and so my blog coverage of the bike tour begins! i am right now writing this post late at night in my tent at the newbrighton beach campsite outside of santa cruz, ca. we started our ride in half moon bay this morning and rode 56 miles to our first destination. and of course, as you might expect on the first day of a tour, there were lots of mishaps. we didn’t start off bright and early as planned because we had so many little last minute errands to attend to, so we left half moon bay at around noon after getting a ride to the coast from brendan’s dad. the coastline was quite foggy and cool most of the ride, which was actually pretty nice since you really work up a sweat with all that riding. along the way, we stopped for a break at bean hollow beach to take a look at the tide pools. then we stopped to check out the pigeon point lighthouse. it’s the second tallest beacon in the country and you can find whale bones along the beach there.
we foolishly continued on without a stop for lunch, so we were a bit delirious when we arrived in santa cruz. we had a bunch of supplies we still needed to buy, so we kicked around town until 7:30pm before heading off to the campsite. as you can probably imagine, we didn’t make it to the site until after sunset, so we set up the tent and ate sammiches in the dark! It was certainly an exhausting day, but i’m feeling good laying here in the tent with the sound of the ocean lulling me to sleep.
blouse: j.crew chambray shirt
tank: outlier ultrafine merino wool tank courtesy of outlier
pants: women’s daily riding pants courtesy of outlier
shoes: jeffrey campbell oxfords courtesy of modcloth
bike: surly long haul trucker
panniers: arkel grand touring
39 comments
So Awesome, Erin! This is a really inspiring post. xo
your trip sounds sooo amazing! when i tell the mister he is going to be sooo jealous! we went on a bike trip on july but didn't go far but it was ALL up hill to the camp site which was fun! we have been planning on doing another bike trip again…i think somewhere up north! i have wanted to go beach camping for a while…maybe when we get our indian summer!
have fun!
xo,
cb
Who makes those awesome panniers? And is that a matching tent bag? They are so cool!
I don't think I've ever seen a Surly 'round these parts with actual gears and brakes! ;)
ahhhh me and the boyf have been wanting to do something like this – it looks amazing! and I see you are using your new lens? Hot stuff. Which lens did you end up getting again?
the panniers are arkel and that is a matching tent bag.
and yes, that's the surly long haul trucker, designed for touring with a granny gear and all!
and i did finally get a new lens. it's a nikon d60 with a 35mm f/1.8! i highly recommend it!
and i promise i have full blog post about all 3 of these things coming up next week!
What an exciting adventure! I'm so glad you're posting this journey!
these photos came out nice and crispy! hooray for a new lens, looks like an amazing adventure!
That's a great way of spending time, I guess… :)
http://agatiszka.blogspot.com/
gah, i'm sooo excited to follow you on this trip! it's so cool that you're documenting it.. i love the pacific coast highway, it's amazingly pretty. you look great, have fun on your trip!
So exciting!! I'm really glad that you're blogging on your trip- it's gonna be so much fun to follow. :)
x
michal
Your trip sounds amazing, and you somehow manage to look fashionable at the same time.
oh goodness. I can't imagine biking so much without a few meals at all! these shots are so cute!
thank you for taking us on your tour with you….looks amazing, and wayyy better than being stuck in an office :/
I can't believe you can look so stylish while on a bike tour!
Such fun! Bike touring is the BEST!
looks like so much fun!
these pictures are gorgeous!
killerclothingrack.blogspot.com
Hey hey! Welcome to Santa Cruz! At least it has finally been clearing up here this week! :)
(http://showersofsunflowers.blogspot.com)
Your hair looks wondeeeeerful! Only few girls can still maintain femininity with short cuts, but you manage it girl!
xoxoxox love amy
Holy crap, 56 miles? That's intense.
-Vern
can't wait for more!
i will live vicariously through you!
this is just the most beautiful trip! also, it shows how fit you are. there's no way i could peddle that far in an afternoon!
your hair is beautiful, wish I had the courage to cut this size. Oh god, this bike tour must have been great.
this is so rad – have so much fun! :)
Love these images! So beautiful! Looks like a gorgeous cycling trip!!! And you managed to look fashionable and cute all the while!! Props!!
xoxo
love,
The Beckerman Girls
http://www.beckermanbiteplate.com
great pictures, it seems like you'll have lots of fun! gosh, i can't believe how far you're biking, i would never be able to make that, you are superwoman! good luck, hope everything goes smoothly from now on! :)
LOOKS LIKE A BLASTT!!
xxx
http://amaturecouture.com/
I just love your blog and fantastic outfits !
I've just added the Etsy shop in favorites and…following !
See U !
oh how fun! i would love to do this. my ideal bike ride would be from BC (where i live) to Washington! I ride my bike everyday, so I think I would love it!
love that you post these adventures. makes me think i should take a leaf out of your book and do something spontaneous and fun and physical (most importantly) :)
http://www.repeatwithbrazen.blogspot.com
very chic in the bike outfit!! :D love it!! all the best to you!
Animated Confessions
It's not fair that you look so chic while biking–I mean those shoes and a chambray blouse??? Hope it's a really epic trip.
A wonderful post. I'm embarking on a 80 mile walk across the UK next week so this is very inspiring. Enjoy x
Your post here inspired me and my fella to start planning a little tour from the South Bay to Big Sur! I'm really excited.
You look ultra-styling, of course! Thanks for the inspiration and have fun!
oh bike tours are so much fun!! just came back from mine yesterday and although my butt really hurt, it was so worth the pain :))
XX
love the pics on the beach! <3
http://www.abitoffashion.com
sounds funnnnnnn!! :)
xoxo
wow looks like fun! you certainly are adventurous. i like a good bike ride and all, but i'm too much of a city girl for camping, hehe! have fun! and dont skip tomorrow's lunch!
I can't believe you wore these shoes on the bike tour. Still stylish, even then. I love this actually. I hope you have fun.