Today ahead of setting off cycling we were shown around a local almond factory where the almonds from Norberts garden, along with other farms, were shelled, peeled and packed into containers to ship. The outer shells are then sold to farms for cattle feed, with the inner shells burned to create electricity. Whilst we were there they was also clearing an acre plot of land to install solar panels, which will provide the factory with electricity to be sufficient for all it’s needs. It was great to see a factory making the move to renewable energy in this way.

We are now cycling through the major agricultural region of California. Almond trees and grape vines for wine have been lining the roads we have been cycling down for the past two days. Although only on day 5 of the cycle, the landscape has changed so much. From the busy streets of San Francisco, we passed through the green mountainous suburbs to the very dry hills and now through the drought ridden agricultural region.

At 11am we set off on our cycle, and made a tough 30km in the 90 degree midday heat to Oakdale. We are now camped for the night in a kind farmers garden, with the aim to set off early tomorrow to try and make some good distance towards Yosemite.