Beautiful scenery and weather

Today’s ride was 50 miles through gently rolling countryside, with great scenery. Each small village had its own unique character. We made a coffee stop in Petra, at about the half way point. Petra is the birthplace of Juniperro Serra, a Franciscan monk born in 1713, who traveled to America and Mexico. He founded missions in California, some of which were the beginnings of San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angels and San Franciso. The village square was full of bikes. And every imaginable color of spandex.

Stone walls dominated the roadside, All were hand stacked and gated houses and farms were out of sight far beyond the gates. Wildflowers were everywhere, and the bright red poppies really caught our eye. Scents of Jasmine filled the air and we passed trees laden with oranges and field of onions, potatoes,and artichokes. Bells clanged as the sheep moved around the pastures and through the thickets.


Stats for today: 47 miles, 1356 feet of climbing