21 days off, no plans

Slowest_Hiker · Post by **Slowest_Hiker** » Thu Jun 04, 2026 9:42 am

Put one pedal in front of the other, and think of how proudly future you will look back on this.

Slowest_Hiker · Post by **Slowest_Hiker** » Thu Jun 04, 2026 10:20 am

P.S. grew up near Santa Maria; wave hi to the old 'hood

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Sat Jun 06, 2026 8:53 am

Currently in SLO for a rest day today and got a motel next to the highway. Trying to stretch and get the excitement to bike halfway between cuyama and Santa Maria tomorrow and just do a 50 mile ride instead of pushing to like 70 or 80. Here's what I've done so far.

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Nate U · Post by **Nate U** » Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:38 pm

Dude, those are some epic days! Proud of ya. Good call to take a minute to rest both the mind and body and regroup.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:58 pm

Nate U wrote: Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:38 pm Dude, those are some epic days! Proud of ya. Good call to take a minute to rest both the mind and body and regroup.

Thank you! I'm testing my limits to the max this trip both mentally and physically. I feel more in tune with my body than ever before, even consistently stretching and watching what I eat on this rest day.

wesweswes · Post by **wesweswes** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 10:00 am

Nice work!

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 12:18 pm

Quick update! I completed my ride here 34.63671° N, 119.37315° W

Now when you look at that location, it's not at my house or a train station.

I completed the stretch from Santa Maria to Cuyama which was the hardest ride I've ever done mentally, tr will come later. I camped at a park in Cuyama then began the ride up to pine mountain ridge saddle the following morning. At this point, I was gonna just bike to Ventura and take the Amtrak home. On the descent, I hit the turn from the coords, hit sand on the road, and wiped tf out. I was going 30mph and slid 30 yards and went unconscious. Woke up to blood everywhere. Dug through my front bag for my inreach and called for help. Eventually paramedics and a helicopter came and I was flown to Ventura medical centers emergency room. Again, bigger TR with more info later but currently I'm cut up all over my body and have gashes in my face and leg. Also minor fractures in my left elbow and wrist. My helmet broke on impact but definitely saved me from bad brain injury or death.

Not the most ideal way to end this tour but I'm humbled and happy to be alive to update you all! Can't wait to ride and climb again soon but I will take months off if needed!

Also my bike is fully intact!!!!!!!

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Slowest_Hiker · Post by **Slowest_Hiker** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 3:59 pm

Dude. Not that kind of memorable! Glad you're in posting shape.

David R · Post by **David R** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 4:42 pm

Ouch, happy you are alive and still in a positive mood. Do we still say stoke is high?

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 5:32 pm

David R wrote: Tue Jun 09, 2026 4:42 pm Ouch, happy you are alive and still in a positive mood. Do we still say stoke is high?

Stoke is very high! Can't wait (will wait 3 months if needed) to ride again!

Post by **Sean** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 6:35 pm

Our Matthew has some stitches in his face,
a couple scrapes and breaks but stoke is high.
Remember peaks and skies and stars and space!
A human strives. He's born to be alive.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Tue Jun 09, 2026 7:39 pm

Hell yeah Sean

Nate U · Post by **Nate U** » Wed Jun 10, 2026 10:35 am

No better time to write a trip report then when in recovery, looking forward to it. Thankful it sounds like you will come out of this scary mishap fully recovered and I'm sure stronger and wiser than ever.