You start a ride meandering through ranches where horses frolic behind pristine white picket fences. Drop down a winding canyon to emerge on the coast highway, passing iconic landmarks used in almost every car commercial.

After another turn you are climbing up Deer Creek Road, one of the steepest grades in California. As your legs scream for mercy you look back at your group and squint hard against the sparking blue ocean silhouetting them.

As your lungs begin to collapse and your brain is screaming you can do no more, you crest the hill and enjoy a glorious decent through narrow roads surrounded by lush fields of green. As you pull in to one of many microbrewery’s for your just reward you smile to yourself and think “let the critics be damned… this is the best place on earth”.