For the Love of Bikes

Life is better on a bike!

Month: April 2013 (Page 1 of 5)

30 Days of Biking – Day 24

April 24, 2013 /
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Today was one of those days on the bike that perfectly captured what I love about riding a bike.

The ride started in a light drizzle and fog. Temperatures stayed cool even after the sun chased the fog and dampness away. We rode from Santa Maria thru the cycling town of Solvang before taking us to Santa Ynez, our home for the next two nights.

Typing on my android tablet is too tedious to write much but a few thoughts and memories:

Riding alongside field after field of beautiful crops of lettuce, cauliflower and bright red strawberries.

The speed of the farm workers working in the fields, literally running to pick.

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The strong scents of strawberries, cilantro, and the licorice scent of fennel.

The remoteness and quiet beauty of Foxen Canyon road.

Lunch at Zaca Mesa winery

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The steep little climb right after lunch/wine tasting

Climbing “the wall”, a very steep little climb and recognizing I can climb even when the grade is steep.

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The thrill of the twisty descent into Ballard Canyon.

Great conversation and coffee with my fellow tour riders and guide at the infamous Bulldog Cafe

And finally the luxurious Santa Ynez Inn

Stats: 48 miles, 2398 ft. of ascent, 1985 ft. descent

CA Central Coast Day 4 Santa Maria to Santa Ynez – Details

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30 Days of Biking – Day 23

April 23, 2013 /
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Today’s route took us along mostly rural roads through vineyards and farms as we made our way from Avila Beach to Santa Maria. The ride was similar in mileage and in ascent but vastly different in experience. We had far less traffic along today’s route and far more gorgeous scenery. Always a winner for me.

Mileage: 48.6 mi
Ascent: 1800 ft

CA Central Coast – Day 3 Avila Beach to Santa Maria – Details

Scenes from today’s ride:

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30 Days of Biking -Day 22

April 22, 2013 /
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My 22nd ride of April was a tough one. On paper, or more accurately on my Garmin 510, it doesn’t sound particularly tough – 2231 feet of ascent in 53 miles and 3002 feet of descent.

There was a long climb of about 3 miles with a grade of 6-7%, but an even longer descent to make up for it. One section of the descent was fairly steep and I definitely worked the brakes. I’m not used to climbs or descents like these. Also not used to the volume and speed of traffic we encountered on some of the roads.

We rode from Paso Robles to Avila Beach, stopped for lunch in a cool town on the coast, Morro Bay – home of a Prudential rock lookalike.

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Much of the ride though had that lovely bucolic scenery we saw on our 2011 trip along the northern coast and Sonoma county. Beauty abounds!

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All in all a great day on the bike.

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30 Days of Biking-Day 21

April 22, 2013 /
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Today’s ride was the first day of riding on our CA Central Coast tour. We took a train from San Jose to Paso Robles then rode a 23 mile loop around PR. A hot loop, temperature was in the high 80’s. We had a couple of long climbs and then long curvy descents. In 23 miles we ascended 1873 feet and about 1600 of descent. We had plenty of nice scenery and passed a number of wineries.

CA Central Coast-Day 1 Paso Robles Loop at Garmin Connect – Details.

Tomorrow we ride from Paso Robles to Avila Beach, about 45 miles. Much cooler temps predicted.

A few pics from today in beautiful California!

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30 Days of Biking-Day 20

April 20, 2013 /
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I wasn’t sure I would get a ride in today. We traveled to San Jose, CA where we are spending the night before meeting up with the group to start our next bike tour tomorrow.

Whenever and wherever we travel I like to check out local bike shops. One was within walking distance, Bicycle Express.

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What a great shop! Small, but filled with bikes, many vintage, and bike gear.Also filled with neighborhood customers and a friendly and enthusiastic owner and crew. Bicycle Express is to bikes what television bar Cheers was to beer. Great place!

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As some of you might know I’ve been considering getting (read: longing for) a mixtee. They had one, a Virtue which is made in San Diego. Having never ridden a mixtee I asked if I could take her for a spin. I only rode a few blocks but I did get a ride in – 20 for 20!

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I liked the bike and when we come back to San Jose before heading home if they locate a small frame size I’m going to ride it and?

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Check out Virtue bikes, many cool designs we don’t typically see in the US.

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