In the fields to the south, cauliflowers are being picked by hand and there are vineyards and olive groves. Two big hills in the morning of 900ft and 1000ft with a welcome tail wind are a bit wearing, but it is flat then by the ocean to Santa Barbara. Four oil rigs are parked on the horizon.
The city is backed by dramatic sandy coloured mountains. Palm trees and orange groves replace the eucalyptus (at last) giving us a holiday feel.
Curtis lives in a wood & glass house blending into his natural garden in the foothills, with oranges trees by the driveway. He is a touring cyclist legend, with newspaper clippings of his first long USA tour in the late 1950s. His latest trip,this summer, was to mountainous Glacier State Park, with breathtaking photos to prove it.
We have a day sightseeing in Santa Barbara, where the historic centre has been tastefully retained including the magnificent courthouse, where there is a panoramic city/mountain/sea view from the tower top.
There are beautiful blue and white Spanish tiles throughout the corridors of this moorish-style building.
Santa Barbara Mission was founded by the Spanish in the early 1800s and again beautifully preserved.
The best place to bird watch in the area is Curtis's back garden! Hawks, Jays, Mourning Doves, Hummingbirds and American Robins are all at home here.
The next day we pedal off early , and Curtis is off to breakfast on his Vespa! The first rain of our trip is forecast so there is a cloudy start but the showers don't materialise. We do get wet passing a turf farm with the sprinklers on! Lunch by turquoise sea after 50 miles at a great fast food fish restaurant and then we are in familiar territory as we reach Malibu and finally Venice Beach at 5 o'clock, after 95 miles, the longest day of this trip.
Harriet's lovely neighbour, chef Lisa, invites us in for tea and chocolate brownies as she spots us waiting for Harriet.
It is so good to catch up with Harriet who is soon home from work.
Tour miles to date: 2,355
Location:Orcutt to Venice Beach
