| Date: October 30, 1999 | | Location Canada to Mexico - #42 - Port Hueneme to Redondo Beach | | Where: Redondo Beach, California | Saturday - Jim writes
The day started a little ominous for us. I was a little tenuous about how I would be able to ride after laying over for the day to recuperate from intense abdominal cramps the night before. The weatherman was promising a hot day with the temps in the 90s. (It was the first morning we have ridden with out arm & leg warmers or jacket.) And as we left the hotel we ran smack into a headwind. Heading east we were cycling right into the dreaded Santa Anna winds. At one point we were brought to a complete standstill by a strong gust.
By the time we reached Santa Monica I can't say I even noticed the wind. At Santa Monica we got off Highway 1, and rode a biking/walking/running path. We were confronted with a new challenge - congestion on the path. Roller blade skaters were everywhere, I guess because of the heat, the ladies where in bikinis. I noticed a lot of beach volleyball going on also, again the same uniform. It's hard to ride and concentrate on all that's going on. I kept begging Jeanette to allow us to stop for a drink of water.
I finally talked her into a root beer float at Venice Beach. While we were enjoying our floats a local cyclist stopped and struck up a conversation with us. We eventually talked him into guiding us through this perilous area to Redondo Beach where he lives. This was a great boon to our traveling, as I no longer had to keep my nose to my map trying to figure out the route and watch for every curve.
Being able to concentrate on the beautiful scenery we were passing through I noticed that in addition to roller blading and beach volleyball there was also a lot of sun bathing going on. It was interesting to note that it all requires the same attire.
When Jeanette announced that we were at the turn off for our motel I couldn't believe it. I was ready to ride many more miles. I was even more surprised when I checked my odometer and discovered it had been one of our longer riding days. Now what was that about the sickeys, headwinds and hot weather?
|  | | Jeanette looking down the coast |  | | Channel Islands |  | | Jim & Jeanette @ Redondo Beach Days Distance: 64.6 miles
Days Climb: 1090 feet
Days Average Speed: 11.6 mph
Days Max Speed: 33.5 mph
Total Distance: 1837.0 miles |
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