We got up late and moved like people in an overly hospitable environment. We ate slowly, talked for a long time, and packed as if we had no where to be. In reality, we were going to push for the other side of the Santa Ynez Mountains. I had a flat from the previous afternoon that Id forgotten about, so even when we finally did get out to our bikes, it was another ten minutes.
Finally with everything together, we pushed out. We'd listened to two or three different people give us directions, so we were guessing which person to listen to at every turn. Eventually we ended up in Pismo Beach - Leo had to listen to approximately 15 Bugs Bunny references from me which he did not understand ("Wait a minute! This ain't Pismo Beach." Honestly, it was all I could do to not stop and get Leo to bury me and a map in the sand so I could pop out and say that it was Pismo Beach... oh, the hilarity).
From there, we went south, and it was gorgeous. There were lots of views of the ocean. The coast was beautiful.
After a while the wind was hitting pretty hard on our right sides. I felt like I was struggling pretty hard, and Leo made it clear that he wasn't enjoying it either. We went through another tiny rundown town and finally made a left. Boosh! The wind was at our backs again. We kept a brisk yet relaxed 29 mph for miles and miles until we finally stopped in Orcutt for water refills and snacks. We sat in front of Orcutt Liquor & Deli and some random barflies wandered out of the bar next door for a smoke. The woman knocked on my seat and said that we must have asses of steel. I think that we agreed that we did, and she tried to get us to come in so she could buy us a drink. "Tempting, but sorry, no." We got back on the bikes. There are still a lot of miles left, and some mountains to climb.
25 miles later, we hit San Marcos Pass Road. We shot across the Santa Ynez Valley like two firecrackers. (Enter Troy McClure: "You might know Santa Ynez Valley from such films as Sideways.") I think we were both feeling how late in the day it was, and we both knew what the climb ahead was going to be like.
1500 feet of climbing and the most amazing views of the valley. It took a while, and Leo and I climb at very different speeds. I might have to struggle to keep up with him on the flats, but when were climbing, it a little different. I got the the top which is, I think, 2,400 feet, and it was nearing sunset. I was covered in sweat and it was cold. Unfortunately, I got quite a ways a head of Leo, so I had a ten minute wait for him in the cold wind and wet clothes.
Leo finally found me, and we headed down the mountain. We cut through Santa Barbara as quickly as possible. We arrived at the beach-side campsite in Carpinteria around 8:30pm - after 113 miles of riding. I was so tired that I didn't even eat dinner. We set up the tent, and I climbed in and fell asleep.
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