My Instagram - Central Coast Wine Country

Today's pics on my Instagram

Cruising the Central Coast Wine Country

The weather cooperated today and stayed under 90 degrees during my wine country ride. I chose to take the 700 instead of the Expedition today. I put the larger Kojak tire on the rear and put some extra padding on the headrest to soften the harsh backcountry rides. I also slowed down the pace on the rough roads and all was good.

Where to Live and Ride?

I've always considered the proximity to quality roads that inspire me to ride to be an important factor in choosing a place to live. I've come to realize that it's the most important factor along with family. Who am I kidding, no matter where I live in California I'll always be able to drive or fly to be with family. Riding my trike is what keeps me alive. I ride not to live long but to live strong. After all what good are you to family if you live a long life as a couch potato slowly fading away. Triking comes first. It's better to burn out giving it your all then to fade away.

Carrie and I have been empty nesters for more then three years now. This has given us the opportunity to explore different places to live in California. Our long time home near Los Angeles where we raised our kids had many wide streets with good shoulders and bike lanes. Although not picturesque there were plenty of parks and public open spaces to stop at and take a break. Just over a couple of years ago, being only the two of us, we moved to the Central Coast of California and lived for two years in a beach town along HWY 1. The local routes were limited but my rides along the Pacific coast never grew old. Then we decided to move into a smaller home a bit inland from the coast. 

We stayed in the Central Coast area but this time we moved inland to the wine country. This is where my riding hits a snag. There are few parks and virtually no public open space. In general the roads are not bike friendly around town. So I turn to the wineries for places to explore. The wineries are fun to explore...when open. On weekends it's best to stay off the wine country roads during the tourist season which is most of the year. Even on weekdays it's best to be extra alert to the occasional car or truck. Other than the surrounding wine country overall I am uninspired by the local routes around town. I've started to haul my trike over the hills to ride along coast where the air is cool, the shoulders wide and the scenery is breathtaking. 

My time on the trike has taken a hit. I'm just not inspired to ride. I ride but not nearly as much as I would normally ride and in turn not having as much to blog about. Maybe it's time to move again. I'll give it a year to search out routes and then decide if it's time to find another home. Although moving is a pain it's fun to have the freedom to move around and check out new areas to live. Maybe we'll even look at our old home town in a different light. Regardless of where we end up we'll always stay in California close to family.

The coastline of California's Central Coast

The wine country of the Central Coast

PicNick App

I like to bring lunch with me on a ride rather then rely on restaurant food. The new PicNick app is a picnic table locating tool which requires input from users. Yesterday I marked three picnic areas along the Central Coast in the area of Cambria and San Simeon. With more input from users PicNick may become a useful app for picnickers like me.

Marked picnic location at San Simeon Pier.

Finally Back on the Trike - Wine Country Style

Moving to a new home takes it's toll. Totally out of shape from not riding I finally hit the road. First ride in a month and a half was a cruise through Central Coast wine country. A meet up with Carrie at Villa San Juliette for lunch and a couple classes of wine.

Moving

Moving to a new home takes time and effort. In addition we're getting work done on the new house before moving in. No time right now for trike'n. Hopefully in a couple weeks we'll be settled in to our new home and I can get back out on the road.

It's a short move from the coast of the Central Coast to the Central Coast wine country. But it's a whole new world of riding opportunities.

Can't wait to get this over with.

Ride to Piedras Blancas Motel

One of my regular rides is a 31 mile out and back to the old abandoned Piedras Blancas Motel whose namesake is the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.

 Nice start to a ride spotting a Blue Heron along HWY 1.

Traffic eases up after passing Hearst Castle. My failed attempt to point to the Castle doesn't make it any easier to see it sitting on the hilltop in a direct vertical line with my left pedal.

 Now a stop to check out the Elephant Seals. From here on traffic is minimal. A good thing too because most the HWY between the Seals and the old motel lacks a shoulder to ride on.

This is the best time of year to see the Elephant Seals. It gets busy with visitors on weekends and holidays.

 The realigned segment of HWY 1 north of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Wide open road with great shoulders. 

 Same location as the above picture but looking inland.

 Plenty of opportunities to talk to the cattle that craze along HWY 1. These curious creatures always stare at me as I talk to them. They must feel safe around me since I'm a vegetarian. Haha.

Ah, the Piedras Blancas Motel now abandoned. Recently it served as the office quarters for the road construction operations. Now one room seems to be a HWY Patrol office.

 Accommodations include two portable toilets. Beats finding bushes tall enough to allow for privacy along HWY 1.

The old HWY 1 alignment in front of the Motel.

A quick stop to look at another group Elephant Seals off in the distance. These blubbering mammals have opted for a private spot away from tourists.

 Another stop on my return trip to look back at the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Way,way in the distance.

The last couple miles of climbing to get home. 

Schwalbe Pro One HS 462 - 28/406

I ordered the 28/406 Pro Ones for the 700. First of all these tires are a nightmare to mount on the rim. Once mounted it was obvious that both tires were out of round.

These are tubeless tires that the Schwalbe website says can be used with a tube. Which I used.

Now to call Schwalbe and ask what's going on with these tires.

I thought Schwalbe Marathon Plus 406s took more effort then normal to mount but these Pro Ones are HARD to get on the rim. I can't imagine repairing a flat while on the road.