Jeff:
Today we didn't do any riding and chose to go and check out La Jolla Cove on the kayaks. We saw the Garibaldi (read gold fish for Liz) and seals. Other than that we got the stuff ready and made dinner for the parents (read Liz was the chef and George the labor). We also worked on our tans and I took L and G to a genuine surf shop to get some decent sandals. I think they like them... Tonight we are leaving to drive to Berkeley and hopefully will not encounter any problems.
Other than that the time in SD has been relaxing, productive, and I'm bummed that we couldn't be here longer.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Point Loma
Distance: ~33 miles
Route: Google Maps
So yesterday was a fun day, like Jeff planned, we rode down to point loma, which was actually a pretty tough ride. Mainly, we had to scale two (in my opinion) extremely steep hills. I had to put the bike into lowest gear and just pedal quick to get up that thing. Unfortunately, when I'm going at such a slow pace, my balance on the bike is less than ideal. I don't know how I'm going to handle the bags that would kill balance even more.
Had a fun fall off my bike yesterday. As I pulled into a red light, my feet clips would just not unclip, and I basically fell over as I lost control, feeling like an idiot. Thing to remember: when I fall, fall RIGHT, away from traffic.
Route: Google Maps
So yesterday was a fun day, like Jeff planned, we rode down to point loma, which was actually a pretty tough ride. Mainly, we had to scale two (in my opinion) extremely steep hills. I had to put the bike into lowest gear and just pedal quick to get up that thing. Unfortunately, when I'm going at such a slow pace, my balance on the bike is less than ideal. I don't know how I'm going to handle the bags that would kill balance even more.
Had a fun fall off my bike yesterday. As I pulled into a red light, my feet clips would just not unclip, and I basically fell over as I lost control, feeling like an idiot. Thing to remember: when I fall, fall RIGHT, away from traffic.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Day 6
Jefe:
We didn't ride yesterday, it probably gave George and Liz a little recovery time. Today we will be riding out to Point Loma. Should be a decent ride since going there will be into the wind and returning will give us a tail wind. There will only be one hill to truly ride up on the return. Hopefully everyone is getting into better shape by now and on the tour will not have any trouble.
The weather is great and the mexican food is wowing G and L.
I will take them out to La Jolla Cove tomorrow for a morning paddle so they can see the Garibaldi. Things are going well so far.
We didn't ride yesterday, it probably gave George and Liz a little recovery time. Today we will be riding out to Point Loma. Should be a decent ride since going there will be into the wind and returning will give us a tail wind. There will only be one hill to truly ride up on the return. Hopefully everyone is getting into better shape by now and on the tour will not have any trouble.
The weather is great and the mexican food is wowing G and L.
I will take them out to La Jolla Cove tomorrow for a morning paddle so they can see the Garibaldi. Things are going well so far.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Training in San Diego
Location: Camp Pendleton (San Diego)
Miles Today: 25
Route: Google Maps
Well that was a tough day for all of us I think. We woke up pretty early, and decided to bike inland about 12 miles or so. In terms of scenery, it was repetitive but surprising that terrain can change so much within only few miles. From being parked on the beach, we went to SoCal outback within that distance. It was a mix of reds, yellows, and greens, mixed on an artist's pallet and smeared across the hills with electric poles marching across them: very different from the sandy beach that we're camped at.
Unfortunately, Liz took a dive when she and Jeff's bike collided in a minor accident. Nobody was hurt seriously, though she got a few bruises and scrapes along her arm. The bikes took a blow though, with Jeff and Liz each losing a few spokes. Hopefully, we won't see too many of this along the trip, although I doubt that we'll avoid them altogether.
As for myself, I was able to keep up with the pack, a complete departure from yesterday when I trailed them by what was probably close to a minute. I think the problem is that yesterday we encountered far more hills, though I suppose we can't really call them that, based on how small they really were. While I can keep up with these guys on flat ground,as soon as we hit an incline, my muscles just do not put out the kind of power I need from them. I'm not overly concerned, to be honest, since I figure that I'll be getting in much better shape as this trip continues.
Miles Today: 25
Route: Google Maps
Well that was a tough day for all of us I think. We woke up pretty early, and decided to bike inland about 12 miles or so. In terms of scenery, it was repetitive but surprising that terrain can change so much within only few miles. From being parked on the beach, we went to SoCal outback within that distance. It was a mix of reds, yellows, and greens, mixed on an artist's pallet and smeared across the hills with electric poles marching across them: very different from the sandy beach that we're camped at.
Unfortunately, Liz took a dive when she and Jeff's bike collided in a minor accident. Nobody was hurt seriously, though she got a few bruises and scrapes along her arm. The bikes took a blow though, with Jeff and Liz each losing a few spokes. Hopefully, we won't see too many of this along the trip, although I doubt that we'll avoid them altogether.
As for myself, I was able to keep up with the pack, a complete departure from yesterday when I trailed them by what was probably close to a minute. I think the problem is that yesterday we encountered far more hills, though I suppose we can't really call them that, based on how small they really were. While I can keep up with these guys on flat ground,as soon as we hit an incline, my muscles just do not put out the kind of power I need from them. I'm not overly concerned, to be honest, since I figure that I'll be getting in much better shape as this trip continues.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Jeff pretty much covered the first half of the day. That bike ride was definitely tiring, and I spent a good deal of it trying to remember why I decided to do this instead of chilling on my bed at home.
Afterwards, I failed at some boogie boarding, and we had a great dinner with Sergio's. I gotta say, I wish they would move up to Berkeley. I would just absolutely love it. Their burritos just have a special way about them, everything from the tortilla to the meat is just incredible.
Food on this trip has been A+.
Afterwards, I failed at some boogie boarding, and we had a great dinner with Sergio's. I gotta say, I wish they would move up to Berkeley. I would just absolutely love it. Their burritos just have a special way about them, everything from the tortilla to the meat is just incredible.
Food on this trip has been A+.
Day 4 San Diego
Jefe:
Today we all got up fairly early (read 8am, yes this is early) and got ready for our first real test ride. I took George and Liz down the coast heading south from Oceanside. We rode about 12-13 miles south, stopping in northern Encinitas. From there we turned around and returned home. It was a good ride with nice weather. George struggled on the return trip as it was the first time he had ever done something like this. Liz did really well, often times leaving us behind because we were too slow for her. However, the ride was successful and confidence is building along with skill. I have great confidence that by the time we have reached the Oregon Coast both of my friends will be more than capable of the daily rides.
Also they are getting better at kayaking and dealing with the puppies. This way of life if full of new and different experiences for them and it is interesting to see how they are dealing with it.
More will come...
Today we all got up fairly early (read 8am, yes this is early) and got ready for our first real test ride. I took George and Liz down the coast heading south from Oceanside. We rode about 12-13 miles south, stopping in northern Encinitas. From there we turned around and returned home. It was a good ride with nice weather. George struggled on the return trip as it was the first time he had ever done something like this. Liz did really well, often times leaving us behind because we were too slow for her. However, the ride was successful and confidence is building along with skill. I have great confidence that by the time we have reached the Oregon Coast both of my friends will be more than capable of the daily rides.
Also they are getting better at kayaking and dealing with the puppies. This way of life if full of new and different experiences for them and it is interesting to see how they are dealing with it.
More will come...
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Day Three - San Diego
I got woken up by Sheba kissing (and slobbering over) me all over my face. A guy can really get used to this.
After that, Jeff, Liz, and I went out for a quick stroll around a parking lot with our touring bikes, and I was very pleasantly surprised how easy it was to balance on them today. I think a night of sleep really brought back the latent memories of biking, which I really hadn't done in a while. Still can't do that no-hands thing though.
We did some really fun kayakin after that. I noticed that with the fat yellow kayak (the one Amos had) I could actually intend to ride waves and actually do it. After switching back to the sleeker white one, I still did alright, catching a wave or two. Hell, I got so incredibly skilled at doing it that I was able to catch waves while not even on the kayak.
After showering, I exercised out my bottomless stomach and was pleasantly informed that I could in fact stuff down a steak, a chicken breast, bunch of sushi, salad, and a bunch of shrimp. Topped it off with some delicious cookies too. Good stuff. Delicious.
Of course, when is camping ever good without a campfire? Exactly. We built a pretty decent fire complete with delicious marshmallows. The stars in San Diego always feel a little lacking, since there's so many clouds that I can't seem to see anything at night. On the other hand, the sunset lit up some hills in the distance to create a kind of 4-layer Neapolitan with roads on the bottom, followed by chocolate hills, strawberry clouds, and orange sky, all sprinkled with a serving of headlights in both directions. It's one of those moments that make me really want a SLR to fool around with, since my point and shoot couldn't capture anything under the low-light conditions.
Anyway, off to bed with Mr. Blitz again. I swear, if Sheba wakes me up...
After that, Jeff, Liz, and I went out for a quick stroll around a parking lot with our touring bikes, and I was very pleasantly surprised how easy it was to balance on them today. I think a night of sleep really brought back the latent memories of biking, which I really hadn't done in a while. Still can't do that no-hands thing though.
We did some really fun kayakin after that. I noticed that with the fat yellow kayak (the one Amos had) I could actually intend to ride waves and actually do it. After switching back to the sleeker white one, I still did alright, catching a wave or two. Hell, I got so incredibly skilled at doing it that I was able to catch waves while not even on the kayak.
After showering, I exercised out my bottomless stomach and was pleasantly informed that I could in fact stuff down a steak, a chicken breast, bunch of sushi, salad, and a bunch of shrimp. Topped it off with some delicious cookies too. Good stuff. Delicious.
Of course, when is camping ever good without a campfire? Exactly. We built a pretty decent fire complete with delicious marshmallows. The stars in San Diego always feel a little lacking, since there's so many clouds that I can't seem to see anything at night. On the other hand, the sunset lit up some hills in the distance to create a kind of 4-layer Neapolitan with roads on the bottom, followed by chocolate hills, strawberry clouds, and orange sky, all sprinkled with a serving of headlights in both directions. It's one of those moments that make me really want a SLR to fool around with, since my point and shoot couldn't capture anything under the low-light conditions.
Anyway, off to bed with Mr. Blitz again. I swear, if Sheba wakes me up...
Day 2 - San Diego
Well, last night was just a bundle of fun. I woke up more than a few times at night thinking that there would be a lot of rain, when in reality it was just the gale winds blowing the rainfly into the tent. Now, fortunately, even though I only got sand in my ears and mouth, I had a easier time than my tentmates, for whom the tent completely collapsed onto their faces.
Today was a chill day, Liz and I attempted some racquetball, and actually improved quite a bit from hitting it into each other's heads and bodies. No biking today on account of wind and rain.
After that, we all headed over to Emily, Jeff's friend's, place, and had a delicious dinner there. Some incredible pasta with just all around good salad. Then we all kinda soaked into the hot tub, which was just...so fantastic. I have to say though, I think I kind of had a drug trip in that tub. First, before everything, allow me the disclaimer that I was not wearing any glasses, and thus had slightly fuzzy vision. With that said, I saw I floating tree. As I gazed across the yard, the only things that were lit up were various palm trees. However, I noticed one that apparently...ended in mid-air, and was supported only by a metal pole. 'A tree on a plate?' I thought to myself. Continuing my gaze, the realization of what was different about this "tree" hit me...it had creases. It was really a closed umbrella. The "bottom" was really just the edge. Awesome, aren't I?
Speaking of just strange hallucinations, it began to rain pretty hard while I was in that tub. i realized that if I threw most of my body into the water, but leaned back with my head, the hot tub would rob me of all my senses. But it was beautiful. The rain would just fall over my face unpredictably, and hit me me like tiny drops of consciousness. Each one hitting a slightly different place activating a different sensation of sudden coldness fading into nothing. Beautiful.
Anyway, I'm off to sleep in the trailerhome.
Today was a chill day, Liz and I attempted some racquetball, and actually improved quite a bit from hitting it into each other's heads and bodies. No biking today on account of wind and rain.
After that, we all headed over to Emily, Jeff's friend's, place, and had a delicious dinner there. Some incredible pasta with just all around good salad. Then we all kinda soaked into the hot tub, which was just...so fantastic. I have to say though, I think I kind of had a drug trip in that tub. First, before everything, allow me the disclaimer that I was not wearing any glasses, and thus had slightly fuzzy vision. With that said, I saw I floating tree. As I gazed across the yard, the only things that were lit up were various palm trees. However, I noticed one that apparently...ended in mid-air, and was supported only by a metal pole. 'A tree on a plate?' I thought to myself. Continuing my gaze, the realization of what was different about this "tree" hit me...it had creases. It was really a closed umbrella. The "bottom" was really just the edge. Awesome, aren't I?
Speaking of just strange hallucinations, it began to rain pretty hard while I was in that tub. i realized that if I threw most of my body into the water, but leaned back with my head, the hot tub would rob me of all my senses. But it was beautiful. The rain would just fall over my face unpredictably, and hit me me like tiny drops of consciousness. Each one hitting a slightly different place activating a different sensation of sudden coldness fading into nothing. Beautiful.
Anyway, I'm off to sleep in the trailerhome.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Arrival in San Diego
After driving about eight hours we arrived in SD. Surprisingly its actually overcast and its going to have a thunderstorm tonight. We'll be hangin out at pendleton for the rest of the day. I'm just testing out the blogger email thing with this, but expext updates as the month goes on.
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