DAY 17 PETE - Santa Barbara

We leave Lompoc facing a 15 mile climb over the coast range. Its the last climb so we work extra hard and race each other to the top. We must have put on some muscle as we average 12.4 mph on the climb. A steep downhill and we are back on the coast. The day is crystal clear and the channel islands are visible on the horizon. After one coastal roller I notice Tom is no longer behind me so I stop to wait. After 10 minutes I figure he's had a flat. After 15 I call and get out my book. Another call and a text message and still no Tom. No aid car sirens so I continue to read on the side of the freeway. Turns out he had to change tubes 3 times. He' already changed tubes twice in Lompoc that morning so he was up to 5 flats before noon. We hit Goleta and he buys a new tube and we roll to the airport.

At the airport, Horizon has no bike boxes so we go to United but the would not sell us theirs. We go back to Horizon and their manager goes to talk to United and to secures the boxes for us. The Horizon manager says in 10 years we're the first ones to request bike boxes - Amazing.

It is still early so we head for the beach and though windy we do go in for a swim. At the Beach tom notices his front tire is soft. He a patches the tube. The patch was close to the stem and slow leaks. We head back to the bike shop for another tube and Tom swaps out his 7th flat. That eclipses my previous record of 6 in one day. He's not really happy about the record however. We head for dinner at the Holister brew pub.The burgers are really good and so was the double stout. The duck fat fried fries are extra special. Tom's smile returns during dinner. After dinner he even treats himself to a hot fudge sundae and an apple pie at the next door Mc Donalds.

Corliss has arranged accommodations for the night at the parents of a friend from work. Thank you Chuck and Pat for your hospitality.

Day 17/ 57 miles/1265 total