Links and More

Home
My Equipment
My Links
My Photos
My Training
My Tours
My Trips

Monday 07/14/08 - Sunset State Beach to San Lorenzo County Park

The tractor decided to start early today at 6 am. If I were a regular camper I would have been so upset. I didn't come all this way, but I wasn't instead I was a touring cyclist that needed to get up. I didn't get up quite yet, I tried for a little more sleep. It didn't happen so I finally got up at 6:30 am. I began the routine of getting breakfast, packing up, cleaning up the dishes, changing the clothes, getting the water bottles, and then loading up to head out. It was 7:40 am when we left camp, which was an early start. 

As we cycled down the road you could feel the mist in the air. It must have just rolled in because nothing was wet when we packed up this morning. During the next 6 or 7 miles we followed the farm roads on the way back out to Highway 1. There were more scent filled strawberry fields to enjoy, just awesome. Traffic was on the mild to heavy side for a Monday morning. No problems with cars just lots of them. Soon it was time to get off of Highway 1 and follow more farm roads. Then we got on the Fort Ord Bike Path. This is a very nice bike path that will take you all the way into Monterey. But today we would only be going to Marina. Once there we would detour into the Salinas Valley because of the Big Sur fire. About a mile or two into Marina and we found County Road G17, Reservation Road, that would take us inland. As we went down this road we spotted a Subway. Not having any idea what we would find later in the day for lunch I suggested that we get sandwiches to go for now. After a quick stop for the sandwiches we headed back out to Reservation and headed out of town. Road G17 wasn't that bad and we enjoyed a nice shoulder lane for quite a few miles. But as soon as we were out of town and in the farmlands the shoulder started to disappear, it wasn't gone altogether, just wasn't as big. Just past Highway 68 is where the shoulder vanished totally, but that was okay since the traffic also vanished, most where getting on the freeway. 

We continued to follow this road and enjoyed it for the most part. Not much around, just farmland, but there were also no real hills to speak of. We were mainly at the base of the hills so it wasn't hard riding. To our left we could look out at the miles of farmland and off in the distance we could see Highway 101. Eventually we would hook up with it somewhere. Before we had left on the trip I had tried to research if you could ride on 101, supposedly you can, but I couldn't find out which sections. It was getting plenty warm out and a slight breeze was kicking up, we didn't realize it much because it was a tailwind and helping us along.

When we hit Chualar River Road we made the decision to follow it to Highway 101 and see if we could get on here. At the end of Chaular River Rd we made a left then followed it around to the entrance of Highway 101, no sign telling you to stay off so we headed onto the on ramp. This is when we really noticed the tailwind. I was doing 25 mph and Steve was close behind. In no time at all we covered 5 miles and made it to Gonzales. When we hit the first exit it had the sign saying cyclists had to get off the freeway, I knew that the main street would go through and then put us back on 101 at the other end of town. We needed a break so we got off and stopped at the first gas station. We decided to make this our lunch stop and pulled out our sandwiches. For some reason that Pastrami tasted really good today, maybe it was letting the oil and vinegar soaking in all morning. We got a few Gatorades, enjoyed the shade, and then headed out of town. On the other side town we were able to get back on 101. This part wasn't as good, too much debris, Steve got a flat along this stretch. 

The next section we had to get off at was Greenfield. Once again we exited, rode through town, and then at the other end of town we were able to get back on 101. This section was much better and we were making some good time once again. The wind was really blowing now, thank goodness it was a tailwind. I was now riding at 26 to 27 mph. Steve wasn't keeping up as much but I could still see him in the mirror. As long as I could see him I would keep going.

It was along this section that I started to see the El Camino Real Historic signs and bells. Not sure what that is all about. Something to check out when I get back home. 

Up ahead is King City. We've really made good time. It's only a little past 2:30 pm and we're done for the day. I didn't think we would get here until at least 4 or even 5 pm. I guess that tailwind helped out a little bit.

We get off at the first exit into King City and make our way down Broadway, we go under the freeway, and then follow it to the Lorenzo County Park. We make our way through the entrance and find a huge display of tractors and other agricultural equipment. I told Steve this is where tractors go to die. They had tracks for a train, not sure if they have one that works. It was a quiet Monday as we went through here. No camp host on duty today and no one at the entrance. We finally found the self check in area and picked out a campground.

Most of the sites here are for RVs and Trailers, but they do have a few sites for tents. Very nice sites as there is grass, picnic benches, water, fire pits, and even electric hookups all for the low price of $25.00. Between the two of us it was worth it, otherwise it would have been pricey for one person. We found that the showers were included in the fee so that was good, also they had a laundry room with a library of books. Supposedly there is a river or water nearby, I didn't bother to go looking for it.

The wind continued and became a pain as we started dinner. We had to hang on to the plates so they wouldn't fly away. Steve spent some time doing laundry and some bike maintenance. I spent time looking at the maps for tomorrow and reading. I'm still not sure about the route that we'll be taking. I was hoping we could follow 101 most of the way but there are a couple of points that I wasn't sure of. Hopefully I've got enough map that we'll be able to figure things out.

It was a pretty quiet evening with not too many people around. But we did have an interesting conversation with the folks from the RV that was parked across from us. A retired couple came back from their evening bike ride. They had these smaller comfort type bikes, almost looked like a Bike Friday, but they didn't fold up. The wife came over to us to ask questions about her bike. It made a squeaking noise when she used the brakes and wanted to know if she should put grease on it to quiet the noise down. Steve and I both looked at each other and tried not to laugh, "no grease, you just need to wear in the brakes, they're still too new."

It was getting late and time for bed. Tonight would be a good night with no tractor to wake us up in the morning.

 

Pictures for the Day
Curses on you tractor for getting us up at 6 am!	The rig is packed and ready to go.	Heading out of Watsonville, enjoying a few more of those strawberry fields!	Steve and the fields.  A bit of overcast this morning.	Heading to Monterey, too bad we have to take a detour.
Calling work to find out the news.	The town artwork.	Heading towards Marina.	Downtown Marina.  Just got our sandwiches and we're heading out of town.	More of the farmlands and fields.
The clouds have cleared out and it's a gorgeous day.  Heading along the Coast Range.	Still plenty of farmlands to see...	...not too many hills to climb today.	Highway 101 and we're making good time now.	Steve right behind as we hit 25 mph.
Heading through Downtown...	...Soledad.	Back on 101 and almost to King City.	Camp is setup and we're enjoying the area.	The sun is starting to set...
...enjoying the book.	Here is the map of the campground...	...and the map of the town.  Too bad it didn't tell us about the bridge that was out!	Each night we would lock up the bike and trailer to the table.

 

Daily Stats
Rider: Devin Holmes Time Left: 7:20 am Time Arrived: 2:40 pm Max mph: 32.1 Avg mph: 14.9 Distance:  77.80 Actual Time Riding: 5:12:29	Camp Fee: $12.50* (My share) Lunch: $10.00 Misc: $0 Groceries:$0 Shower: $0 Laundry: $0 Total Cost for today: $22.50

Copyright © 2003-2013 Devin Holmes