Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 19

Saturday, Sep. 15, 2007

With a little help from my friend Tom

Vandenberg AFB→Oceano Dunes

Distance: 150.6km, Total: 475.82 km

   Again my friend Tom lead the road back to the beach and I tried to keep up behind the rear wheel of his bike. In this way we arrived pretty fast at the main entrance at the Oceano Dunes.

   I thanked Tom very much for his help and effort to find a nice place of the night. He told me that he planed to invite me to stay at his home if I could not find an accommodation but his wife was not not at home for a consultation. I insured him that my problem was solved and thanked him again from the bottom of my heart. We had some small talk but finally we had to separate! See you, Tom!

   The young lady on the entrance of the Dunes was already waiting for me and extreme friendly after the radio call from the Ranger. This time she let me in without objection; for the most expensive camp night on the whole trip i paid $10.00 (!), the same price as a 4x4 as she insured me. But I had a save place for the night...

   From the main entrance there is a small concrete leading directly onto the sandy beach. The heaven was already dark but the lights of the 4x4s and the motorcycles lighted up my way. Because of their weight and their tires I had a firm surface to ride on.

I could find a suitable place very fast and finally built my small tent in a few seconds on the sand. My tent is conveniently free to carry so I can place it wherever the ground is flat enough for me. I put it a little further into the soft sand which gave me a natural cushion for my sleeping bag. In case that I would be overseen by drivers or riders I fixed a light on the entrance of my tent...The lights of the vehicles reflected sometimes on my tent wall but I had a very nice sleep.

Oceano Dunes

Sunday, Sep. 16, 2007

Beaches and Missions

Oceano Dunes → Morro Rock
Distance: 84.20 km, Time: 5:50:36 Std., Total: 710.62 km

   Today is the birthday of my wife! „Happy Birthday!“ were my first thoughts still in my sleeping bag. Later I called my wife and daughter in Taiwan; 1st to congratulate but 2nd to tell them that I am all right. My daughter Veronika told me that they will have a fancy birthday dinner in a restaurant; how much would I like join to them...
   In my sleeping bag I heard the sound of engines thundering up and down the beach on this very early Sunday morning. I personally think that opening a beach for cars and motorcycles has some serious environmental issues. But on the other hand for some people to pollute the air with diesel fumes on purpose is also seen as sports and as an action against environment protection. I see the earth is a gift and it's our responsibility to take care good care of this fragile planet we are living on. There are many things can be fun 'in the nature' and 'with the nature'; there is not need to burn precious imported fossil fuels not only 'for fun' but also do 'endanger' others.

   In my tent the sand was kept out well but after I left it I saw that on the outside of it was wet with drops from the ocean and 1/3rd of it buried in sand! With a cloth I tried to wipe the familiar morning moisture from my tent and 'dug' it out carefully. I shook it several time to get rid of the sand but could not get it properly dried. 

   I packed all my things in the waterproof saddlebags, some still alcohol influenced youngsters passed me on the way to the morning toilet. I abstained to go there on purpose, I would rather wait until I find a quieter and cleaner surrounding...

   I rode carefully on the beach back to entrance avoiding by avoiding quick turns or sharp brakes on the sand. It was a nice experience but I know that sand and bikes actually do not match; sand and its dust is not only sticky on the wet bike but also an enemy of bike chains and all bearings. I was very glad that I rode on firm ground again but could boast with this experience for the rest of my life...

A Building at Oceano, California

(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)