Category Archives: On the road

Day 48 – Cambria to Morro Bay

43km – 2905 in total

I woke up at the back yard of the hostel, or more like the Bed&Breakfast since they didn’t have any dorms. There was a good selection of breakfast, with organic oatmeal and seeds, together with jam and nice bread. I had a good portion and took my time in the nice living room. I had another go with my rear break on the bike. It’s been very weak and I think it needs some professional attention if not new break pads. I went off at around 11am and the day today was slow, as I didn’t have to go that far. I have plenty of time ahead of me for Los Angeles, so I can practically cycle half days, which is good as I have more time to enjoy the places I go through. Or in another way I go as slow as possible to try and extend this trip as much.

The ride though out the day was really easy and I didn’t sweat a drop. Cambria is a bit inland, so the first part of the ride was through dry areas without many trees or any vegetation taller than bushes.

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I feel like meeting all of the residents.

I feel like meeting all of the residents.

On the way I came across a small state park and I went off for a short walk. I didn’t get all the way to the beach, but just half way to the water tank building. It was enough to find my self in the middle of nowhere, without anyone near by. I couldn’t even hear the cars from the highway.

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 I continued south and shortly after I met again with the ocean. It was very calm, but the sun shortly after went behind clouds and the fog.

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On the way I met Bryan, a cyclist we camped together in Big Sure. His buddy George was a bit ahead. We met him minutes later when he realized he had a flat. We all waited for him to patch it and ironically a minute later Bryan got one as well. I move on to Cayucos, before my final destination for the day.

Approaching Cayucos

Approaching Cayucos

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Approaching Morro Bay

Approaching Morro Bay

Morro bay is right after Cayucos. A few people had mentioned it’s a nice little fish town with a good campground so I decided to stay there.

Morro Bay is right behind this rock

Morro Bay is right behind this rock

Classic!

Classic!

On the way to the park I stopped at the Marine Life Museum. Most of the exhibits were interactive for kids to play with. I enjoyed seeing all the various birds close up and get an idea of what I’ve been seeing flying above me while cycling. The park was right around the corner. I set my tent, had a shower and went back in town for some famous fish and chips, as the town is famous for that.

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Look at this torpedo!

Look at this torpedo!

This powerplant is no longer in full operation

This power-plant is no longer in full operation

The town has two landmarks. The big rock right by the bay and the power plant. I entered a restaurant right opposite the factory and I had an extensive conversation with a local next to me in the bar. Tim bought me a beer and gave me many information for my next few days, together with some history lessons of the area.

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Day 47 – Krik Creek to Cambria

73km – 2861 in total

The night was surprisingly warm, even if my tent was right by the ocean. Maybe it was the overnight fog that trapped the heat. Despite the heavy fog in the morning, it didn’t feel humid and my tent was dry. That was good news to me, so by 9am I was gone for another wonderful day.

For the most of the morning I was within the clouds that kept the visibility low, but the excitement high as they would occasionally reveal the view behind them. I could see the mist hitting the coast and climbing up the cliffs.

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I had about half a bottle of water left and I was expecting to refill at Gorda just 10 kilometers south, before reaching the two long hills of the day. Unfortunately the couple of stores and the whole area didn’t have drinkable water. I filled one bottle anyway and for the first time I used these drops I have to purify it. I think it worked, or maybe I should confirm tomorrow.

Next stop was Ragged Point. I was expecting something as basic as Gorda, but it seemed to be the opposite. A big resort is built there, together with a few restaurants and bars. There was even a live band playing music outdoors in the middle of the day. The view to the north is spectacular which justifies why it’s so popular.

I am getting married!

I am getting married today!

View from Ragged point

View from Ragged point

By that time, the morning fog had almost disappeared and I was debating whether to have my picnic lunch by the live band, or move on to a nicer location. The music was cool, but it couldn’t fit with my state of mind at the time, so I left. Going downhill was great and after that last hill the scenery changed all together.  The mountains moved further inland and I enjoyed a long stretch of flat road, with the aid of some pleasant tail wind. I was cruising with minimal effort and it was nice.

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At some point I saw a group of people flying remote controlled glider planes right by a short cliff, taking advantage the ocean currents. They were flying back and forth, very fast and quite. I thought about having my lunch break there, but it was too windy, so I moved on.

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I went on for a few more kilometers south at Point Piedras Blancas and I finally found a spot worth hanging out for half an hour to eat. The beach was packed with sea Elephants. Hundreds of them were sleeping at the beach while throwing sand on their massive bodies. Some where still swimming nearby, others were fighting. It was like I was watching a live documentary.

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I moved on to San Simeon and the MoonStone Beach which had some nice cute houses right by the ocean. My destination was Cambria and I was planning to stay at the hostel to recharge after 3 days in the wild. Check in was at 5pm so I had an hour to go around the nice town. They have a scarecrow festival and every single house or business has a different scarecrow at its front porch. Some of them were hilarious and I could dedicate a whole post just for them. It’s obvious that people put a lot of effort into them.

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Don't text and drive

Don’t text and drive

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At a vintage store

At a vintage store

I went back to the hostel to find out that they currently don’t have dorms. There was a private room which was really nice, but a lot more expensive than what I was expecting to pay. In the end he left me put my tent in the back yard for $15 and let me use the facilities and have breakfast there in the morning.

At the hostel

At the hostel