Ride Report: Monterey Peninsula-Los Angeles, Summer 2012

Along with friends and family the Windbreakers have returned home from an epic, multi-day 375 mile bicycling journey down the California Coast, starting at the Monterey Peninsula and finishing in Los Angeles.  Much of the route followed California SR-1, also known as the Cabrillo Hwy and named for the great explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo.  Cabrillo was the first European explorer to navigate the coast of present day California.

Ride Leader Rick the "Rabbit"

In a similar spirit of exploration and adventure, a total of 16 riders braved the winds, climbs, twists and turns of this most famous and scenic coastline; all were rewarded with a fantastic adventure.   Many thanks to our very own Rick “Rabbit” Sullivan and his entire family for organizing the ride and taking good care of all participants. 

Directeur Sportif Stephanie

Equally important on a ride of this scope is the role of Directeur Sportif (French for Sporting Director).  For this ride we had Stephanie, the wonderful daughter of participant Steve Heron, filling this essential role.  Thanks go to Stephanie for all her efforts and organization to handle the support for the ride.  Ride On!

Day 0 started with a group meet-up at the Sullivan house in Upland.  The caravan consisted of two vehicles with support trailer including all bikes, food and support gear.  Once the caravan left the LA metro area we were headed north along I-5 over the Grapevine and into the Central Valley of California. Following a lunch stop in the remote highway outpost of Lost Hills we made our way west along SR-46; it was at this point in the journey that we remembered we were entering into the Paso Robles area and its up-and-coming wine region.  A wine tasting stop was therefore in order and no better place that at Tobin James.  Following an hour-long tasting and purchase of additional bottles for the bike ride, it was off again north on US 101 to Monterey Peninsula and to our Pacific Grove hotel.  Day 0 concluded with pizza and beer at Gianni’s pizza in Monterey.

Day 1 Pacific Grove: Assembled at Start

Day 1: Pacific Grove-Kirk Creek Campground

Under cool, overcast skies the riders assembled for pictures and a mass start.  Within minutes we were cruising on the famous 17-Mile Drive; with views of the Lone Cypress Tree and Pebble Beach Golf Links. Upon leaving Carmel we were now on SR-1, headed south to L.A.  Following lunch at the River Inn and Fernwood we had our first big climb out of Big Sur.  In and out of the cloud cover with views of ocean coves and coastal canyons we finished 67 miles later at Kirk Creek.  The reward was a breathtaking sunset over the Pacific Ocean and fun with great friends and family.

South on SR 1 near San Simeon

Day 2: Kirk Creek-Pismo Beach/Oceano Campground

At precisely 6:05 a.m. ignition on the supply trailer generator was completed to begin breakfast and the all important coffee brewing.  At approximately 8:15 am the riders exited the campground to head south.  More climbing immediately greeted riders, after a stop at Ragged Point we dropped onto the San Simeon plain and into Morro Bay for lunch.  Following lunch we rode through Morro Bay State Park and the Los Osos Valley through San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach to our campground finish at Oceano.  Dinner that evening at the nearby Old Juan’s Mexican Café.  Our longest day at 95 miles.

Day 3: Oceano Campground-Gaviota State Park

Dr. Tom on Black Road near Santa Maria

An 8:30 start from Oceano began Day 3…just a few miles into the ride the group was met by a Caltrans roadblock and detour thorough Nipomo.  Rick and John’s route-finding skills were used to navigate the group off the planned course and to the first refueling stop at Black Road, our first climb of the day.  Following this beautiful late morning climb we soon found ourselves in the Casmalia Hills near Vandenburg AFB, and then into Lompoc for lunch.  Following lunch we were back on SR 1 toward the coast and our camp at Gaviota.  Unfortunately it was on this last leg of the day that rider Kathy suffered a crash that took her out of the tour.  She remained on however to finish and help with support.  Also on this day William, one of our young “heads of state”, had an allergic reaction to a bee sting which would take him out of Day 4.  Dr. Tom was busy that afternoon tending to riders;  later that evening many enjoyed a swim at Gaviota beach, a walk on the pier and a great Italian dinner brought to camp courtesy of Stratton who joined us for the remainder of the ride.

Rolling through Santa Barbara

Day 4: Gaviota State Park-Ventura

Following a windy overnight the riders grouped up for the Day 4 ride down US 101.  We exited the highway at Isla Vista for the bike path through UCSB and into Santa Barbara.  Following a beautiful side route through Hope Ranch the peloton hit State Street and coffee at Handlebars Coffee, a bicycling-themed coffee house in the downtown district.   The ride continued through Montecito and into Carpinteria for a stop at Island Brewing Co for a cold beer.   The last leg skirted the coast at Rincon and Emma Wood State Beach, then to our hotel at Ventura.  After swims, showers and mass at Our Lady of the Assumption, all regrouped at Anacapa Brewing Co. downtown for a great dinner and viewing of the Tour de France.

Day 5: Ventura-Los Angeles (Griffith Park)

With some more weary than others, the riders met for breakfast and planning for the last day of the tour.  Ridemaster Joe had departed the night before due to work commitments, but good news greeted the gang as William was able to re-join.  Equally good was that Kathy was feeling better, though understandably not able to ride.  This last day was to include some of the most challenging riding of the tour; a difficult climb up the Potrero Grade and urban riding through the San Fernando Valley.  And this last day took us much farther inland, so an early start was in order and after packing up we were on the road at 7:30 a.m.

As we rode toward the Conejo (appropriately meaning “Rabbit” in Spanish) Hills through the agricultural fields of Oxnard, the Potrero Road climb loomed as a major challenge.  All accepted the challenge with gusto and panache, as we marched up the hillside with selected segments at 18% gradient.  Unfortunately Josh, another of our heads of state, was forced to cut his ride short at the first rest stop after the summit due to a pulled achilles.  Then through Thousand Oaks, Agoura and Calabassas and into the San Fernando Valley.  The last 20 miles featured an urban route along Ventura and Burbank Boulevards, with the long-awaited finish at Griffith Park.

The finishing group gathered for a concluding dinner of beers, burgers and stories from the journey at Clearmans Galley (“the Boat”) restaurant in East Pasadena.  Ride On!