In the spring of 2012 I decided to take a solo, self-contained cycling tour up The Pacific Coast on my recumbent trike. This was something that I needed to do for a lot of reasons. I had dreamed about doing a really big bike tour for many years. The dream kept getting deferred – because life got in the way. But in March-April, all the parts came together – I had the time, the money and the physical well-being to make it happen.
As you’ll see, the trip didn’t turn out exactly as planned. But in many ways it turned out better. This trip, and the experiences Nancy and I shared together, is partly the genesis for The Recumbent Gourmet. It’s a great way to get to know us and the adventures we strive to enjoy and share with you.
Note: These posting are reprints (with significant judicious editing) of the journal that I kept of this ride at Crazy Guy On A Bike
Saturday April 21, 2012 18 miles (29 km) - Total so far: 359 miles (578 km) After yesterday's hectic running about, Nancy and I decided to take it easy this morning. With a new wheel gleaming on the back of my trike, we headed out to Sausalito to do a short ...
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Sunday April 22, 2012 31 miles (50 km) - Total so far: 390 miles (628 km) Today is TARTAR - the Tour of the American River for Trikes and Recumbents. This ride is organized by our friend Wayne Leggett. Wayne owns and operates the 3-2-Go trike shop in Ventura. We first ...
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Monday April 23, 2012 Well, another rest day for us as we take the 90 minute drive from Sacramento into the Napa Valley. Our destination - the little town of St. Helena and the charming Shady Oaks Bed and Breakfast. We can't check in until 4:00, so arriving in town ...
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Tuesday April 24, 2012, 28 miles (45 km) Total so far: 418 miles (673 km) The Shady Oaks Bed and Breakfast sure knows how to make breakfast. We gorged ourselves on waffles, fruit and sausage, before heading out to explore the local area by trike. We settled into the seats ...
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Wednesday April 25, 2012 This trip is clearly not the pound shedding experience I had envisioned while I was planning. Our breakfast at Shady Oaks is again a delight of waffles and berries. Saying farewell to the Napa Valley, we load up the car and head for Sonoma. The landscape ...
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Thursday April 26, 2012, 22 miles (35 km) Total so far: 440 miles (708 km) After the usual huge bed and breakfast meal, Nancy and I get ready to ride in Sonoma. Today's plan is to make our way on surface streets to The West County & Joe Rodota Trails ...
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Friday April 27, 2012, 5 miles (8 km) Total so far: 445 miles (716 km) Today was a fascinating drive. We follow CA Route 128 north and west for almost 70 miles from Cloverdale, a few miles north of Healdsburg, through the Alexander Valley to the Navarro River headlands on ...
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Saturday April 28, 2012, 22 miles (35 km) Total so far: 467 miles (752 km) Today's plan is to ride the old logging haul road that run parallel to the Big River for about 8 miles from the beach in Mendocino. It's only a mile or so from our hotel, ...
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Sunday April 29, 2012 Today is a turning point of sorts. Today, we pack up the car and we head south from Mendocino. For this first time on this trip, we are turning back the way we came. Away from the new and unknown and toward home. Away from the ...
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Tuesday May 1, 2012, 32 miles (51 km) Total so far: 499 miles (803 km) Today's ride takes us from the little village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, to Monterey, including part of the famed 17 Mile Drive. Cars pay a fee of $9.75 for the privilege of cruising this scenic route, but ...
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