San Clemente to Chula Vista-92m

What a day to end the cycling journey! 

Knowing a long day was in store with some deadlines to meet (ferry crossing and reaching the border park!) we were on the road by 8am.

After some quick miles of bike path we got to Camp Pendleton, where our passports were duly checked before being allowed through. Wasn't sure if I would be allowed my photo with them, so I kept my tourist question to myself.

Not much going on, on camp at that time, so we meandered through.

We passed through Oceanside and then along the coast, plenty of surfers and surfing schools going on.

And then our first view of San Diego. 

It was a fiddly bike ride so easier to follow Steve, like the Pied Piper, leading us to the border!

Once on the harbour, there were wonderful views of the city and time for lunch, as we had an hour til our ferry at 3pm. San Diego is a beautiful city, from first impressions.

You know you said to find you a t-shirt mon cheri....

The ferry crossing was about 20minutes and Steve and I could compare who felt the most queasy.

I was almost happy to be back, sat on the rock again!

Then it was the final push to the border. Quite a bit on cycle path again, and I was glad of Moira's chat to make the miles clock by quickly.

The shadows were getting longer as the earth became dustier and we could make out the hillside, that is in Mexico.

And then, by 5pm we were there!

A celebration drink and much jollity, before a brisk (ish) 10miles back to the hotel.

Quick change and then off to the noisiest Mexican seafood restaurant you can possibly imagine :-)

Redondo Beach to San Clemente-64m

We left en masse this morning, safety in numbers, with Steve ably map reading and navigating us through the morning rush hour.

Due to prioritising not colliding with the participants in the rush hour, there are no photos of the first hour of the day.

Once through, yet another impeccable bike path awaited, to take us to Long Beach.

Steve expected us to then 'engage the turbos' but sadly mine have conked out. Replaced by turtle power.

Lots of boats and ships to see around the shoreline, but more fun were the pelicans :-)

The path took us away from the built up areas and soon we were back amongst the sand.

It's good to see the naughtier members of society paying their dues sweeping the sand off, under the watchful eye of a man with a baton (and gun no doubt).

These are such a beautiful colour, and so commonplace. Just lovely.

Soon we were at Laguna Beach. Well, not soon actually, as it all felt like a sluggish slog. But once there, time for some fries and an icy drink.

And then a crawl along to the hotel. 

Come on legs (and spot of bother) only one more day to the border!

Ventura to Redondo Beach-78m

Today we headed into Los Angeles County. I must admit to a few goose pimple moments when I suddenly thought where I was cycling. One moment you're there, then in the blink of an eye you're the other side of the world.

I set off as soon as my croissants had settled, with an easy and functional 20miles. 

Port Hueneme was a pleasant town, with the Ventura County Naval Base soon after. No navals were on view.

But there were a few flying things:

From there, was a brilliant 30mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, through Malibu and on to Santa Monica.

The ocean is a fiercesome beast and some beaches warned of rip tides and no surfing.

I noted a marked increase in offishness of the locals, perhaps in correlation to the increase in average house size.

The hillside to the left (always keep the water on your right Katie!) was lined with vast, individually designed properties. I'd forgotten how close we are to movieland and all that that entails.

Not having had enough time sat on one rock, I found another to sit on, to munch some more delicious fruits.

It was about 28 today, so not quite so tiring. 

The last 25miles were mostly beach bike path, literally a path through the sand, for velos. How brilliant! It all looked very straight forward.

After a chitchat with Geoff and Moira (who had opted for a driving tour day today!) 

I set off.

Venice Beach was a busy section, lots of sights to feast your eyes on and try to take in. The route then came off the beach to go round the marina and this was where it went wrong!

In the hecticness I missed a small turn and within a few miles thought, this seems rather a main road. I pushed on, heading deeper into Los Angeles.

Then the nagging voice got me to stop and ask for help, my cortisol levels had quadrupled!

When I eventually found myself back on the lovely bike path I couldn't stop grinning with relief, I'd survived!

And hadn't needed a Baywatch style rescue from the Hoff, aka Steve (hahaha!)

Solvang to Ventura-67m

My body seems to have settled into a 6am wake up, perhaps as a hint to get a few miles on the road before my skin starts frying.

As it turned out it was a more bearable 30 degrees :-)

It was 40miles to Santa Barbara and a great big hill to get up and over. That, coupled with a lovely big hard shoulder all for bikes, could only mean one thing. Time to reacquaint myself with my ipod!

A very upbeat few hours ensued with all sorts of jolly rambling thoughts.

At the top, you could just see the large sprawl of the town. It looked a long way....down! 

A fun descent with long bends got me up to 40mph, at which point sensible head eased on the brakes, as it always does.

Riding along the seafront there were lots of sporty people out and about, as well as quite a few wrinkly walnut beach types.

Much tropical-ness!

Heading away from town, having made no cock ups navigating, my no wrong turn record was ruined by a yapping local cyclist. She waffled on about her century ride next weekend and how marvellous Santa B was and how she knew all there was to know. I realised I'd missed my turn and she then insisted on my name so she could follow me on facebook. Oh, and she had a friend in England and would love to hook up! The chances of that happening could be likened to me eating corn dogs for breakfast.

Peace resumed and I wiggled my way back on the route. A splendid cycle lane all for us!

Away from these super-size holiday homes, which were hanging out along the coast.

The yapyapyap lady did tell me one interesting thing. The county has a new law that vehicles have to allow three feet between them and a bike, wherever that bike may be. 

Good.

I'm writing this by the pool, under attack from the palm tree above, which is chucking seed bits at me. I must say, with three days to go of this wonderful journey, a little seed inside me is growing increasingly excited to be reunited with someone at home :-)

Arroyo Grande to Solvang-66m

To conclude last night's trip to the western saloon cliffhanger, this is the face of a man racked (haha!) with shame- a humungous dnf (did not finish) on his pork ribs!!

Said ribs were gobbled down pool-side this afternoon on arrival today, but, to think Steve could rival the stomach of the medium frenchy one! 

Back to the business of cycling.

I think today was the first day, before a bike ride, I have truly rejoiced at the sight of cool fog! 

It didn't last, within 45mins the jacket was off as I was resembling a kiln.

I launched off solo this morning, feeling the call of the reviving fresh air. Very soon things took a mexicano turn! Guadalupe was very much like a town from a western with wide streets and sandy terracotta buildings. Moustaches aplenty.

It was also a day of agriculture: lettuces galore, cabbages, strawberries (agh!) and bell peppers.

Vineyards are featuring pretty regularly now too alongside the searing tarmac.

It was flippin scorchio out there today, not helped by the fact the water from the hotel tasted mouldy, so remained in the bottles. 

For the last few miles we suddenly found ourselves under some trees and it was thoroughly wonderful. To think, the heating has gone on at home!

Solvang is a great place to stay. A Danish settlement going back to 1911, so lots of interesting buildings and shops (and food items!)

The scarecrow theme continues:

Due to the lack of fluids during the day, I had to call upon guzzlers anonymous. Fortunately they were still open on whatsapp and were able to pace my rehydrating, in a dutch cafe I clip clopped into.

Hehe