Santa Cruz/Bay Area/Good bye hearse

The next day we drove into Santa Cruz. I was really excited- since from what I've heard everyone loves Santa Cruz. Its close to the velodrome in San Jose- but much cheaper than living in San Francisco. We pull up, find a coffee shop to hang out at and use some internet...walk on over...and find out from a helpful person that no dogs are allowed. No, not just at the coffee shop- but onthe street/side walk. All of down town Santa Cruz is labeled as a no dog zone. We found coffee shop that had a nice back patio to use. Two cops who were there drinking coffee told Cook that it was only that main road. But later we saw more signs on other streets that said no dogs allowed...so it seems like the sort of situation where if we wanted to go out anywhere w/ the dog, it would be jut a matter of time before we got a ticket for it. And we like walking to do errands, and taking the pups...seems like we'd be really frustrated stuck in a town where dogs were only allowed in the neighborhoods.

So we drove on to Palo Alto- where I've been told Id really like. Maybe just because there is goo biking near by- because Palo Alto was prett crappy. Justlots of nice houses, new fancy cars, and gourment places to eat. Not exactly the kind of area its normal to walk around in jeans...

So...we drove on to San Francisco- which might work out. Its at least big enough that given time we should be able to find everything we like (we did right away find a bar that lets dogs inside...) Down side is how expensive it is... when we're done biking we'll jut have to take some time to figure something out. Hopefully someting month to month so when we figure out exactly where we want to stay in the city- or if we want to stay in Santa Cruz anyway. There are some nice cheap little houses within 20 min of Santa Cruz that are out in the montians...

Nothing that exciting I guess to say... except that the hearse does NOT do well with the hills in SF. Oh- and jusst as wegot into SF on the highway- we started loosing ignition again- which eventually blew our new muffler- awesome. We had to re connect/tape the wires at the ballast resistor which had come loose.

We made a stop then in Berkeley to check it out. We were expecting a granola-crunchy-coop filled town- but the down town looks a lot like Arlington or Ballston. There is a really really awesome bike coop there- called the Missing Link. There is a dog park there thats been around since 86- which is an amazingly long time for a dog park next to peoples houses in a neighborhood-we stopped by since I knew Surly would want to run.. Since it was a Saturday it was pretty packed- but Surly did really well with the other pups there. She doesn't play/wrestle with other dogs, but chases and herds them around. Her only main problem now (off leash) with other dogs is if another pup starts a scuffle she has to go try and get involved.

From Berkeley we went to Sacramento where we found a relatively cheap storage place for the hearse. It took some impressive driving by Cook- but he managed to back it into the unit. And from there- we're now hearse-less in a silly minivan. Once we get to Bellingham we can ditch it and start biking back down!


Surfers in Santa Cruz

Back north-Gorda

The next night we ended up staying in Gorda- a little tiny speck of a town just south of Big Sur. We didn't really want to stay there- but we were driving up 101 along the coast figuring we'd find a camp site along the way. We really wanted a site that had showers and laundry! Instead we found a lack of gas stations. When we ended up needingone- we found one in Gorda. But the pumps were off at night- and ther was a sign saying next gas 40 miles. Unsure that we'd make it 40 miles, and not wanting to run out of gas where there was no shoulder- we decided we'd stay attheir little hotel. But- their night bell brought no one (turns out its broken)- so we stayed in the hearse. Its so comfy! If only it had a shower....

We woke up and it was BEAUTIFUL. The place is just a resturant, two gas pumps, a general store, some cottages and hotel rooms. It really just exists for people driving through, or the tour busses that come to bring people to go whale watching. We woke up early- around 7- to find out that the gas pumps don't open until 9. So we ate some hashbrowns and drank coffee....and Surly- lucky lucky dog- got a whole strip of bacon from the waitress!

Across the street in the woods there was in interesting mix of homeless living there. Susposedly, according to one, another guy had lived there so long he won squatters rights and now owned the land, so let these people live there. Who knows how true any of it is....but their place had amazing views of the ocean - right on a clif, with sea lions on the beach below. We're excited to come back through to here while biking...they suposedly get pretty busy in the summer and they waitress said that they'll give you room (at one of the little cottages), board and a small check if you help cook/clean/with mainteinence. Shhh- don't let anyone know though- we don't want all the spots filled by the time we get back there!

We drove on through Big Sur- which is downright amazing. Everyone should go at some point... it looks a lot like Alaska- but of course doesn't get nearly as cold, which is always nice. Words can't really describe it...but after being in Southern CA thats almost desert- to then get into Big Sur- with its big trees, clifs, and just all around amazing views--well its just awesome. Can't wait to bike through, stop at a camp site, and spend some time hikinng around.

We drove through and stopped at a camp site just south of Monterey- in Marina. It was a little pricey- but had everythingwe desperatly needed- showers, laundry and internet. And the bonus- a club room with tv, a kitchen, comfy couches, AND the dog was allowed in! Everyohter camp site has been very strict that no dogs are allowed in any buildings.

They had sheep, llamas and of course goats, mmaaaaaaa
Surly really wanted to nip their ankles












Ooooohh, Ahhhh



















too bad Surly cant take pictures of us


view from up o the hill/mtn we walked up


Grass as tall as me! What was terrible about Gorda- TICKS. There must be millions. I picked a few off me- cook pickedoff a few, and there were a few on Surly. Luckily most of them were still crawling around, and they hurt when they bit so you at least knew.

Tour of CA- Stage 8

The night before this stage we drove the course to scope out a spot that would be good to watch- and possibly sleep. There were a few places where the race would come by on the same road twice. The area was similar to the day before- windy, up and down, dark, scary roads. They'd be fine to drive- but evryone else seems to know the roads like the back of their hands and they FLY... right up tailgating the hearse- passing us on the double yellow.... crazy. I mean- who sees a hearse on a dark mountain/canyon road and expects them to be going fast??

We found a turn off/look out spot that was fairly large- so if there was a crazy person driving the road and ran off- they wouldn't hopefully-hit us.. We parked between two big RVs (turns out all 3 RVs that were there were also there for the race). We spent today the same as the day before- hanging out for hours waiting for the race to come by. The spot was at a 180 turn, the peloton would both climb up and descend by it. The best part by far was watching them FLY-faster than the cars- down the mountain. All the follow cars were squealing tires trying to keep up and take the turn. They were going at least 50mph, if not more.








This turn out was also one of the feed zones for the race- so these are supporting folks handing bags of food/water to riders as they go past







zoom zoom!

Tour of CA - Stage 7

For stage 7 we scoped out a spot near the top of one of the biggest climbs in the tour. There was a turn, and so when standing there y0u could see the peloton come through the valley- up the climb, turn and keep going. There was a nice little patch of trees on a hill in the corner of the turn that we climbed up so we could see further. Was a really nice spot for the hours thatwe had it to ourselves- but sadly right as the peloton was coming a bunch of people came up to join us...

Surly being really weird- digging a hole while we waited










who is this ?



Its surly's mini me! A smaller version of the Surly dog that just so happened to be at the race in the same spot. They didn't much like each other- but everyone around that it was funny to see two identical looking dogs hanging out.

We drove to follow the race and see the end- a circut-meaning they did the same loop 5 times before the actual finish.

Solvang, CA- day 6 of the Tour of California

First off-WOW the hearse got us to California. Took some work- but us and all of our stuff is here. Yay.

The Tour of California is like the Tour de France- but in America. Its a big stage race-which are very rare in the US. Most pro road cycling is in Europe. So having our own tour is a big treat. This link shows the route for the whole tour http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/map.html
The scale to put on a race like this is immense. If your not in the cycling scene- you have to see it to really appreciate it. Major roads are closed for the race. Cops are out everywhere to help with traffic. There are 17 teams. Each has their own set of riders. There are the favorites- those who are the 'best''- and many supporting riders. These guys ride in front of them so they always can ride in a draft. The supporters also make runs to and from the team cars for water bottles, etc. In addition to the riders- each team has multiple support cars- driving extra wheels in case of flats, extra bikes in case of a crash or mechanical issue, team mechanics, the team directors, coaches...There are cops that ride up front- and a car announcing what is going on with the peloton (the group of riders) ahead of them so the spectators know the stats of the race as the riders are coming up. Behind are most of the team cars, and also the neutral support (extra wheels/bikes/help for anyone who needs it) and the ambulance. All around are motorcycles with guys ridign on the back, facing backwards- holding video cameras- or therea re some with cameras mounted above them. Back at the finish line there are vendors for the public- and also all the teams tour vans/buses. All in all- its really a major major event- and all this stuff is traveling from town to town for nine days.

Day 6- when we caught up with the tour- was an Individual Time Trial. So each rider is by them self for 15 miles racing against the clock. Times were in the low-mid 30 min zone. The fastest time was 30:40, by Levi Leipheimer-an awesome 8 seconds faster than U.S. National Time Trial champion David Zabriskie (who makes some great Chamois cream :)

We got some pics of them about 300 yards out from the finish-right before the last turn...the bikes are different from the ones they ride in group races. These are focused on getting as aero as possible, but don't handle well.

Our parking space in Solvang. Solvang is a little town out in the mountians- where everything is made to look like your in Denmark. Cool, but weird town.









and hey look , its Lance!

Flagstaff - more hearse wose--to Ventura CA

Hey we finally finished the roasted pecans! Thanks Gma-they were awesome and we savored them the whole way!!

Well first off there is nothing weirder than driving into Flagstaff and having desert on one side of the car and snow on the other.

We got into town and got some delicious vegan pizza. It was lucky that we found the place because the west doesn't believe in lighting. Everywhere we go seems to be dark. There are no street lights, parking lot lights, nothing. Anyway...when we left from getting pizza it was quite apparent that the noise that was coming from the front right wheel had gotten much worse. We got out and rocked the wheel and it was definitely clunking and rocking. Heather suggested that we stop for the night and get it fixed. I continued to drive and after about 20 more feet, I whole-heartedly agreed.

We drove by a shop that had a 50's Buick out front and another in the garage. This seemed like the place to go and we luckily found a hotel a block away.

We got up early and loaded the hearse. I went to the shop and left Heather at the hotel to update the blog and take care of other details. There was no use for both of us to freeze out there...and it was freezing.

The guys at the shop great. The took me right in and allowed me to stay in there with them while we itemized all of the car's ailments. I will not bore you with all that is wrong with her.

The passenger side outer wheel bearings were trashed. Some of the bearings were actually missing. The inner race was starting to weld itself to the spindle. The brake pads had about 100 miles left on them. They were just about down to rivets. If we started down the mountain with those, who knows what would have happened.

Manny and the guys at TBS really took care of me. They worked with me to get out of there as cheaply and safely as possible. We were all taken care of and on the road by 2pm, and for under 500 bucks. It's a lot of money but a lot cheaper than it could/should have been.

If y0u are in Flagstaff, and need a hot rod built, I suggest you look them up. I'm sure if you mention the hearse they'll remember us.

We eventually got into California- Yay!
We drove around LA, boo-through traffic even though it was the middle of the night... We found a campsite in Ventura on the beach that had a late night registration. It was funny though- we drove up to another private campsite first and asked how much-55. then another guy came up and offered 33-but way too much to camp so we left. Funny- because by the time we get to the Ventura site we were so tired we paid 30 for this site with out realizing it...and there were RVs parked on the road for the night- but we still didn't register that that was free....oh well. Our site was right on the rocks, and on the other side of the rocks- ocean. Nice sight to wake up to. And less than an hour from Solvang, CA- where stage 6 of the Tour of California was to be held the next day.