BEAUTIFUL

Sunday, June 24, 2007 - Day 3

Distance Traveled - 52 miles

That's what the ride was today. So gorgeous. It started out in Oceanside, where it was a bit overcast. I was fine with that. The temperature was perfect. So the beginning of today's route brought me on Interstate 5. I had a choice of going I-5 or through Camp Pendelton. I chose the freeway because when else am I going to get the chance to bike on the interstate. It was a bit stressful, though. I was on the shoulder, but everyone is going by so quickly. I don't think I took a hand off the bars even once. I was afraid of being blown over by the gust of wind from a semi. That on top of the coastal winds was pretty harsh. After getting off the freeway, though, I had a nice bike path to ride on - the old highway 101. From there I had some great views of inland hills and trees as well as the coast and coastal cliffs.

As the day went on and I got further north, it became sunnier and warmer. It was still nice, though. It never got too hot today. Up in Newport I had some beautiful views of the water from up on the cliffs.

I thought a lot today and on the first day about how my style of riding has to change dramatically on this adventure compared to what I usually do. Riding around the streets of L.A., I am an aggressive urban rider. I fight for my right to use the road and to earn the respect of drivers as a viable form of urban transportation. I frequently take up a lane of traffic. I don't back down to cars. It's the only way to stay safe. If you cower to the side of the road, drivers won't see you, and they definitely won't respect you. You have to be in their face and say 'this is my fucking lane, and if you want to get past me, there's a whole other lane to pass me in.' It's a bit punk, but I'm following the law and keeping myself safe. On this journey, however, my style has to change drastically. First of all, I'm not as fast now with the added weight and the lower gear ratio. I can't quickly dart from side to side or make quick turns. Also, I'm spending so much more time on the road, thereby greatly increasing my odds of accidents. I don't want any accidents. So I play it really safe. I stay as far to the right as possible. I'm not aggressive. I prefer bike lanes and bike paths to car lanes. The only exception was going through Laguna. There was no shoulder, no bike lane, no bike path. I was forced into traffic, and old habits die hard. I love urban riding. I staked out the right lane and made it my own. When traffic was moving slower than me, I didn't hesitate to split lanes and pass all those sorry, slow-moving cars. I love it so much.

Anyway, it was lots of fun today. After 50+ miles I still felt good. I'm playing it cool tonight and probably for the next few nights - no stimulants. I really need to figure out a balance before I try something like that again. Plus, tomorrow is at least another 50 miles. So I'm just drinking water and eating non-Tainted food. One thing I wanted to mention about food - kiwi is the most amazing little fruit. I've always loved kiwi, and I had been told by a few people that they are high in vitamins, but damn! Kiwis have more vitamin C than an orange, more vitamin A than an apple or cantelope, and more potassium than a banana. That little fruit packs quite a nutricious punch. So I'm trying to eat at least one kiwi a day to stay on top of the game.

It was great to see P.D. this weekend, and so good to see Betsy and little Soma. Betsy has always been so great to me. For someone that I met randomly by giving my cat away, it's amazing how close we have become and how much her friendship means to me. And that cat sure is something. She slept with me part of the night last night, just like old times when I lived at the 995. She must remember that I reared her up from just the tiniest little kitten. I remember when she fit in just one of my hands. She was tiny and awkward, often falling when trying to jump from the couch to the coffee table, a distance of no more than a foot. We named her Soma because for the first week she lived in our house, the 995, she did almost nothing but sleep, and she never left the living room. I thought she was the laziest thing ever. After that first week, though, she pulled a 180. She's a curious and active little thing. Quite the hunter. I miss having her around. She's so calming. When she curls up in your lap, it just has such a soothing effect.

Well, it's time to get going. It's off to Venice Beach.

 

Otis


















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