Day 44: LA!
Pitched my tent last night next to a massive bed of fallen Autumn colored leaves which I thought looked cool. That was until night fell and I kept waking up to the crunch of some creature’s footsteps squashing the leaves not more than 2 feet from my head. No idea what creatures lurked outside the tent and I wasn’t leaving the comfort of my sleeping bag to check. So instead I just shake the tent and shout in the hopes of scareing whatever it is away. But there were no other creature sounds aside from this. Guess I wouldn’t have noticed them either if I wasn’t beside the bed of fallen leaves. And the main thing is nothing tried to break into my bike bags.
The 80ish kms today was very much in 3 different stages. The first stage was on quiet coastal roads that made it hard to believe that I was going to hit LA today. During this section there was a lane closed for a half marathon race. Got talking to one of the marshals on a bike providing cycle support, encouragement and snacks to troubled runners. His name escapes me but he is an endurance cyclist. He cycled with me for 5 kms or so. He had a funny squeaky duck on his bike he would honk as we passed runners while shouting encouragement before continuing with our shite talk.
The 2nd stage was on very busy roads on the outskirts of LA. These were coastal with so many surfers on every beach. My bike is interesting enough looking where I get questions. For example, while I was stopped at a coffee shop a surfer asked where I was cycling from and where I was going. This is the most common question, and I have answered it so many times that I don’t need to think about it. Instead while answering I observe the mix of reactions that cross the faces of the quizzer. Shock, Surprise, Fear, Awe, Horror, Disbelief. Sometimes, like in this case, other emotions like jealousy come up. In this case, he wasn’t only a surfer but also a mountain biker who has surfed and ridden in Baja and said he would love to do this style of trip. I sometimes jokingly ask people to quit their jobs and join me and in this case, he almost said yes!
The 3rd section was on the outskirts of LA. I learned that LA isn’t actually on the coast but there are loads of basically connected coastal towns that are basically connected to LA proper. So LA and its surroundings are absolutely massive. This section was almost all on bike paths on the beach. The beaches were exactly like what you expect from watching all the American TV. Fit people playing volleyball, rollerblading the sidewalk, shirtless people working out, all for miles and miles and miles.
About 2 months ago while out for a few drinks with my CEO and CTO (Hello Mic + Dem!), we ran into an American couple in a pub. They were on holiday in Ireland. Later in the night, we get talking about my trip plans and they offer a place to stay while in LA! Wow! Remember rule number 2 is never turning down such offers.
So now, 2 months later, I arrive on Joshua and Kyla’s doorstep to welcomes, smiles, laughs and a beer. Ooo and introductions to their dog, Tyton. The good chats are had and are continued when we go for Mexican food in a local place. We went in a self-driving Tesla which is my first time in a self-driving car. This is a slight nerve wracking but very cool experience.
Thank you so much Joshua and Kyla for letting me crash here for a few days! It is very generous and totally selfless for you to offer your home to a random stranger and it is very much appreciated. Looking forward to hanging out!
And Fiona (the crazy Swiss also cycling to Ushuaia) who is a couple of days behind me agreed to collect and bring my helmet to LA. Thank you Fiona!
So the next couple of days will be rest days around LA. Guess I need to do some of the touristy stuff here. Will probably combine these rest days into a single journal entry.
