NOTES FROM THE ROAD
NOTES FROM THE ROAD
It’s not in any particular order, just stuff in my head.
Roadies
The volunteer roadies were top-notch, all 500. The guys who made our oatmeal, eggs, and sausage were up by 2 or 3am. Others kept us safe on the road, cracked our backs, taped our knees, and aided us medically. And it’s all volunteer work for seven days. These guys were way cool. (Photo: Inside the chiropractic tent)
Brown Cow
We were slowly climbing up a hill, no wind, dry weather. I can’t remember what was on my left but I remember the right. Cows were out and about and this one particular brown cow stuck out. It was in the middle, closest to the road, and it caught my eye. It had its left hind leg lifted way up high and it was licking its udder or whatever was underneath. Cyclists did double and triple takes. "Whoa!!!...did you see that?" "No way!" "Wow!"
Farm Workers
Each night we listen to news from the road and one particular story stood out. Here it goes. 2500 cyclists passing through a remote country area can encourage farm workers to wonder what the heck was going on. One worker approached a roadie. The roadie explained why we were riding and the farm worker then said thank you, leaves, and returns 30 minutes later. She hands the roadie a little over $3.50. In the time the farm worker was gone, she explained to the others what we were doing and afterwards had taken up a collection. It was change the workers had in their pockets. We all know farm workers get paid diddly squat for their hard work. $3.50 may be little but what they gave meant a lot.
Rest Stops
Each day we had at least four rest stops with each rest stop focusing on a specific theme. The themes ranged from Grease, Sonny & Cher, Air Force, India, Jail House Rock, Hawaii, Movie Stars, etc. It made the stops comical and gave cyclists something to look forward to. The folks manning the stops dressed and acted accordingly with each theme. The rest stops provided us with Port-o-Potties, Powerade, Water, snacks, and bike maintenance. It was like a gas station, a place for cyclists to refuel. (Photo: Cher)
Stretching
Morning yoga classes were 30 minutes from 6 to 8. For the first two days I made it to yoga at 6 but that was it...two days. I found ways of stretching on my own. I was taught it’s better to warm up your body before stretching. At 6am I’m an ice cube.
$5.09 For Gas
Could you believe this sign? It was at a rest stop in the middle of no man's land. The sign on top of the store also said they were selling ammo.
The Routine
This is what happens each day. Cyclists get up somewhere between 4:30 and 6:30. You do your morning thingy which can include yoga class, breaking down your tent, packing your gear, eating breakfast, using the port-o-pottie, brushing your teeth, hitting the chiropractic or sports med tent, blah blah blah. You have to do all this and hit the road no later than 8:30. The first rest stop comes between mile 8 and 21 (it really depends on the mileage for the day). You cycle to the second rest stop after that and then there's the lunch stop. After lunch you cycle some more and you hit the third stop, and depending if it’s a longer day, there usually is a water stop. If not, you cycle to the fourth stop. After the fourth, there’s camp. When you get to camp, you pick up your gear from the gear truck, pitch your tent, get in line for the showers, eat dinner, listen to the 7:30 evening news of camp life and events from the day including how bad or good cyclists were, speeches from the CEOs, and socialize. If it’s not too late, you can hit sports med, a yoga class, or the chiropractic tent. We’re suppose to be quiet by 9pm so folks can sleep. That's just theory, it doesn't always work. And when you're ready to sleep, pray your tentmate or no one snores around you. Repeat six times.
Birds in Formation
Headwinds are a bitch, seriously, they’re a bitch. It’s difficult enough cycling long hours and pounding up hills but when you add headwinds to the mix, it’s like someone shackled barbells to your quads. We were cycling along Highway 1 riding a tailwind. Headwinds and tailwinds are like night and day. Tailwinds feel like someone’s constantly pushing you forward and it becomes your best friend. I was riding this tailwind when I saw birds in formation. They were headed in the opposite direction, fighting headwinds, moving slow, determined, gliding, beautiful, balletic. It reminded me of the day before when we hit wicked headwinds except we weren’t as smooth. These birds were struggling as much as we were and as much as us, they weren’t throwing in the towel and kept at it...yay! The thought of bird shit came by as I rode underneath.
Spooky Faces
My first night at camp Helen and I had nothing else better to do than shower, eat dinner, and make spooky faces.
Laptop Nazi
On Day 2, I discovered a tent with laptops that allowed you to check Messages of Support on your ALC website. I logged in and messages popped up. Yoohoo! It felt warm reading messages from peeps. That was too cool. Unfortunately no way to respond. Laptop Nazi set it up that way.
High Fives
There were children on our route who had their faces pressed against school fences cheering us on and kids lined up against the curb eager to give high fives. It was adorable. The only prob was you had to be careful. We were told one cyclist gave a high five to a kid and the kid hung on. I knew this story but high fived the boogers anyway...hard not to.
Burning Man & Grease
We had a bunch of rest stops throughout this ride. Burning Man had techno music blasting with men in cowboy hats showing pot bellies holding candycane like poles with shiny dangling ribbons. They were dancing and swinging their poles in the air enticing the crowd to swiggle and jiggle. Stop No. 4 was by far my favorite and one day their theme was the movie Grease. They performed for us, dancing to a medley of songs from the movie Grease. It was quacky and hilarious and they added their own twist which gave us giggles. It took our minds off from the ride and gave us that needed respite.
Call-Outs
Safety is REALLY stressed when riding, no kidding. We’re required to yell stuff out to warn riders in front and back, especially if there’s any potential danger. If there’s a car in front, back, to the right or left, we’re required to yell "Car Back," "Car Front," "Car Right," or "Car Left." It’s self-explanatory. We also use hand signals when turning or slowing down. We also call out or point to objects that could potentially harm a cyclist such as glass, grate, dips, bumps, holes, branches, poles, etc. When we hit a stop sign, we’re required to put one foot down to make a complete stop and yell out "Stopping" at the same time or beforehand. If we're slowing down, "Slowing" and/or use your hand signal. If we’re starting to roll, "Rolling or Going." If you’re passing a cyclist you have to yell out "Passing on the Left" or "Leftside." These were the rules. Some cyclists received citations if they were considered dangerous.
The thing about the call-outs is it’s really all about safety and when one person says it, whatever phrase it is, you’ll hear it more than once. It’s a domino effect. The first day was fine and calling out or pointing to objects on the ground really does help. But the second day the callouts start to grate your nerves. Over and over again, at each stop, at each light, the same callouts, the repetition, the domino effect syndrome. We began other callouts to break the monotony...shopping, sneezing, wheezing, farting, burping. It was necessary. Several guys at camp would jokingly say "leftside" or "passing on your left" as they walked by.
Red Dress Day
Day 5, Red Dress Day. Originally it was called Dress Red Day but I’m told after several gay men got involved along with e-mail mishaps, it was renamed Red Dress Day. Men and women donned red evening gowns, skirts, tutus, wigs, makeup, high heels, balloon boobs, feathers, tight red shirts, feather boas, bathing suits, speedos, frilly under thingys, lingerie, name it and it was alive. They wore their outfits for the day's ride, all 44 miles of it. It was brilliant.
Butt Butter
Butt Butter is like gold for cyclists. It’s a lubricant. It helps reduce chafing from having cycling shorts rub against you, and you rubbing against the saddle. I saw guys at rest stops squat, reach into their shorts, and rub it around their genitals and butt area. That’s stuff you’d normally do privately but on this ride, anything goes...woot-woot! (Photo: AIDS/Lifecycle butt butter of choice. These were free throughout the ride.)
Folks
A lot of people were on the road cheering, yelling, encouraging us to keep going, and thanking us. Often times I’d end up saying thank you as well. They had signs, drums, pom poms. bullhorns, cow bells, and music. Really warm stuff here.
Double Double Animal Style
On Day 6 all I could think about was In-N-Out Burger. I heard it was close to camp (this was front page news!). Rumors were spread in the morning and by noon it was a definite stop. I was so ready for a double double animal style, french fries, and a strawberry milkshake. Dinner at camp wasn’t bad, it’s just that after five days of somewhat repetitive food, we needed something different. I bought Helen and Caesar a burger as well. I found Caesar on a roller by Sports Med and Helen was talking with "soon-to-be-hubby" Jason (she might kill me if she reads this -- Hey Hel, you're really cool btw!). It felt good gulfing that burger down.
Chocolate Milk
Fat and calories, just what I need...downed two every night, beverage of choice. (Photo: Milk bin)
Rolling Hills with Helen
On Day two, or was it Day three?, Helen, Caesar and I were 10 miles from camp. It was the day we had that beautiful view of the valley. I could pee in my pants, it was breathtaking. After we passed the vista, Helen and I made an impromptu decision to book it all the way home. If she was Speedy, I was Gonzalez. Together we make a great team. We were bookin’ it, passing everyone. It was fun and exhilarating and I was egging Helen to keep going. That was memorable.
Wishin' on a Sneaker
Starlight starbright wish I had my sneakers tonight. I forgot to pack sneakers so I bought flip-flops on the way to camp. It was the only thing I could fit in the back pocket of my jersey. When entering port-o-potties I was reminded of how much my dear sneakers meant.
Sneaking In
One night I snuck into the medical staff’s port-o-pottie. Big sign on door: "Medical Purposes Only." They were three in a row, bigger than the ones cyclists and roadies used and I imagined much cleaner. I was wrong about cleaner. The port-o-pottie I chose had a puddle in the middle...double ugh!...so missing sneakers.
My Face in Four Days
After four days of cycling I finally saw my face in a mirror...no comment.
Vigil
Day 6 we had a vigil. I’m not sure how many were on the beach but enough to make it look like a thousand little stars.
Pie Stop
The first day we had our first unofficial stop, a pie stop. It was right outside Santa Cruz. I’m glad Roy and I pulled over. It was worth it. I could’ve eaten another slice of the marionberry but held back and attacked the apple.
Condom Boy
Condom Boy kept appearing throughout the ride passing out condoms, telling us to keep it safe, and donning condom gear,
Lines Lines Lines
The lines were endless. If it wasn’t a line for breakfast or dinner, it was a line for the showers, port-o-potties, chiropractic tent and/or sports med. It was interminable.
Food Food Food
It’s an ALL-YOU-CAN food fest on this ride. You’ll never go hungry. Seriously, starving is not an option.
Wet Tent
Each night we arrived at camp Helen and I grabbed our gear from the gear trucks and then pitched our tent. The tents weren’t top quality. They did the job fine but in the mornings we always woke up to condensation inside our tents. Boo on condensation!
Roy Pitching Our Tent
Roy always rode into camp before us and two days out of seven he pitched our tent and grabbed our gear. That took a load off our backs and Helen and I were grateful. Really really sweet guy here.
Beating the Caboose & Sagging
The road opens to cyclists at 6:30. You can begin cycling at that time, no earlier. If you’re an early riser, you’re out by 6:30. If you’re a late riser you’re out of camp by 8 or 8:30. 8:30 was the cutoff. If you weren’t out by 8:30, the caboose would sag you. Sag is when the caboose brings you to the next rest stop or to the next camp site. The only reason you should be sagged is if you’re injured and unable to cycle. Some folks nickname the caboose the shame truck. I don’t agree. Helen, Caesar, and I were often leaving camp close to the deadline. A couple of times we were almost sagged. One day as we're cycling, the caboose came by and a lady with an English accent yelled out "If you stop at the next stop you will be sagged. Do not stop at the next stop if you don’t want to be sagged." Helen and I booked it. My legs were dying.
Cinnamon Rolls
On the fourth day Helen, Caesar, and I stopped at the Cinnamon Roll shop. Cyclists already inundated the place and a line poured out the front door onto the curb and steadied itself along the sidewalk. The line wasn’t inviting but we had a nagging feeling we’d regret it if we didn’t try. I’m happy we stayed. The roll was worth it. We even got to see them lay out a new batch on this wooden board. Couldn’t stay long though, caboose boy came in warning us we needed to leave soon, caboose queen was coming.
Street Dancing in Casmalia
On Red Dress Day, Day 5, we cycled into Casmalia, a small town in the middle of nowhere. All I saw was a sea of red livin’ it up and takin' over the town.
Nephews, Sis, Mom
My sis, mom, and nephews were in LA. They were waiting for us to ride in. I was excited to see them, especially my nephews. Those little boogers are growing fast.
First Encounter with a Flushing Toilet
After five days of port-o-potties, a bathroom with plumbing and a flushing toilet was insane. We stopped at a Taqueria in Lompoc...yay for Taqueria toilets!
Hills, Hills, Hills
The hills were hills, what more can I say. They kicked my ass and when I reached the top I felt I kicked back. Some were more difficult and longer than others, some had steeper grades, others were short and easily conquered. There’s one thing though that I kept in mind and I realized later meant a lot. There were different body types on this ride. Some were more fit than others. You had the Charles Schwab team who were amazing cyclists and climbed the highest elevation five times over but you also had these beautiful determined cyclists who were struggling more so just to make it up and over one time and not once did they give up. That was inspiring.
The Descent
The two best descents were from Highway 92 and the Evil Twin Sisters. Highway 92 was speedy fast and a strong wind was blowing from the side. I felt my bike shaking. I loved the speed and No Way Jose did I engage those brakes. It was too fun. Another amazing descent was from the Twin Sisters. It was endless and the views from the top heading down were incredible. All I could hear was the wind whipping. It felt like I was flying.
Cold Sandwichitis
Each day I looked forward to lunch. After logging in three or four hours of saddle time, lying down, taking off my helmet, and eating real food was paradise. For seven days we were fed pretty much the same stuff: cold sandwiches, chips, cookies, carrots, apples, peaches, macaroni salad, powerade in three different flavors (mountain blue, fruit punch, lemon-lime), and water. It was all you can eat and it was good the first four days but on the fifth day I started developing cold sandwichitis.
My Cronies
These are the people I rode with:
First there’s Helen, my tentmate. She’s spunky, strong, alive with energy (especially in the mornings, maybe too much energy), positive, motivational, kind, she’s the one Filipina I know who manages to arrive on time not adhering to Filipino time, and she’s also a great friend. If she’s signed up for an event, I’m normally with her. This woman can also swim like a penguin. She’s quick in the water, we’re like sisters in a lotta ways except I’m a water buffalo in liquid.
Then there’s Caesar. He was an inspiration this year with his determination and training regimen. He really trained for this ride, put in the mileage, and for a guy who's not a cyclist, I gotta give it to him, he’s my hero. He made it, even when he couldn’t feel his toes and his butt was super sore. Way to go C!
Of course there’s Roy. He’s quick and speedy and he knew so much. If you needed something, Roy could advise you. He just knew where to get things, what to get, how to get it, how to train, etc... He's the wikipedia of cycling. If you wanted someone to help you with your bike or get you ready for mountain biking or needed someone to train on the road with, Roy’s the guy.
Jiro’s another source, just like Roy he’s quick and speedy. One of the strongest cyclists I know and one of the most knowledgeable. He climbed the main hill of the ride five times with the Charles Schwab team. It was difficult enough just once. Rock on yo!
And last but not least, Scott. This is one jovial guy. He didn’t train for this ride although he’s ridden before and use to compete in triathlons. He did this ride with Roy a couple of years ago so he knows the terrain somewhat and he knew what he was getting into. He made the experience enjoyable.
Cyclists
Watching everyone work hard, seeing their struggle up hills, hearing their laughter, these were the cyclists I camped with. It was grueling but we made it. That’s inspirational.
The Fizzle
One morning as we're heading out of town, I heard my tire fizzle in the middle of the pack. It’s that familiar "psssssssssss" or is it "fssssssssss." And you hear the crowd saying "No!", "Oh no!" That sound only means one thing...a flat. I pulled over to the side and luckily Jiro was close by. He helped and we were able to fix it in no time. Thank you Jiro! (Photo: My bike with sweet orange tires.)
Amazing Views
The stuff I saw on this ride, the views especially, made me pee in my pants (not literally).
Small Towns
There were several charming towns on our route. I had this thought that maybe one day I’ll get a chance to drive through and stay at a few places...maybe...hopefully...hopefully they're not spooky.
Once More
Helen, Caesar and I were already talking about next year. 200 have already signed up.
