• Largest selection <strong>of</strong> Giant <strong>Bicycle</strong>s in New <strong>Jersey</strong> • Specialized <strong>Bicycle</strong>s and S-Works • Felt - Wilier - Ridley <strong>Bicycle</strong>s • <strong>Bicycle</strong>s for <strong>the</strong> entire family GRAND RE-OPENING ON MAY 7TH PARTY HOSTED BY GIANT BICYCLES FEATURING JEFF LENOSKY COME VISIT US FOR THIS ALL DAY EVENT • Mountain, hybrid, comfort and cruisers Open 7 days a week <strong>Bicycle</strong>s are an amazing way to enjoy life, family and <strong>the</strong> beauty that surrounds us. We have a great selection <strong>of</strong> bicycles for all ages and interests, and our friendly staff will help you find just <strong>the</strong> one you want! ZERO INTEREST FINANCING through GE Money Westwood Cycle is located at 182 Third Avenue, Westwood, NJ. Look for us on <strong>the</strong> web at www.westwoodcycle.com, or call us at 201-664-1688
7 California Here I come... It was a simple intention to visit my son in California, do some cycling and get away from <strong>the</strong> frozen Nor<strong>the</strong>ast for awhile. I am very fortunate that my job at Ridgewood Cycle Shop allows me <strong>the</strong> luxury <strong>of</strong> taking a month <strong>of</strong>f. It’s good for my cycling street cred’ to have some bike adventures. The plan was to fly to Ontario, California, ride a bit in Sou<strong>the</strong>rn California, take Amtrak to San Francisco with <strong>the</strong> bike and ride back. I researched train schedules, ferry schedules, studied maps from <strong>the</strong> Adventure Cycling Association, booked hotels, collected gear, bought a bike trailer, worried, brea<strong>the</strong>d and <strong>the</strong>n - started <strong>the</strong> trip. Starting in Redlands, which is east <strong>of</strong> LA, I took <strong>the</strong> Metrolink to Los Angeles where I would <strong>the</strong>n get on Amtrak. LA Union Station is a very cool mission style building that screams 1940’s. They were filming a music video, set in <strong>the</strong> 40’s that morning and <strong>the</strong> actors did not look out <strong>of</strong> place at all. My train was set to roll at noon, all aboard and away we go. The expression “o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tracks” is so true - alot <strong>of</strong> industrial areas and not so great neighborhoods border <strong>the</strong> tracks, sadly, Amtrak doesn’t run through Beverly Hills. Once we got to <strong>the</strong> coast, near Ventura and Santa Barbara, <strong>the</strong> views were spectacular. Ocean on <strong>the</strong> left, mountains on <strong>the</strong> right, sun slowly setting over <strong>the</strong> Pacific. I’d see this same scene again in about a week, going south and on my bike. The train rolled toward Lompoc, San Luis Obispo and under cover <strong>of</strong> darkness on to San Jose and Oakland, my destination. Traveling by train is pleasant. Slow at times but <strong>the</strong> seats are roomy, people friendly, drinks in <strong>the</strong> observation car and community seating dinner allows <strong>the</strong> traveler a chance to socialize. And - its inexpensive - $42 for me and ano<strong>the</strong>r $20 for <strong>the</strong> bike. Studio, <strong>the</strong> West Coast branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Brooklyn Studio where I built my Bamboo bike <strong>the</strong>n on to <strong>the</strong> Golden Gate Bridge. I wanted to start this journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles with a trip over <strong>the</strong> Golden Gate for no o<strong>the</strong>r reason <strong>the</strong>n to say that I did it. Unfortunately, it was closed to bikes and pedestrians for maintenance, so I’ll have to come back and try again. Tuesday began <strong>the</strong> real journey. Up early, trailer loaded, c<strong>of</strong>feed up and heading out <strong>of</strong> San Francisco. It was about eight miles before I got to open road heading south along <strong>the</strong> Pacific, next stop, Santa Cruz. Tailwinds...good...here comes <strong>the</strong> first climb and first descent. This is going to be slow up and down. I rolled into Santa Cruz, <strong>the</strong>re’s a lot <strong>of</strong> bike geeks in Santa Cruz, found my hotel and called it a night. Eighty five miles for <strong>the</strong> day, averaged about 13mph, but that’s bike touring. At times I was on <strong>the</strong> highway because it’s <strong>the</strong> only road Wednesday - an easy day, only about 50 to Carmel. I started leisurely out <strong>of</strong> Santa Cruz, following <strong>the</strong> highly detailed maps <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Adventure Cycling Association. At times I was on <strong>the</strong> highway because it’s <strong>the</strong> only road and at times on designated paths. I stopped in Monterey for lunch, Cannery Row, a place I’ve been before but first time on <strong>the</strong> bike. My hotel was a few miles away so one more short ride for <strong>the</strong> day, 55 total. I took a walk to watch <strong>the</strong> sunset over <strong>the</strong> Pacific, a stunning free show everynight! I knew Thursday was going to be a big day. Carmel to Cambria, 100 miles, Pacific Coast Highway 1, Big Sur, <strong>the</strong> Bixby Bridge, Hearst Castle, a whole lot <strong>of</strong> climbing, ocean views, drop <strong>of</strong>fs and cliffs - and it was a big day. I started early, knowing that I needed about 8 hours <strong>of</strong> saddle time and <strong>the</strong> sun sets early this time <strong>of</strong> year. By now I was feeling more comfortable with <strong>the</strong> trailer and found if I held on tighter and shifted my weight forward it didn’t wobble. I arrived in Oakland and walked <strong>the</strong> two blocks with my bike and gear to <strong>the</strong> hotel. Without a doubt this was <strong>the</strong> sleaziest hotel I’ve stayed in...I think I was <strong>the</strong> only one <strong>the</strong>re that wasn’t self-medicated and actually stayed <strong>the</strong> entire night! I had pre-arranged for my trailer to be shipped to <strong>the</strong> hotel so <strong>the</strong>re I was at 1AM assembling my Extrawheel Trailer. I slept very quickly and got out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>re at first light. My first ride with <strong>the</strong> trailer was leaving <strong>the</strong> hotel in Oakland and going to <strong>the</strong> ferry to take me to San Francisco. The trailer followed right along but I could feel some wobbliness in <strong>the</strong> bike. This would worry me in days to come. On <strong>the</strong> ferry and cruising...San Francisco skyline coming into view, bridges, islands, <strong>the</strong> piers and <strong>the</strong> Golden Gate Bridge. Ocean on <strong>the</strong> left, mountains on <strong>the</strong> right, sun slowly setting over <strong>the</strong> Pacific It was a short trip to Chinatown where my hotel was and fortunately, not up and over some <strong>of</strong> those super steep San Francisco streets. On <strong>the</strong> first descent that got me to 17 mph I had a speed wobble. I checked into my hotel, unhitched <strong>the</strong> trailer and went for a bike ride. First stop...<strong>the</strong> newly opened San Francisco Bamboo Bike
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