A Short Rant :: San Luis Obispo to Pismo Beach

After packing our food pannier with goodness from San Luis Obispo’s Natural Foods Coop, we wandered along vineyards to Price Canyon Road, which took us in to the town of Pismo Beach.

Vineyards

When we arrived at Pismo Beach State Park we, sadly, discovered they had done away with their hike/bike rates. Instead of paying $5/person we [Read More…]

Ups and Downs :: Ragged Point to San Luis Obispo

It was raining when we left Ragged Point but within the hour we were dry and peeling clothing off as it warmed up. The weather remained finicky throughout the day, bursting into occasional spritzing and then just as quickly disappearing.

As we cycled away from the secluded shores of Big Sur toward San Simeon, the road faded into more relaxed, rolling hills.

[Read More…]

Happy 40th Birthday Kai!

You are a man of integrity and courage. Open-hearted, you take in the world, in all its beauty and all its sorrow, and you stand determined to love and protect what is sacred. For all of this, and more, we love you.

Big Sur :: Pfeiffer State Park to Ragged Point

Big Sur, California

The ride through Big Sur was spectacular. With the Santa Lucia mountains to the east of us, the Pacific to the west and the sun shining down on us, it was hard not to have huge smiles on our faces, despite all of the intense climbing.

In fact, I discovered, quite by accident, that I climb better with a [Read More…]

From Monarchs to Redwoods :: Monterey to Big Sur

After soaking up dunes and beach time in Marina, we cycled down the Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail, and then the Bay Coastal Trail, which led us quickly past Sand City and into Monterey, CA.

As luck would have [Read More…]

Racing to the Bottom :: Realities of Life as an Airline Pilot

When people find out I was an airline pilot, nine times out of ten, the response is something akin to, “Wow, no wonder you can afford to ride your bike around the world!” I usually respond to this kind of statement with a quick insider lesson on the realities of the US airline industry in which I focus upon dispelling the myth of huge salaries and lavish lifestyles. Most people [Read More…]