Cambria to Carpinteria State Beach (October 8 – 10)

Cambria to North Beach Campground

It was a (relatively) short, flat day. So I started the day with a relaxed breakfast in a restaurant. (Usually we have a breakfast of cold cereal and fruit – stuff that we carry in the van.)

Part of the blessing of a bad memory is everything is new. We had breakfast at a restaurant that evidently I had been in before on 1998 bike ride with TK&A. It’s a good restaurant, but I didn’t remember it.

Tough day in the morning. We eventually rode inland most of the day, which made it hot. The wind was now a side wind (and occasionally a headwind), the road was hilly, and there was very little shade on the road. About midway through the ride, however, we turned left, and we suddenly were back with our tailwind. The scenery on the ride wasn’t anywhere near spectacular as the earlier rides.

The beach where we ended up, however, was great!

*Down the beach was Oceano Beach, where they let cars drive on the beach. (This was where the bike book suggested we stay, but it wasn’t as nice as our beach.)*

North Beach Campground to Refugio State Beach

Long, boring ride. We had to go inland to get around Vandenberg Air Force Base, and rode through farmland mostly flat farmland, with a couple of climbs in sun.

But our campsite was another great location – right next to the ocean.

Bruce shows off his t-shirt he bought to support the
firefighters fighting the Big Sur fire

Mom’s friend Jenny (now living in Santa Barbara) came by for dinner – and brought dessert!

Refugio State Beach to Carpinteria State Beach

I was staff this day — so no biking.

*We ended up again at a great beach, although a little busier that Refugio, and we were further from the ocean.*

The wind that had been blowing for the past few days really kicked in this evening. It blew so hard I chopped up the chicken for dinner in my tent, and we had to move the van around to block the wind from putting out the stove. Fortunately, it died down for dinner, only to start up later – very loud night.