Day 05, Rocky Point to Pismo Beach – 70 miles. Day 06, Pisomo Beach to Lompoc – 50 miles.
October 22nd, 2018 | 
Author: 
We start usually at 8 am every morning to enjoy the crisp mornings and light traffic. Today was no different as we left Rocky Point, only for me to notice I wasn’t getting and power to the pedals. Gauges showed on and power levels, but definitely no power. Paul had a similar issue when we were test riding the bikes over the summer… and pushing on of three buttons in some kind of sequence seem to do a reboot and after a couple of miles I was back to normal power control.
Our ride definitely flattened out as we left Rocky Point and past Hearst Castle. We continue to stop about every 10 miles to take a short break – these breaks included views of sea lions on the beaches.
Cambria was another break for coffee and goodies before we continued to Morro Bay.
The stretch to morrow bay was a bit tough as it was a headwind for 20 miles and along a very boring straight part of route 1.
Once to Morrow bay it was back to smaller city roads and some bike trails to SLO. From there a downhill run to Pismo Beach where we stayed at the Palomar Inn, with a gastro brewhouse on one side and a coffee house on the other. Coincidence?
We had dinner at the brewhouse to watch the dodgers lose, and coffee and breakfast at The Steaming Bean the next morning.
We left Pismo Beach early the next day as we had another 60 mile day with a large hill climb at the end.
Days 6 ride took us through lots and lots and lots of coastal farm land. There wasn’t much in the way of towns once we left Pismo/Glover Beach area. We had mostly rolling hills and eventually past a large farming distribution area before we arrived in Guadalupe. Guadalupe is a sleepy farming town, almost something out of a twilight zone. I came across the old Far Western Tavern Saloon and Steakhouse building (They are now relocated in Orcutt)
After Guadalupe we slowly continued along route one towards Lompoc and Vandenburg AFB. Our route took us past route one to a small road called Harris Grade Road, which was a steep twisty road up, with a nice downhill glide to downtown Lompoc.
Once we checked in and cleaned up, we headed to a couple of bars in old town. First was Jaspers, a funky old bar where the locals can hang. Then a few blocks heading back to the hotel we stopped in at Solvang Brewing Company to wet our whistles, eat some pizza and watch the Dodgers win game seven!
Make sure the lights are charged and working
The original Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe [/caption
Guadalupe is a sleepy small town
Our accommodations in Lompoc
Jaspers
Sorry, was too busy eating and watching the dodgers game – didn’t take pics of the place, but is was cool old building with indoor / outdoor casual seating.
Posted in 
Day 04 Big Sur to Rocky Point
Today’s ride will have about three 900 foot climbs, which means we will need to manage our battery unless you wish to pedal the full weight of the bike up those grades. Each day we can look at the profile to gauge how we might want to manage our power.
The rooms at Big Sur Lodge were like cabins, no ac but it cools off at night and you need to use the heater. In the morning we had about 6 deer out in front eating.
The morning started with a 900 ft climb, but we stopped at the mid way point at the Post office to mail some items.
The views are fantastic. This place was own once by Orsen Wells and Rita Hayworth.
One of the advantages of riding a bicycle is you can stop anywhere anytime
Every night we need to charge. Our room at Rocky Point.
And every night we try to clean our riding gear. Our view from the room.
This by far was the most challenging day regarding curves, small shoulders and climbs. But it was all doable.
Day 03 42 miles
Elevation Profile of our ride today
We left Marina CA at 8:30 with a marine layer with us. By the time we arrived in Monterey, the sun came out. My seat was giving me trouble so we stopped at a local bike shop that wasn’t opened yet, but there was a coffee shop opened next door 🙂
Bike seat did get resolved and we were on our way by 11:30 am
Once leaving Monterey Bay, the scenery started to change.
Being in a bicycle allows for a lot more stops for pictures
One of our many stops for the day
Approaching Big Sur area
Infamous bridge you see in a lot of commercials. There was construction here and a one way traffic with a flag man.
Picture of the bridge again… then we climb about two miles up about 600 feet. You can see the road off to the upper right of the pic. Once we reach the summit, we stop for another pic, only for me to discover my phone isn’t in my jersey pocket… after a thorough search, I head back down the hill to the bridge, where the flag man had my phone…
View from the top
We arrive at our days destination at Big Sur Lodge, where we unload to go for a three mile climb to a restaurant / bar overlook.
After a 3 mile climb to 1000 feet we arrive at Nepenthe
A much deserved beer with a view
This place and area was the home to the hippie movement in the 60”s
Finally seating on something softer with a cushion
On our way down back to the lodge, we stop to quench our thirst.
Funky bar that we got to watch the Dodgers win to get a 3-2 series lead
The bar had a small outdoor area that reminded me of cooks corner
Back to our rental for the night that is located in the state park
Day 02- Costanoa Lodge and Resort to Marina ,CA…
62 mile day.
Routine in the morning, coffee and check emails…
This was a great place to stay. A secret place, highly recommend…. about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz.
First stop of the morning at a rest stop. It was chilly when we started, but warmed up nicely. Great view
Lighthouse in Santa Cruz. I changed the default route to one along the beach. Turned out to be a winner!
We passed the fun zone in Santa Cruz. Lots of different roller coaster right on the beach
Another view of the coasters
Our alternate path took us past the fun zone, but then had to walk out bikes across an old railroad bridge. I took this one of Paul towards the park…
Paul took this one towards the bridge.
After leaving the Santa Cruz area, you eventually run into the farming belt between Monterey and Santa Cruz
Our path took us down some remote roads through the farms
On our way to Marina CA, we came across these lawn arts at a leather store
Looks like a chopper
A best western for tonight’s stay
Salt Wood Kitchen across the street in the beach
Sitting at the bar for dinner…
At a nice restaurant …
