Moving Time 6:34:15
Elevation 3,488ft
Avg Speed 16.4mi/h
Max Speed 37.6mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 126bpm max 147bpm
Calories 3,610
Temperature 79
Wakeup Time: 4:00 a.m. / Ride-out Time: 6:45 a.m. (was hoping for 6:00 a.m.)
Today we rode out for our 107-mile ride wearing orange for Safety Day. We're supposed to be very quiet coming out of Santa Cruz this early in the morning -- so no shouting out our intentions as we normally do on other rides -- we want our neighbors to invite us back.
One thing very different about this year's ride is that I haven't been as emotional as last year. Last year, there wasn't a day when I didn't break down and cry. Sometimes 4 to 5 times a day. Seeing a family out on the sidewalk cheering us on would make me cry. I haven't cried (yet).
The event is full of people, a community of over 2,380 cyclists and 619 roadies, so very concerned and intent on taking care of each other - the Love Bubble.
The beauty of California is spectacular and I'm fortunate I get to see these places from a different perspective.
After confirming that Captain Richard had someone riding with him today, I cycled off early hoping to miss the headwinds later in the morning. I did ride out early enough to be with a small group rather than a much larger group of riders to reach Rest Stop 1 at mile 15.6, which made our trip out of Santa Cruz a bit easier. While enjoying the scenic town at approximately mile 11 we are greeted with a short 0.1 mile 15.3% grade. One never knows how long 0.1 mile is until you ride a bicycle or push a wheelchair up a steep hill. About 50% of the 40 cyclists I was with rode while the others cross-trained and walked their bikes.
I really should have taken a picture of what I'm about to share with you. When I finally reached the top, four of my fellow cyclists stopped to catch their breaths by dismounting to take a break and light/smoke their cigarettes. Since I'm not a smoker, I was perplexed and I'm not judging, but that worked for them. 4.5 miles later, I was at Manresa State Beach. My first rest stop 19-step preparation for the day.
After a brief stop at Rest Stop (RS) 1, I hopped onto my bike and headed for Rest Stop 2 mile 38.6 in Windy Hill Park, Marina just before Salinas. On this route are the infamous fried artichoke stops, but there is only one where the cyclists long for. Since I wasn't too hungry, I passed having the tasty treats this year. I did tell one of the cyclists who was slowing down that he should stop and try the delicacy, but he said he wasn't fond of artichokes. Hearing his accent, I asked if he were one of the international cyclists. He said, "No, I'm from Los Angeles, but I could be considered international since I'm originally from England."
I thought to myself, he couldn't be ... I asked if his last name was Loy.
Him: Yes.
Me: Oh my goodness. You're Paul Loy.
Paul: Yes.
Me: I met you're wonderful, lovely wife last year. We shared stories and became ALC BFFs.
Paul: Effie?
Me: Yes.
And, there you have it. Skipping the fried artichoke stop isn't so bad at all. We arrived at RS 2 took a selfie, chatted and did what we needed to do to get back on track. While at my medical tent stop, I noticed to Med Roadies talking about a hottie. When I turned to see who they were talking about, you got it, it was Mr. Loy. I started laughing and told them he's taken, and this is the gist of the conversation - all in fun:
Med R1: It doesn't hurt to look.
Me: Of course not. But, he's not on our side of the fence.
Med R1: That doesn't matter.
Me: He's married.
Med R1: So, I'm not looking to marry him.
Me: And, they have kids. And Effie and Paul are my friends.
Med R1: Must you burst my fantasy.
Me: Oh, sorry, I was just kidding. He told me how much he wanted to meet you, but he was much too shy.
Med R1: I knew it.
Off to mile 47.6 for Lunch Stop in Central Park, Salinas. What surprised me was the wonderful tailwinds that had me cycling at 37.6 mph making me feel like a superhero and the headwinds weren't as bad as last year. No pictures of the endless fields that we zig-zagged through -- I didn't want to be surprised with stronger headwinds.
After confirming that Captain Richard had someone riding with him today, I cycled off early hoping to miss the headwinds later in the morning. I did ride out early enough to be with a small group rather than a much larger group of riders to reach Rest Stop 1 at mile 15.6, which made our trip out of Santa Cruz a bit easier. While enjoying the scenic town at approximately mile 11 we are greeted with a short 0.1 mile 15.3% grade. One never knows how long 0.1 mile is until you ride a bicycle or push a wheelchair up a steep hill. About 50% of the 40 cyclists I was with rode while the others cross-trained and walked their bikes.
I really should have taken a picture of what I'm about to share with you. When I finally reached the top, four of my fellow cyclists stopped to catch their breaths by dismounting to take a break and light/smoke their cigarettes. Since I'm not a smoker, I was perplexed and I'm not judging, but that worked for them. 4.5 miles later, I was at Manresa State Beach. My first rest stop 19-step preparation for the day.
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| Wonderful volunteer Training Ride Leaders Mark Smith and Anthony Sprauve |
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| Gorgeous coastline |
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| Me need salt |
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| Bike parking getting busy |
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| Hello Co-Captian Thomas and Captain Richard |
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| If you don't have Vaseline to create the soft lens look, sweat works :) Ramona's Ava Gardner look with her fan, Art |
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| Striking resemblance and she has make-up on |
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| With Chet Chou - we don't have make-up on |
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| Orange is good for your health |
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| Especially from this side |
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| Erika is giddy. She's doing the 7-day 545-mile ride, then touring Europe right after this - Good luck with your travels |
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| Now, that's the way to wear orange |
I thought to myself, he couldn't be ... I asked if his last name was Loy.
Him: Yes.
Me: Oh my goodness. You're Paul Loy.
Paul: Yes.
Me: I met you're wonderful, lovely wife last year. We shared stories and became ALC BFFs.
Paul: Effie?
Me: Yes.
And, there you have it. Skipping the fried artichoke stop isn't so bad at all. We arrived at RS 2 took a selfie, chatted and did what we needed to do to get back on track. While at my medical tent stop, I noticed to Med Roadies talking about a hottie. When I turned to see who they were talking about, you got it, it was Mr. Loy. I started laughing and told them he's taken, and this is the gist of the conversation - all in fun:
Med R1: It doesn't hurt to look.
Me: Of course not. But, he's not on our side of the fence.
Med R1: That doesn't matter.
Me: He's married.
Med R1: So, I'm not looking to marry him.
Me: And, they have kids. And Effie and Paul are my friends.
Med R1: Must you burst my fantasy.
Me: Oh, sorry, I was just kidding. He told me how much he wanted to meet you, but he was much too shy.
Med R1: I knew it.
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| With the Englishman Paul Loy |
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| Yes, I was quite hungry. This is what's left of my lunch when I thought to take a picture of all the food served. |
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| Lunchtime companion from San Diego - a CEO of a non-profit |
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| Cute little park with hungry riders |
Lunch done, as you can see from the morsel that's left and then eaten. We've got 60 more miles until camp. Mile 66.1 gets us to a toilet stop, which I skipped so that I could get to mile 69 RS 3 Central Park, Gonzales. The rolling hills of California provided a serene backdrop for the next 21.5 miles.
I quickly stopped at RS3 without any pictures (did I even stop at RS3) and headed to mile 81.5 Mission La Soledad for the water stop OTTER POP STOP fun.
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| Doesn't even hurt - these Bears were SO gentle |
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| Swan Lake or Swan Song |
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| Let the sun shine in |
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| Fun in the sun |
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| Photo bombing delight |
Now that I got my Bear-fill for the year ;) -- back on my bike for mile 96.1 to find out what's in store from RS 4 in Patriot Park, Greenfield. Last year was a My Little Pony theme, which was quite apropos since our youngest nephew was watching MLP constantly earlier in 2014. He said the girls in school liked it.
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| Hairy Cher welcomed us into RS4 |
Another quick stop and I finally cycled on the bumpiest, sandiest, pot-holed ridden road into camp, San Lorenzo County Park at 3:33 pm and was delighted to hear that I rode in as rider #177. While I know this is not a race, coming into camp early has the advantages of showering, eating, and scheduling services (chiropractic, sports medicine, medical) without a line.
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| Remember where you are ... |
I love these showers. We have our own changing room and stall, whereas the shared one is a great big changing room, but still have nice hot, stalled, curtained showers -- and for those seeking it, eye candy (and that's throughout the ride, the camp, the lines, the everywhere).
Everything, but the chicken was excellent. Yummy.
Good night King City
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