After a glorious day of riding we arrived in Placentia. Miah, as our local guide and gracious host took us to the ‘Placentia Tamale Festival.’ The night ended with a viewing of ‘Breaking Away’ (an inspirational and comical 1979 cycling film).
In the morning, the coastal crew moved to Carlsbad from Newport Beach and the Inland crew made their way to Holy Family Cathedral School. The morning included a slide show for 7th graders followed by the creation of informational compost signs, composting presentations (to practice for teaching the younger students about their new compost and garden), activities about arable land and a lesson on alternative transportation.
After a brief lunch the Inland crew traveled for eight miles along the Los Angles River. I, Marguerite, having never seen the L.A. River, was shocked at the varied state of the cement river. The river went from dry, barren cement walls to a vast waterway, to what appeared to be a slough of surprisingly thriving life. The inland crew saw a copious array of bird species and vegetation.
We were shocked to learn LA once acquired a majority of its fresh water from this very small looking stream that spans 51 miles from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. With the recent rain our thoughts kept coming back to urban and agricultural runoff and its effects on the once flourishing river.
After a three-mile mishap in Newport Beach, we decided to take the ferry (with the help of our friend Owen—who appeared in the nick of time) instead of backtracking, and we made our way to Pacific Coast Highway. Along our way the crew went through the military base ‘Camp Pendelton,’ first time bike tripper Kamron observed that “Camp Pendelton has the opportunity to foster more bike culture” but he was “stoked to be able to pass through”. The ride was long, the head wind strong but most of us made it to Carlsbad before dark.
When the Inland group approached the destination, excitement grew about reuniting with the coastal group. We shared our stories and battle scars over pizza and celebratory music. As the trip’s finale quickly approaches, we are reminded that the journey truly is the destination.
Flats 2 = Adam & Kyla
Miles Ridden = 75 miles
Written by 1st time bike-trippers: Marguerite & Whitney
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