Day 36/37

This vast adventure is coming towards an end. I still find it hard to believe that I've biked nearly 2,000 miles. You could see how far I went from the moon. I am currently in Encinitas, CA which is just North of San Diego. Mexico less than 50 miles away which is a one day trip. I can't say I want this trip to be longer but at the same time, this has been such a dense experience full of pain and enjoyment. 

In Santa Monica, Boyd parted ways since he is staying in the LA area while Guillaume and I are continuing South. Boyd was a great person to ride with and his Australian accent flowed nicely with his witty humor. I learned new things just riding with him. I now know how to properly change a flat tire and bits and pieces of futbol, Australia, health insurance, French prime minister wives, and fish burritos. So if you're reading this Boyd, thanks for making everyday a more exuberant one! Cheers!

Koreatown, LA

Dinner

Overall Progress

Today's home. My tent is supported by stakes and the ground was too hard to penetrate so I had to tie supports to my bike and Guillaume's tent.. Should have gone with the freestanding tent.

Day 34/35

After Big Sur the landscape has been pretty flat making the miles go by much faster. Boyd, Guillaume, and I have finally been entering the Los Angeles Area. Malibu was the first suburb we went through. Here we passed through million dollar homes, Bentleys, and huge gardens along the coast. About 20 miles south we got into Santa Monica and biked through Venice Beach. 

About two weeks ago, Oren, the fellow biker I met at the beginning of my trip was bitten by a spider (possibly and brown recluse) and spent a week in the hospital. He got out fine and got a ride back to Santa Monica where he lives. We all met up with him and we got to spend the night in his home! We had a family dinner and french toast in the morning. I haven't been in a house for about months. I forgot about the awesome house concept. There is wifi, electricity, A/C, clean bathrooms, beds, TVs, and everything you need to live! 

Unfortunately, LA is the finishing point for Boyd so Guillaume and I are going to continue South without him. Thank you Oren for hosting us!

Yet another flat... An industrial nail tore through my Gatorskin. The new tube was popping out so Boyd put a Australian 5 dollar note to cover the hole. 

Biking Towards Hollywood Blvd.

Beverly Hills

The Original Four!

Grocery Pics are the Best

Day 33

Spent the day in Santa Barbara. Population: 89,639.  There is a fancy downtown with Spanish style buildings and varieties of shops along the shaded streets and arcades.

Everyday I bike through around two or three decent sized cities. I have a long mental list of cities that I tell myself, "someday I will live here".  It is exciting to see so many different types of towns. Although biking doesn't cover as many miles per day, it forces you to rapidly keep moving from place to place. Whereas in cars, trains, and airplanes cover miles fast but have fewer stops. Biking has an advantage in that you can explore more places and see more things.

Day 31/32

  The Mexican border is about 200 miles away from our current location. It is surprising to see myself this close to the end already but I think I've got a pretty good idea of hot painful biking, canned beans and ramen, bathrooms where they filmed "Saw" from, and dirty laundry pillows. It is these things that will exponentially show the luxury of my previous lifestyle without worrying about wet sleeping bags and clean underwear. 

Day 29/30: Big Sur

I spent the past two lovely days biking through Big Sur. Located on the coast right after Monterey, CA lies around 90 miles of gorgeous coastline along the daunting Santa Lucia Mountains. Along the two lane highway, there are several places to stop and take pictures of the vibrant scenery. 

About halfway through Big Sur Boyd, Guillaume, and I camped out at Pfeiffer State Park. I ate some bad refried beans which made the 2nd day much harder. Big Sir consists of inconsistent elevations and with a weak stomach, I found out what real pain was. 70 miles later with every single inch of my body in pain and my eyes nearly open, we finally arrived at the next state park. I set up my tent and knocked out for 14 hours!! 6PM-8AM. I don't think I've ever felt to weak in my whole life. But it was all worth it. 

I took hundreds of pictures. Here are some of them in which I particularly like. Enjoy!

Streetfighter K.O.ed

Day 28

It is hard to believe that I have been on the road for nearly a month now. This travel is far from credit card traveling, but everyday I am experiencing new thrills.  

Today the Beatles took me down to the strawberry fields. Guillaume and I biked through the Dole's company farmlands towards Monterey, CA. We stopped at a Food Truck for lunch and set up camp at Veterans Memorial State Park. After getting settling into my tent, someone started to shake my tent. Then I heard a familiar Australian accent. Boyd had rejoined us after splitting before San Francisco! I'm getting the feeling that is bike posse to Mexico is insusceptible. 

 

Sea Lions, Seals, Otters, Penguins, whatever they are. 

Food truck in the middle of god knows where. 

Fish Tacos Galore!

We need more Mexican food back at home in MN.

Eucalyptus Trees: Natural Sinus Cleanse

Public Enemy #1

Regrouping! Welcome back to the crew, Boyd!

The Next Morning: I'll never look at oatmeal again after this trip.