Pistons Then Pedals

When it comes to online content, whether it’s cycling or automotive, most creators focus on the extravagant. Grand adventures, pricey equipment, and over-the-top challenges dominate the landscape. Algorithms drive viewers and readers to these publications. Sometimes, they are entertaining and provide momentary escapes from the monotony of daily life.

However, for many of us, these forms of content are becoming unrelatable. I struggle to get a few days off of work, so I can’t envision myself bicycle touring across Europe for a month. Competing financial goals and obligations dominate my life, so I can’t afford to buy a $60k overland rig.

That doesn’t mean I’m giving up on adventure and travel, though. The problem is solvable through downsizing my expectations.

My recent trip to Pasadena was a great example. The three day trip cost about $1,000 for two people and, personally, I’d consider it an extravagant trip.

Transportation

To save money, I originally wanted to bring our VW Jetta. It gets about 45 miles per gallon on the highway with its’ manual transmission. Plus, it uses regular unleaded. This became impossible because I was bringing my gravel bike.

The Jetta doesn’t have a bike rack and I couldn’t figure out a way to safely load it into the trunk. The rear seat folds down, but we needed that space to drop off our senior dog with my family.

Our 18 year old Volvo XC70 has no problem with space. However, it only gets about 23 mpg on the highway using premium fuel. This doubled our fuel cost for the trip, but it was manageable.

The 800 mile round trip from Phoenix to Pasadena cost about $175 in fuel. Parking in downtown Pasadena was an additional $40 for the weekend.

Staying in Downtown Pasadena – AC Hotel

The initial plan was to find a decent hotel as cheaply as possible. As I searched through available options, I quickly realized that even subpar motels were expensive in this area. An upgrade would be worth it.

AC Hotel Pasadena, which is a nice hotel, ended up being $199 per night by booking through Delta Stays. The hotel is located in downtown Pasadena. This meant we could walk to dinner, take public transportation around the area, and leave the Volvo parked for the entire weekend.

The hotel was also only two miles away from the starting location of my bike ride on Saturday.

As I checked into the hotel, I asked the front desk attendant if it was okay for me to bring the bike into the room. He hesitated at first. Once I assured him that the bike was clean and well-maintained, he said it shouldn’t be a problem.

By carrying my bike slightly off the ground through the hotel, I kept the tires from touching the flooring. It also kept the bike’s freehub from attracting attention.

One of my favorite moments at check-in was the valet. As I was unloading my gear, he complimented the Volvo, the bike, and the rooftop tent. It was quite a compliment when you consider how many high-end cars are in Pasadena.

Our stay at the hotel was exceptional and, if you’re in the area, I’d recommend it.

Dinner at The Arbour – Pasadena, CA

My wife and I appreciate quality food. We’re frugal in other aspects of our lives, but we enjoy a good restaurant.

On our first night in Pasadena, we dined at The Arbour. The restaurant specializes in local ingredients and I get the impression their menu changes often.

For an appetizer, we had the potato croquettes, along with their excellent complimentary bread.

Multiple members of the staff warned us that the pasta plates were enough to share, so we heeded their advice. Our main was the rigatoni pasta with a genovese pesto, pinenuts, and fresno chilis. The pesto, which had a thick consistency, was some of the best I’ve ever had. I coupled this with a glass of red wine.

Our dessert was vanilla panna cotta. It was also exceptional. Our total tab for this meal, after tip, was about $110.

Enjoying the Extravagant Rooftop Restaurant

For our meal on Saturday, we dined at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Osa.

I enjoyed a few cocktails after completing that morning’s bike ride (Read About That Successful Failure Here). My meal was a Wagyu burger with fries. My wife had the peach burrata salad.

She had a mocktail and I had one mezcal-based cocktail, as well as a gin-based cocktail. We also shared dessert. This restaurant was a bit spendier with a cost of $170 after tip. However, the view, along with the pleasant Pasadena weather, was excellent.

The Mental Reset of a Weekend Trip

By spending less time on our trip, we were able to afford nicer dinners and accommodations. I also got to bike in a new city without the entire trip being dominated by cycling. This allowed me to spend more time with my wife, see some of the sights she wanted to see, and relax more.

It was a great balance and I look forward to more of these types of trips in the future.