Solvang to Oxnard

Saturday Sept 22, 2012

Today we did the 80 miler from Solvang to Oxnard.  We started from the hotel after a full breakfast but with the after effects of a lot of wine tasting.  Before we got out of town, the volkswagens were gathering next to the road and I almost got sucked in by Sarah from Tennessee.

Forget the bikes....come play with Volkswagens

Dad would have had a great time here!!
 

Herb singing "You're the one" on Old StageCoach Road.

 

The old 1860s stagecoach stop part way up the pass.

There was dancing here...unbelievable.

 

Gary was a bit worried about the rock on Old Stage Coach Road (It was inching toward the road...)

A view from the top of the pass

 

The downhill from this point was a blast with three 5 mph hairpins.  Sorry no pictures, I was having too much fun.  After about 15 minutes of this fun, we were in the outskirts of Santa Barbara cruising down some high dollar streets and picking up bike paths when they appeared.

 

Gary, Mark and Tim negotiating locals in a paceline.

 

Mark and Gary cruising scenic drive bike path in Santa Barbara.  We had gone several miles along the coast in downtown Santa Barbara with the cool fog.  I love the fog.  You could not see the ocean but you knew it was there.  Temp is around 60.


 

An hour later I watched some Polo at the Santa Barbara Polo club.  Looks like a hard way to play soccer.

A bit further was a nice farmers mkt but alas, I did not have my big pack with me.

Oops, we are now on 101 for 4 miles...high speed loud traffic

Better on the Pacific Coast Highway just below 101.  3 miles of motorhomes next to the beach.  Carefully proceed down this bike lane!

Their view on the Ocean side.

Hot!!

Karen is leading the "rap" part of our Pizza party.  Notice the recovery drinks ready for deployment.  "Rap" is the review of the route and some of the details of the next day's ride.  I think several big hills were mentioned.


Tomorrows ride is 52 miles to Marina del Rey and I heard that there is a mountain range to get over.....:>)