Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 10

In the Backyard of Los Angeles

Coastal Highway 1→Ventura

Distance: 104.02 km, Duration: 5:07:44 hrs, Total: 285.65km

I planned to cycle to the before mentioned military port but it was not, understandable, open for the public.After Oxnard the Highway 1 is still merged with the Freeway 101 and therefore bikes are still an taboo; so I had to find another way to the north. On the way I discovered a large superstore and went in to cool down and look around. I bought a pair of cycling gloves ($9.90) and some chocolate cake as a snack on the road. In a fast food restaurant I ordered chicken wings ($2.20). As I have a photo of my daughter in my wallet the waitress asked me if she is of mixed race.

Private Home beside the Road with a Mission Bell

The whole ride was an easy flat road until I finally I arrived the area of San Buenaventura or short Ventura, a very peaceful place with clean and one of the best streets I came to experience. . 

The Roman Catholic Spanish priest and friar of the Franciscan Order Father Junipero Serra (1713-1784) founded the San Buenaventura Mission on Easter Sunday on March 31, 1782, which developed into today’s city. 

Statue of Father Junipero Serra

In 1914 the Union Oil Company discovered a major oilfield in the district of Ventura which tries to moderate the dependence on imported oil for energy-hungry America until today. 

The delta created by the junction of the Ventura River and the Santa Clara River created a natural very fertile land which, together with the sunny weather, it is very suitable for the cultivation of tropical fruit. To market and sell its products the farmers founded the 'Sunkist Growers' which is famous for its fruit and juices all over the world. In Germany as a kid we pronounced it wrong, more like 'soon' than 'sun'. Strangely the 'kist' is obviously a German word for 'box', a reference either to the form of their juice packing or the boxes in which the fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines & tangelos, mandarins) are handled and stored.

Despite all it’s development Ventura still has not more than 100.000 residents and preserved it’s charm of a small town with some noticeable prosperity.

Ventura Pier

I rode along Harbor Road into a small harbor with beautiful lined boats. On the waterfront were some anglers and fishermen waiting for the catch of the day. Beside the long into the ocean reaching Ventura Pier were some surfers despite the cold weather still in the water. As I could see all of them wore surfer suits made of neoprene to protect themselves from the cold. I discovered a family wearing thick white Norwegian pullovers or sweaters as they walked on the beach into the sunset.

Walking into the Sunset

The road led me to a railroad crossing, the signal of the lowering gate let me brake my bike. The first and only time I had to wait for a yellow freight train which moved very slowly with seemingly uncountable wagons pulling passed me and the many other cars waiting. After very slow 5 minutes the gates were opened and we could finally move on.

I rode into town and tried to find out the Emma Wood State Beach. On the left side on a good road I discovered a sign showing the way to a private campground. As the sun was setting I wanted at least, like yesterday, ask for the price. Again, I was shocked to hear the price of US$45.00! I thanked from my heart but preferred to continued to the State Park. Unfortunately a large gate block closed the road and therefore I was prompted to look for another 'wild' campsite for the night. I returned to the town center with one eye on the road and the other searching for a suitable place in the approaching night.

The road led me onto a steep hill, the houses became fewer and fewer. In the already dark night I found a nice place beside an oilfield with constantly moving pumps. I unpacked my sleeping bag and zipped myself inside. Sometimes I heard lonely cars passing by but the sound of the working pumps rocked me into a wonderful sleep.

"If there wasn't anything to find out, it would be dull. Even trying to find out and not finding out is just as interesting as trying to find out and finding out; and I don't know but more so." Eve's Diary by Mark Twain

(to be continued)