While on our family vacation in Santa Barbara, I was able to squeeze in some bike commuting around town. And LOVED it. Riding around my own home turf is great and allows me to enjoy the commute to and from work. Similarly, riding while on vacation gave me a chance to experience the town in a more intimate and immediate way.
I uploaded the GPS track so that you can see where I rode on the google map above. Even though I only rode 3 miles or so, it was still a lot of fun to be able to move through the city on two wheels.
Here is the list of my stops and errands: Radio Shack (A/V coupler), Cost Plus (wine glasses), Ralphs (kids allergy meds), Lilly’s Tacos (duh). I was really happy with how well my new pannier worked taking it on and off the bike and carrying everything including my helmet and lock along with all the other items I picked up, without breaking the wine glasses 
.
that’s great! In a few years when we go back, we can all ride around the town with each of our own bike!
Yeah, that would be very cool. We kind of did that when we rode around UCSB, except that we were interrupted by the fire and raining ash :p.
great post. I need to start riding. I suck.
@austin seriously, I think all the surfing and saltwater is slowing you down
It was great to see you guys on your way down, and I love your commuter bike. It inspires me to get some skinny tires and combine my Novara components with my Cro-Mo Peugeot frame.
@Taylor You should totally do it. Did you get your Bizango built yet?