In the fall of 2002 we decided, we needed a more casual tour from our coast to coast tour of 2001. We met fellower TransAm tandem team Tom and Margaret Gate from Corona, CA in Solvang to drive together to Monterey to begin our 5-day tour down the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara.

We departed Monterey Bay on Oct 15th at 9 AM. It was a cool overcast fall morning for our ride to Big Sur (45 miles). Our route was through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach via 17 Mile Drive to Carmel. The route began on beautiful coastal bikeways and meanders through Pebble Beach with wonderful seaside views through cypress trees.

There are golf courses and beautiful multi-million homes along the narrow eucalyptus tree lined 17 Mile Drive, which easily creates a distraction from the climbing. By the time we reached Carmel our continental breakfast had been expended so we stopped for a second breakfast at the Tuck Box a quaint English style restaurant.

After a short ride through Carmel we proceeded down the Pacific Coast Highway towards our destination for the evening at the Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer State Park . The cool overcast conditions made for a very comfortable ride. The coast in Monterey County is anything but flat. Dinner at the Lodge was an interesting experience. They were hosting a party to recognize a local teacher for 50 years of service. As a result the dinner was a fixed menu and the kitchen was officially closed. We managed to convince the cook to let us order from the lunch menu.