Day 18- Cruise to Santa Cruz

48 miles(77kms), 3-3/4 hours, huge tail wind.
We had a tail wind for the second time for the whole trip. The coastal scenery was absolutely spectacular and the traffic was light. We enjoyed it so much that we realised as we pulled up in Santa Cruz that we hadn't even stopped for a break the whole way. Wow we saw some great stuff and got some great pics along the way. It's Friday night and as it's sunny and warm so we have decided to take a break here for the weekend. Much more fun than doing battle with weekend traffic. This is a very hip surfing and university town. The joint is going off.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Sunset?

First almost sunset of the trip. Sun peeped through the sea fog for about a minute.

Camping in style

Didn't feel like putting the tent up so we found this joint. It'll do I guess.

Day 17- across the bridge and through San Fran

37 miles(59kms), 3-3/4 hours, foggy but warmish

We didn't leave till midday with no expectation of getting too far as we were both a bit doughy. We climbed up to the bridge only to find that the right hand bike lane had been closed. We had to carry the bikes up and down 2 flights of stairs to get to the other side. We then had to mix it with the pedestrians to get across. It was a real experience. After the bridge we had to navigate across San Francisco. I only got us lost once. It was pretty hectic and a bit stressful. The last part of the day was climbing up and over the infamous Devils slide roadway below Daly city. I have been worrying about getting Lisa over it safely for months. It's the most dangerous bit of road on the whole trip. Anyway we made it over without mishap and emerged into half moon bay. We decided to gat a hotel as the camping down here is a bit dodgy with all the homeless travelers. Tomorrow we are off to Santa Cruz.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Riding the Golden Gate

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Lisa makes it over the Golden Gate bridge

Planking at the golden gate bridge

Day 16- We made it to San Francisco

33 miles, 3-1/4 hours, SUNNY

Taken a hard earned afternoon off in a swanky hotel. Very nice, I like.

Sunny Lisa is back!

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Planking in San Francisco

Getting it started over here

Hello San Francisco

Thanks legs for bringing me here
Lisa from iPhone

Look we made it to SF

And it's not raining

Floating Houses

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Connie & Wayne

Patiently waiting outside the B&B for us to saddle up.

Made it to San Francisco

Yippee!!!

1450kms in 16 days

Regards Mike from iPhone

Friends on the road

A few days ago we bumped into Rory and Niki on the side of the road. Rory is a mad Scotsman who's claim to fame( at least one of them) is riding the Aussie great ocean road in a kilt. Niki is a lovely San Francisco Gal who Rory somehow talked into riding a bike from Vancouver to Mexico. Since our first meeting we have crossed paths quite a few times and by chance we ended up in the same hotel overnight. They are a lovely pair and we just love bumping into them. We are keeping in contact via SMS to exchange info on road conditions, accommodation and other stuff. Rory is a real unit. I hope I can go touring with him sometime in the future. I'm sure it would be a great laugh.

B&B Bathroom cooking

This post sponsored by Trangia camp stoves, the versatile cooking appliance as used in some North American bathrooms

Bathroom Masterchef Masterclass

Extreme bathroom cooking. Kids don't try this at home.

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When the sun comes out it's all worth it

Wharfmasters inn

We stayed it the inn on the hill. Very nice.

Baby seal video

Here is a short video of the seal nursery

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Sexy Lisa

I snapped Lisa contemplating life and the universe. How good is she looking.!

Baby seal nursery

We spotted this nursery from the road yesterday. Hundreds of baby seals and their mums hanging out in a quiet safe bay.

Lisa caught in the act

I caught Lisa working on a new method to keep her feet warm while waiting for the washing machine to finish. She was trying to get in the dryer as it was warm from a previous load.

Day 15- the room of mirrors

33 miles(53 kms), 3-1/4 hours, rain and wind.
We cut the ride short today because we were both pretty punch drunk from the belting we took yesterday. We seriously discussed abandoning the ride because it's so unsafe. We decided to hang in there and keep slogging. Lisa did it really tough today, spending the whole day in the room of mirrors. She didn't like what she was seeing. Lucky for me I delivered us into a really cool little town called Point Reyes Station. It has an awesome coffee shop and all sorts of cool organic hip shit going on. Lisa found us a B&B that's real cute. Life is looking ok again. We will make SF tomorrow if the weather allows.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Day 14- toughest day we've done

63 miles(101km), 6-1/4 hrs,4136 ft climbed, 5712. Calories, 30 mph headwind and driving rain.

Today was tough and dangerous. The part of the coast we rode was the most remote section of the whole coast. Riding south into a 30 mph headwind with a forecast for heavy rain we knew we were going to get beaten up. And we weren't disappointed. Some sections on high and exposed narrow road with no guardrail were very dangerous. At times we had to ride on the centerline so as not to risk being blown over the edge. We could not stop as there was know where to hide. We finally made it to Bodega bay in driving rain and in a pretty untidy state. Needless to say we rode straight past the camp ground and rode until we found a hotel. Today was the first time I really questioned the wisdom of bringing Lisa on this ride. Anyway we are here safely and only 2 days ride from San Francisco. 2 weeks on the road and we are feeling fit and really strong. Let's hope the rain eases off for tomorrow.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Day 13 - storm dodgers

46.5 miles , 2730ft climbing, 4-1/2 hrs ride time, 15 mph headwind

Well we thought today was going to be a shocker. The weather forecast was atrotious. That's why we did the huge day yesterday, so we could get a day in front in case is was too bad to cycle. We got a motel last night so we wouldn't have to pack up in the rain. It rained all night and it was blowing hard and about 6 degrees when we got up. It was looking grim. We walked into town for a coffee heart starter. By the time we got back the weather was on the improve. When we rode out of Fort Bragg we dodged a big storm that missed us by minutes. Then the sun came out. Apart from the horrid head wind the day was magnificent. It reached 19 degrees. The warmest so far. The riding was HARD. We fought for every mile. Lisa had a very sore tummy so she did it super tough. We just took it slow and got through with only one meltdown. Snaps to Lisa for sticking it out. Tonight we made a small port town with a beautiful inn looking over the harbor. Just as we were having dinner our new friends rocked into town. But that's another story.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Day 11

Riding thru The Avenue of the Giants(redwoods) today was similar to a museum tour. Felt like you needed to be quiet, respectful and don't dare touch. The trees line the sides of the road like majestic elderly looking down with hundreds of years of wisdom. We were lucky to have good weather and the sun played with shadows along the way.
I spent the day as usual behind Michael trying to catch any sort of free ride I could. I am in absolute awe of him and the amount of weight that Wayne can carry and Michael manages to push along so effortlessly.
Michael took me to a coffee shop this morning in Eureka that he remembered from last trip and it was fabulous. Have had a bit of a coffee shop tour this time which has been very nice.

Regards

Lisa Coates

4 shots and the world looks different

Campsite day 11

Redwood forest.(Burlington)
Bear box included

Avenue of the giants