Relished every word of ‘One More Croissant for the Road’ and am tickled to bits that you’re plotting another cycling and eating adventure! Dual UK/US citizen here, living in California and recommending Duarte’s Tavern (closed Tuesdays) in Pescadero, a couple of miles inland from Highway 1, south of San Francisco. They’re justly famous for their seafood and their fruit pies but they also serve artichoke soup and green chile soup. If you get there, ask for both soups to be swirled together. Absolutely off the charts scrumptious! The area south of Pescadero grows the artichokes and, depending upon the time of year you’re planning for your trip, you’ll likely cycle past fields of them. The very best of British and American luck for your explorations - and bon appétit! PS: I did a cycle tour in that area a few years ago and the nice people at Duarte’s were very kind about letting me stash the bike safely out the back while I inhaled dinner.
this looks like an incredible spot for lunch on the first day's ride, thank you! also, for the heads up re the artichoke fields; I love some edible scenery!
Bloody Marys at Duarte’s! Man what I wouldn’t give for one now, it was a required stop when tooling down Rte 1 during my Bay Area days ages ago. Glad it’s still going strong!
Agreed!...as a non-native Cincinnatian I think it's vile, but my SO was weaned on the stuff and lives for it.....it's his first stop when we are back in town
I felt the same way about truffle until a recent trip to San Francisco. I suspect I was infected by a truffle-seeking parasite. As I type I have 200g of M&S Truffle cheddar in my handbag. I was also constantly surprised that hot drinks were actually at the right temperature to drink immediately so we bought a Bosch Kettle with heat buttons for different drinks. Very much looking forward to your trip.
I see Philly did not make it on the list! As a native (suburban) Philadelphian I feel I must point out that you’ll be missing out on trying a real cheesesteak (my general rule is if it calls itself a “Philly Cheesesteak” it is not authentic). Also Reading Terminal Market is a great indoor food market, and the philly soft pretzel is worth a try.
I would LOVE to visit Philly, but it was either up from DC to NY or down from Maine, and the concensus was the cycling was a lot nicer on the latter. If I find myself stopping off on the train however, you bet I will be having both a cheesesteak (which I've only had once, in the UK) and a soft pretzel!
I did write a note earIer, but as it doesn’t seem to have made it to you, here goes again.
I’m so sorry about your visa. I had similar problems with a visa, many moons ago, applying through Brussels.
I’m an old, in every sense, friend of the Jarvis family, and would be delighted to come out and cheer you on, offer a bed, a meal, a hug or the washing machine, when you get to southern NH or the Boston area. Emmabakes has my US mobile number.
I shall watch your journey with great interest. Good luck and smooth riding.
ah thank you! sorry, it's probably me not keeping on top of things, I'm bad at the best of times. That's so kind of you - I'll ask her, as a friendly face is always so nice, and I'm pretty sure the Adventure Cycling Association Atlantic coast route passes that way, skirting around Boston obviously!
This sounds like such a great idea for a trip! But also a fascinating choice. I'm from Bristol and I've lived in San Diego for 2 years and have really struggled with the food. African American soul food, especially Southern BBQ, has been a real treat but I find a lot of the food here generally too sweet, too big, or too rich. Some exceptions include the already mentioned Southern BBQ (Kemuri Tatsu-Ya in Austin is one of my favourites), the fish tacos (I live in San Diego and Oscars and the Taco stand are highlights), and fonuts (gluten free, baked donuts in LA). The variety of cuisine you can get in places like LA and NY is also pretty cool. We've had amazing Malaysian food in NY and El Salvadorian food in LA. But finding good vegan/vegetarian or organic food/restaurants has been tricky and most "American" restaurants serve the same boring food (Hamburgers labeled as "the best burger in XXX State", pizza from that state, some sort of pasta dish, some big piece of beef with fries, and caesar salad will always be on the menu). Saying all of this, Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives recommendations have been winners and I recommend finding those where ever you are.
No matter what, expect to pay eye-wateringly ridiculous prices. Eating out with my wife easily costs us $120 and we don't drink alcohol! We went out recently to an Italian restaurant in a mall and had two courses and bought some olive oil from their little shop and it came to $180 for two people. I hope someone is paying for your meals! Also, you have inspired me and I am going to try to make it to the hot dog eating contest in NY. I have always been fascinated with that as it is just, well, fascinating!
One other thing seeing as I am writing an encyclopaedia of unsolicited advice. Be really careful riding your bike; people here do not learn about cyclists when they learn to drive. I cycle here in San Diego and it is always a nightmare and just chaos. I persist as I don't want to lose my bike legs but it really can be quite wild.
Now that I have finished whinging, I hope you have the BEST time! If you make it to San Diego, I would be happy to buy you some fish tacos and take you to the funniest "English pub" restaurant in the world, where you can buy a packet of prawn cocktail crisps for $10 and a Sunday roast for $400! (Jay Rayner wrote about this!) All the best and I am really looking forward to your posts! This is definitely going to be an adventure!
My parents still live in Carlsbad, CA and my dad rides his bike everywhere - thrice has he been hit by cars, but he complains most about the runners in the bike lane! They will not budge, so beware 😒
I love the Buena Vista in SF for an Irish Coffee ☕ I have friends in Santa Cruz that might be able to put you up for the night - Emily Chappell stayed with them once, lmk if you need contacts 👍
OH and a final tip! Strap a pool noodle to the top of your rack so that it sticks out towards cars - this will assert your space on the road. It's colourful and wide to get drivers' attention, but also soft so as to not damage their precious cars (or egos)
I can't do Big Sur! Would love to, but the road is closed. Deetjeans was also recommended to me at Easter Sunday mass, so I'm taking this as a sign... I am heading down there to Easalen so if I can do both...
Please consider Minneapolis, often cited as the best city for cycling in the US. You can get there via Amtrak from Chicago. Bonus: the very exciting local food scene includes Owanmi by the Sioux Chef, an award-winning restaurant using Indigenous recipes.
i am desperate to go to Owanmi - a friend who's coming to meet me from Minneapolis also recommended it - but I just couldn't make the logistics work on this trip sadly. Your country is too big!!
Relished every word of ‘One More Croissant for the Road’ and am tickled to bits that you’re plotting another cycling and eating adventure! Dual UK/US citizen here, living in California and recommending Duarte’s Tavern (closed Tuesdays) in Pescadero, a couple of miles inland from Highway 1, south of San Francisco. They’re justly famous for their seafood and their fruit pies but they also serve artichoke soup and green chile soup. If you get there, ask for both soups to be swirled together. Absolutely off the charts scrumptious! The area south of Pescadero grows the artichokes and, depending upon the time of year you’re planning for your trip, you’ll likely cycle past fields of them. The very best of British and American luck for your explorations - and bon appétit! PS: I did a cycle tour in that area a few years ago and the nice people at Duarte’s were very kind about letting me stash the bike safely out the back while I inhaled dinner.
this looks like an incredible spot for lunch on the first day's ride, thank you! also, for the heads up re the artichoke fields; I love some edible scenery!
Bloody Marys at Duarte’s! Man what I wouldn’t give for one now, it was a required stop when tooling down Rte 1 during my Bay Area days ages ago. Glad it’s still going strong!
Hello Again
I recall you were wondering about the state of closures on Hwy 1 in the Big Sur area. I ran across this and thought it would be helpful.
https://www.facebook.com/100064985430045/posts/pfbid02fSeR4Rua87unkY4giJemLdLU6uLd3evojmYppnKDZvT7QXga4CGRMkGC8T7ZGGfql/?mibextid=cr9u03
All the best with the passport!
Ann Reid
Wish you the best adventure ever!! 🚲🚴♀️🚵♀️
Very excited to follow your journey and very curious about your thoughts on Cincinnati 'chili'
Agreed!...as a non-native Cincinnatian I think it's vile, but my SO was weaned on the stuff and lives for it.....it's his first stop when we are back in town
I'm very excited about trying it - assuming the pro move is to get it with everything? (five way?)
I think it's best on fries. Camp Washington's is less clove heavy and better than skyline.
As a dual U.K./US citizen, cyclist and foodie I’m really excited to follow this. Have a fantastic trip!
I felt the same way about truffle until a recent trip to San Francisco. I suspect I was infected by a truffle-seeking parasite. As I type I have 200g of M&S Truffle cheddar in my handbag. I was also constantly surprised that hot drinks were actually at the right temperature to drink immediately so we bought a Bosch Kettle with heat buttons for different drinks. Very much looking forward to your trip.
hahah! I will be steering clear of tea on my trip. If it's not strong enough to stand a spoon in I'm not interested.
Good luck Felicity - can’t wait to follow your journey and adventures.
I see Philly did not make it on the list! As a native (suburban) Philadelphian I feel I must point out that you’ll be missing out on trying a real cheesesteak (my general rule is if it calls itself a “Philly Cheesesteak” it is not authentic). Also Reading Terminal Market is a great indoor food market, and the philly soft pretzel is worth a try.
I would LOVE to visit Philly, but it was either up from DC to NY or down from Maine, and the concensus was the cycling was a lot nicer on the latter. If I find myself stopping off on the train however, you bet I will be having both a cheesesteak (which I've only had once, in the UK) and a soft pretzel!
I did write a note earIer, but as it doesn’t seem to have made it to you, here goes again.
I’m so sorry about your visa. I had similar problems with a visa, many moons ago, applying through Brussels.
I’m an old, in every sense, friend of the Jarvis family, and would be delighted to come out and cheer you on, offer a bed, a meal, a hug or the washing machine, when you get to southern NH or the Boston area. Emmabakes has my US mobile number.
I shall watch your journey with great interest. Good luck and smooth riding.
ah thank you! sorry, it's probably me not keeping on top of things, I'm bad at the best of times. That's so kind of you - I'll ask her, as a friendly face is always so nice, and I'm pretty sure the Adventure Cycling Association Atlantic coast route passes that way, skirting around Boston obviously!
This sounds like such a great idea for a trip! But also a fascinating choice. I'm from Bristol and I've lived in San Diego for 2 years and have really struggled with the food. African American soul food, especially Southern BBQ, has been a real treat but I find a lot of the food here generally too sweet, too big, or too rich. Some exceptions include the already mentioned Southern BBQ (Kemuri Tatsu-Ya in Austin is one of my favourites), the fish tacos (I live in San Diego and Oscars and the Taco stand are highlights), and fonuts (gluten free, baked donuts in LA). The variety of cuisine you can get in places like LA and NY is also pretty cool. We've had amazing Malaysian food in NY and El Salvadorian food in LA. But finding good vegan/vegetarian or organic food/restaurants has been tricky and most "American" restaurants serve the same boring food (Hamburgers labeled as "the best burger in XXX State", pizza from that state, some sort of pasta dish, some big piece of beef with fries, and caesar salad will always be on the menu). Saying all of this, Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives recommendations have been winners and I recommend finding those where ever you are.
No matter what, expect to pay eye-wateringly ridiculous prices. Eating out with my wife easily costs us $120 and we don't drink alcohol! We went out recently to an Italian restaurant in a mall and had two courses and bought some olive oil from their little shop and it came to $180 for two people. I hope someone is paying for your meals! Also, you have inspired me and I am going to try to make it to the hot dog eating contest in NY. I have always been fascinated with that as it is just, well, fascinating!
One other thing seeing as I am writing an encyclopaedia of unsolicited advice. Be really careful riding your bike; people here do not learn about cyclists when they learn to drive. I cycle here in San Diego and it is always a nightmare and just chaos. I persist as I don't want to lose my bike legs but it really can be quite wild.
Now that I have finished whinging, I hope you have the BEST time! If you make it to San Diego, I would be happy to buy you some fish tacos and take you to the funniest "English pub" restaurant in the world, where you can buy a packet of prawn cocktail crisps for $10 and a Sunday roast for $400! (Jay Rayner wrote about this!) All the best and I am really looking forward to your posts! This is definitely going to be an adventure!
My parents still live in Carlsbad, CA and my dad rides his bike everywhere - thrice has he been hit by cars, but he complains most about the runners in the bike lane! They will not budge, so beware 😒
I love the Buena Vista in SF for an Irish Coffee ☕ I have friends in Santa Cruz that might be able to put you up for the night - Emily Chappell stayed with them once, lmk if you need contacts 👍
OH and a final tip! Strap a pool noodle to the top of your rack so that it sticks out towards cars - this will assert your space on the road. It's colourful and wide to get drivers' attention, but also soft so as to not damage their precious cars (or egos)
This pool noodle idea is genius. Thank you!
No worries! It's not my idea, I stole it from another cycle tourist, Susan Doram: https://susandoram.com/kit/ You can see it in one of her photos 🙌
Looking forward to meeting you in Columbus and helping with Ohio logistics and recommendations!
I know you've said you're not doing Big Sur but if you can get to Deetjen's I don't think you'll regret it.
I can't do Big Sur! Would love to, but the road is closed. Deetjeans was also recommended to me at Easter Sunday mass, so I'm taking this as a sign... I am heading down there to Easalen so if I can do both...
Please consider Minneapolis, often cited as the best city for cycling in the US. You can get there via Amtrak from Chicago. Bonus: the very exciting local food scene includes Owanmi by the Sioux Chef, an award-winning restaurant using Indigenous recipes.
i am desperate to go to Owanmi - a friend who's coming to meet me from Minneapolis also recommended it - but I just couldn't make the logistics work on this trip sadly. Your country is too big!!