Day 19: Paso Robles to Santa Maria

Today’s Highlights:

The conversation around the breakfast table this morning was how this ride is much more difficult than riding cross country.  Many of the cyclist on this ride have ridden cross country previously, and although the west-to-east coast rides are much longer, the hills are not as demanding day after day.  This trip’s terrain has taken its toll on a few of our cyclists.  However, today the hills were in our favor, as we had a lot more downhill and flats sections than climbing. Everyone enjoyed the ride.

Since Paso Robles is far from the shore, the morning started with sunshine instead of fog and with comfortable temperatures. After a little riding through town, passed malls and businesses, we were again on nice rural winding roads that rolling gently up and down. The landscape was mostly hills of golden grass with a sprinkling of oak trees, but as we got further west the density of trees increased and eventually covered entire hills and mountains. We had one significant climb seventeen miles into the ride, but it was not as long as I anticipated – a pleasant surprise.  At nineteen miles, we started a ten mile downhill and it was a thrilling ride!

We reached the Pacific ocean again in the town of Morro Bay.  There is a huge “rock” in the bay called Morro Rock (clever, huh).  It is so huge that it reminded me of Yosemite’s Half Dome when I first saw it from a distance on our way into town.  It is very unique compared to the rest of the landscape.  Morrow Bay is a very cute seaside town.  We also saw sea lions on a dock in the harbor.

The landscape continues to surprise me on our travels.  Leaving Morro Bay, there were large mountains to the east rising up from the wetlands of the bay.  We turned east from there and entered grassy ranges again, but this time with mountains in the background.  A little climb over a hill brought us into another farm valley, and we enjoyed some flat roads for several miles until reaching the ocean again at Pismo Beach.  Pismo Beach was beautiful and long, and had nice rolling waves.  It would have been nice to lay there or swim, but we had a snack at the SAG truck and then continued our ride.

Heading inland again, we were back among huge farms that stretch as far as you could see.  It is so impressive, and interesting to see the different phases of the land preparation, plantings and harvesting.  They produce a lot of food here!  Our final eight miles into Santa Maria was a flat straight of road, and we were pushed along by a tail wind that allowed us to cruise at 24 mph with little effort.  It was a great way to end our 85-mile ride.

Long but Easier, and Just as Beautiful
As Dad said, there are a lot of seasoned riders on this trip and they all say the same thing: This ride is one of the hardest but the most beautiful ABB ride. So I have to ask myself: Where do I ride after this?

I was still pretty sick today so the first part of the ride was a chore. I just had no energy, and I left a trail of snot from the hotel to the first SAG. And for real, the buzzards were waiting for me again at every hill (pic 10). I’ll admit that when I’m working so hard to just pedal I don’t always see all the sites. Good thing Dad takes so many good pictures. But like yesterday, riding actually makes me feel better. Luckily, this 85 mile day was the easiest ride so far. A little climbing at first and then almost all down hill, and flat at the end. And the weather was perfect.

Both SAGs were in great locations, too. The rock at Morrow Bay was something else. And we saw a ton of sea lions again; they’re all over the place. Their favorite past times are lying on the dock, barking, and biting each others’ faces. So cute! And when we reached Pismo Beach I just wanted to stop and jump in the ocean. They could come back and pick me up later.

Short ride tomorrow so we get to sleep in. Nice!

Chris

Pictures Of The Day:

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Chris: