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“The word adventure has gotten overused. For me, when everything goes wrong – that’s when adventure starts.” - Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, Inc.
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According to this quote, we had a fairly adventurous bike tour. Not everything went wrong, but we had our fair share of mishaps and bummers.
But by now, we've done a bunch of these trips and our ability to let the good times roll was no match for such annoyances.
It's a biker's fact that every route explored is worth a nasty motel, closed market, or train delays.
We biked through towns, farmland and past vineyards. We explored Lake Cachuma and made bike repairs.
We climbed the rough and rugged Refugio Road to El Capitan, then took advantage of car-free State Street in Santa Barbara.
We renewed tired bodies in the Pacific surf. Life is good best on two wheels with a change of clothes and some snacks at the ready.
These are not exotic destinations. But life-by-bike transforms the ordinary windshield view to a heightened experience.
The familiar is becomes new and interesting and wide open. You feel small, and that is exactly how we should feel more often.
Here's the story:
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The station at Lompoc isn’t actually in Lompoc, it’s on the beach. How cool is that?
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Nice to be escaping out of our gloomy motel. Let’s get on with the days ride!
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Rural roads and fancy schmancy wineries ahead.
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Stopped by the skin care cop. Spread it, boys, it's the law. SPF 50 or higher.
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Carrying on after lunch.
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Have arrived: Lake Cachuma campground.
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An odd site. So much water in a parched and bone-dry land. Let’s rent a boat!
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There wasn’t much other boat traffic on the lake, so what the hell.
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Western Grebes!
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Slim pickin's for dinner at the camp store. They have cold beer, so all is forgiven.
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Back on the road. We're going up and over that range back there.
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A sweaty, dusty, hot climb. The granny gear is queen. The guys did a great job. Fully loaded bikes, folks, not easy!
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Over the top and down the other side. We are rewarded with ocean breeze, expansive views and down, down, down to sea level. We'll find out soon enough if our brakes work.
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Have arrived: El Capitan State Beach campground. We need a swim. Badly.
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Caption provided by The Onion: “Skeptical son makes mental note of hidden candy bars in tent while Dad try's the ‘set it and forget it’ method for dinner”.
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Back on the road. Actually, the Obern bike trail.
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Much deserved sit-down for food, rest and spacing out.
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Downtown Santa Barbara. We had every option for our next meal.
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But we always head to “On the Alley” down at the harbor for fish tacos and draft beer. Don’t forget to order your yacht just across the way. So convenient!
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Back on the road. Elder stopped to tip a keyboard busker, the music deemed worthy.
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On our way to train station. The beginning of the end. Already scheming about the next trip!
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Not so fast: Yogurtland was the beneficiary of our 60-minute train delay.
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SB Amtrak station, established 1905.
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Gallery of all additional photos here.
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Any plans to to explore this summer? I'd love to hear! Your thoughts and opinions are encouraged using the comment form below. The comment password is: life is good
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