Monday April 9, 2012

50 miles (80 km) – Total so far: 146 miles (235 km)

I woke early and ready to get on the road for day 3 of the trike adventure.

The PCH was very quiet early on Monday morning.   I was concerned there might be rush hour traffic, but those concerns were clearly unfounded.   Almost no traffic in either directions and I rode past the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean near Point Magu.

I exited the highway near the Point Magu Naval Air Station and followed surface streets into the little town of Port Hueneme.   I ate a late beakfast here,  before riding along the Harbor Drive past Oxnard into Ventura.   Lots of Naval activity in this area – bases, military housing,  defense industry and the occasional military vehicle are what I remember most from this section.

In Ventura,  I entered the beach trail and rode up the beach for a few miles.   Unfortunately, the police has closed the north end of the beach trail today for maintenance.    A traffic cop directed me across some railroad tracks to an unpaved trail that ran for about half a mile before entering the RinCon highway – the old PCH.   I was pissed off at the time, because this wasn’t my planned route,  but it actually saved me from riding several miles on the 101,  so in retrospect,  it is probably a better route.

This stretch was familiar from last fall when Nancy and I came here to ride in the Cool Breeze Century Ride.   I remembered there is an unmarked bicycle path that runs from the end of Rincon out to the 101,  so I took that.   About three miles on the 101 – big trucks going very fast – not a favorite.   I guess I better get used to it,  cuz there is a lot more of it to come.

Exiting the highway at Bates Road. There is a steep climb through a beautiful equestrian neighborhood.   One of the residents directed me to a great unmarked bike trail than ran for about 1/2 mile and exited on the main street in Carpenteria.   I loaded up at the supermarket in town,  then rode the short mile to the state beach.

Another great camp ground. The hiker-biker sites are in an open field next to the railroad tracks.  The fellow camping next to me split a bottle of wine with me while I ate the provisions from the grocery store. We wandered over to the beach to check out the sunset,  then I turned in for a good nights sleep.