DAY 3: Big Sur to San Luis Obispo

“There is a Horse Eating Somebody’s Helmet”

Well, the easy days are officially behind us – today we crested the 100 mile distance, and won’t let up until we reach San Diego on Friday.

That said, it was an amazing day on the bikes with a couple huge climbs (after I swore it was a pretty flat course), views of the NorCal ocean, the elephant seals, the livestock grazing at Hearst Castle, and some great battles on the road by the front of the group – and grazing on some delicious grub by the back.

Along the way, that same grazing by riders found a group of four at a San Simeon

at one of those little roadside inns filled with burgers, fish and chips, and all the kind of food you get to eat as much as you like when you’re burning 800 calories an hour.

As they were grubbing on burgers and fries, resting some tired legs about 70 miles into the ride, when a customer walked through the door.

“There is a Horse Eating Somebody’s Helmet!” he announced.

Scotty P jumped up, dashing out the door, afraid it was his helmet (and dreading the phone call when he would have to tell his wife that this was an act of nature like you wouldn’t believe.)

“Whew not this time!”  John M will have to figure out how to make the nearly 400 miles remaining with the telltale marks of a equine snack atop his head.

Tomorrow we’re off to Santa Barbara – 109 miles that include just a few more climbs...

And hopefully some Brophy Bros for some of those aforementioned fish and chips on the pier.

Big Sur to San Luis Obispo
106.4 miles
7207 feet of climbing
Total for the trip – 267.4 miles