Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 40

Saturday, Sep. 22, 2007

Half Moon Bay

?→Half Moon Bay State Beach 

Distance: 83.08 km, Time: 5:46:12 hrs, Total: 1,237.38 km

  On the right side beside the road I've discovered the signpost to the Half Moon Bay State Beach (95 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, 650.726-8819). I followed it and came to a small wooden hut beside the entrance. In this was an elderly couple sitting working voluntarily. Both of them were very lovable and we immediately started a nice conversation. The husband confirmed me that this is the last state park before San Francisco, for the moment my final destination of my trip. It would be an extra 30 miles (or 48 km) before I would reach the "City by the Bay". He was so kind to draw me a simple map on a white peace of paper that I would not 'get lost' on my last stage of the tour. I thanked both pensioners a lot and cycled slowly to my assigned place at the Hiker & Biker part of the campground.
   The Campground has 52 individual sites for tents, trailers and RVs up to 40 feet. Because not far away from San Francisco I believe that over the weekends there are many city people here going 'country' and enjoy the break from the busy life.   

   It was still early afternoon, therefore no need to hurry. I took my still damp one man tent out of my bag and build it just to let it dry in the sun. 

   While I was busy I became acquainted with Jim walking his Labrador Dipsy, named after  the green Teletubbies character, a famous children TV series especially in the UK and the USA. He explained me that he watched me, the biker, for quite a time and wanted to learn more about me. Within a few minuted he told me about his own bike adventures which led him to many places in the USA and Canada. He had to admit that he should bring his own bike...

   The sun was still standing in the sky. Therefore I decided to find something to eat for dinner. When I left the State Park I took a photo from the sign. Later I found a shopping mall and bought my dinner there for eating it on the campground. Coming back to the Park I've discovered a bridle path right parallel to the State Park. Later I've discovered two Mexican riding instructors teaching an American family...

   As I arrived on my campground I've met a young English chap named Mark. For him it was also his first bike tour but in the opposite direction from the northern San Francisco to the southern Los Angeles. As an 'old timer' I was glad to share my experiences over a map which he noted in his small notebook. As with the daylight his light of the flashlight became noticeable weaker I gave him batteries as a gift, which I brought as spares from Taiwan. As a barter he gave me some cookies which were very tasty.

   

   Strangely even after many years after the end of the II. World War there is still so much talked and written about the relationship between Great Britain and Germany. Than Prime Minister Margret Thatcher was against the reunification of West and East Germany in fear of a strong Germany, the British were the first and only member who decided to leave the European Union. But today I've learned in the distant USA that the British can be quite contrary. It was so interesting to talk with him about his job as a business consultant or  to exchange views on the Premier League club Chelsea FC who had the German player Michael Ballack in their lineup and the situation about the just fired manager Jose Mourinho.

  The time passed on a fly and we went back in our tents after a very interesting evening at around 10:00 pm. My tent was dry like a piece of crispbread and my sleeping bag became the cloud of a newborn baby. 

(to be continued)  

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 39

Saturday, Sep. 22, 2007

Rainy Morning

?→Half Moon Bay State Beach 

Distance: 83.08 km, Time: 5:46:12 hrs, Total: 1,237.38 km

         
      Actually I wanted to leave my small tent to greet the early morning cheerfully. But as I zipped open the door or entrance of my tent I saw a thick fog covering the surroundings and the strong wind still blew from the ocean. I wanted to crawl back into my sleeping bag but finally had to go out into the beastly weather...

   Of course the rain and fog made everything wet except the contents of my waterproof cycling bags. Personally I don’t quite understand that people insist on "natural materials" on their bike travel equipment. Many saddles or bags are sold prominently under British and American trademarks but in truly harsh conditions nothing beats man-made materials without zippers and bottoms, they are the only real waterproof materials.

   On the internet there are permanently discussions of real leather material on saddles or bags of waxed cotton duck with real leather applications but after several rain showers and real life usage these discussions seem meaningless to real bike tourists.

-  I bought a British original real leather saddle, an obviously popular no. B-17 model for bike touring. In the beginning it was comfortable but after some unexpected rain showers during my tour around Taiwan even with with extra proofing and a rain cover the leather broke on the rivets.

-  I used a bike bag made of natural waxed cotton duck which did not only develop mold in the high humidity in Taiwan but it was not waterproof even with an additional coat of wax.

   So, when equipment is useless in harsh conditions why take them into considerations at all? To be en vogue? Thanks, but I would like to pass...

   Out of one of my saddle bags I took my yellow one way rain jacked and continued to fight through the fog, rain and wind. To lighten my load a little I’ve decided to leave Highway 1 and followed the Pescadero Creek Road until I came to the farming community of Pescadero. There are only a few buildings beside the main street and between them is the Pescadero Country Store, http://pescaderocountrystore.com/. I did not want to fiddle with the rain jacket and walked wet and miserable as I was into the store and bought something to eat and to drink.

   As I was standing at the cash register with my goods in the hands the elderly checkout 'girl' looked at me and encouraged me with a smile: “Not a good day for a bike ride, right?” Considering my appearance I had to smile back to this early sunshine in the morning. After she told me that i did not rain for months and how much a farm community needs this rain I did not feel so miserable any more. Or, as the saying goes “One man’s joy is another man’s sorrow.” I wished her well and hoped that it might continue to rain for them. Of course, hopefully after I left...

   Researching for this blog I came over the sad news that the colorful store, which some called the heart and soul of the town, caught a devastating fire on Sep. 18, 2016 (http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/09/18/pescadero-country-store-total-loss-sunday-morning-fire/). It's a pity but the owner wants to fight to rebuild it and continue to serve the community and customers in the future. 

Pescadero Country Store

   As I already left the coast I continued to ride in the land along Stage Road. It was a true lonely back road, built to ease off the farmers work. There were no shoulders beside the road, but some steep roads to climb and thick forests to cross. Road signs were sparsely and most of the time non-existent. I followed a line of tall trees which lead to a big farm but generally it was an empty road. There were only sparsely cars and all of them were pick-up trucks with female drivers.  

  Finally I came to the cross of the Stage Road and Highway 84 San Gregorio. There on the crossroad is the San Gregorio General Store, apparently the center of this small town. On this early morning the store front was lined with pickups parking in front of this Mexican building.

San Gregorio General Store, http://www.sangregoriostore.com/

     On the right side of the road I discovered the guidepost to the Highway 1. On Highway 84 I followed the road until I came back to the familiar Highway 1. The road was smooth and the surrounding was rough and surprisingly flat. No wonder that many cyclists from the San Francisco area ride here during the weekends. 

   Coming from the south the exit to the State Beach was first from Highway 1 on the left even before the city of Half Moon Bay even started.

(to be continued)