ALC, Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Today was such a crazy, tiring, exhilarating day. I don't even know where to begin.

Maybe I'll start with the 3am waking, followed by a 4am shuttle bus ride to the Cow Palace. That's early, even for me. On the bus I finally met Robin, the other RBC member on the ride.

Opening Ceremonies were quite moving - especially the riderless bike. I got a little teary-eyed. The energy inside the Cow Palace afte

r the ceremony was enough to power a small village. All the riders, roadies, volunteers, and their friends and family were there.

Ride-out was slow going, but awesome. Lots of people lining the
streets cheering us on. It was so cool.

The first 20 miles were pretty slow going. Imagine 2500 people trying to get out of the same place, heading or the same place, at the same time. Add to that some very wet roads, and you've got a slow ride. It was very foggy and "misty" in SF this morning. Yeah, were I come from, we call that "rain."

The second 20 miles were all uphill. Like, up-uphill. Long and slow going. But I did it. And I didn't stop and I didn't fall. I will admit to swearing my way a few of the hills. Sound effects help. I don't have the route slip handy, but I think a good part of it was CA-35/Skyline Dr. Up. Hill.

The rest of the day was spent on Hwy. 1. Pretty (when you can see thru the fog).

Lunch at San Gregorio State Beach. I wanted to send pictures, but it would have been a giant blur of fog. I hear the views there are spectacular. Guess I'll have to do the ride again to find out. I couldn't tell you what we had for lunch - it was a blur. I didn't feel particularly hungry when I rolled into the lunch stop (so I thought), but I don't remember the last time I ate anything that fast.

Back on the road. The directions were easy: South on Hwy 1. Turn right into the next rest stop 20 miles down the road. It was a beautiful ride along the coast. The fog that had hovered since early morning finally broke some time after 2pm.

Quick pit stop, then another 20 miles south on Hwy 1. Lots of folks on the streets of Santa Cruz cheering us in. One fabulous woman had her garden hose sprayer aimed at the street for us. That was refreshing, especially after 81 miles and coming in to town at about 85 degrees.

All along the route there were people on the side of the road cheering us on. The had signs. They wore costumes. Music was playing. Some folks were even handing out Red Vines to the riders as we went by. Those were my favorites.

Camp is huge - an actual tent-city has been erected. The showers were hot. They're these huge shower trucks - imagine a semi converted into showers. And they're hooked up to big water trucks. Very cool. And the food is both tasty AND free-flowing. I might have more. Nice.

I think I'll be sleeping early tonight. I'm tired. But it's a good
tired.

More tomorrow from King City.

-Ami
Rider #5482