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It was day for firsts to say the least…

The century!
Let’s start with our first CENTURY of the tour. That’s right, we knocked out 100 miles in one day as we rode from Santa Barbara (Goleta) to Malibu. I’d like to think it was the culmination of a month and half of riding and getting in shape that led to this accomplishment… But, let’s face it, we really owe it to Kent and Donna who spoiled us with delicious food, a bowl of yogurt the size of our heads and a great place to relax before pushing off on our longest day yet. Thanks guys.. Much appreciated.

The 2000 mile mark!
We also passed our 2000 mile mark today. We continued the custom started 1000 miles earlier in the redwoods where upon arriving at the 1000 mile mark, we dismounted from bikes and dance dance danced on the side of the rode. It was disco fever with just the right amount booty shakin’. 2000 miles down and 10,000 more to go… give or take a few thousand.

Our first night of not-so-legit camping
After 88 miles, with straining muscles, we slowly ascended the hill leading to the Malibu RV park. Our “Cycling the West Coast” Lonely planet guide book (or at least the pages we ripped out of said guide book) indicated that it would be about 20 dollars for a tent site. This was double what we were used to paying. But after 88 miles we resigned ourselves to the idea and promised to skimp on something else later to make up for it (maybe forgo the almond butter). We strolled in looking a lot like the roadkill we’d been biking past (and probably smelling like it too) when the otherwise nice looking lady informed me that campsites were not going to be twenty dollars but $62!! And that was the discounted price for the “non ocean view sites.” Wait a minute… this is dirt we are talking about, right? We have our own tent, food, stove, sleeping bags… 62 dollars for a square piece of dirt!? There was no amount of fatigue that could justify spending that much money on a campsite (ie.. a square piece of dirt -just to reiterate) so another hour on the bikes until we found another piece of dirt for free… (off the side of the road.)
***ok, I know the parentals are freaking out… But let me assure you that though this ‘campsite’ was not exactly LEGAL, it was well accepted by the local folk (two of whom directed us there) that surfers looking to save a penny camped there all the time. AND we were even told by the local fire department (we tried to talk them into letting us camp at the fire station) that as long as we stayed out of sight of houses, and didn’t start any fires (not even cigarettes!), we were ok to camp in their books.***

Thai Food
We celebrated with a night out for dinner at a Thai restaurant. Another first for the trip. Being on a tight budget usually keeps us out of restaurants and trying to eat locally usually keeps us from having Thai food. We figured the money we saved on camping went directly towards pad thai and curry. Besides, we just passed the 2000 mile mark.. it was time to celebrate!

On the road by 6:45
After our first century ride, celebratory Thai food, and night of illegal camping, we actually pulled it together and were up for an early start. It was probably all that excitement knowing that we’d be in Yorba Linda by the end of the day. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the traffic on the street 50 feet away that we were camping next to. Or there was one more thing.. it’s hard to explain exactly but.. .. well.. I guess it can be reduced to a simple equation. MY BODY + Thai FOOD = trip to BATHROOM. Justin and Chris who spent 3 weeks with me in Thailand will fully understand. Either way, we were on our bikes and pedaling by 6:45 for our earliest start yet. GO US!!!

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