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Published: October 18th 2008
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Hello, everybody!
Here is a message from someone who has fully earned the title Long Distance Laura! Having cycled just over 2000 miles, I have made it to my destination, San Diego, where it seems to be true that there are no clouds in the sky - so far, anyway.
What an experience. I feel such a sense of achievement as well as something like dizzy relief at the moment when my front tyre nudged the fence that separates the USA and Mexico and I reached out and touched it, remembering the moment when I left the chilly Canadian border 6 weeks ago. It was quite overwhelming and I still can't quite believe how far we've come.
The hot and dusty ride to the border happened on Wednesday and since then I have been savouring my last few moments with the group as they have one by one been drifting off back to their real lives. It is difficult seeing them all go, and odd being by myself again and having to readjust and prepare for Phase Two of my travels.
The last couple of weeks on the road have been perhaps the most enjoyable of all.
Not only was it such fun being with the group as we got to know each other so well, but I think the atmosphere between us all got more and more happy and festive as we knew we were reaching our goal, and we were all going to make it. The scenery in Southern California was beautiful, with huge dramatic cliffs and sheer drops into the ocean (luckily we all managed to stay on the road) and, inland, sun-baked mountains and long, long roads shimmering in the heat. We coped with some serious hills and some fiercely hot headwinds, but with determination, laughter and lots of water and food, we all made it. The last few days included some wonderful beach paths through Malibu, Venice Beach etc which seemed like another world and a paradise for cyclists. There was a definite holiday atmosphere here, hundreds of palm trees, sparkling blue sea, beach volleyball, rollerskaters, endless sandy beaches, magnificent villas and some very rich people about!
As I took down my tent for the last time, I felt a sense of nostalgia at the lifestyle I knew I was leaving behind: the constant companionship of my new buddies, particularly Art,
whom I have spent such a lot of time with; the waking up to a new sunrise and a huge breakfast of cereals, fruits, yoghurts, honey and some occasional Nutella; the getting on the road and swallowing up the miles, knowing that the only aim for the day was getting from A to B in one piece; the endlessly changing scenery and the never knowing what adventures the day is going to bring; the sense of achievement up the hills and the thrill of the breathless descents; the sandwich breaks and chats along the way; the leap-frogging of the other riders and not knowing who you might catch up with (or who might catch up with you) next; the meeting at the grocery store in the afternoon to pick up a bag of food and finding a place on your bike to strap it to, that has not already been strapped to by something else; the arrival at the next campground and choosing an optimum tent spot, often right on the edge of a glorious beach; the hot hearty dinners cooked by the day's chefs and the shoving down as much food as possible ready for all the calorie-burning the
next day! I have cooked popcorn and marshmallows over an open campfire, I have seen many sunsets, I have seen AND heard many wild animals, many of which I had never seen before and some of which I had never even heard of before! I won't list them here as this entry is getting too long!
One of the great highlights of the last few weeks was cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. I was SO excited about that! In San Francisco itself, which we whizzed around before continuing on our journey, I managed to fall off my bike but escaped with only a few bruises. I loved the city and have ear-marked it for a longer visit another time.
My bike withstood the miles excellently and had no problems other than two punctures and a little bit of gear trouble, sorted out by Art, my personal mechanic!
The hostel in San Diego is extremely nice and well-run and I am going to enjoy staying here for a few days and use it as my base for sightseeing. There are plenty of sociable things going on the hostel and nice areas to relax in, and there is
a free pancake breakfast every morning - hoorah! I have already been to an outdoor shop and kitted myself out with a few more clothes and a rucksack which will take the place of my panniers in due course, as I continue my travels.
I will keep you posted on how my adventures unfold over the next couple of weeks - I am not saying goodbye to the bike yet so no doubt a bit more riding will be part of the schedule!
Bye bye for now xxx
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Yew Han
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Hey!
Hey Laura, Been enjoying reading your blog, though I did wonder where you disappeared to for the past couple of weeks, whether you got lost in the middle of the desert or eloped with a wealthy Californian! I remember walking that red bridge about 17 years ago, erk reminds me of my age xxx