New day, new scenery.
Left out of San Simeon at 10am and headed East. It was a brisk 56 degrees when I left but by the time I got midway over the hills to Paso I needed to strip out the liners from my pants and jacket.
The first section was narrow, goaty and filled with blind curves and careless drivers. I had 2 near head-on meetings with pickups taking curves too wide. I was already riding on the edge of the road and nowhere to go but off the side. They must drive that mountain road daily to be taking curves that wide and fast. Anyway, I survived and checked that road off my list. The next section was much nicer. Smooth road, sweeping curves and tons of wild life. I saw a total of 4 deer on that section. Two decided to dart out in front of me but I was prepared and no deer or Teneres were injured.
After stopping for gas and water in Paso I headed up a road I hadn't ridden in over 10 years. It's only gotten worse, but this time I came equipped with the right bike. No deer, but I did see a hawk, a roadrunner and countless suicide squirrels. Seriously, those little guys were constantly darting out in front of me. I eventually stopped carring and figured they must not have anything to live for so if I hit them, I hit them. Well, numerous close calls but no assisted suicides.
That leg of the journey ends right at the end of CA-25 so up I went towards Pinnacles NP where I stopped for more hydration. Being a vet means I get in free so might as well take advantage of it.
After that it was up CA-25 to Hollister, over the pass to the Central Valley floor and country backroads the rest of the way home. Here are some pics of the journey and a map of the leg up to Pinnacles.
Sketchy death road
Land of the suicide squirrels
My favorite NP to hike
Not much detail but I assure you it was almost entirely backroads
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