Wrapping up

I have five days left on the bike. Tomorrow we are riding 100 miles to reach Los Angeles, where we plan to stay with Charan, Samir's uncle. Camilo wants to spend two days in LA before pushing onwards to San Diego. Then it is a fifty mile ride to Huntington and a long haul to San Diego the following day.

Today we did a century ride while loaded. We said bye to Kyle early this morning. He has been on our radar since upper Oregon. Here he is:



We were about fifteen miles into the ride when Lukas broke a rear spoke. I tightened some of the other spokes with my sole wrench to keep the wheel truer and we removed the panniers from Lukas' bike. Lukas had an "easy" day, while Camilo and I hauled extra baggage. Check out my trailer!


With all that weight, my tire pressure was around 25 psi when we arrived at UCSB. It is usually at around 80 psi.

The ride today was long and hot. We had little water as we rode uphill through the desert-like land ten miles from the coast. With full sun and black asphalt, I felt like I was biking in Anthem again in Henderson.

Charan treated us to massive burritos on the UCSB campus near all of the frat and sorority houses. The burritos were twice the size of chipotle's, and I ate mine like I hadn't seen food in days. Thank you!!! Charan also took all of our gear ahead for us, so our century ride tomorrow will be relatively easy.

We are staying tonight with Phil Conrad and his husband Bob. Dr. Conrad was Camilo's freshman year computer science teacher at UD, and he was kind enough to let us crash at his apartment for the night. An avid musician, he and Camilo played guitar together. Classical guitar is one of the most beautiful sounding forms of music. I love it.

Five more days. That's it. Part of me wants to stop in LA. I miss family and I can't wait to get home. I am going to finish the trip to San Diego though. I am so close, and I don't want to ditch Camilo and Lukas at the very end. I will be home or with Calvin in Manhattan until September 7 when I move to Seattle. Lots of cookie baking in my future!

It is weird to be finishing, having been on the road for 30 days, longer if I count my train ride. So many sights, people, jokes, and stories... It really has been a grand adventure. I have learned a lot about everyone in our group, and about myself.

Love and best wishes.