Sunday, June 10, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 40–San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

We left San Luis Obispo (SLO) with the idea of riding along the coast via CA1. We should have looked at the map more carefully than we did. It doesn’t run along the coast for very long south of SLO until near Santa Barbara. We stuck it out for a bit. Since we couldn’t see anything, we hopped on 101 and flew down to Santa Barbara (SB).

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

My wife had visited SB a few years ago, but it was my first visit. It was as pretty as she had described with palm trees and the Spanish inspired architecture.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

We stopped for a very tasty lunch, and then spent entirely too much money at the bakery. They packed it all into a white box. After a little bit of shuffling, we managed to fit it into the top case.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

After lunch, we wanted to see the ocean we’d been missing, so we went the beach to relax.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

We spent a couple hours just watching the world go by. We were sitting in the shade as the sand was a bit warm.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

My wife was sporting the latest in beach fashion:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

A bunch of motorcycle cops flew by escorting some runners. Looked like a fun job.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

Even the squirrels wanted to visit the beach

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

Then we hopped on 101 and headed towards LA. I was hoping to skip LA and stay on CA1 and hug the coast to avoid the awful traffic mess that is LA. We have some old friends we haven’t seen in a while, and they made some time for us to come visit. About 50 miles out the mess started. It was also getting quite warm ~ 90F.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

I was under the impression my SV was too fat to lane split with the side cases, but after getting passed by several other motorcycles splitting I couldn’t take it anymore. For the uninitiated, lane-splitting is where a motorcycle shares the lane with the car. Typically, the cycle rides along the dotted line between cars. It is silly you can split everywhere else in the world and California, but not the rest of the US. It is safer for bikes and easier on traffic flow.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

I started splitting too. Wow! They have to make it legal in the rest of the country. Whenever the traffic went below 30mph, I hopped into the middle and crept past. Most of the cars moved over to give us more room. Very nice. A couple went the other way and tried to block. Silly cars. They were easy to pass the proper way, and then back to splitting. One of the things I really dislike is traffic and splitting made it much more tolerable. I’d almost consider moving to CA just for that perk.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

We had a nice dinner with our friends in Pasadena. They have busy crosswalks there! Just look at all the ways you can cross with this one.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

 

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 40 - San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles

 

PS: for those watching the SPOT, you know I’m already in Colorado Winking smile 

 

Day 40 Full Flickr Album

 

Today’s Route:


View Larger Map

7 comments:

  1. Did you stay at the A La Mar Motel in SB? I was a little tacky but cheap when I was there about 11 years ago.

    Love Vicky's outfit. Latest fashion, you know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We only had lunch in SB. We stayed over night in SLO and LA. Maybe next time we'll stay over in SB.

      I liked her outfit too.

      Delete
  2. It's always fun to try to cool off when riding in hot weather. You guys had the right idea with the zip off pant legs. I always chuckle when I have to walk around in shorts and riding boots. Those that ride understand.

    The waters and beaches look so warm down there. Sure wouldn't want to swim in the ocean this far north.

    What kind of goodies did you find at the bakery? I was hoping for some pics in the flikr album.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I dunno about fun like riding a twisty, but a challenge maybe. Zipoff pants are the best for moto traveling where space is at a premium. They work well for changing conditions too.

      I might have been warm. We didn't actually find out. You'd probably need a wetsuit to swim up by you.

      Will post more details on the food blog (eventually), I sent you an email with a pic.

      Delete
  3. I would have looked for any excuse to avoid LA. I was born and raised there and it's why I'm where I am now. The place just drove me crazy.

    Yes, very fashionable beach wear. I don't think the boots will be a hit though...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally understand why you'd want to avoid LA. I have been successfully avoiding it for years, but our friends had their third kid. We had to visit to see the baby. you know how that goes.

      Delete
    2. the boots are way more fashionable than crocs ;)

      Delete