Big day finally here. Despite waking up early it was still after 8am by the time I’d navigated the slightly awkward breakfast and packed up the final things. I was expecting a route out the city along the river path but that only lasted about a mile before navigating a succession of slightly odd roads. Every turn I took felt as though I was leaving a better road for cyclists. But got my first real taste of nice riding through Mission Hills Park and from there it was uphill all the way. Initially through quintessential US suburbs before turning properly mountainous. Stopped for lunch in Alpine and then again for fluids and an ice cream. Legs felt good on the hills but clearly not used to the heat as sweat was pouring off.

 

The final 5 miles was a quick descent to the campsite. Nice site but infested with all kinds of bugs and got multiple bites. I’d picked up some roadside avocados, so I made some wraps for dinner. Pretty shattered and asleep by 9 being serenaded by a guy a couple of pitches down playing really nice guitar and singing softly. Lovely.