So, why did we have a 98 mile ride when the drive from Paso to Santa Maria is only an hour? Because the drive us a straight shot down the 101. Not possible on a bike. We had to take the looooong way around.
Today was a totally exhausting day, both physically and emotionally. For the first time this week, I am tired. Very tired.
I was up at 4:30am and ready to hit the road by 6am. Too bad the route didn't open until 6:30. I lined up with the early birds and waited.
Before I knew it, we had reached the first stop of the day. I was the two-hundredth-some-odd rider to roll in to the stop this morning. That was cool. Not so cool was what came next.
Yesterday was the Quadbuster. Today we conquered the Evil Twins. Oh. My. God. Two climbs, back to back, with a short descent between the two. The first was 1.5 miles with 500 or so feet of climbing. The second was 1.8 miles and about 650 feet. There were lots more sound effects today. I actually roared when I reached the top of the second peak. Oddly enough, these hills weren't as bad as yesterday. Maybe I've finally figured out how to Zen my way up. Or maybe my legs have reached auto-pilot. Either way, it was awesome. After a brief descent, we reached the halfway point on our journey. You should have received a picture earlier today.
Then the big, BIG downhill. 7 miles, 6% grade. Most if the riders went flying down the hill. Not me. Steep descents scare the bejesus out of me. I fluttered my breaks all the way down. It's not the speed that freaks me out - I have no problem pedaling or coasting 25-30 mph on flats or gradual descents. It's the vertical visual that gets to me. It's probably vertigo-related.
We descended into Morro Bay. I got some nice pix of Morro Rock from a distance at stop 2. We rode all the way thru town and I never stopped to take any more pictures. I was too consumed with the view. It was such a beautiful ride.
From Morro Bay we headed to San Luis Obispo for lunch. I've included a picture of the welcoming committee. Lunch was good - some kind of sandwich. I couldn't tell you what.
From SLO we climbed some hills, rounded some bends, and rolled on to Pismo Beach. I love Pismo. Lots of people stopped at Old West Cinammon Rolls. I couldn't eat anything that sweet. But I've been there before, and they are fantastic.
As we neared the last stop of the day in Guadalupe, the winds kicked way up. I was tired, and the wind was so fierce that my rear wheel kept skidding out from behind me. I was terrified that I was going to fall. After 89 miles, I was tired, scared and didn't have it in me to fight the 20mph x-winds anymore. As soon as I realized I was crying while trying to remain upright, I decided I was done for the day. I flagged down a SAG vehicle and got a ride into camp.
While waiting for a shower to free up a gal next to me in line asked how my ride was today. So I told her the truth. And she turned to me gave me a big hug. I don't even know her name.
A hot shower never felt so good. It washed the day off both literally and figuratively. A quick dinner - excellent as always. Bed is calling. Every night, my 1 1/2" thick self-inflating bed roll gets more and more comfortable.
Tomorrow we take the long way to Lompoc. Tomorrow is also Red Dress Day. Stay tuned.
G'night.
Ami
PS: the final picture us what happens when electricity-deprived techno
junkies encounter an open public outlet.
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