West Coast of USA to Indio

Ventura to Indio

 I had a really good rest & tourist day in Ventura (officially called The City of San Buenaventura) – I wandered a lot, ate a lot and basically lazed about a lot! The rest day gave me time to wind down and realise that I would be finished with my adventure in a day or two.
 Ventura is a lively place, especially on an evening on Main Street, music, live bands and lots of eating and drinking establishments to choose from. During the day, the beaches are busy with surfers, sun worshippers etc. Once again I noticed many vagabonds and lost people and even though begging is against the local by-law, it still goes on, especially via the silent beggars with the cardboard signs. I’ve come to realise over the years that every city seems to have its rougher edges no matter where I travel, but all in all, Ventura seems a good one for anyone to visit, kick back and enjoy some sun and surf on the beaches of Southern California.

 

 I picked up a rental vehicle and loaded the bike and panniers in without any trouble the night before. Then I set off at about 7:30am yesterday morning – what a rude a awakening from riding a bike for weeks on end! Straight into the LA commuter traffic for many miles on the freeways until all the filter routes south were exhausted. After that it was an easy drive – even with the commuter traffic, my drive was only three and a half hours to Palm Springs Airport. I unloaded the bike there from the vehicle, fastened my panniers on for the last time on this tour and set off east on very familiar roads to Indio.
 It was an easy ride and I took it very slowly as the temperature was in the nineties and I knew that I had to acclimatise gently.

 

 And I wanted to relish the final few miles as much as I could. It was a real treat to arrive at our community and ride my touring bike through the gate – even Basil had a tear in his eye! I don’t know where he is now, but he does deserve a break from hanging onto the saddle for days on end! Oh, I hear him calling – I think he wants a refill!

 2407km is the final tally and it's October 21st - 34 days since I left Sidney, BC – overall a great trip and many good days of spectacular coastlines made up for some of the more challenging day, but that’s what bike touring is about, creating a good balance and trying to get as much weight on the good side – and it usually does not disappoint. I’ve arrived safe and sound and without too many unpleasant experiences (all the bad were inattentive drivers) and close calls, but I’ve had lots of those in the past too, so not above average for this tour.
 I enjoyed the trip immensely, met a couple of great guys and fostered a friendship, thanks Scott and Bob. Bob is still riding on the west coast, hoping to reach Tijuana as his final stop – he is determined and I know that he will make it, way to go Bob. I also met many other cycle tourers and interesting people along the route – that’s another plus of travelling by bike – people are not shy of talking to a cyclist and everybody wants to know about your trip, where you’re from etc. I think almost everybody I met knew Victoria, BC and had played tourist there! But Sidney, not so much, thank God!
 I’m very proud of myself as this was my first major tour for about four or five years now; circumstances including some health concerns have held me back, but I overcame that and proved to myself that there’s still life in the old dog yet!
 I hope that all the reader of this tour have enjoyed “riding along” vicariously. I’ve enjoyed writing the blog and it has given me a record of my progress each day which will be nice to reflect on, especially the who, what, where and when!

 

  

 

 See you all next time...

AdamK & Basil, "Where the hell is he with that bloody drink refill?"