Anyhow, waking around 8:30 am I was able to prepare a bowl of Trader Joe's cinnamon and spice oatmeal and share a cup of delicious coffee with my host Jill. I learned of the many people from around the world who have stayed at Jill's place and she told me of her desire to travel in the near future. After breakfast, I prepared my gear, and loaded my bike in anticipation of a 64 mile trek to Lompoc, CA. After my bike was set up, I took a few photos with my host and then I began my day on the road.
Leaving Santa Barbara I had mixed emotions. On one hand, I wanted to stay in SB and soak up the beautiful scenery, look at the gorgeous women, and just relax. On the the other hand, the adventurer in me was looking forward to uncharted territories and new experiences. It didn't take long for my body to dial itself in. As my cold muscles began to warm up and generate that familiar burn, my heart started to beat like an uptempo song like "Whip it" by Devo. With my body fully awake, I began to wonder what a day on a major highway was going to be like. With no other travel roads, Hwy 1 and 101 were the only routes to work my way into Lompoc. I wondered if traffic was going to be heavy on this Easter Sunday and I was also concerned about the cars roaring past me going nearly 5 times as fast as me! I only hoped for a generous shoulder and good scenery to keep me occupied. To my pleasant surprise, not only was the shoulder abundant but the weather was great, the scenery breathtaking and my music playlist was being shuffled with the most appropriate tunes.
Around 11am my body was reminding me it was in charge. My stomach was empty and I needed fuel. I just so happened to be near Refugio State Beach, so I stopped in for a break. Cycling into the beach, I saw a generous campground, general store and a nice stream running into the ocean. The parking lot was full and families were gathering for the special Sunday. With a wonderful aroma of bbq smoke in the air, I quickly found a spot near a palm tree where the grass met the sand. 4 days into the trip I was getting better at picking what foods to bring along. I sat down to a nice lunch of sourdough bread, fresh kiwi, delicious dates and an oozing orange. After washing lunch down with some cold water from a faucet, I decided to make haste and get back to pedaling. After minutes of riding, my body was not just whispering, but shouting, "you shouldn't a done dat!" Feeling like little Mike Tyson's were using my stomach as a punching bag, I decided to keep going and "work it off." Thankfully it did.
Just after passing a town called Gaviota, Hwy 101 intersected Hwy 1. This was my turnoff. Now heading on "the 1" I was realizing I was going towards a great deal of very large mountains (little did I know I was facing the largest climb of my trip). With the temp rising in the low 80's I found myself in the lowest gear settings progressing up this "monster" with everything I had. With a grin on my face and music in my ears, I pressed on for what seemed like eternity. Every few minutes I found myself pushing the gear selectors with some hope that I had missed a lower gear and thinking that just maybe if I push hard enough I would miraculously find one. Finding no such luck, I carried on to the top of the hill and to what seemed like the top of the world. Now at the peak, I stopped to relish in my victory with a liberal application of sunscreen, water and a handful of dates. Being content with a few photos and some video, I tore down the mountain with speed, pride, and a healthy wind in my face. For miles I coasted down like a long roller coaster ride taking in the landscape of rolling hills of green grass, golden poppies and the occasional rustic barn.
Before I knew it, I was entering my destination, Lompoc. A town of 41,000 and mostly agriculture and flowers, Lompoc is a unique town that incorporates simplicity and beauty but nothing that would draw a major crowd. Feeling high on energy and having several hours of daylight left, I decided to explore the area. To my excitement, I learned of a mission nearby my campsite. "La Purisima Mission," as it turns out, it is a grand place for one who enjoys the history of California. I spent a good amount of time awing at the massive structure that was built by hand with basic hand tools. I also got to learn how the missionaries and natives lived and thrived off the land. Nearing the end of my tour of the mission, I caught a glimpse of something that was unrelated but equally impressive. In a large livestock pin, there was a single, fully grown longhorn bull that would put any man into panic mode should he meet the business end of this thing. In the very same pin was a frail old woman who was signaling for the bulls attention. My first reaction was " oh god what is this crazy woman doing in this pin with a bull!" Right then, this long horned giant begins to run full steam ahead to our dear old friend. With the calmness of a cat sunbathing in a window sill, she lifts her hand to signal "stop." To my amazement, the bull comes to an immediate halt no more then 5 feet from our dear old grandma! To reward Ferdinan the bull for his obedience, grandma puts out a handfull of grass and feeds the well trained creature.
After my trip to La Purisima Mission, I rode back to River Park campground. I set up my tent, ate a mediocre meal of freeze dried lasagna and had a desert of twinkies and fresh blueberries. Tired from the days ride, I settled into my sleeping bag just after sundown and hoped for a good nights sleep and an even better ride for Monday.
As always, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy my literary representation of my journey and may it encourage you to do the same.
Sincerely,
Spinning Gear
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