4 am Saturday July 24
Drag myself out of bed in the dark so I wouldn’t wake up Pam, stumble and hit my head. Ouch. Way too early.
Pam & I got ready and drove to the start. It was a mass start with police escorts. Very nice. Paul told me to watch out and not be caught unnecessarily going fast too early on the ride. I started with a casual heart rate, seeing the fast riders go away. I heard someone coming up next to me, which was Stu. We were gabbing for awhile and I glanced back, seeing a tandem behind me and a looonnng string of riders and laughed. I said to Stu, "lets move over."
All I could think about was throw Big Creek at me. OK I have patience.
We climbed to the first rest stop. Punched and rode away. (You must stop at the rest stops for your number to be punched). Nice downhill, flats to Tollhouse rest stop and the climb. The Tollhouse climb is like Stage Road except at the top, which was sort of steep. I rode with Holly, a new friend, and we were laughing, talking about the tour, that we are friends with Steve Larson now. I started noticing the smell of the Sierras. Must be the pine trees. I love that smell. Some guy rode past us and said, "you girls are laughing too much." My reply was "Hey buddy, it’s Saturday."
Next rest stop Church of Christ. I saw Stu and we rode to Big Creek together. Then the Big Creek climb, which was like shady Tunitas at the bottom. After about 1/4 mile it became open (Metcalf like). It looked like a nasty fire had destroyed the trees. (Rumors- Pete’s revenge) I ride past a tandem, encouraging them, and blessing my light Merlin (also Jim and Alan for the gearing). The top was annoying but some guy said, "you are at the dam", and I looked over and saw a beautiful lake with beautiful, peaceful sailboats sailing along. I’m feeling nirvana - thinking about my friends, which provide encouragement and help. Beautiful pink wildflowers, scenery like Yosemite.
Lunch. I’m tired. Very, very tired. Too tired to eat. I know I must. I choked down a sandwich and went to get my bike. They park your bike. No one could find it. I said "If you cannot find it, I will grab another." They found my Mer.
Last climb to Kaiser Pass. I could not believe my recovery from lunch. I felt good. I will make it. The climb is gradual until the road becomes one lane. There were some steep switchbacks which were hard. I felt my muscles deteriorating. I kept thinking about the girl at the top with the clipboard. Finally I saw her, YES! I saw Paul and Stu. Paul was lounging in a chair, which made me laugh. I felt very, very tired again. I didn’t say anything because I thought maybe it wouldn’t make sense. After about 15 minutes, I said "lets get down to a respectable elevation."
While going down, I saw Pam and screamed "Go Pam." I then climbed to Tamarack Ridge, which followed a downhill forever. I would guess 3000 feet. I still knew it was essential to eat. I started eating a Powerbar while continuing riding. It became difficult, and I was saving it in my cheeks like a squirrel.
It was time for the church rest stop, where I heard about some climb. I started going again. No climb. A sweet downhill like Highway 9. More downhill to the last rest stop. We had a head/side wind which was annoying and no route markers. At the last rest stop, I asked Paul if I could ride with him, which we did. He pulled me until I thought I could pull. I recognized the street names and knew we were at the end. People clapped and cheered. It was cool.
Thanks again to Jim and Alan, which I could not have done the ride with out your help.
One more note- there were only 4 girls at the ride, and 3 were riding Merlins. This bike climbs.