2. Davenport to Salinas, CA, USA

After kissing the mister good-bye (sob!), I trundled down the coast under the purest azure skies and surrounded by a technicolor wildflower superbloom. Santa Cruz clicked by before I turned inland to route around a washed-out bit of Highway 1. First a cupcake and coffee, then a food truck bearing vaso de elote and a sandia agua fresca emerged from the landscape right when my hunger peaked. The cycling diet is my favorite one.

Upon my arrival near Salinas, I was surprised to see that the motel I thought I had booked was actually a historic Victorian mansion. (Gotta read those Booking.com listings more closely.) After hauling Louise up a very steep and narrow flight of stairs, I ate the second half of an emergency burrito I had stashed earlier, washed my kit in the jacuzzi, and passed out cold in a very comfy bed.

Distance: 67.29 mi / 108.29km

Climbing: 2.27K ft / 690 m

Totals: 130.75 mi / 210.42 km; 5,410 ft / 1648.97 m

Sleep Spot: Chateau Coralini

Song in my head: "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin

Route:

Davenport_to_Salinas.gpx

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