First one is in the bank

Starting at Sea Level - Pacific Ocean

The Adventurers

Along the Pacific Coast Highway

On my way to Valencia, CA

Orange groves in the Valencia Area

A cool overcast morning in Santa Barbara welcomed 7 other riders and myself for the first leg of our adventure. After a brief ceremonial sendoff at waters edge where we let the surf wet our feet the group got on their bikes and started pedaling. Marcy was there to see me off; with a kiss and a hug, I was on my way.

The initial miles were along the Pacific Coast Highway only a few feet above the Pacific Ocean. At Seacliff, we took a road parallel to the PCH but even closer to the ocean. All along this road, campers lined the bikelane for a few miles. Once we reached Ventura we headed inland. At 36 miles into the ride, the sun finally broke through warming up morning. I'm glad I had the wind vest and arm warmers on up to this point as the air was quite brisk for this Floridian (in the 50's at the start).

Riding through this valley up to Valencia the tallest orange trees were the tallest I ever seen. Large vegetable farms were everywhere, as far as the eye could see. As we climbed up to an elevation of 1,186 the temperatures also rose into the 90's.

The group split into three sets of riders today. Three riders(53,58,60) from Colorado are quite strong on the bike as is one younger rider (47) from San Jose, CA. I paired up with a guy from Madison, WI and an riders from Iowa and Jupiter, FL made up the last group. As a group we probably finished within 20 minutes from first to last.

We rode 77.4 miles today; climbed 3,397' for a net elevation gain of 1,186'.

The group lost two participants over the summer so we only have 8 riders, two guides and the massage therapist.