Distance, elevation: 40 mi, +472/-466 ft.
Detailed route.
What route is shown in the embedded map above may depend on Google's mood. So here are snapshots of the route we took: Google Maps, PDF
8:30 am. Snooze.
9 am. Happy fourth! Make oatmeal with strawberries and granola. If only the granola were blue.
11:30 am. Trader Joe’s. J goes to find some food for lunch while I adjust the bottle cage a bit. While doing so, met a lady, Sandara, who was very interested in chatting. She seemed to think I was an influencer and asked to take pictures. I don't use social media, I explain, you're talking to a nerd and hermit. That was strong supporting evidence for paparazzi. She started secretly taking pictures of and recording me. She even followed me to the bathroom! If people start thinking they're spotting celebrities everywhere, it means we're officially, culturally, in SoCal.
12:15 pm. We’re off.
1:15 pm. Lunch break at Carpinteria Beach. Ciabatta, Spanish Iberico cheese, mole, veggie straws. Change in a fresh front tire and put in as much air as possible with the mini pump; this finally gets the wheel to feel satisfactory. So smooth after.
3:15 pm. Off to Oxnard. Today’s route was excellent. We spent a good portion of it on the Caltrans First Adopt-A-Bike Path. Very smooth ride on a protected trail with ocean views throughout. J was very happy with it. We pass through several sections of RV camps along the oceanfront. These involve a lot of bbq smoke and American flags for the holiday.
4:45 pm. Arrive in Ventura. Sunny beach. Once we move towards Oxnard, it gets a bit foggy and chilly. We ride past the naval base and I wave to an officer inside. He waves back. Feels very patriotic.
6 pm. Arrive at hotel. Holiday Inn Port Hueneme. We chose this location because it is right by the beach where there will be fireworks tonight.
7 pm. To dinner at Dave’s Hot Chicken. So delicious. Better than the Bay Area ones. Or maybe it’s something about long rides that has made every food taste amazing this week.
9 pm. Watch fireworks by Port Hueneme lighthouse. The way the moonlight reflects off the waves looks like bioluminescence. J is very fascinated by this, more so than in the fireworks even. Some dudes by the lighthouse catch a fish while the rest of us are distracted by shiny things. The main show is at Channel Islands Beach, but we get a nice view from here minus the crowds. Plus, there are so many private launchings all along the shore that there’s plenty to see in every direction.
10 pm. Back at hotel. There is a new knot in the palm of my left hand from resting on the handlebars. This one is a first, and so odd that it’s not clear how to get it out. For everything else, the fitness center has a foam roller and yoga mats. Finally, a real roller. Much pain and relief.
10:30 pm. Chill.