Day 2: Whose Idea Was This?

        75 miles the first day was a little tough, but bearable. So the second day we started out on a ride from Ojai to the Santa Ynez Valley that I estimated would only be about 70 miles.         Fortunately, I placed a call to fellow flatlander Mark Swartzendruber to ask him about the route I planned to take up over the San Marcos Pass. Mark’s brother lives in Santa Barbara and he’s fortunate enough to spend a few weeks every year riding in the area. Mark informed me that the main road included a lot of traffic that didn’t give bike riders too much room, and if we wanted to go up the “old road” then it would be like climbing Snake Alley for 10 miles. After three and a half ours in the saddle and packs on our bikes? Uh, no. Mark recommended that we head up the coast and take the 101. 

It was definitely easier going on the coast and the ocean air was nice and cool... but the ride ended up being closer to a 95 miles and there was one 15 minute, HOT, inland climb near the end that just about did us in. Although the bags are only 15 lbs or so, it definitely makes things a lot tougher. And it’s not even necessarily the weight as much as the way it redistributes the weight. The seatpost racks provide an upside down pendulum effect- but we’re getting used to it.
        At least after that hot climb we had about 6 miles of easy downhill into Buellton, and then another flat three miles over to Solvang where we called it a night. Another 15mph average put us at just over 6 hours in the saddle, and we felt it. Of course, it wasn't anything a delicious dinner at Cafe Angelica’s and a bottle of ‘05 Epiphany Petite Syrah couldn’t help with.