The journey is the reward. That’s the motto that keeps the blood pumping and the heart racing. So why not hop on a bicycle and ride 75 miles to skate some parks?

Highway 1 is known as the illest on the West Coast. I mean who can go wrong with views of the ocean while you embark on an adventure of epic proportions? And besides… less commercialism is always a nice change of pace right? There’s a neat little website out there called Bikely. Check it out. This is the route I chose.

Packing for the trip was quite minimal. I brought a sleeping bag, a windbreaker, a beanie, an extra pair of shorts and socks, a toothbrush, cell phone, spare bike parts / tools (mini pump, extra tubes, wrenches / screw drivers / allen keys / tire levers / lock), 3 peanut butter and banana sandwiches, my Ft. Bragg park fundraiser water bottle (thanks michelle!), my wallet, my harmonica and my skateboard.

1/5 into the route there is a spot right outside Pacifica known as Devil’s Slide. It’s pretty much an uphill twisty sketchy road with little to no shoulder for you to safely ride on. I had dreaded this spot a week prior to the trip and pretty much expected my life to end on it for some reason before I even got to see what it would consist of. I think my bright orange Pink Crack tshirt converted into a tank top gave drivers the visibility they needed to not squash me or bump me which would send me falling hundreds of feet to my death.

At this point of the trip I had been going up and down numerous hills and those peanut butter and banana sandwiches were sounding quite nice. I stopped to check my phone to attempt to handle some work related things but service was jittery. It’s kinda nice to be out of the reception of technology from time to time. It really lets you remember that no matter how far advanced we humans get, we will never top the beauty of mother nature.

My water bottle was halfway full at this point in the trip and I spotted a sign for a hostel. I also noticed this crumbling lighthouse known as Point Pigeon.

The view was incredible however I contaminated the pure water in my bottle by mixing it with water from the outside spicket from the hostel. I should have tasted the spicket water before I mixed it with what I knew was good. I am sure there is some metaphor for life in this experience. Slow down and make sure what you are about to acquire is worth it?

Skateboarders for the most part don’t give a damn about getting dirty. So when my chain skipped a beat and jumped off it’s groove I decided that would be another good time to finish up those sandwiches. Sitting on the side of the road with greasy fingers while gnawing down on some much needed food after 50 or so miles of nonstop riding is actually one of the best feelings in life.

Something tells me that when these train tracks were getting used those freight train hoppers of the depression era were stoked to be croozing along the ocean side of life.

I finally made it to Santa Cruz about 8 hours after I left. I stopped by Derby Park first where some locals offered to let me crash at their place, but I knew I was gonna sleep under the stars that night. Met a kid who paints the streets in that town too. Derby park is still hella fun. After Derby it was off to the newer park close to Downtown. Along the way I couldn’t believe just how good the waves were and how many people were getting their stoke on. Surfs up!

Can we say fucking rad? Good job to the crew who built this place. The fullpipe is prime!

The Sunsets in the Cruz were marvelous! The locals and I skated the park until we couldn’t see anymore. What’s up with some solar powered lights eh? After the park I found my way to downtown where I saw a Satori banner flying high in Skate Works. Bill the owner was inside along with shop employee Alex. Bill’s been running that store for 22 years. If your in town, go check it out.

I had no bungee chords for this trip to hold my board on, luckily I had some old bike tubes that did the job just well. Gotta love that recycling concept. I also stopped by Planet Fresh, a banging little burrito spot that had the full compost / recycling deal going on as well inside. Thanks to the blonde regular footed girl skater who rips the bowl at the park for the suggestion.

I originally wanted to camp out at Derby park but I just couldn’t make it all the way back in time. So I ignored the no camping signs and crashed out right near this lighthouse underneath some trees. Next time I’ll bring a mat cause rocky dirt ground ain’t that comfortable. However waking up to this is…

So that was the journey. Just goes to show you with next to nothing you can really do something fun and exciting. Step outside and remember to enjoy mother nature. Treat your body right and drink lots of water! Yoga helps too!

peace

- travis knapp-prasek // your satori wheels / creation skateboards / high grade distribution team manager. // email / fb