After a Big Storm.

A really remarkable storm last night: high winds, lightning and thunder, and an intense hail storm. Small piles of hail were still to be seen at noontime, while I was off on a fairly arduous bike ride with a few of the local riders (boy, I'm really not in shape in January!). After my second puncture of the day on a highway covered with storm debris, I called for Nancy to come and pick me up with the Pathfinder. I was only a mile or so short of our finish, but I was too tired to change another tire just for that short distance, and I didn't want the others to have to wait for me again. I'm still learning the ropes of local riding, wearing more layers and sporting more foul weather gear than I've ever used before; new today: neoprene over-booties that cover the entire shoe and ankle, and clip-one plastic fenders that prevent water from spraying one's legs and backside. Good times.
Much of the coast is really beautiful, not unlike Big Sur or the rocky coast near San Simeon. It sure has been cold and windy, though, perhaps better suited to gazing out a picture window than riding a road bike.