We woke up this morning to overcast and cool weather- great for cycling! The SART bike path was not crowded as we passed the Honda Center (Go Ducks!) and the Big A (Go Angels!) and headed out to the coast at Huntington Beach. Then it was turn left on the Pacific Coast Highway. As usual, the route through Laguna Beach was hairy, with no shoulder or bike lane and congested roads. Once we got through there and headed up to Dana Point, it was much more pleasant riding.
The PCH is gentle and undulating and I’m enjoying it after so many sustained climbs over the past six weeks. We rode the bike path through Crystal Cove. We also stopped in Laguna and talked with a German fellow about the differences between bike travel in America and Europe. The fog burned off and it was a spectacular day with a slight tailwind.
The California State Beaches are in a fluid state as far as which ones are maintaining hiker/biker sites. I stayed multiple times at a beautiful site in San Clemente and found out it was closed this season. So Ethan and I rode on to San Onofre and the ranger there gave us a site at the hiker/biker rate ($6pp).
Tonight will be interesting: we are 150′ from railroad tracks, 300′ from Interstate 5, and we can hear heavy artillery fire from Camp Pendleton. A little different from the forest sounds I’ve become used to!
Other highlights of the day: a huge beetle hitched a ride on my sleeve; a lemonade stand at just the right time; a cool chess board on the beach; and gorgeous views all day long.
BTW…I’m a Boston fan- Go Bruins! Go Red Sox!