Here we go again: 16 days to cycle 1700 lumpy miles solo & unsupported from Seattle to San Diego. Hoping to raise funds for the Royal British Legion & Bloodwise: wheels turn on September 10th...please help these great causes!
It was fair to say that I was not particularly looking forward to today's 'San Diego or bust' stage: it wasn't the distance so much as the unpleasant route through Los Angeles to the coast. No matter what way you looked at it, it was going to involve some fairly bike-unfriendly stretches...
Unpleasantness can wait for a few miles. Bye, Santa Monica...
Even though I was away as early as light would allow, there were quite a few folk out exercising. Just not in this shot!
Cheers Venice.
The cunning plan was to route down the coast on bike paths and then unfortunately I'd have to cut inland and fight across to pick-up the bike trail along the Los Angeles River. All detailed beautifully in my cue-sheet...
One careful owner: may show slight signs of wear. Plastic bag to protect it from er, natural moisture. Nice!
I tried hard but it was actually enjoyable cycling along the paths even though I knew it wouldn't last, hah-hah!
Marina del Ray just behind. Handy, that.
One of the benefits of getting-up early doors is seeing stuff like this!
LAX not far away.
You might see the bloke top-left: loads of people making the beaches beautiful again. Fantastic!
The time had come to turn left and find the unloveable Sepulveda Boulevard which would take me to the river. You'll not be surprised to learn that I didn't take too many/any photos for two good reasons: one, there ain't much to see and two, it's a case of hands on the bars and look-out!
Move along, nothing to see here...
The river...get in! Well not in, more alongside but you get the idea.
Not many about.
It was so good to leave all the dodgy surfaces and traffic behind: the river path would lead me to Long Beach and from there it would only be 100 miles to go. Result!
The Port of Long Beach.
The Queen Mary. The Cannonball Run finished over there, right?
Er, a lighthouse. Listen, it was there, so it got photographed. Them's the rules!
Remember the US Grand Prix? I just passed the start/finish line. Did John Watson win it way back in 1982?
From there it was a case of keeping the water on your right hand side and just plough-on. My goal was fairly simple: just reach San Diego before sunset!
Loved rockin' down to...
Looks like quite the place you've got there, Don.
Impossible not to start singing Beach Boys numbers.
So after about 45 miles I hear another two-wheeled fellow just about to pass me, when the gent asks if I'm really going as far as SD today? Anyway, he very graciously offers to tow-me for a while...we ride along together and because the pace lifts a little, the next ten miles are reeled-off quickly.
Jeff/Geoff. No matter, an absolute diamond!
Geoff/Jeff (I never know) had cycled from Irvine in Los Angeles down to SD a few times so he was able to give me a couple of pointers as it's not just as simple as 'stay on the coast road': it never is, is it?
He asked about my Bloodwise jersey and I told him that that was one of the two causes that were being helped. Turns out Jeff is fighting cancer for a third time, and will start treatment again soon. You'll have to go a very long way to find someone with such a fantastic outlook. It was a privilege to chat and cycle with you Sir. Wishing you all the very best!
*Update*: How about this? Jeff (definitely 'J') has only found this blog and made a very generous donation too...words fail in this case, so a big thank you and warmest wishes will have to do. Wow! And there's a song added for you at the end of this...
Where's all this low-nonsense coming from? Clear off.
Really? And I thought it was just surfing.
There are significant stretches where bikes are not permitted but as you can see, they have now created fantastic bike paths. A couple of them need some finding though: easy when you know where!
Yeah it's cloudy/misty but it's still warm enough. Keep drinking...
Hugh Hefner. In memoriam.
You couldn't get more aero than this!
Er, you sure this is okay? Was spot-on, actually.
The route then sort of peters-out and you are allowed to ride on the shoulder of the Interstate for about 5 miles or so. Hello I5 you rascal!
Well at least the sun is back.
Was fine, in the event and it chalked-off another few miles.
There was a rest area so I made use, as I was low on water and wanted to check the next section. Ah hell, things were beginning to grumble too so I was glad to sit in the shade for 15 mins or so!
I keep my mobile switched-off most of the time, but will check for messages etc. at these stops. Anyway, I had a text message from my mate Geoff (sure of the spelling in this case): it focusses your attention when it begins, "Guv, I have genuinely shocking news."
Geoff said that he had been feeling lousy for a couple of weeks so went to his GP. After a blood test he was told to go straight to the hospital: he has been diagnosed with Leukaemia. If there is any upside of any remote sort, it is that it is treatable and that a plan has been put into effect. Geoff starts chemotherapy on Tuesday, and my very best goes out to him, and today's ride is dedicated to you mate.
Just in case you're thinking that it's a bit off to post something so personal here, Geoff has posted all this on Facebook and similar, just to keep everyone in the picture. I texted him back and the best that I had was mentioning the irony of it, as I was just about to tap him up for a donation! And of course he has. Go on Suggs, we're all with you!
And we're back by the beach with about 45 miles to go...
Yes! We're back on it.
Cadillac time.
Olds.
Twee Del Mar. Quite a few shoppes here.
Up ahead I cloud see a fellow standing beside his bike which was upturned: I stopped asked if he needed a hand...although in reality, if it needed much beyond changing a tube you're better-off looking elsewhere, hah-hah!
Anyway, his internal gears on his hub were toast and he came out with some cock-and-bull story about how his wallet was in his hotel room, blah-blah-blah. Then he says if I give him $20 that would be a big help. You don't say, pal. Anyway, you had to admire his front and he was pretty agitated already, so I cycled away $20 lighter, hah-hah! Wonder was I the only mug...
The road arcs around to the left: so begins the slog up to Torrey Pines.
"No we are not doing f**king Stonehenge tonight!"
I stopped another cyclist on the outskirts of San Diego and asked if I was using a sensible route to downtown: she was joined by a couple of pals and they pretty much lead me to within a mile of my hotel! Lisa, Andy and Paul were all Chemistry post-grads and cycling home after a long day of being very clever. Truth is that they were all going out to a pub shortly after but I'd be in no condition to join them, hah-hah!
Just beat sunset...yes!
It was terrific to see San Diego again after 12 years and I eventually found my hotel: no fleapit this time, thankfully.
Cue the usual double-takes and disapproving glances, hah-hah!
Staff were fine, in the event.
Thanks chaps- you did good today.
Looking forward to never having to wash these things ever again!
With check-in and admin done, there remained one more point of business...
Cheers everyone and thank you!
If you've been sad enough to follow this blog, you'll know that this trip hasn't been a cakewalk (even with the rest days!) and it was never intended to be. We saw some sights, met some brilliant people and generally loved it. We also raised about £3000 to be split equally between The Royal British Legion and Bloodwise...a massive thank you is well in order!
If you would like to donate then please follow this link...HERE!
For today's tale of the tape, Strava louts click on this bit.
As this post marks the close of play, we're gonna have a few tunes before we go. Your requests: well, the polite ones at any rate...
The title is a bit of a misnomer, as this wasn't an odd day really at all: out of the ordinary, certainly. I almost set the bar too high when I actually managed to get myself on the right bus in time to get to The Petersen Automotive Museum for it opening at 10.am....wow! By the way, just how daftly massive is Los Angeles? More on that tomorrow at some very late stage, I hope...
Awful photo but it gives you an idea of how fantastic the place looks.
Non-car people should look away now: in fact you might be better-off making a cup of tea or similar...this may go on for some time, hah-hah!
Christine meets Herbie.
Magnum P.I. vs Back To The Future
Thelma and Louise
Batman!
The Great Gatsby.
After that, it was mix of exhibits and I'll just post a ton of photos as per...
With that, I was done there and had to move on: next stop was Sunset Boulevard, and a little stroll down it...
A few played back here in the day. All my iTunes, basically.
The Rainbow Bar & Grill: notorious 70s hang-out for bands...
I stopped-off at The Rainbow and paid my respects to the departed Motorhead frontman and volume-specialist, Lemmy. He spent an inordinate amount of time in the place, so it seemed appropriate to raise a glass...
Cheers to Chairman Lem!
I did sit there too.
Needs more memorabilia.
Hazardous profession.
With that done, I was able to meet-up with my Los Angeles (well, via Boston MA) pal Greg. He was good enough to drive in from his place about 300 miles away (I exaggerate a tad, but it might as well be with that traffic) and we set-off for a late lunch and a catch-up. Great to see you again Guv'nor!
The Lake Shrine at Pacific Palisades. Think National Trust, and you're almost there.
Go Wee Man...
When you're seven, swans are a big deal. And this pair were a bit lively, to be fair!
Time for a beer and then g'bye!
Cheers Ears!
Right, I've spun-this out long enough so tomorrow hopefully I will be reporting in from San Diego: will be late, I'm sure. Anyway, here comes the usual messages...cheers!
To help Bloodwise & The Royal British Legion, please click HERE!
