Day 40 Kirk Creek to San Simeon 17th August. (40 miles)

Three things stood out for todays riding. First was the fog. Riding along a ridge at 900ft in a thick blanket of dense fog is a mixture of terrifying and exhilarating. When you glance to the right you notice that where the sea once was is now just a white, damp haze. You can hear the waves crashing on the rocks but you can't see them. All you know is almost 1000ft below is the sea and it's a test of concentration by not just you but the drivers going past to ensure you don't see the rocks close up.
The 2nd thing to stand out was the two 900ft hills. Both were steep, so not long, but steep means you strain to climb. The third were the Elephant Seals sunbathing on their own beach. A small group were flexing their muscles and fighting with each other. There have been a few new female seals join this group so the males are all showing off. Who can head butt the hardest and burp the loudest goes a long way in getting the right women in the seal world. Maybe we humans are not to different when we look at a Saturday night in town.

Day 39 Big Sur Park to Kirk Creek16th August. (30 miles)

Often a topic of conversation has been the hills from Big Sur to Kirk Creek and how they are the hardest on the coast (If your from California that is) the folk from Oregon would have something to say about their hills I think. They are supposed to break the will of the most  hardcore of cyclists. I have now completed the two most feared and I am totally chilled and relaxed after the easiest ride since I have been here. I would have pushed on another 35 miles to the next camp but I had a puncture just as I was passing Kirk Creek. I think I'm now used to the hills and what they have. Also, Shirley gave me some tips on hill riding that have really helped me change my style. At this camp I met up with a guy called Hans who I had met previously in Bodega Beach around 10 days ago. He is dragging out his trip to LA as he is catching a cargo ship to New Zealand in the middle of September. We were joined by Rob, Nicole and also Felix from Germany who we have been meeting at sites since Half Moon Bay. It was quite nice, different and interesting sitting listening to Felix chatting with Hans in German. I think they were either reminiscing about the motherland or discussing tent design efficiency. Whatever it was, they can't stop going on about driving on the "correct" side of the road. Then again what would you expect from Ze Germans. I can't help thinking of the episode of Only Fools & Horses where Uncle Albert states that he can speak German before saying "Vot ish yor nime" but I dare not try and work the gag into conversation in case in ruins the Anglo/German relationships we have built. Kirk Creek campground has no running water or showers so I had to do my Mylene impression and get in the stream and under the waterfall. I was on my own so I was unable to film it. Sorry ladies.....

P.s - How many of you when reading this did Uncle Alberts voice in your mind when you read "vot ish yor nime"

There, you did it again.........

Day 38 Veterans Memorial Park to Big Sur Park 15th August. (34 miles)

Today was really easy. Even with a few decent hills. The whole flow worked well. I left the camp early and tried to get down to Pebble Beach Golf Course to take some photos but the security guard wasn't having any of it. My charm was ineffective. Disappointing really as this was the main course I wanted to look at while here. My spirits were still high though as it was such a lovely morning as I rode through the scenic town of Carmel. This has become famous in recent times as it has Clint Eastwood as it's Mayor. I rode past city hall but there was no sign of him. Maybe he doesn't work Saturday mornings. Once I was back on the highway the only issue was the amount of traffic. The views are continually spectacular none more so than the bridges and gorges. Just before I got to camp I pulled into the town of Ripplewood for some supplies and noticed the temperature had reached into the 90's. The was partly because I was now in the forest and away from the sea breeze. Once I was in camp and set up I wondered straight to the river for a paddle. Lying back in the cool water with my thoughts for company was the perfect end to a great day. I have been meeting a couple in the campsites recently from Colorado. They set off from Seattle just before I left Astoria and with my break in San Francisco they have caught me up. They are Rob and Nicole and they are going to a wedding in San Diego at the end of August and sent their tuxedo and gown on by courier and decided to ride down over the course of two months. They are going to have cracking sun tans with a few strange helemt shaped lines for the photos.

Day 37 New Brighton Beach to Veterans Memorial Park. 14th August. (46 miles)

As rides go, for ease this one was pretty much the easiest yet. For views it was low on the list until I got close to Monterey. If fields of fruit and vegetables are what you are into then I highly recommend the route/rowt I did today. The book that most cyclists follow seems to be spot on though it does get confusing when I get to a decent size town. I have been joining a German guy at the last few campsites who has been travelling the strangest path I have heard so far. From Florida to Portland then down through Utah to Arizona and into California and onto Mexico. I'm toying with the idea of either finishing in LA or at the Mexican boarder. I'm pretty sure I could push hard and finish, still in August, but I feel more comfortable landing at the sites after 40 miles if possible. I'm also looking at the option of riding into California as well as down it. That could take me through to Nevada or New Mexico but I think the heat may be a little extreme. I will see once I am closer. Monterey is a nice town. The harbour front is as good as any I have seen and the city wide free WIFI is a real bonus. There is definitely a lot of money in this area judging by the cars, and not just the ones at the annual classic car show.

Day 36 Half Moon Bay to New Brighton Beach. 13th August. (61 miles)

I went to bed having decided to stay in Half Moon Bay for an extra day but when I awoke I had the urge to get back in the saddle. My knee is still causing me discomfort but it doesn't feel like a injury, more like the stresses of being worked all day. With the desire being strong I packed up my gear and headed the 61 miles to New Brighton. Someone was smiling on me as the tail wind was making things very easy and the gradients were nothing to worry about. I pretty much coasted 3/4's of the way when I pulled over for a sandwich, neither tired or aching but looking forward to being on site by the early afternoon. For the last quarter the wind started to change direction and was coming in from the side but it was still ok and I only had about 15 miles left. I got to the town of Santa Cruz and my day was ruined. If the camp had been before the town then the days riding would have been the most satisfying so far but the mixture of non stop traffic lights, bad guide book directions and now a full on head wind took the shine off. Still 61 miles with 50ish being perfect isn't to bad. Tomorrow I have the choice of a 12 mile ride or a 40 mile ride to the next camp. I may take the easy ride and have a full day on the beach.

Dedicated to all my extended family.

Day 35 Goodbye Shirley, Hello Half Moon Bay. 12th August. (42 miles)

I left Shirley's house but not on my own. She had offered to ride with me to a point where she could send me on my travels. Being local she could also send me the best way, avoiding the heavy morning traffic. She said we would be going up two big hills on our way but they would both be gentle and loving. I would be interested to know what Shirley thinks rough and painful hills are as both these were as hardcore as any I had come across since I got to California. She led the way and I have maximum respect for her as a host and now as a bike rider. If she hadn't of come with me I would have stopped a few times on both climbs. When we reached the second summit called "Kings Mountain" she explained the next part of the route that I would take alone. It would all be downhill to the coast from here. We said goodbye and I thanked her for her kindness and hospitality. I arrived in Half Moon Bay around lunchtime and set my tent up, went and grabbed some food then lay on the beach. I saw two incidents while on the beach, both amazing and unexpected. The first was the Whales coming up for air around a hundred yards out to sea. The second was really brilliant to see unfold. I noticed a man and a lady walking on the path behind the beach while I was sun bathing. What drew my attention was the lady had a broken leg and was using a sort of scooter where she rested her injured leg and pushed with the other. I saw the man then walk onto the beach almost to the shoreline with the scooter while the lady sat at the back of the beach. He placed a blanket and some other items down then walked back over to the lady and carried her all across the beach to the blanket. They were sitting down and drinking, watching the sunset when the lady pointed at something on the sand a few yards in front. The man went over and picked it up and took it back to her. It was a box that he handed to her which was followed by him getting down on one knee and proposing. I could tell that she said yes and she gave him a big hug. I did catch it on film as I was just about to film the Whales when I saw it unfolding.

The things you see when chilling on the beach.

Dedicated the days riding to Shirley Ppfier.

Day 34 Facebook, Google, Crash..... 11th August.

Shirley had again gone to work and left me the run of the house, use of the Web and food in the fridge. She also told me that the Facebook and Google headquarters were around 10 to 15 miles away along the bay trail. I did fancy sitting on the decking all day in the sun with my feet in the lake but I decided that I would probably not get the chance again to visit the sites so I would go and see them. I had directions on GPS but I wasn't to sure as last time I followed them I ended up in gangland. I took my chances though and apart from a dodgy industrial estate I pretty much got to Facebook within 2 hours. I was denied access past reception as I wasn't an official visited and they didn't buy the bullshit that my old Mucka Mark Zuckerberg was expecting me. Still I got the photo of me and the Facebook thumb. Google was only another 30 minutes along the bay and was a bit more accessible. I arrived during lunchtime so outside was very busy with people eating and networking, so basically eating dinner while looking at a phone screen. Pretty much the same as every work place. As my nan once said, "people will evolve to have phones stuck in their hands". She may be right.
My crash came due to me also having a phone in my hand. Trying to see the route and not seeing a drain until it was to late. I pulled the brake with the hand that didn't have the phone in it. Unfortunately it was the front brake that had just been tightened when I had the bike serviced two days earlier. I can testify that it definitely works. I have the bruised hand, knee and arm to prove it.

Road 1 - Phil 0

Dedicate the days riding to Simon, Samantha and Kate.