VANCOMEX: 09/24/12

A big day was planned for today - another 150km+ ride with many long hills. As there was no breakfast facilities at the lodging we were up at 6am to go to the local supermarket for coffee, breakfast sandwiches and chocolate chip buns. Scott then drove us forward on our journey by 35kms which is where we stopped the previous day. We have now cycled 2432kms with 5 days to go!

We started cycling at 8.45am and although we knew the morning was going to be tough with many climbs we were all looking forward to it. Brian led us up the Big Sur climbs and the cycing started well. The fog lifted early leaving clear skies. The views of the coastline on Big Sur were spectacular. (see pictures). Dramatic sheer drops, crashing surf and wonderful views made the climbs seem much easier as we knew what to expect at the top of the next climb. We met Terri and Stewart in a viewpoint as they were taking pictures of the scenery and our bikes! It was good to see them further down the road as well.

Around 11.00am we stopped at Lucia for coffee and a BLT sandwich - wonderful. We then had two major climbs of 1000ft and 750ft to negotiate out of Monterey County and into San Luis Obispo County before finally reaching level coastal grasslands. The kilometers passed quickly towards lunch which we took just before San Simeon on a beach area heavily populated with elephant seals (see pictures). Scott provided us with a great picnic lunch in a car park. We sat in the sun for 40 minutes and relaxed before the last 55kms. We pushed hard to cover the distance as quickly as possible. There was some good leading of the peleton by Maurice and Tom to get us to our lodging in Morro Bay by 6.10pm. We have completed 18 days cycling with 5 days to go - Mexico, here we come!

Simon made a strong bid to win TWIT of the day - forgotten cycling helmet, spilt milk in the restaurant and poor leading of the peleton. By lunchtime, we all felt he must be the winner. However, during recall of TWIT events at the evening meal Tom came through strongly. Tom left his helmet in the hotel reception (feeling this was normal behaviour), left water bottle at breakfast stop, fell off his bike in car park before ride started, delayed the group by taking photos after 10 minutes of 'faffing' and further evidence that the authors of this blog have forgotten! Tom you are a natural!