Valencia CA - Day 2

First 'real' day of riding today -  80 miles with 3200 feet of climbing (which was just rolling and not bad at all) - after dipping our back wheels in the ocean we headed south down 'Ventura Boulevard' following the 101 to Ventura and enjoying the ocean. Lots of surfers in the water and RVs (not in the water) along the road. Turning inland past avocado groves and citrus groves with an awesome tailwind. Hot weather in the upper 80s but a great first day! Tonight in Valencia (which you would think would be the home of the Valencia orange but unfortunately that was named after Valencia Spain though it was first cultivated not far from here). One of our senior group members had three flat tires today :(. The group is pretty amazing - a number of older riders that just kick it down. I rode in the paceline occasionally today but didn't want to push to keep up and it's easier to stop for picture-taking when you're not in the middle of a pack. Stopped for lunch in Santa Paula (we passed by Santa Claus Lane but did not go 'right down' it) including nutella (which was perfect on brownies by the way). Tomorrow is our first 100 mile day - starting with a 25 mile uphill apparently - glad we started with an easy day!

Classic... Hwy 101