Harriet is away earlier than us next day, 6.30!, as she has a delegation of 800 people to shepherd at the hotel. We have a more leisurely start, weaving along the dead level beach cycle-path to Redondo Beach. There is an old wooden pier here for rod fisherman, and fish stalls, one selling piles of live crabs.
We had cycled here on the hotel bikes last year and are pleased to see again the brown pelicans sitting on the railings.
Then our only climb of the day and down to Wilmington, an industrial area dominated by an oil refinery. No provision for cyclists on a busy potholed road so a relief to turn off at Long Beach, pretty much as it says on the label, a beautiful clean long sandy beach for miles.
All day the slight sea breeze, swaying the rows of palm trees, keeps the temperature bearable. Next, Seal Beach is familiar as we drove here in H's car earlier this year, and then cycled up the San Gabriel River cycle-path on our folders. This time we cross the river to carry on south. Bolso Chico Beach is also "deja vu"as we visited it last time too, to bird watch on the lake.
The pier at Huntington beach is picturesque, oil rigs are anchored on the horizon and silent nodding donkeys pull up oil on our left. There are even three squeezed in among the cars in the civic centre car park! The lovely family we stay with are surfers and sailors primarily, as to be expected in such a lovely seaside location, but Brian and his mum are keen to do more bike touring when they can.
Next morning there is a little mist along the beachside route. A bit further on Laguna Beach is disappointing as the road is very busy and the shoulder used for parking. At the coffee stop at Crystal Cove, we spot our first California Thasher, foraging in the chaparral alongside.
The route improves as we enter the state park at San Onofre, where we are rewarded with miles of quiet road by the shore, with hardly any cars.
We pass our first "ghost" bike, a white painted bike attached to a fence to mark where a cyclist has been killed in a road accident. The next ten miles are through a large military base so we have to show our passports. It's a quiet ride apart from helicopters constantly overhead, including one apparently keeping a really close eye on us!
Not far from the beach at Carlsbad is the gorgeous home of Gary and Lee (and their two retriever crosses). Last week they had a very heavy rain storm! As a result 4 little frogs have been washed into their swimming pool. They seem very happy swimming around.
We all watch the 2nd presidential debate on TV. To us it seems the president is more proactive and feisty than at the previous match.
Their next door neighbour is hosting a native American drumming/chanting evening which provides an atmospheric background (it reminds us of an Exeter "Chiefs" rugby match)!
Tour miles to date: 2,560
Location:Venice beach to Carlsbad
