Not good last night-people talking next door until 3:00 AM. Leave at 8:00-Less traffic on Sun morning–need sun glasses. Biker’s dream day-more bikers on route today than we’ve seen entire trip. Pretty flat, bike lanes & route fantastic w/no or little traffic. Training groups of 10-25 w/matching “outfits” buzzing past us. Bikers are allowed to go through Camp Pendleton-show ID. Eat at McD (2nd time)-before leaving. Not a day for pictures-just bike. Get to Leucadia & EconoLodge ($65) at 2:00-very nice room. Want to wash clothes-too far away says leader. For the 2nd time-I am off on my own adventure-bike away w/2 bags of dirty clothes. Did not have as much fun as the nail place. Take Jean & Lynn to little Mex rest for our last meal. Tell Jean again how appreciative we are for all her planning & letting us tag along. We discuss our 2002 trip-think of Chloe (AZ). Drove to OR by herself for this reunion. As a single woman she loves to travel-has done many bike tours & took trip AROUND THE WORLD. Like Anne & Mary Pat-they just pack up & go-see different places & meet new people-very inspiring women.
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT PACIFIC COAST TRIP: More difficult than San Diego to St. Augustine, FL. WA, OR & CA have done a wonderful job of providing signs for bike routes & providing special bike paths to & through towns. Saw so many beautiful areas with much land set aside for state & national parks. Drivers & especially truckers- for the most part were very aware & respectful of bikers. Met many fully loaded bikers going to San Diego-one day at a time-sure they all made it. Experienced w/packing this time-wore all clothes brought except bathing suit-didn’t have to buy anything. Leg & arm warmers were worn almost everyday. Didn’t use curling iron-cut my hair off at start of trip-do this every time. BEST MONEY SPENT: new gears ($350) allowed me to bike uphill like a biker & along w/Aleve stopped my knees from hurting. New seat-($90)-finally feeling less pain & can sit on the seat longer. New helmet that stayed on my head going down hill. Fiber pills for regularity. I’m surprised that weather was always cool enough that I never sweat-can wear same jersey day after day. Also there was only ONE day that I drank my ONE bottle of water. Most days-like today-didn’t even drink 1/4 bottle. Can do ride as long as we stop for chocolate milk & donuts. Really appreciate my granddaughter Kaitlyn giving me SUGAR so TIGER would have friend to ride with-made this trip so much more FUN. Tomorrow-SAN DIEGO & MISSION BEACH-where we started our 2002 CROSS COUNTRY TOUR.
ka2012bike 