One thing I've noticed is that the further south I ride, the less weird and funny stuff there is to photograph and the fewer unique people there are to talk about. Since I'm just 4 days away from achieving my thinkBIGGER goal, I need to get more hits on my web site and it looks like I'm not going to get much help from the local natives.
So, I did a little investigation to determine when BikeTheCoast13.com gets the most hits. I discovered that I had 594 unique web site visits when I was in the hospital in South Bend, WA and about 400 hits when I was in the hospital in Port Townsend, WA. Those were my two biggest web traffic days. Now that I'm nearing the thrilling culmination of this epic journey, I'm getting about 210 hits per day. So, it's readily apparent that there is twice as much interest in seeing me in the hospital than there is in seeing me get to Mexico. You people are sick!
So, I did a little investigation to determine when BikeTheCoast13.com gets the most hits. I discovered that I had 594 unique web site visits when I was in the hospital in South Bend, WA and about 400 hits when I was in the hospital in Port Townsend, WA. Those were my two biggest web traffic days. Now that I'm nearing the thrilling culmination of this epic journey, I'm getting about 210 hits per day. So, it's readily apparent that there is twice as much interest in seeing me in the hospital than there is in seeing me get to Mexico. You people are sick!
Does this help?
It was so cold in Buellton that I ended up sleeping in my sweatshirt with my hoodie pulled over my head. The temperature when I hit the road was 42°, one degree colder than the morning before. For cycling, I really didn't bring any special weather gear because I don't have any. I don't have any because why would anyone want to ride a bike in crappy weather? I did bring a couple of those little packets skiers put in their boots to keep their toes warm, and those came in handy the last two days. But really, once you get on the bike and ride a few miles, you start to warm up and so does the weather. Speaking of which, it's not going to be cold after this morning. In fact, it looks like I might see daytime highs of close to 90° from here on out.
Dang cold in Solvang
Today's 87-miler from Buellton to Ventura was tough, but I don't think it was any harder than our ride from Pismo to Buellton the day before. This ride has more to see, especially from Santa Barbara south, and it readily breaks into a few pieces. We start with a nice country ride to Highway 101. Once on on the freeway, we climb up, and then drop down Gaviota Pass. That was pretty easy this year. The shoulders were mostly free of debris, traffic wasn't too bad, and neither were the winds. The descent was over too quick, as far as I'm concerned.
It warmed up as we approach Gaviota Pass
Gaviota Pass? Meh...
After Gaviota Pass, we hit the coast again. All told, we spent a little more than 25 miles on the freeway, and while Gaviota Pass was all the talk before we rode, most people thought the 101 leg into Oxnard/Ventura was more harrowing. By then, traffic was very heavy and there were a lot of trucks. What made it worse was that there was also a lot of construction going on and temporary bike lanes. In some places, I think it was hard for the vehicles to tell the bike lane from the slow traffic lane. I'm guessing that's probably not good.
101 traffic....badddd
101 views.....goooood!
The ride was also broken up with segments through Hope Ranch, north of Santa Barbara, and of course with the beach-front cycling through Santa Barbara itself. A stop for banana chocolate chip milkshakes at The Spot in Carpentaria gave us a chance to refuel (bloat) before we flew (crawled) the last 20 miles to Ventura.
Ocean view from Hope Ranch
You bet we hit The Spot - however, it appears the big red spot fell off The Spot sign
Terry, Claire and I hit The Spot; others missed The Spot
Typically we have a team dinner in Ventura and tonight most of us went to Anacapa Brewing Company in Ventura. Dean wasn't with us and Derek had to leave after today's ride because he is in a wedding on Saturday. We invited Claire from Walnut Creek to join us and she made a great addition. We need to recruit her to the team. Speaking of team, I'll have more to say about our Links for Life team after the California Coast Classic portion of my Canada to Mexico ride concludes tomorrow. Everyone has done awesome and seems to be having the Ride of a Lifetime!
Just another day at the beach for Terry
Steve Divney picked a great restaraunt for dinner
Steve, Scott, Jeff, and Terry at dinner
Day 25 Recap: Buellton, CA to Ventura, CA
Actual Miles: 87.9
Cumulative Miles: 1,633.9
Elevation Gain: 2,621'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 67,206'
% Distance to Mexico: 86.8%
Actual Miles: 87.9
Cumulative Miles: 1,633.9
Elevation Gain: 2,621'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 67,206'
% Distance to Mexico: 86.8%
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