{"id":27,"date":"2016-07-06T23:01:37","date_gmt":"2016-07-06T23:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bikingwithmike.com\/?p=27"},"modified":"2016-07-06T23:01:37","modified_gmt":"2016-07-06T23:01:37","slug":"first-overnighter-carpinteria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bikingwithmike.com\/?p=27","title":{"rendered":"First overnighter – Carpinteria"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>Once I assembled most of my gear, I decided to do an overnight shakedown ride from Carpinteria. \u00a0 It was both fun and a learning experience. \u00a0Linda dropped me off at the Van Nuys Amtrak station with my bike a $\"pacific$ nd my gear.\n

Boarding the train was a learning experience in itself. \u00a0I had splurged on a Business Class ticket just because I thought the extra room would be nice \u2013 bad idea! \u00a0The car where you bike goes is at the very back of the train whereas the Business Class car is at the very front of the train !! \u00a0There are about 7 cars separating the two. \u00a0And, I found out, trains don\u2019t stop very long to let people board and disembark!! \u00a0In any case, with some help from the station agent I was able to get my bike secured on the train and make it up to my seat with all of my bags! \u00a0First lesson \u2013 plan this out better the next time!<\/p>\n

Once aboard the ride was nice and it was fun to just watch the world go by. \u00a0About Ventura, I started lugging all of my bags toward the back of the train so I could make a quick exit at Carpinteria. \u00a0No problem \u2013 the train rolled into Carpinteria and I rolled off my bike and was good to go.<\/p>\n

Carpinteria State Beach is right near the train station so I rode over, checked in, paid my $10 and was directed over to the \u2018Hike and Bike\u2019 area (no reservations required \u2013 first come, first serve).<\/p>\n

I got my tent set up, rolled out my sleeping mat and sleeping bag. and decided to ride into town and check it out.<\/p>\n

$\"IMG_0403\"$ \u00a0 I have driven past Carpinteria many, many times over the years but never had a reason to stop. \u00a0I discovered a nice little town \u2013 nice shops and restaurants. \u00a0Cute little place. \u00a0I ultimately opted for dinner at \u2018The Spot\u2019 which I understand is a well known burger place in Carpinteria. \u00a0Very tasty.<\/p>\n

I went back to camp and walked over to the $\"IMG_0408\"$ beach to watch the sunset. \u00a0In the mean time, quite a crowd had shown up at the Hike and Bike campground \u2013 probably 12 to 15 riders. \u00a0There were\u00a03 guys from Norway, 1 guy from Austria, \u00a0one guy who lived in Bishop, CA but had ridden to Canada and was now on his way to San Diego and various others.<\/p>\n

$\"IMG_0413\"$ <\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"