Today started out with crazy terrain, but worth it for the views. I left Stanford and once in the hills started a continuous ascent close to 1000 feet. I was biking uphill, pretty hard, for close to an hour. But as I climbed past these amazing estates, I eventually hit a gorgeous forest cathedral area. And then the ascent down the other side of the hills was almoat as long. In fact I think I may have more than made up the time because I reaced the ocean at San Gregorio state beach by 9 a.m. where I had a beach breakfast bagel.
The ride down the pacific coast highway started from there. It was amazing to have the ocean visible most of the whole way to my right, and I could also hear the waves and smell the salt. On the left were either stunning cliffs or farms, including a lot of strawberry farms that scented the road quite well :).
I saw lots of other bikers, and beach goers and surfers and in santa cruz skateboarders. I got there, about 60-65 mi. in, around 12:30. Stopped at a pizza place, reupped water and took a break. Then I biked out of Santa Cruz on a slightly less exciting route because the ocean was no longer omnipresent. Got to sunset state beach around 4:00, made a weird but imaginative tarp tent using my bike because there are no convenient trees, and took a HOT SHOWER! I was so dirty it was almost comical. Day 1 down!!
Unfortunately my service isn't great and the blogging app isnt working well, so I can't upload photos. Will share on here asap though.
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