The scenery on today’s ride was spectacular! The roads and drivers were mostly fine.
I stopped to take pictures at a turnout and had a conversation with some RV travelers. While we were talking, I saw a couple bike tourists go by. As soon as I could say goodbye to the my new traveling friends, I tried to catch the bike tourists, but they were getting farther and farther away, so I slowed down. But when I started going up a little hill, I could see them again, and I was gaining on them. After a couple miles, I finally caught them and we pulled over to chat.
Theodore is from Chicago, and Pablo is from Mexico, but both of them have Mexican ancestry, and we found a common love for ranchera music. Theodore told me they start their mornings with Linda Ronstadt’s “Y Andale!” We rode together for a little while and shared our food: They shared burritos they’d made this morning, and I shared the grocery store donuts I was carrying. 😁 We continued riding more or less together, but at one point I checked my mirror and they were gone. Theodore and Pablo, if you read this, I really enjoyed talking to you and I hope you have a fantastic adventure, and you know how to reach me!
A little while later, I was catching up to a different bike tourist, but I decided to stop for photos again, and figured that was the last I’d see of him. But I was wrong! I saw two tourists standing on the shoulder and realized one of them was the person I’d tried to catch. His name turned out to be Hans. Hans is traveling from Whistler to San Francisco, and he is from Chile. Ulla is from San Francisco, and I think she has done this many times. She is riding home. They were waiting for their friend, Nick. We talked for a while and eventually Nick showed up. Nick is riding to Santa Cruz (I think???) but may continue to San Diego. They all like to party at camp, and invited me to join them. We’ll see!
It was probably the most social day yet, and this is what I love: Just to talk to strangers!
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