Day Two

Did I mention the late night (like, 8 p.m.) stop at the med tent. Some of the guys were in need of band aids for their nipples--must have been a rough day one!

Jennifer...wake up...

5:00 a.m.? 5:30 a.m.? It don't matter-it comes EARLY either way, when Kelly beckons. And add to that poor Mandana's not being able to sleep with the snorers in our tent village, some of whom were about a foot away on a couple sides, so in the night, as her ear plugs weren't in, I awoke to "shh" "quiet". The snoring was loud and an indication of the week. She got the eaer plugs to work and was soothed by the thought of her sweet hotel room the next night. We quickly dressed, (on Kelly's rec. our clothes were in our sleeping bags with us--a greatly appreciated thing in S.C. because our tent was dripping wet) pulled sweats over cycling gear and took our puffy-eyed selves by the bathrooms and onto a breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, meat, and whatever else could be piled on our plates. Then it was over to yoga, the yoga-nazi, who had us stretching and waking and holding poses under amazing redwoods

We packed up the rest of our gear and tents, dropped them off at the gear trucks, who would drive them onto King City. We found our bikes, peed, waited in the line for air, got our MO-O-O-J-O-O- from the Mojo man, had our butts blessed, but the butt-blessing lady and were rolling- or so we thought... It was treacherous getting out of Santa Cruz, with all the traffic and traffic lights. Cyclists were anxious to get moving and this added at least an hour to our day. But Aptos and Soquel were supportive with coffee and sweet kids cheering us along.

It was a 105.4 mile day--so I'll give you the highlights. Shayne and I took off ahead, rode past the artichokes, were almost thwarted by a live snake in the path, and were pushed out of the closing rest stop 2. We decided to meet Kelly, Bob, and Mandana (Kelsey went out way ahead this day and we never SAW her!) As we were enjoying an incredible tailwind to lunch, I remembered my sister was supposed to be having a baby and sent special prayers. We all re-gathered at lunch in Salinas and I borrowed Kelly's phone, before the sweepers were pushing us out, and it's a girl! But no name. But she has a name now--
Naia Malle Bordeau, 7 lb 14 oz was born and kept me going on that century.




I had tears at not being there for her birth and tears in thanksgiving for being right there on the ride!

Then it was time for the long haul--when your butt is hurting something bad, your tired, and we're inland with the winds hitting us and the dust moving. It was Steinbeck country and so beautiful, but the miles were long, on top of the previous days early wake and 80 miles, so it was a lot to take in. Shayne and I moved ahead and then he developed some sort of monster turbo engines that took him to Rest Stop 3--we barely even noticed the toilet stop on the way. Rest Stop 3 was a dust stop. We all rode together from there. Mandana wasn't sure she was going to make it, but Kelly had urged her this far and she was still going. There was definite fatigue before the water stop/otter pop stop at Mission Soledad and it was rough-going.






But we made it there and were reminded why we do this





The sweet chapel at the mission had a frontal where we could write messages and remember people and why we ride--very powerful places, filled with Spirit and tears. It was a beautiful chapel--I'd love to go back, and likely will. I lit a candle for Dartagnan, for all those who mourn, and for celebration that we will conquer this ugly disease.

We rode out, passed the skinny-dippers along the way--no time to stop,






because the cookie-lady was coming up! Kelly's knowledge and promises were always true and awesome, even though she had to carry the load of ride leader--we were all SO thankful! --don't get between me and a cookie--Ride to Eat


Then it was a stop at Camp Sorebuhm,



and we were riding out to avoid the sweep in.


And we all DID IT!!! 105.4 miles--maybe a bit more, because route sheets lie--and don't think a couple miles don't matter!!! But we did it!! And although this is a LOOONG post, it's nothing compared to over 12 hours out and a 105.4!!!miles after and 80 mile day and before Quadbuster







I think this was the day we got in so late, we rushed to set up tents, take showers, and then-- oh shit! Dinner closes at 9--we were there at 8:58. As I stood in the vegetarian line, I talked to the guy behind me and after a few minutes we realized he was on his second dinner, which is common in camp, and I was on my FIRST. We had just met, but he was so empathetic and rubbing my shoulder, saying "oh my gosh"! We met up with Donald, on his second dinner, and laughed and talked and ate and then suddenly we were asleep, after peeing, again, of course.