Me & cousin Tony at Big SurEarly morning fog coming off the water in Big Sur, I’m really happy the camera was able to capture it.Riding off through Big SurHandlebar shot of a birds eye view of Big Sur, CATony and his large Aldo’s breakfast in Santa CruzMarina at Aldo’s in Santa CruzAldo’s in Santa CruzMe & Tony heading out early in Santa CruzOur motel in Santa Cruz, Crestview Inn. Across from the beach & next to the pier. Convenient and clean…enough.Early morning in Santa Cruz, CAOur motto for the weekend “At least I did it!”. One of our favorite parts of the bike rideLunch at Sam’s Chowder House on the way to Santa Cruz. An institution & Tony had the famous lobster roll10 miles before hitting Santa Cruz, found this coffee shop off US1. Bike parking available of course!Think they mean bikes?Off US1, great coffee- desert shop. Self serve & pay on the honor system. Great stop late in the day as we approached Santa CruzLighthouse & sealsview from the lighthouseDay two on way to Carmel, inland & hot but a lot of cool rural sights.Pezzini Farm roadside store, fresh fruit and caramel. Great stop on a hot dayMenu at Pezzini FarmsPezzini Farms artichoke food truckOn way to Carmel, beautiful park and bike paths everywhere!Big Sur in the morningBridge to Big SurMe & Tony pre-lunch at NepentheBig SurTony having a moment at the top of a steep climb in Big SurMade it to Nepenthe from Carmel. Time for lunch & then head back to Carmel.Patio at Nepenthe, great ambrosia burger for our efforts. The view from the patio is as good as it gets.Sculpture at NepentheRiding back from Big Sur to Carmel, caught this cow standing on a hill staring at us. Beautiful setting, mountains to the right, ocean to the left.not something you see every dayClose to Carmel, stopped for a quick hikeBig Sur River Inn. We should have stayed here last night, we just didn’t have the legs & stopped at Carmel. There could be worse things!Big Sur River Inn bus parked out front.
Part of my weekly ride in Atlanta, Stone Crest Mall to the Monastery on a rails to trail pathinteresting…Handlebar shot of the Monastery in ConyersMonastery greenhouseMonastic Heritage Centermonastery in Conyers, GAThe sanctuary at the monastery in Conyers
Cruising back roads from Greenville to Ashville & stumbled across the best mailbox ever. This was a good indication of more to come in off the wall Ashville.Coffee break on the way back from Ashville to GreenvilleGreat BBQ at Hubba HubbaTired & hungry, Tom & I stopped at Hubba Hubba on our way to & from Ashville. The food was outstanding!Roaming chickens at Hubba Hubba BBQ
A hike into Cloudland Canyon & spent some time relaxing next to this waterfallScenic Overlook Drive, well worth the climb.
Cloudland CanyonMade it to the entrance of Cloudland Canyon State ParkCrazy little convenience store- restaurant just outside Cloudland Canyon. Great sandwich and even better conversations with the local old timers. The restaurant was in the back of the store, I wish I had snapped a few photos of the locals, they made the ride a lot of fun.View from the runway that the sky gliders were jumping from. They are out of their mind!Artwork in Chattanooga near the river.The legendary Mile Riley calling the inaugural Ironman Chattanooga. It was great to listen to Mike call the finish of two great friends Paul & Sudie, great job guys!
Riding from the Silver Comet trail to Barry College, beautiful country riding. The fence doesn’t look strong enough to hold this guy back.farmland outside on Rome, GARunning Wild Ranch, Rome, GAWe also rode through Cedertown, GA
Heading to St Marks via rails to trail path, starting in Tallahassee, FLEntering St Marks State ParkAt the end of St Marks State Park, beautiful lighthouse looking over the ocean.Riverside Café in St Marks. Great fresh fish & sitting on the river, really cool place to stumble on.The dock behind Riverside Café in St Marks, FLThe view of the river from the bar at Riverside Café in St Marks, FLTime to eat at the Riverside CafeMade it to the Lighthouse at St Marks. Hot, humid and out of water, not a good sign to stumble upon. Fortunately, the welcome center was only 10 miles away & had plenty of cold water.
Day 2, 103 mile ride to the top of Towns Pass and back to Furnace CreekRiding to Towns Pass with a new friend Greyson QuarlesFurnace Creek in Death ValleyBeautiful Death ValleyFurnace Creek Inn- golf courseDropping into Death ValleySunset at Death ValleyHwy 190 in Death ValleyThe long climb to Towns Pass
Beautiful Pensacola Beach, riding through Gulf Shores National Seashore. One of my favorite places on earth!Riding into MissippiHot & humid, heading from Biloxi airport to Pensacola Beach, FLCrossing into AlabamaTaking the ferry from Dauphin Island to Gulf Shores. Missed the prior ferry by 7 minutes! No worries, I needed the rest!All in a days work, a floating bait and tackle shop.I love this sign! Entering Pensacola Beach. Hot, tired and ready for a beer. This sign always makes me happy!Finally made it to Shaggy’s for beer and nachos. Great to finally make it to Pensacola Beach.