There is something wonderful about looking forward to sleep. No one last chapter or nightcap. No racing of thoughts. Just sleep from exhaustion. How fulfilling to seek food and water not of boredom or a lunch bell but out of necessity. Marcus and I cycle about 80 miles each day, to date about 350 miles. By days end my entire body hurts (especially my butt). We reach camp after dark, eat a well deserved power bar diner and crash. This, in an odd way, is the reward.The tour of Big Sur was demanding in terms of elevation and gradient. A bi-polar ride of sorts. I felt at times despair and doubt as to whether I could take another hill. I am not sure why exactly but in the midst of this I came across a vista and began to tear up at the precarious beauty. If I had the words I'd be writing a book rather than a blog, so I'll leave it at that.
I've suffered two flats on account of nails in the road. There is more patch than tire now. Outside of Santa Barbara the worst one hit and I was simultaneously pulled over by a really friendly cop. I had missed the turn off and was on a restricted freeway. Unable to fix the flat I ended up walking 6 miles through Goleta, CA. A proper repair was made and I found Marcus waiting patiently in Santa Barbara. There are certainly worse things than that. The trail out was long and flat. Behind schedule we rode as night fell 20 miles from our intended destination. Some good old boy turned Californian began teasing Marcus about his "riding/dancing britches" while we rested at a 7-11. This 74 year old Alabamian had all the requisites: racist, gun-toting, and extremely friendly to a fellow white-boy from the south (as far as he knew). Eyeballing the ample room in his truck with conviction I stated: "You're just the type of person who understands. I'm not gonna ask for nothing, not with all these people asking from me. When will they learn. It just gets worse everyday." Moments later the bikes were in the back of his truck and we were dropped off 4 miles from Mugu State Beach campground. I call it the night they drove ol' Dixie down... the road.
So many more stories but this clip of Marcus giving an explanation of Burning Man should indicate the fun we are having. Listen up and you may learn how to speak the Queen's English:
Robert,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having an excellent adventure and wish you safe travels, many good stories, some good meals, a tail wind, lot's of level or down hill riding, good weather, nice people, and the best luck anyone can have.
Bill
(The guy that sold you the bike)