Hike Bike Kayak San Diego
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Hike Bike Kayak, Inc. was founded in 2000 by Amy Kangleon. The company offers multisports adventures and fitness classes for those visiting San Diego or for the locals. Hike Bike Kayak (HBK) covers just about everything for those who want to get outdoors and check out the natural sights or to experience a hardcore workout.
HBK offers surfing lessons, hikes, biking tours, rentals, beach workouts (such as Boot Camp), spinning classes, walking tours, team building events, and a Girls Scouts badge program.
My daughter Candy and I opt for the all day package where we participate in hiking, biking, and kayaking. Nadine is the Team Building Activities Leader who greets us with a big smile and an English accent. She was born and raised in England and has a degree in Travel and Tourism Management. She has traveled to New Zealand, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. Nadine makes sure that all the necessary forms are filled out, gathers the proper equipment, and takes care of our lunches, showing us where the snacks are and she takes care of our lunches.
Eli, a buff and totally California kind of guy, is our guide. He has also traveled to many exotic locations. As a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, there aren't many people who can give me a good challenge, but Eli definitely exemplifies the California lifestyle with his love of San Diego, knowledge of the activities, and great character. Buff enough to challenge those who want a great adventure yet compassionate enough to check on "yours truly" to make sure I was keeping up on the bike ride through the streets of La Jolla. (Okay, so I'm not used to riding my bike in traffic. Even my daughter passed me on her bike!)
After picking out our bikes, they are loaded into HBK's truck and we drive to the top of a "hill". Californians overall have a much more active lifestyle than we have in Kansas City so if they call it a "hill", you can count on it to be a mountain for us normal folks.
At the top of the hill, you can see all of San Diego. Absolutely breathtaking! I want to stay there for another week or so. My thoughts drift over the sights then straight to the ocean!.Oh yeah, why did my daughter Candy disturb my trance and remind of the bike riding adventure. Yeah that. Why couldn't I just stay there and paint and write and dream?
We take off on these awesome bikes (I wish I could take one home with me, but how to sneak a mountain bike into your suitcase!) and we ride through La Jolla. I am not used to riding in traffic just on trails so I stay at the end. Eli keeps looking back to see if I am still hanging on.
I love California for its quaint little cafes and bistro's, unique restaurants and businesses; an elegant yet casual atmosphere that stirs up the artist and writer in me. And of course, the fitness and nature lover in me savors it all while cycling.
The ride along the coast is even more scenic. The Pacific is a dark powdery blue. We continue to the Boardwalk on Mission Beach to catch our breaths and to grab a nutrition bar and a drink. Then we take the somewhat hilly trip back. With gorgeous flowers, palm trees, and never-ending scenery I stay entertained. It isn't hard to get into shape around here!
Lunch consists of a giant sub sandwich of your choice and snacks to go with it: pretzels, chips, fruit, energy bars, cookies, and a variety of drinks. Enough to satisfy any taste.
The next event is ocean kayaking. I've kayaked in the Caribbean and other places with few waves. I am awed with the surfer-challenging waves.
We don wet suits and vests then walk to the nearby La Jolla Beach. After instructing us on what to do, Eli jumps into the water, launching us out to sea.
The waves are not intimidating but exhilarating!
Read this entire feature with photos at:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/kayak/calif/hbk/hbk.html
By Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
About the Author
Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com