Day 6: San Simeon

Cale, our impromptu camp guest, looked at our bike in the morning. We were having a couple issues. The bike did work a little better. We all left around the same time, Cale sprinting up the hill to Hwy 1 while we walked up the steep hill. This was the first time we have walked up a hill! Cale's bike was steel frame but had thin tires and only twenty spokes. He carried all his gear in front panniers. He was breaking spokes. Luckily he rides a lot and has lots of bikes so he knew what to do. Next time I think he will change his set up. Riding day after day carrying gear puts a lot of stress on the bike (and our bodies). Wide tires, deep rims and 48 spokes on our rear wheel. Haven't had a flat yet.

Our first stop was Gorda. Cale was there having breakfast with another bike tourist, Cat. She was riding alone from SF to SLO after rock climbing in Yosemite in between grad schools. We had coffee and goodies.

After Gorda we had two big, long, steep climbs. Our hardest to date. Slow and steady we stopped only once each hill. Imagine we used to stop at the top of Rancho Vista out of breath. That "hill" is barely a bump in the road compared to this trip.

Ragged Point

We lunched at Ragged Point. We had some cell service so I called the office. Gave them encouragement to handle all the issues that have come up.











We had to stop and watch the elephant seals at Point Piedras Blancas.  Mostly young adult males fighting for fun.

Waiting for Jan at our prime campsite

We got to San Simeon State Park before Jan so we picked out a great site and lounged around until she showed up. It was pretty windy so after cooking the steaks we all ate in the camper. Cosy but nice. Funny, we have been together a week but still have things to talk and laugh about. After dinner we walked around the park and then sat around the fire until bedtime (9PM).