us all. Heat, hills and heavy loads.
• The road and scenery, however, is wonderful: untouched grasslands and oak forests
• Hero of the day: Tommy. He started much earlier and was able to score a campsite - which are hard to get.
• The Jalama Burgers are pure heaven. So is the cold beer.
• With no cell service we are blissfully in another, more beautiful world.
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Gaviota Beach
Notes:
• Busy, loud with oddball characters.
• Ants will cover everything you own.
• Next time we'll stop for lunch only and skip the overnight.
• Hero of the day: Chris. Convinced the store lady to use her "personal microwave" to heat up some refried beans we just bought there. Long story, remind me to give you the details. Seriously lady?
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El Capitan Canyon store (Lunch!)
Notes:
• Quiet
• Gourmet food
• Shady and cool
• Wow, we should have spent the night here instead of Gaviota. Doh!
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Santa Barbara
Notes:
- Like visiting an old friend. We know our way around (mostly) and know where to get those oh-so-awesome fish tacos and homemade potato chips.
- Check in to M6.
- Trip to a local bike shop. Add this to your itinerary, the bikers are a good crowd.
- The section from here to Carpinteria Beach is drop-dead gorgeous.
- Hero of the Day: Me (Doug) The mechanic strikes Chris's bike for shifting issues then a flat tire, but Elder did most of the flat repair work while I barked out instructions 😊
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Carpinteria Beach
Notes:
• Shared the hike and bike section with a scraggly homeless duo that likes to argue. But our fun and shenanigans drowned them out quickly.
• We had a nice afternoon napping on the sand after a swim.
• Dinner at Rincon Brewery. Good food, cold beer, life is good.
• Stop at the market on the way home. Chris gets firewood and... a plantain? (Ask Chris...)
• Hero of the day: Elder. He was handed the load of firewood to strap to his bike for the ride back to the camp. Thanks, Dad!
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Oxnard Amtrak
Notes:
• Long 10 miles of rural/urban riding to the station
• Oxnard Transit Center - the station is clean and quiet
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Van Nuys Amtrak
Notes:
• We are hardened bikers who know the drill. We debark and are ready to start the ride home in just a few minutes.
• The orange busway bike path leads us back.
• Eventually we separate at an intersection
• See everyone next time!!!
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A neat little video here: (Or see it online here: https://vimeo.com/276748674 )
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Photo's by: Everyone :) Video by Doug.
Been cycling lately?
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If you'd like to share your thoughts, you're encouraged to do so! Use the comment box below, we'd love to hear from you. The comment password is: life is good