GREAT cycling route finds while on holiday

[Jorrin Peereboom]

Lisa, that sounds like a nice ride indeed! Have you entered the route you rode from SF to LA into the veloroutes website? I'd be quite interested to see it and ride it at some point in the next couple of years.For any of you interested in the route in SFO as I described above, go to the veloroutes website and look for 'golden gate racing bike'.

[Lisa Purnell 1]

I haven't entered it into the veloroutes Jorrin. Basically it was along the coast road all the way except for the bit just before Santa Barbara when I detoured inland as I wanted to have a rest day at a campground that offered eagle and wildlife watching from the lake. I am pleased to say that I saw two eagles and plenty of other animals as well. I will go and visit the site for your golden gate route.

[Jorrin Peereboom]

So Highway 1 until Santa Barbara basically, huh? Sounds great! I also explored some of the slightly more inland routes but the amount of roads is limited. Am therefore considering using the MTB so the trails through the canyons and forests can be used to link up. I would also like to ride some of the desert roads just the other side of the mountains, but similar to the trails and canyons one will need wits, water, food and plenty of spares; I drove some of the desert roads last month and you can drive 100+ miles without seeing anybody - nothing but road, scenery, and ehm, road and scenery. Even at the start of october temperatures reached 30 Celsius. I recall driving these roads many years ago in summer and it was nearer 45.Although slightly south of SF (one day ride), Monterey is also to be recommended. Not necessarily for the town itself, but certainly the whale watching trips they run from there. I did so and it was really magnificent, as the sea was flat and silver in the dampened sunlight reaching the surface through the dense fog. With the boat surrounded by dolphins, seeing several adult whales at less than 20 metres was exhilirating. I am sure that north of the Bay Area there will also be opportunities to do so.

[Lisa Purnell 1]

I sat at the harbour in Monterey drying my tent in the wind before the hostel opened and just below me in the water was a sea otter and her cub. She was floating on her back teaching the youngster how to crack open the shellfish. Quite amazing to watch. Didn't see any whales or dolphins though.I have had to get my photos out today to remind me of what a fantastic trip it was.If you are into off road stuff as well try the Great Divide before you hang up your cleats. It is brilliant.