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Computer Stats:
Miles – 37.45
Avg. Speed -16.6

Today was the day; our last official ride. We were 40 miles from San Luis Obispo where we had a car rental lined up to take us the last 150 miles into L.A.. After three days of cold, wet weather, the sun was shining bright across the Pacific, and we could hardly contain our jubilation knowing that in forty miles, our physical journey would be done.

We set off early and flew across the rolling hills to San Luis Obispo. For an hour or so our route placed us in a bike race, and we did our best to keep up with the semi-pro racers on all sides of us. It was hilarious seeing our “mega-bikes” beside these featherweights, and Landon’s and Mike’s beards were a stark contrast to the fully shaven legs and arms of the racers. We thought about gate crashing their finish line and eating all of their food, but the temptation of getting to L.A. and seeing loved ones took precedent.

We made it to San Luis Obispo on time, and picked up our mini-van, loaded up our bikes and gear and drove the last 150 miles down the 101 into massive, overwhelming Los Angeles. “What a place” is all we could say, and we all felt like we had closed our eyes and been placed in a movie set.

Our physical journey was done, and all that was left was to bike into our Sunday event and celebrate having completed the first ever Pedal for Prevention!

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Computer Stats:
Miles – 73.24
Avg. Speed -13.1

After a sound sleep in Big Sur, it was back on the road with another big day ahead. As it was Friday, and we wanted to be in L.A. on Saturday night to get ready for our Sunday event, we set a goal of getting to San Luis Obispo (SLO), where we could catch an early morning train to Los Angeles. “SLO” is 115 miles from Big Sur, and the road twists and rises over endless bluffs and cliffs. The weather was cool and nice in the morning after evening showers, but unfortunately our luck wouldn’t hold out.

Big Sur, as we’ve told you, is spectacular, and it’s hard to put words down which do justice to feeling you get flying 35 mph down a mountain beside a cliff with the Pacific crashing into ocean rocks. Despite the weariness, we did our best to soak up some of the last, and most spectacular, hours we’d have on our bikes, but when it started to downpour, it got to be tough going. On and on with the gray ocean down below, we moved slowly and safely towards civilization.

We were drenched and freezing when finally we came down out of the mountains, and being only 60 miles into our day by 4:30, we knew we’d never make it to SLO without a ride. When we got to Cambria, we parked outside of a gas station for an hour and a half and did our best to hitch a ride to no avail. Out of luck, frozen and wet, we called it a day and checked into a cheap motel on Main Street. With no chance of catching our 6:45 am train, it was one more 35 mile day to San Luis Obispo, where we lined up a minivan rental which would escort into The City of Angels!

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Computer Stats:
Miles – 60.86
Avg. Speed -13.1

Since we left San Francisco on Tuesday, the weather has been dreary, and what we would have considered a short day’s ride has seemed to drag on endlessly. I don’t know if the weather is affecting us, or if we’re just at the end of our tether, but these last few days have been a fight mentally.

With the L.A. in sight, we hopped on our bikes in Monterey and pushed off South against a cold and gray sky towards Pebble Beach and Big Sur. We knew the day’s ride would be a beautiful ride, but a challenging one as we had our sights set on a 100 mile day to San Simeon. We left early in order to allow ourselves enough time to ride the famous “17 Mile Drive” through Pebble Beach, and we’re happy that we did. A $10 fee for cars, it was free for bikes, and we cruised by famous golf course after famous golf course stopping to see the sights, and to drop Pedal for Prevention cards in every mailbox. We figure one millionaire could bring the whole thing together, and a mailbox is a good a place as any to start!

After we got back on the US-1 in Carmel, we immediately began to climb up and down towards Big Sur. The road shrunk to two lanes, and took a more direct path along the bluffs. With lush mountains rising high on our left, four hundred foot cliffs falling to the Pacific skirted our wheels on the right. Caution was in high demand as we navigated tight and winding roads with SUVs, trucks, and Winnebagos. Winnebagos are the worst, most of them are rentals by elderly folds, and Mike thought of a great bumper sticker for them “To Old to Camp, To Young to Die. Go RVing.”

Anyway, we continued up and down mile after mile, and it was very slow going. Having to pull over for every semi, coupled with wanting pictures at every corner meant that there was no way we’d make it one hundred miles to San Simeon. When we finally arrived in the town of Big Sur (the last town for 50 miles) we knew we’d have to stay. There was one problem though… The hotels/lodges were extortionate! Rates of $300 were the average, and with no options other than to camp, we went to the gas station and loaded up for dinner and breakfast. Canned fruit, mini bottles of wine, stale sandwiches, and pop tarts were all in order, and with no sleeping bags, and only a tarp for shelter it looked to be a long, wet and cold night. Just as we were leaving town towards the campground we passed one last lodge… It couldn’t hurt to try, and when the inn quoted us a decent price we were stunned and happy! We had beds, but we were still stuck with the canned fruit and stale sandwiches.

Our blog is a couple of days behind, but we’re arriving officially in L.A. on Sunday! We’re having an event from two to four on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Alta Avenue. 551 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA. It should be good fun, and we’re inviting anyone to come out!

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Computer Stats:
Miles – 69.34
Avg. Speed – 13.7

Waking up in comfy beds, listening to the Pacific crash into the shore,  in a beautiful house that overlooks the ocean, is probably one of the most pleasant things I’ll ever do, and needless to say, it was very hard for all of us to get up. It took us around 4 hours to get ready, and just after noon we were out the door with hopes of an easy ride to Monterey Bay.

The weather started off gray, foggy, and chilly. It wasn’t until we hit Santa Cruz that the California sunshine poked it’s head out of the clouds and warmed up the air for us.

Santa Cruz was a really captivating place. We could all tell that Santa Cruz was this first time that we felt like we were actually in a “California Town. ” The tall palm trees lined the roads where the colorful and interesting little Spanish inspired houses sat. All the kids were getting out of all their school, and everyone had a skateboard or a fat wheeled bike, and was wearing board shorts. You can easily tell that west coast and east coast styles are completely different.

Once we left Santa Cruz the sky turned gray and cold again.

We took a detour off US 1, that made us weave in and out of strawberry and artichoke fields. I can tell you now, that one of the best smells in the world is a field of fresh strawberries, that’s right next to a salty ocean, lined with giant eucalyptus tree’s. Mmm, so good!!

We finally made our way down to Monterey. It was such a great feeling to get out of the tiresome weather, and into some warm clothes, then followed a warm filling meal. Bedtime is just better when it works out that way.

With only three days left on our trip, the end is in sight for us all. It won’t be long before we’re back to day to day life, and instead of worrying about sore legs or media coverage, we’re going to be worrying about school and work… I don’t know which sounds worse! So anyway, we may not make our goal of $40,000 (maybe it was too ambitious in a depleted economy), but every dollar that we raise will help Darkness to Light help keep kids safe from sexual abuse. So Join the Ride to L.A!

-Landon

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Computer Stats:
Miles – 68.56
Avg. Speed – 13.6

After an unforgettable weekend in colorful San Francisco we were sad to have to say goodbye. We left from the heart of the city, Union Square, and wound down to the US 1 through thick fog. It’s hard to navigate out of a big city, especially when you can only see 40 feet ahead, however, we managed to make it up and over the steepest streets San Fran had to offer and down to the ocean side.

With a cold, stiff breeze blowing in off the Pacific water we pedaled hard 20 miles or so down to Half-Moon bay. On the way we passed a touring cyclist from Ireland. Ole John, a carpenter, who now lives in San Fran, recommended us to stop over on the south-side of Half-Moon for a burrito at a place he was fond of. So we did.We had a good Mexican fill and a good chat with John about the American Life and the old country, before setting off south again.

The fog that normally burns off before midday was still hanging around and still as thick as the early morning. This stuff makes a British overcast day seem like a sunshine-paradise and leaves you with a tired, just-out-of-bed feeling all day. The ocean and sky were inseparable to the eye, and honestly, for 40 miles you could have fooled me into thinking i was anywhere!

For a few miles there was a break in the sky. Bright and blue the pacific was visible again, and when we rolled right down next to a cove beach we were amazed to see seals lounging on the rocks and a few sharks feeding on fish only yards from the shore! Obviously, the experience made me think twice about going for an after-ride dip…

A few miles outside of our destination of Santa Cruz we made a pit-stop for a few sugary drinks. Hanging around next to our bikes a gentleman passed by and asked us where we were coming from and going to. After a smiley chat about the journey he returned to his car with his daughter. We were all jumping back on the saddle when the man called out to us with an offer of staying at his holiday rental house down on the beach just a mile away. An offer hard to refuse, both financially and pleasurably.

It turned out that the gentleman, Colin, was quite the man. Interesting and kind-as-can-be his, “holiday-house” sat right above the famous, and gorgeous, “Davenport Landing” beach- a surfers paradise for only 600 dollars per night! A long and gray day turned into a warm and bright evening full of engaging conversation and fun stories, including Colin’s own cross-country adventures in his plane – certainly a faster experience than our own!

Tomorrow we head to the Monterey Bay- only 300 miles from Los Angeles! So PLEASE tell your friends about our cause, our ride, and reach deep into your pockets and chip-in to help us save children from sexual abuse.

-Mike