Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 18

Saturday, Sep. 15, 2007

A Step Back into History

Vandenberg AFB → Oceano Dunes

Distance: 150.6km, Total: 475.82 km

After I woke up i discovered myself wrapped in a very thick fog! The clothes I did not pack properly and my sleeping bag got very damp during the night so I’v decided to pack all (!) of my clothes and even the shoes into the waterproof bags starting from today! As mentioned before this fog by itself is vital to hot areas like California which 'seems never to rain' ... So, nothing to be angry about but respectful to the great blessings of mother nature.

Thick Fog from the nearby Ocean

As I cycled along San Antonio Creek Road the fog cleared noticeable. Later I went onto  the Cabrillo Highway 135 into the direction Los Alamos and the sun pushed the rest of the fog aside. After the weather cleared I noticed that I was obviously riding in a desert, sand as far as the eyes could see. Now and then I could see some artificial well trimmed green islands in the distance which turned out to be vineyards taking advantage of the morning fog and the hot sun during the day. Some vine was planted directly beside the road and I took some pictures. I could not hold myself to pick up and to try some grapes – delicious. Striking was that in the beginning of each line of grapevine there was one rose tree planted; I could not find out the reason for it.

Roses planted before the row of Grapevine

Directly beside the entrance into the 1300 citizen community of Los Alamos I passed a signpost with the inscription “Welcome to Los Alamos, the valley of the Cottonwoods, founded in 1876”. As soon as I rode into the town on main street I felt myself taken back 100s of years ago. Nearly every house was made out of wood with an distinctive antique aura of the 'Wild West', between them some grass. An abandoned gas station indicated the difficulties to be commercially successful in this remote area. But nor far away from it I noticed a guesthouse right out of the 1800s in which some renovation work was going on inside.

Welcome to Los Alamos

   On this still early day I saw two young men sitting in a park playing with a small child. This picture let me believe that it is difficult in this area to find a job...

   From the main street I just turned right to look a little behind the historical front. There was nothing except the Viking Custom Upholstery working on the bench of a Ford of the 1920s? The car looked great but in my opinion a car should be painted in a color of its period of production. Living in the 21st century I watched many car restoration shows. But as a German I feel a kind of pain seeing historical car treasures with 'matching numbers' torn apart and 'restored' with modern engines, disc brakes and modern paint; some custom builders even incorporate changes into the built. Once the matching numbers are torn apart, the car is, in my opinion, no more historical and can never be returned to its original…

Viking Custom Upholstery

   On the way out of of town I discovered the Los Alamos Market housed in a historical wooden building from 1876. I went in and bought something to drink and food; all the employees looked clearly Asian to me…

Los Alamos Market

(to be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 17

Friday, Sep. 14, 2007

A Hot Day!

Carpinteria→Refugio State Beach

Distance: 80.0 km, Total: 475.82 km

   As the saying goes "an early bird catches the worm" I left the Refugio State Beach already at 8:10 in the morning. I continued on the Freeway 101 (!) through the Gaviota State Park. 'Gaviota' is Spanish for 'seagull'. According to legend a Spanish sailor killed a seagull while camping in this area in 1769. The park has different hiking trials and even a hot spring but it's main attraction is obviously its beach.

   After this State Park bicycles had to leave the Highway, which is named here also the "Cabrillo Highway". It is named after Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (1499-1543), the maritime navigator known for the first European exploring the West Coast of North America on behalf of the Spanish Empire. 

   The weather was wind-still and very hot, much like a desert. This made the ride not only difficult but the land was not interesting.   

Bikes have to leave Freeway 101

On the road I checked the new bike computer, it seemed that I did a good job yesterday. I came to Lompoc (LOM-POKE), which was established on the land of the several time mentioned Chumash Indians. In their language (Purisimeño) the name means 'stagnant water' or 'lagoon', around 40.000 people call it their home today.

Horses grazing beside the Road

In a fast food restaurant I enjoyed a big salad while my battery was charged... After my meal I went back to my unlocked bike and discovered a missing bolt and nut fixing my front carrier on the front fork. As my mountain bike it is also fixed on the bolts of the V-brakes the carrier was still very tight but I wanted to solve the problem. Beside the road I've discovered a bike shop and went inside. I explained the guy my problem, he grasped into a drawer and gave me the matching nut and bolt for free. Thanks!

Not far away from the city center I ran into the Mission La Purisima Concepción, or La Purisima Mission, which was founded by Padre Fermín Lasuén on Dec. 08, 1787. How this mission developed I would like to explain by the official numbers of 1803: 3,230 cattle, 5,400 sheep, 306 horses, 37 mules. In the same year the mission harvested 690 fanegas (or Spanish bushel; 1 fanega = 1.58 US bushels or 55.7 liters) of wheat, corn and beans. 

Mission La Purisima Concepción

The earthquake of Santa Barbara (Dec. 21, 1812) destroyed the original Mission La Purisima Concepción very much and due to the natural disaster the native Indians, important workers, refused to return. The decision was made to start in the Watercress Canyon, 4 miles east, with a new mission.

After Mexico won the war of independence against Spain in 1823 the payments to support the mission from the Spanish fund was suspended. The Spanish soldiers got of course not paid by the Mexican government to the tensions grew within the mission. After a Spanish soldier hit an Indian in the nearby Mission Santa Inés in Solvang the Indians revolted in 1824. The revolt spread over to the Mission La Purisima; the Chumash Indians occupied the place of one month. With the arrival of soldiers from Monterey the revolt ended and many Chumash left. But some Indians returned from their shelter during the revolt in the nearby mountains to the mission.

Due to different reasons the mission stopped its function finally in 1834. The buildings and the land was sold several times and its former glory deteriorated. In 1934 the Mission La Purisima Concepción became a part of the Californian State System. 

As I cycled onto the historical State Park I ran into the newly built visitor's centers. But because it was already after 5 pm the workers already left and I stood in front of closed doors. The park itself with the mission was still closed and therefore I had the chance to look around only by myself. The Mission was actually a self-sustaining community with different buildings and land for farming and ranching. The church, the housings and warehouses in its center were protected by a wall and provided a home for around 1, 000 Indians. Around the missions were agricultural areas for the cultivation of grain, vegetables and fruit. Animals were ranched for meat supplies, on its height there were around 20.000 animals in possession of the mission. After a historically very interesting time and some photos I went back onto the road into the sunset.

Before the nightfall I passed Vandenberg Air Force Base. As a Department of Defense space and missile testing base it has a mission of placing satellites into polar orbit from the West Coast by using expendable boosters.

Somehow I found a suitable place for the night. Beside the Highway 1 several wild California bushes (not related to the former US ex-presidents) provided me with some shelter from the passing cars and, more important, from the ocean winds. The air became already very moist which let me pack all of my stuff the water tight bags. Nothing is more uncomfortable than waking up seeing damp clothes, equipment and shoes.

I had a comfortable night in my sleeping bag and was looking forward to experience an interesting tomorrow... 

(to be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 16

Thursday, Sep. 13, 2007

Santa Barbara

Carpinteria→Refugio State Beach

Distance: 63:57 km, Duration: 5:12:52 hrs, Total: 395.82 km

   After Santa Barbara the Highway 1 become the Freeway (!) 101 and not without a little bit of pride I was allowed to ride my bike on the Freeway totally legal! In Germany this would be unthinkable. After riding not for a long time a road sign told me to leave for Refugio State Beach. 

On the Road to the Refugio State Beach

   At exactly 4 o'clock in the afternoon I registered at the Hiker & Biker ($5.00) and let my bike roll down the main road. As I came to the designated area I was the only biker as far as I could see. Therefore I build up my tent wherever I wanted and threw my other stuff in it.  

Refugio State Beach Campsite Map

  To explore the area I sat on my bike and checked out the whole campground. I passed some camping trailers and RVs and cycled to the only shop. It was closed and only opens on weekends. On the whole Refugio State Beach I discovered only elders and families with children. As words of mouth by bikers spread quickly I suppose 'boredom' is the reason why most bikers avoid this State Beach.
   With nothing to do and no one to talk I washed my clothes and hung them into a tree to let them dry from the wind. In the evening the wind became so strong that I decided to hang them on a safer place. I also carried my simple one man tent behind a palm tree, otherwise it would be blown away!

Taking Rest in Refugio State Beach

   To fight the boredom I put my new bike computer on the bike which, despite the circumstances (strong wind, pure light in the evening & a simple multi tool) was relatively easy. Only the magnet into the wheel, the wires (!) along the fork up to the handlebar, the computer into its holder and calibrating according to the manual and - finished! Of course troublesome compared to the GPS-based wireless bike computers we are using today. I did not throw away the old bike computer, a few additional grams would not make any difference to the total weight. 

   In the most boring of all State Parks or Beaches I went to bed or rather into the sleeping bag at 8:15 pm. Despite the howling of the wind during the whole night I slept like a baby...

Refugio State Beach

(to be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 15

Thursday, Sep. 13, 2007

Santa Barbara

Carpinteria→Refugio State Beach
Distance: 63:57 km, Duration: 5:12:52 hrs, Total: 395.82 km

   I continued on a very neat road to the city center, on Main Street were many shops of famous brands of high society stringed together. But I could also discover two bike shops.

Corner of Main Street Santa Barbara 

 As I was waiting in front of a red traffic like a beautiful american girl shouted to me: "Are you riding for a long time?" "Yes, do you want to join me?" I smiled to her. Unfortunately she denied with a very beautiful smile. What a pity...

The road winded higher and higher, on the highest point I ran into the whole splendor of Mission Santa Barbara! 

Mission Santa Barbara

The Mission was the 10th Californian mission founded by the Franciscan Junipero Serra on Dec. 4, 1782. He erected a cross at the presidio (fort, settlement) of Santa Barbara but died unfortunately two years before it's establishment. His successor became Padre Antonio Paterna, a companion of Serra. Under his guidance the first building was constructed and he made the first converts. The big earthquake of Dec. 21, 1812 destroyed the existing buildings. The new missionary was started but the work was completed not before 1820.

Another big earthquake on June 26, 1925, damaged the new towers so much that in 1927 a rebuilding took place. Unfortunately in 1950 due to some chemical reactions of the used building material another renovation was necessary. With reinforced concrete the mission was supported, from the outside it can not be seen.

Fountain beside the Mission Santa Barbara 

I parked my bike beside a fence and did not even bother to lock it. Why should someone steal my bike in front of God's own house? I walked around and tried to imagine how the life would be 200 years ago. In Germany there are many castles, churches and convents much older than the mission but here in California old historical building like these are a real specialty. 

The mission is today quite alive, behind the historical walls there is a church service. Every day from 9:00-16:30 the whole site can be visited to make you own picture of the Mission ( $4.00/pensioner, $5.00/adults, $1.00/6-15 years, for fee: 1-6 years of age).

After looking around I took a good view on prosperous Santa Barbara down below. Without the mission it would be hard to imagine that the city would exist...

At around 14:00 I left the mission and took some Tacos in a fast food restaurant for late lunch. I choose a table with a plug socket to recharge my battery. 

Eventually I had to say farewell to beautiful Santa Barbara. I lost somehow direction but an elderly gentlemen showed me a bike path to Isla Vista, a community in Santa Barbara County. The majority are of residents are college students at nearby University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) or at Santa Barbara City College.

   I rode on the campus of the university and was immediately surrounded by beach cruisers of all different styles and colors. With the proximate location of the ocean there are only flat and, surprisingly, cars driving at walking speed. It seems the university is a paradise for cyclists. Directly in front of me rode a group of slow riding Indian students. They took it so easy that I had to overtake them...

   On the Campus there is a small village with cheap student restaurants and, of course, bike shops. Because my speedometer started to get nuts by showing 4 km/h at felt 20 km/h I've decided to look for a new one. I went in one shop and after the discussion with the shop owner I purchased a Japanese products 'made in China'. When I asked him on the way to the next State Park he not only explained me the way very detailed but also gave me, as a security measure, a map on my way. Wow, that's what I call service!

(to be continued...)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 14

Thursday, Sep. 13, 2007

Santa Barbara

Carpinteria →  Refugio State Beach

Distance: 63:57 km, Duration: 5:12:52 hrs, Total: 395.82 km 

   Refreshed I crawled out of my small tent; the sun laughed already from heaven to me. I enjoyed the ease of life and packed my things.

Washed Clothes drying on the Carpinteria Biker & Hiker Campground

   As I swung my leg over the bike the already loose speedometer fell off onto the hard road surface. I saw immediately that the glass was broken and the function could only be checked while riding. Anyway, I was looking forward to a wonderful day.

   After leaving the State Beach I discovered yesterday’s Japanese friend just opening the door of his bike shop. I said farewell and as I went back on the road he waved with a smiling “sayonara“ at me.

   After a short distance I discovered on a building a billboard with ladies in clothes from the 1950s and 1960s praising the advantages of this state with the words ‘Greetings from California. A Climate of Health and Wealth.’ One lady had platinum blonde hair (like Marilyn Monroe) sitting on a Cadillac, a lady posted herself in a bikini and a surfboard  and a Mexican lady in traditional clothes was dancing. But this facade crumbled and a dark, polluted California appeared behind the traditional view of California. As I took out my camera for a picture a trained American came along and started talking to me. He explained me that this billboard was the reason why he rented this building and converted it into a bodybuilding and fitness studio.

Billboard of California

   The aura and the friendly people of the small town of Carpinteria will be remembered for a long time…

   I headed north and accidentally came to the, at least in Taiwan, famous Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club which already opened in 1911. It is private and through the open gate I could only discover green well trimmed lawns but not even one horse. Through the open gate I could see some Mexicans busily working on the greens and in front of the stables, some were standing in the shadows. Nothing exciting at all! 

   I am not into Polo, it think this 'sport' is too far from the 'natural' environment and movement of the horses. Of course, owners of these animals and Polo players like the British princes will have a different opinion...  

Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club 

   My bike took me 'direction ocean' and after crossing a bridge over the Freeway 101 I came to the most beautiful bike path on my whole trip. Beside the ocean under shadowy palm trees I rode on an unforgettable way. The road was planted with beautiful houses, flowers and green grass. The trees protected me from the wind; the whole path with its smooth surface felt like riding on clouds! A blue ocean, wide clean sandy beaches and beautiful arranged white yachts in the harbor as a background - an unforgettable view! I stopped for a short moment to stay in this view but somehow I had to continue.

View of one of the most beautiful Bike Path in the world!

    Between sand and plants I rod into the city center and came to the 2000 renovated Santa Barbara train station in the Mexican Adobe Style. I rode onto a parking lot in from of the building and took the obligatory photo. As I continued I was not careful enough and fell with the whole bike. I was wearing sport sandals which did not protect my foot, I scratched it and the food started to bleed. But I had a first aid kit with me, I cleaned wound, treated it with disinfection and dressed it. As I later did not feel any pain or discomfort I could obviously work as a nurse...

Santa Barbara Train Station

v

(to be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 13

Tuesday, Sep. 12. 2007

I heard a Mission Bell...

Ventura→Carpinteria

Distance: 46.6 km, Duration: 3:19:08 hrs, Total: 332.25 km

On the way back to the State Beach I cycled through an obvious Mexican district of the city. I discovered a statue of the Mother Mary decorated with flowers. Before I stopped my bike I've heard an approaching mother with her son arguing in very loud Spanish words. As i went off my bike to take a picture suddenly they stopped talking, passed me quietly and continued with the same loud voice after a reasonable distance from me. It was a strange but somehow shows the relationship between Mexicans and White Americans in California. 

Statue of the Holy Mother

I arrived at the ‘right time’ on the gate of the State Beach, filled out the registration and paid US$5.00/night for the Hiker & Biker part of the campground. The Ranger gave me a green card which I should fix visible on my one man tent. Ready!

Slowly I cycled to my place, on the way I passed the huge Recreational vehicles (RV), many long-term campers. As I put up my tent passed another camper walking his dog and told me about his cycle adventures. Seeing me he felt pity that he did not bring his bike along. He showed me his own small camping trailer which, as he put it, has a German design. Truly, it was an egg-shaped, also in the US sold, T@B camp trailer, ‘made in Germany’ by a company called Knaus Tabbert.

   I remember as a boy I'v seen photos of these trailers mostly black and white. In the 1960s and the 1970s with the German ‘Economic Miracle’ came the wish to travel. Already in 1936 in the Eastern Part of Germany the constructor Max Würdig designed the “Dübener Ei (Egg)”. Because of the War the first series went into production in 1955 in the East Germany; after 2000-2200 pieces the production was shut down with the reunification in 1990. Later the above mentioned company developed the design further, the design makes the trailer so interesting...
   After I was finished my building up my one man tent (a few seconds), storing all the things etc. I took my time to watch a family of obvious first time campers with the mother and her two daughters trying to set up their tent. It was great entertainment to watch them. No one had an idea what was going on but everyone knew it with a very loud voice better than the others. After one hour (!) at least the shackyy alloy frame was standing.

Me, my Bike and my Tent on the Carpinteria State Beach Biker & Hiker

   Actually I had everything prepared for a pleasant evening and a quiet night but somehow it was too early to sleep. Therefore I took a extensive shower and cycled afterwards to a shopping center in Caprinteria for a $2.25 dinner.
   Back to my tent I could guess from the sky the development of an impressive sunset. I grabbed my camera and ran through over a dune onto the sand of the beach. As the reader can see below the effort was quite worthwhile. One of the most astonishing sunsets I could observe with my own eyes, the photo (taken in the quality of 2007!) caught the atmosphere quite well! Is it not a beautiful world we are living in? 

Sunset at the Carpinteria State Beach

   I enjoyed the view until it really got pitch dark. Slowly I stumbled through the sand and over the dunes until I walked on solid ground already on the campground. Some of the campers had opened oil barrels with burning wood in them to warm them during the colder evening. Someone shouted an invitation in my direction but I rejected with thanks, I was too tired.
   Basically I do not like riding my bike in the night, don't like to be active in the dark on unfamiliar grounds during travels. I have the habit to go to sleep and to rise early. This is, for me, convenient and I feel, above all, much safer. Here on a the Carpinteria campground I continue with these habits. 
   Already at 9:00 o'clock I snuggled myself into the sleeping bag. Life can be very good!

Carpinteria State Beach in the Night

(to be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 12

Tuesday, Sep. 12. 2007

I heard a Mission Bell...

Ventura→Carpinteria

Distance: 46.6 km, Duration: 3:19:08 hrs, Total: 332.25 km 

I cycled along yesterday's road and the locked door was opened. The way lead me to the entrance of the Emma Wood State Beach. On the board of the empty attendant's hut I discovered the prices for one night of Biker & Hiker: US$5.00/person. Maybe I should somehow get around the gate and spend the night beside the ocean. But it was too late for that...

View on the Pacific Ocean

From the State Beach there is a bike path directly beside the ocean direction north. It was a great feeling to cycle under the warm morning sun between the beach and the roaring sea. I thought I've heard an irregular whistling sound from an approaching train. After the bike path led into the Highway 1 the California Pacific Surfliner painted in silver and blue matching the ocean and the sky passed me. The train serves the route between San Diego and San Luis Obispo 12 times a day. According to my information bikes can be taken on the train for $5.00-$10.00/bike (http://www.pacificsurfliner.com/).

California Pacific Surfliner

Arround 11:30 I reached Carpinteria, a 12 miles south of Santa Barbara located small clean town. The name originated from the Chumash Indians who made in a relative big wood working shop (Carpinteria) seaworthy canoes (or 'Tomols') out of redwood or pine. They were propelled with kayak-like paddles in a crouching position. With these boats the Indians went fishing or traded with other coastal Indian tribes. 

The gate to the State Beach of Carpinteria was not far away and good signposted. In front of the main entrance I discovered an elderly gentlemen who photographed from his bike a picture of the sign. I rode to him and started in English a conversation. From his pronunciation I realized he was not a native speaker so we started to talk in German. He was a 60 years old pensioner and had to deal with the loss of his dying wife a few years ago. Because as a young man he watched once on German TV a truck race in Alaska his children encouraged him to fulfill his dream. Therefore he cycled with his older brother from Alaska over Canada through Washington and Oregon State until we met today in California. On his still intact speedometer there were over 6.000 km recorded! If that wasn't enough he still planned to pedal to Mexico. As I cycled from south to north I asked my German friend for some advice. Finally we separated - friend, I wish you the best on your way!

Unfortunately the ranger at the State Beach, for whatever reasons, would not let me in before afternoon 4 o'clock! 

I rode into the town and tried to find a bicycle shop to replace my broken chain which I fixed by cutting off some links. During a red traffic light I asked a young biker was waiting beside of me for a bike shop. He only answered that I should follow him and a he led me to a professional bike shop. 

Life is a Beach

As I went inside I was surprised to find a Japanese working here. Because there was no other customer and his English was better than my Japanese I took the chance to know more about him. He told me that he and his wife traveled 10 years ago to Carpinteria and fell in love with this place. They decided to leave crowded Tokyo and move to California. They are the only Japanese in this community. He told me that his home Tokyo changed a lot. There are, for example, road signs not only in Japanese but also in Korean and Chinese. Even when they sometimes visit their home country they can only hardly imagine to move back to Japan. I bought a chain 'made in Taiwan' for my 9 speed cassette ($25.00).

Because I had some time before the State Park opened and I could save the $6.00 he asked for the change I wanted to replace the chain by myself. With the chain in my bag I left and cycled around. I found a beautiful park with benches and a table in a shadows.

'Workbench' in the Park

   The park bench was not far away from a playground. While I was working on my bike from watching people I realized that the 'American Way of Life' is quite different. I watched mothers driving the SUVs directly to the front of the playground slide, let their children play there for a few minutes, packed them back into their SUVs and drove away. In my German hometown the parents walk to the playground, let the children play by themselves (also in the sand) and go home after several hours!

I was glad that I had a peace of mind with the new bike chain and could move on as planned. In the future I would bring an extra "Missing Link" which can be used to repair the chain without tools. After fitting or replacing this link the whole chain would work without problems and could be used flawlessly...

Generally it helps to try repairs on the bike by yourself. The internet and even sometimes the friendly bike mechanics is willing to share information on how things work, what to look out for and how to deal with problems. In situations on the road the repair experiences are worthwhile and can save the cycling day. 

 (to be continued)

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 11

Tuesday, Sep. 12. 2007

I heard a Mission Bell...

Ventura→Carpinteria

Distance: 46.6 km, Duration: 3:19:08 hrs, Total: 332.25 km

  After I peeled myself out of the sleeping bag in the early very quiet morning I cycled back to the center of Ventura. How early? So early that I did not even see one soul during this approx. 3 km mostly downhill ride. 

Early Morning in San Buenaventura

 A thick fog wrapped the whole village while the mountains already reflected the sunlight. I suppose the important moisture for the very dry land came from the nearby ocean. 
On the main road I turned left and stumbled upon the statue of Father Junipero Serra, who, as the reader can guess, founded the Mission of Ventura. As I turned around to cycle back to the main road when I discovered the German flag upside down, the stripes not black-red-gold but rather gold-red-black. The led me directly to the Mission, not far away from it I got off my bike.

San Buenaventura Main Road

The Mission of Buenaventura was the last of the nine missions founded by the Father himself out of a total of 21 religious outposts throughout California. On Easter morning of Mar. 31, 1782 he raised the Cross at "la playa de la canal de Santa Barbara (the beach of the Santa Barbara Channel). Assisted by Padre Pedro Benito Cambon he celebrated a High Mass, preached on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and dedicated the Mission to San Buenaventura. The Mission's first church building was destroyed by fire, the construction of a second church was abandoned because "the door gave way." In 1792 work was in progress on the present church and the small utility buildings (with the church) formed a quadrangle enclosing a plaza. Although half finished in 1795 the church was not completed until 1809. Dedication was held on September 9 and the first liturgical services took place in September 10 the same year (www.sanbuenaventuramission.org/history).

I walked around and let the mystic fog and the white buildings of the Mission settle in. The door to the main building was closed which was to be expected considering the early hour. Some Mexicans were busy cleaning up the park and the streets in front of the Mission and prepare it for the day. Under a huge foggy tree I discovered a sleepy young man who put his hoodie over the head and went on a park bench to continue his sleep.

Even with the fog I succeeded to take a picture right in front of the main gate of the Mission. I've tried to frame it with white roses planted on a street leading to it. On the right side there is a mural illustrating foreigners (Chinese, Mexicans) standing in front of this Mission.

Mission of San Buenaventura (or Ventura)

 I cycled along Brooks Avenue which led me to Harbor Boulevard. Passing the free space of the Country Fair Grounds I arrived at the Ventura Pier. The parking lot was already packed with cars of the surfers even the wind and the ocean itself was very cold at that time. As I watched the sea a Finn who walked his dog stopped and started talking to me. He told me that he came the first time here ten years ago and decided to stay. He became American citizen and told me that he does not want to "leave anymore". In this environment his decision is very understandable...

Rules for Surfing

It got too cold for me so I decided warm up myself. I parked my bike in front of an American fast food restaurant and got a good breakfast with a large cup of hot coffee. Only than I realized that I did not have coffee after I left Hollywood two days ago.

Back on the road I cycled accidentally past the Ventura Bike Depot, maybe I could ask here for the bike chain. Because of the early hour I stood in front of a closed door. Beside it I could discover an important note "The shop is only opened on weekends!" As today was Tuesday I had to look for a chain replacement somewhere else.

(to be continued)