Biking the California Coast

San Francisco-to-San Diego bike tour provided hills, thrills and romance (from the Los Angeles Times)

A blossoming love affair between a 16-year-old high-school student and a 25-year-old from Wall Street who was on her way to Harvard’s MBA program. A toxic spill that closed Highway 101 and left us stranded in Santa Barbara with hundreds of other travelers. Those are among my most vivid memories of the 15-day, 720-mile coastal bike trip, organized by American Youth Hostels. We traveled from San Francisco to San Diego.

Let me tell you a secret: It was not that hard, and a lot of other people could make that trip if they only knew.

But at first I wasn’t so sure. On a fog-enshrouded Sunday morning in late July, twelve of us left a converted Army barracks in Marin County and pedaled uphill for an hour in our lowest gears. Sweating at 7 a.m., wondering if I would fall behind, I had to ask myself: Who were these people I was traveling with? Were they all marathoners and super-athletes?

At least this AYH tour was “van-supported.” That meant a van accompanied us on the trip, carrying our luggage and leaving us free to ride unencumbered. The van also came in handy if someone’s bike broke down and transport was needed to a bike shop, or if someone decided not to…