Day 24 Costa Mesa, CA to Essexville, MI.  At 5:30 a.m. I caught a cab to John Wayne airport and caught my 7:15 a.m. flight to Salt Lake City, UT.  Following a one hour layover I was back in the air and heading to Motown.  Leisa Rose picked me up at 4:45 p.m. and we headed up the highway to home sweet home.  Jack and Gage met me at the door.  It was good to see Jack.  Jack had lots of questions regarding the trip and after awhile I discerned that he had not been reading the blog.  Imagine that!  And, I learned that  at school they did not start the day out with a game of "Where On The West  Coast is Uncle Jay Today?"  Oh what a learning opportunity that would have been.  To those of you who followed me on the blog I hope that you enjoyed the trip.  It was a dream come true kind of a trip.  Pursue your dreams!!  XOXOXOXOX

Day 23, Marina del Rey, CA to Costa Mesa, CA.  49 miles and 1408 feet of climbing.  Ride The West 2013 is officially over after another super day of riding in sunny California.  Left Marina del Rey via bike paths along the beach.  After 15 miles we had to venture into LA where we crossed paths with refineries and shipping facilities.  While there we seldom saw a car, it was all semi trucks in a big ole hurry to get someplace.  Not real biker friendly territory. The last couple hours of the ride were back on the beach thru Huntington and Newport Beaches.  It was a ride of contrasts! 

It is hard for me to explain how much I enjoyed this trip.  I came with the intention of seeing the West coast, riding my bike thru gorgeous scenery while relaxing and just trying to enjoy the entire experience.  I definitely achieved my goals.  I saw parts of this wonderful country I had nevery seen from the seat of a bicycle and it was spell binding!  My odomoter indicates that I traveled 1471 miles.  Compared to my last ride it was "short" i.e. less than half the miles of the cross country trip.  Some people my say it was nothing but a "step for a stepper".  However, the riding was intense with all of the very steep climbing that we did.  This was not a leisurely ride in the park.  I had the opportunity to ride with 18 wonderful individuals, all of whom share in common the love of cycling.  They were truly a great group of people.  There wasn't a knuckle head in the group. The staff of America By Bicycle are top shelf.  Jim, Mike, Karen and Barbara run a very organized tour.  Though I have never ridden with any other tour company, they have to be the best in the business.  I was able to take my time, ride at my own pace, stop and take pictures (875 of them) and make sure that I was able to experience the best that the tour had to offer.  It was very special.  My whole experience reminds me of a story I heard:  A young bull and an older mature bull were walking across the prairie.  They came to a valley and down below was a herd of hoeffers.  The young bull, snorting and pawing at the dirt says to the old bull, "Let's run down there and have our way with some of them!"  The old bull said, "I have a better idea.  Let's walk down there and have our way with all of them."  Well I had my way with all this trip had to offer and it was memorable.

 

Leaving Marina del Rey

 

 

On the bike path.

 

Huntington Beach

 

It will take weeks for my smile to become "unstuck!"

 

 

Nope, not all of California is pretty.  We rode thru some very industrial and "challenged" neighborhoods.  Also got to see and experience some of that infamous LA smog.

 

Bike is in the box.  Fed Ex will pik her up in the morning and I catch oa 7:15 a.m. flight to home sweet home!

 

Day 22, Oxnard, CA to Marina del Rey, CA.  53 miles and 1359 feet of climbing.  Another down right glorious day.  Left Oxnard and soon found ourselves on Highway 1 heading into Malibu and Venice Beach.  I wish I could come up with sufficient adjectives to describe today and this entire trip.  It has been quite a ride.  Today I found myself experiencing some very real and significant mood swings while riding.  One moment I was euphoric and down right giddy, singing Beach Boy tunes, etc..  The next moment I was choking up with tears.  It went on most of the day.  Much if it has to do with just the whole experience of being able to ride through such spell binding scenery.  It also has to do with just being eternally thankful for everything about my "charmed" life.  I am able, due to good health and adequate resources to take on adventures like this.  For that I am truly grateful.  I am also thankful for the rock solid foundation of my family.  They are the source of such joy and pride.  Leisa is always there to support and encourage me to pursue my dreams.  For dang near all of my life she has been there for me and I know that she always will be.  She is one of the most selfless people I know and I love her dearly.  My children, Sarah, Jared, Brett and Jack make me proud and grateful everyday.  You guys are the best.  Make sure that you pursue your dreams!! My grandboyz Garrett and Ezra, well they make me grin just thinking about em.  I even have two super daughter-in-laws in Cindy and Elizabeth.  I could not have hoped for two better women to love my children.  Additionally I have the distinct privilege of being part of a very strong and loving family in my mother, (the mother of all mothers!) and my sisters Janel and Joy Lee and brother Jerry.  You guys rock.  And of course there are a few nieces and nephews who are pretty cool people too.  I have so much to be thankful for!  Today was just another charmed day in my charmed life!

 

Outside of Oxnard is a huge Naval Airbase.  They have this display of missles.  Kind of looks like a cemetary.  I hope that someday all of our missle and armaments of war are in a cemetary.

 

Riding up Highway 1.  Ocean on your right.  Mountains on the left.

 

The road hugged the shoreline.  The views were incredible.  I think I set a record today with 67 photos.  None of them adequately capture the beauty and grandeur that I experienced from the seat of my bicycle.

 

All those black dots in the water are surfers waiting for that perfect wave.  There were surfer dudes and dudettess all along the route.

 

I have never seen so many gated homes as I saw along this section of the coast entering Malibu.  A lot of 10%'ers live here!  I am constantly amazed at the wealth in this country. 

 

SAG stop.  Barbara, the tour mother adjusts a riders helmet.  She looks out for everyone.  Kind of reminds me of another Mother that I know.  She frets and worries about everything and has a way of speaking her mind.  Can anybody guess what "other" mother I am referring to?

 

 

Pepperdine University on Highway 1 in Malibu.  Glad I decided not to go there as I would never have graduated from college.  I would have been down on the beach waiting for that one big wave!

 

On the Malibu peer.  Had Espresso here!

 

Arlington Cemetary West.  There is a cross here for every American soldier killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

View from the Santa Monica peer.

 

On Santa Monica peer.

 

View of ocean from Venice beach.  Venice beach was a whole different world.

 

Every evening we have RAP.  Karen gives out the next days route sheets.  After RAP tonite we had a banquet and program to mark the end of the tour.  I cannot believe it is done already. 

 

 

 

 

You may recognize this scene from the many new car adds that have been shot on this section of road.

 

See the USA in a Chevrolet..........

 

Day 21, Solvang, CA to Oxnard, CA.  81 miles and 3675 feet of climbing.  Left Solvang under sunny skies and a balmy 56 degrees.  By the time I arrived in Oxnard it was still sunny and the temp was pushing 80 degrees with a slight tail wind.  Another perfect day for bicycling!  Within 2 miles of the motel I had a flat tire.  Put in a new tube and then discovered that my portable pump no longer works.  Waited a few minutes for Jim to come by, got it aired up and was on my way.  A half mile further and I had another flat.  This time Jim had gone ahead, so I had to call and get him to come back.  Not a good way to begin a day!  From there things went up, as in climbing up!  The first 30 miles of the day were spent climbing to get out of Solvang and to the top of the mountains so that we could get down to Santa Barbara.  It was a chore, but the views were incredible and the down hill rides were nail biters.  On one down hill the decline was measured at 29% and the curves were sharp hair pins.  By the time I got to the bottom my hands were sore from applying the breaks.  It was fun riding thru Santa Barbara. Lots of people were out enjoying a perfect Saturday.  From there we rode thru Faria Beach and Ventura Beach on our way down to Oxnard.  As I noted yesterday, we are now down in the heavily populated area.  The traffic was awful.  We spent some time on highway 101 and the traffic was so constant and loud you could not hear yourself think.  Also spent quite a bit of time on historic Highway 1.  There again, lots of traffic and people.  The most challenging part of today's ride was all of the navigating.  Our "ride sheet" consisted of 2 full pages with 2 columns each.  There were lots of turns to be looking for.  We were seldom on the same road for more than a couple miles.  I rewarded myself with a milk shake from DQ when I got into town.  Ummm.  Only 2 days left.  Hard to believe that this adventure is close to coming to an end.  Tomorrow nite we have our banquet.  As the end comes I am having mixed emotions.  On the one hand I am definitely home sick and looking forward to getting back to Eville, Leisa and Jackster (maybe even Gage too).  On the other hand this has been a blast.  The riding has been incredible.  My fellow riders are all top notch individuals and riders too.  The staff off America By Bicycle are the best.  I will leave here with lots of good memories.

An update on Jim and his getting extra money for rooming with me:  I have put that behind me.  If someone thinks that he needed to be compensated for rooming with me what do I care?  It didn't cost me anything.   But today while I was out there slogging thru those climbs I got to thinking.  Every nite I have to give Shorty a boost to get him into bed.  Without me he would have to sleep on the floor.  Now I'm not complaining.  He is a good guy and an excellent roommate.  But perhaps a little compensation is in order for my added responsibility.  I will check into that tomorrow.

 

View leaving Solvang.

 

First glimples of the Pacific after getting close to the top of the mountains.

 

Looking down on Santa Barbara

 

Heading down.

 

Polo anyone?  The Santa Barbara polo grounds were on our route.  Apparently they will be playing tomorrow.

 

On Highway 1 lookingback towards Santa Barbara.

 

 

For two miles on Highway 1 it is lined with RV's, trailers and motor homes.  The sites are all paved and marked off.  The rigs are in there bumper to bumper.  There are no facilities.  Many rigs have their own generators.  Interesting!

 

Now that is ocean front camping!!

 

 

Day 20 Santa Maria, CA to Solvang, CA.  39 miles and 1875 feet of climbing.  It was billed as a short day but boy was it packed with power!  As we left Santa Maria we traversed thru 5 miles of agricultural land.  If you have not seen these fields it is difficult to comprehend.  It is really quite an operation.  From there we began climbing into rolling hills, cattle ranches and vineyards.  I easily passed 50 wineries and tasting rooms.  At one point I stopped for a break and was struck with how quiet it was.  There was little wind and it was absolutely silent.  The occasional moo of a cow or the chirp of a bird was the only thing that could be heard.  We were really in some remote country.  Though we only climbed 1875 feet it was quite intense, but the views and descent always made it worthwhile.  Got into Solvang around 12:30 p.m..  It is a Danish "themed" town and is a tourist destination for the wine industry.  Lots of tasting rooms, restaurants, shops, etc..  Walked around, ate lunch and sampled some of the local wines.  It was a nice relaxing afternoon.  Tomorrow we head back to the coast and will be getting closer to the heavily popoulated areas of California.  The staff has warned us that the prettiest areas are behind us and that in Oxnard we need to keep an eye on our bikes and luggage.  Oh well, this tour was billed as a survey of the West coast, the good the better, the best and perhaps the ugly.  I am having a GREAT time but starting to look forward to going home!!

Somebody asked me if Shorty's name is really Shorty, or did I just make it up.  I was offended that anyone would ever think that I would make something like that up!  The answer is that he introduces himself as Shorty (given name is Santiago).  He is not very tall but is one heck of a rider.   At 68 y.o. he is a "fire plug" of a man.  He is a very strong rider and does several Iron Man Triathalons each year.  He is a good room mate and I don't think he is being paid extra to room with me!

 

Strawberry fields forever, as we left Santa Maria.  I read in a local paper that one grower expects to lose $60,000 due to the fact that he can't get the labor to pick his strawberries. 

 

These covered enclosures house raspberries plants.  They are nearly 100 yds long.

 

That is a field in the background not a lake.  The entire field is covered with plastic.  I assume there are plants underneath it?  The rider is John.  At 74 y.o. he is doing his 4th Ride The West.  Rode cross country in 2009 and is planning to do it again next summer,

 

John, Susan, Mark, Barbara, Murray and Jim at the SAG stop.

 

The roads were incredible.

 

 

I rode into the Fess Parker winery and got to see them unloading grapes.

 

The sign says, "Fess Parker" winery.  I am not sure if he is still alive.  He used to play Davey Crocket and Daniel Boone before he went into the wine business.

 

Melanie conquers a huge climb!!

 

The views were breath taking.

 

Am I looking thinner.

 

The woman in the blue shirt is Jenny Mosher.  She spent her entire career working at the University of Tennessee as a Sports Trainer in Pat Summitts basketball program.  She has written a book , "Ice N' Go" and has several book signing events scheduled along the way.  She is a very interesting person and one heck of a rider!  From left to right are Barbara, Cindy, Jenny and Rudy.  Rudy is a 71 y.o. retired professor who lives in Iowa but immigrated here from Switzerland.  He is probably the strongest rider in the group and always good for a laugh.

 

Here is the Topo map of today's ride.  Awesome!!

Day 19, Paso Robles, CA to Santa Maria, CA.  82 miles and 2850 feet of climbing.  Another wonderful day in paradise.  Weather was just right with a 20 mph tail wind from the mid point on.  As we left Paso Robles we had to climb out of the valley.  Nothing gets a day going like climbing right out of the gate.  Passed lots of vineyards.  Paso Robles seems to be an expanding vineyard and winery area.  It is apparent that there are many new vineyards being established.  I read in the local paper that they recently enacted a ban on the planting of any new grape vines.  Apparently the water table in the area is seriously low and they cannot afford to irrigate the vines that they have.  The lack of water is a huge concern in California as the agriculture industry is dependent upon irrigation to keep its fields in production 12 months a year.  Yesterday I posted a pic of me in front of Lake Nacimiento.  That body of water is a reservoir and is currently 50 feet below its designed level.  The "water wars" may not be far off.  I am glad that we have Jared on our side.  Keep stashing that stuff away for a dry day JT!  As we climbed away from Paso Robles we descended at a very rapid pace and soon found ourselve on the shores of the Pacific near Morro Bay.  It was good to see the beach again.  From there we went inland again and climbed thru some coastal mountains only to be routed back again to the ocean at Pismo Beach where the SAG was waiting with water and nourishment.  We again ventured inland, this time thru agricultural land.  Again I am simply overwhelmed at the size of their operations!  Our last 20 miles were thru a dust storm.  Visibility was down to a half mile and everything was shrouded in a brown blowing fog.  I will be bringing home a bit of California in my lungs!

I have an update of my former roommate Jim.  Apparently he has become an avid reader of this blog.  He tracked me down first thing this a.m. to tell me that I was mistaken when I indicated that he had agreed to take a cut in pay just to have his own room.  The truth of the matter (according to Jim) is that they were paying him extra to room with me and that if we did not share a room he would revert back down to his normal salary.  You know I really like Jim, he is a good guy and an excellent bike mechanic, but I am just not sure what to make of all of this!!  Why would anyone have to be paid to share a room with me?  Oh well, whatever.......I get to ride my bike everyday!!!

 

Leaving Paso Robles.  Newly planted vineyards.

 

When I first saw these trees I thought they were minarets around a mosque and I thought I was back in Istanbul.

 

Climbing over the mountains leaving Paso Robles.

 

If you look closely you can see the road heading from left to right thru the mountain and heading to the sea.  It was another magical ride.

 

Rock in Morrow Bay.

 

 

Ray, Ross and Shorty.  They joined the ride in San Francisco.  Shorty is my new roommate.  Can you figure out which one is him?  I swear his bike is smaller than Elizabeth's!!

 

Cynthia, Cuv and Melanie.  Cynthia and Cuv met 7 years ago on a cross country ride and they have been riding together ever since.

 

This bakery (and coffee shop) had so many excellent looking pastries that I could not make up my mind.  I was finally forced into a decision by the complaints of some customers waiting in line behind me. 

 

Closeup pic of rock in Morro Bay.

 

Pic of sea lion.  There were two of them by a dock in Morro Bay.  I spent a long time watching them.  First time I had seen them up close and personal.

 

Another awesome road.  In mid of pic you can see the road heading to the right.  What a ride!!