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)