Our group consisted of me, Lisa, Ron Tsuromoto, Chris Philson, Gary Smart and Jeff Segal for the ride across the valley to Alum Rock Park. I led the way but we kept the pace pretty leisurely, going about 19 mph. Going up Crothers, Chris, Gary, and Jeff went off the front. For the climb up Mt. Hamilton it was me, Lisa and Ron; with Ron being the slow one. We reached the summit at 9:45.
None of us was feeling tired, but we weren't in a hurry either. After a while Seana Hogan arrived, so we all hung out together, waiting for Wyatt. We filled our water bottles, then I tasted mine and didn't like the taste of hose. So everyone refilled their bottles from the restroom. I told the workers that they shouldn't use the water in the hose, as it had a horrible taste. We finally left the summit at 10:30.
Our group now consisted on me, Lisa, Ron, Chris, and Lew Lipton. Ron and I were the slow ones going down the backside. Half way down we heard a pop. Ron broke a spoke in his back wheel. We stopped and were able to true it up enough, so we kept going. We met Lisa waiting for us at the bottom of the hill (good girl) while the others had gone on ahead. We met Chris waiting near the top of the next little hill. He had never been past Isabel Creek before, so he was in new territory now. We caught and passed Lew awhile later (he had a flat tire, tough luck). Guy Neenan caught us so we were now me, Lisa, Ron, Chris, and Guy. We five would end up hanging together for the rest of the ride.
At the summit of Mt.Mocho, Seana caught and passed us. Before we knew it she was off the front out of sight. Seana has a 57-tooth chainring on the front, with an 11-tooth high gear on the back, and she knows how to use them. We cruised on into the Arroyo Mocho reststop.
Seana was still there (waiting for Wyatt), so we all had lunch together. After a long time, Wyatt came in. He didn't look too good. He said it wasn't that he was out of shape (which he was) but more because he was feeling sick (which he also was). This ride made 24 years in a row for Wyatt, so it didn't matter if he was sick or not, he was going to ride and finish this ride.
After a 40-minute reststop at Arroyo Mocho, we were off again. Again, after a while Seana caught and passed us with no trouble at all. Our little group was riding good. We passed more people than passed us. We were cruising along at about 21 mph.
We were all glad when we got into the reststop in Pleasanton. The sun had been a little warm, and so it was good that we were able to sit on the grass in the shade. I thought maybe they should put up hammocks between the trees, but then people wouldn't want to leave. After 35 minutes at this reststop, we were ready to continue. The time was now 2:55.
We were all glad that the climb up Calaveras was in the shade. Ron was not able to hang, so we let him slip off the back during the climb. Near the top, Kevin Winterfield came by in his car. Lisa had expected him a bit sooner, but she was still glad to see him. Kev raced that morning and then came to check on Lisa, the same as he did last year. Lisa told him she was still doing fine, so Kev went on home.
When we started riding again, Ron caught up so I rode with him a bit. I asked how he was doing and if he needed anything. I offered my Bob-signiture-edition Power Bar, but Ron said he had some, but was just too tired to eat it. Soon after, he dropped his chain on one of the turns, so I suggested that he stop and force down a few bites, since he was now stopped anyway. He agreed, and I left him there to go catch up with the others.
As planned, we all stopped in at Ed Levin Park for a short water-break. After just a few minutes, Ron arrived, feeling much better. We all hung out on the grass for awhile, just enjoying the day. I finished my last of six sandwiches. I had brought 5300 calories worth of food and had now just one candy bar left. I offered my Power Bar again, but everyone doing ok.
We were all pretty refreshed now, starting out on our final section, to ride the final 15 miles across the valley. Once down the hill, I took over and led the group. I was feeling good, and I knew the route, and I was the only one with aerobars, so I figured that I'll just lead 'em on home. Every so often I'd check my mirror to make sure we still had everyone, and I was glad that no one was now too tired to hang on. We were all riding well, so we cruised along at about 19mph. About a half mile from the finish, I told Lisa that we had about 2 miles to go. She believed me.
Rounding the turn to the finish, I was glad to see Karen Langeman and David Steele and Karl, all still waiting for us to come in. The time was about 6:25, and Karen said that they were giving us until 6:30, so we just made it. The day before, I had mentioned to Karen that I got her a bag of cookies, and she said that might keep her at the finish until we came in. I'm glad that it worked. Karen said that Brian Bernhardt and Judy Barnes had just left.
It took us just under 12 hours total time. I ended up with 131.2 miles at 14.3 mph average. Our riding factor was 76%, so this was definitely a tour and not a race, so all of my goals were met. I wanted to ride and have a good time and enjoy the ride. I wanted to feel good at the end of the ride. And I wanted those that I rode with to feel the same way.
Not once did Lisa mention her knee. I thought about her knee often, but I figured that if I asked her about it, then that might make Lisa start thinking about it, which might make it start to hurt. So I kept quiet, but I was very glad to see Lisa be able to complete this ride without hurting herself. Chris passed his old one-day mileage record of 100 miles. Both Guy and Ron were a bit tired at the end, but both made it.
I had an African party to go to that night, so my goal to not get too tired was also meant so that I could survive this party. I was able to get a few hours rest, but then Diana and I were at the dance until 3:30am and we didn't get to sleep until 4:00. I was up at 8:00 for church the next morning, and didn't feel too bad. I played volleyball on Sunday afternoon, but I was pretty much dragging by this time. I went to bed around 8:30 Sunday night and slept solid through the night, so I hope that I'm all caught up by now.
B2