Category: Rides

Coastal Mixed Loop with Company

Today I had the good fortune of some company for a ride out and back along the coast.  Our friends Courtney and Michael came out, he and I rode the coast, and met up with the ladies in Carpinteria for lunch before heading home. The weather was perfect, shorts and t-shirts perfect. 

A little time on the road, a stop in La Conchita for some coconut water, and then some dirt on the coastal cliffs.  Theis stretch between the cliffs and the railroad tracks makes the time on the 101 shoulder worth it.  With the recent rains everything was still in great shape and the trails were hard packed.  The trails are only a couple of miles along the railroad tracks with a good amount of single track woven into the route to keep it fun.  It was Mike’s first foray into skinny tires on dirt, and I think we may have a convert.  A quick run through Rincon Cycles with some tandem questions as well as a look through a shop that actually sells touring gear, then lunch with the wives.  Back on the bikes through the trails.

After the trails there is a stretch where you are squished in on beat up black top between the ocean and the freeway.  I know the mountains cause most of it, but will never cease to be amazed how California manages to squeeze many of its highways and railroads right up against the ocean.

Back to a bit a sanity on the side roads home.  Great day, great company and looking forward to the next ride

Blessed

Today I was reminded by my wife to get out and go for a ride for myself.  This place is about a mile from home, sometimes I stop.  Most of the time it is a bridge to and from the other rides.  This is one of the many reasons my family works so hard to live here.  The beauty of our immediate surroundings is a blessing. 

Grabbing the coffee and heading out to enjoy a few minutes of the morning to myself, I made it to the bridge and decided it was a good day to just enjoy the view.  With all of the challenges of every day life it is easy to lose track of how fortunate we may actually be.  I have an incredible wife, a healthy 9 month old baby girl, extended family for support, food, shelter, and my own wits about me to keep things going.  Things are good, I am always striving to make it better, but things are always good.

Happy Friday, Play outside and enjoy your family!

Narrowing the View

Dusted off the DSLR with 50mm lens for a ride on the Traut today.  I thought it may be time to leave the fisheye at home for a week and focus on some different skills.  Today brought clear skies with snow in the mountains, temps in the 50s, it doesn’t get much nicer than this.

Spring wildflowers starting to pop.

Spotted a hawk with a fish for lunch.