LAW Kick Off Century - 01/01/2008

 KICK-OFF CENTURY.  For the 7th year, we will start the

year off with a bang by riding  a century on the very

first day. I had a good cycling year in 2007

completing my first double century in years and it all

started by doing this century. For one day (and

probably one day only) you are averaging 100 miles per

day for the entire year – on pace for 36,600 miles in

2008 (it’s a leap year). It's an easy century--just up

the coast to Ventura and return (not very different

from the lowland Grand Tour Lite route).  No support

or sag. No hills bigger than the ones along PCH. We

had our biggest group ever last year and hope for more

this year.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings.

What a howling New Year. Early in my bicycle learning,

someone told me the seven four letter words of

bicycling, cold, heat, rain, snow, hill, (can't recall

the next, could be rock, nail, bump, or flat) and

wind.  When I started in the morning, there was no

signs of what the day would be.  It wasn't till PCH,

the wind took notice.  The weird thing about it, first

there was head wind, pass Topanga Cyn a strong cross

wind and closer to Malibu, a tailwind.  Mel also biked

in just behind me.

Had a tough ride on Sunday, 60 miles and 66 hundred

feet of ascending with one climb nearly 1000' in 2

miles and one stretch over 20%.  Glad I carried my

triple.  They invited me to Pete Pennseyre's New

Year's ride that climbs Los Gatos, almost a mile climb

with a sign that reads 26+%.  No thank you.  I'd be

happy with a nice easy century.

A nice turnout for the ride.  Saw a group of riders in

the Starbuck as they waved at me, never leaving their

shelter.  Read the announcement of a 7 AM start, but

the early riders were still standing.

So pass the start time, five riders set forth 2008 on

a blustery morning to christen the new year with a 100

miles ride.  A jump start on the 'Century of the Month

Challenge'.

First have to write that Renee is one tough gal.

Three of the five riders have ridden multiple 1200 Km

Brevets and Mel is strong as he finished the 'What

doesn't kill you makes you stronger Century' which

only a handful of riders can say.  I'm thinking Renee

is like a modern day Marge Gall.

It just took the Pepperdine Grade right from the start

to separate the group as we will never see the other

three again.

I wish that I could fly

Into the sky

So very high

Just like a dragonfly

Id fly above the trees

Over the seas in all degrees

To anywhere I please

Oh I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah yeah yeah

Yes it was windy.  I've been in worse.  If not for it,

the day would have been perfect.  The temp would allow

us to go without jackets.  Renee mention the people

who did not ride will be sorry.  IT would not take

long till we will be the sorry ones.  This is one of

those rides at the time you will question your sanity,

but when it's finished, well I guess you still do.

I have the fear of downhill and it's worse when the

wind blows.  So this is good, Renee gets a good lead

and I catch up at the next climb.

PCH was vacant of bicycles for a holiday.  You'd

expect to see riders.  Ah yes, the wind.

Maria blows the stars around

And sends the clouds a’flyin’

Maria makes the mountains sound

Like folks were up there dying

Maria

Maria

They call the wind Maria

I knew where the gusts will be blowing.  As soon as we

could see 'the rock', someone turned up the fan.  So

much, we were forced to dismount the bike and walk.

Could have kept pedaling, but dangerous weaving into

traffic lane. 

The ocean was surreal.  It was blemished with white

caps.  And what waves it could muster was topped by a

spray going the opposite direction, like a 50's hair

style.  Looked like a mist hanging over the water.

Clouds look like tornadoes spiraling.  Further down,

there are waves going diagonally.  At one area, it was

raining as waves splashed against the rocks drifted

across the road.  People were taking pictures of the

confused ocean.

The wind was confusing also.  After our walk, the wind

turns 180 and we're flying, going up grade without

pedaling.  Renee was yelping 'Whoohoo'.  And as soon

as we were getting use to the free ride, it takes it

back and blows in our face again.  A day for glasses

which I do not wear.  Renee wore a scarf over her face

like a bandit.  Got my daily mineral requirement and

roughage.  We had to walk again.  Don't they recommend

walking as a good exercise.  Put my route slip in my

pocket as it was getting tattered.  Closer to Las

Posas exit, it was 'Whoohoo' once again.

Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time

Breaking all of the rules that would bend

I began to find myself searchin

Searching for shelter again and again

Against the wind

A little something against the wind

I found myself seeking shelter against the wind

Wish we could go 8 miles a minute. I've ridden this

next section numerous times, each was against the

wind.  So no surprise what was in store. 

"How far do we have to ride on this road"

Just have to go to where all the houses are up ahead.

You know when you are riding to a destination you can

see in the distance and no matter how long you keep

going, it never seems to get any closer.  Have you

ever seen birds flying backward.

Renee now knows what artichoke plants look like.  We

should be home, eating chips and dip, watching

football on TV.  Bicycling on New Year's Day, that

unAmerican.

There were bicyclists going the opposite directions,

gleeful with their push.  A bicyclist was up ahead and

we eventually caught and pass him.  His comment, "This

is insane".

Finally reach town and at the gas station purchase

fuel.  Caramel Bugles, sweet and salty and juice.

Crestview is a climb, felt steeper than normal due to

the breeze.  Have removed my jacket as it's getting

warm.  Notice markings that this is the MS ride route.

A nice view of the ocean.  Renee wished she could

live her as she scouts the homes.  A fast downhill and

facing our tormentor.

One good thing about our riding, had time to discuss

stuff like relationships, cooking, and gossip.  Your

regular bicycling chat.

Came into Saticoy, Mel calls to check on us.  They

have finished lunch and were on their way home. 

A gathering of angels appeared above my head

They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what

they said

They said come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Who'd of thought the easiest section of the ride would

be on Foothill.  That's because we had a 'whoohoo'

tailwind.  The road was newly paved and there is this

great view of the ocean.  We were following the vvv

arrows.  Pass the orchards, the Grand Tour rest stop

and thought the road was a bit rough on Poli, the wind

was on our side.

The next problem, where to eat.  As Renee is as fussy

a diner as Mel, and she was hungry, we ate at Denny's.

Had a fish sandwich, she two bowls of soup and salad.

Happy to see she has graduated to Cliffbars rather

than baby food.  Will say, had good service.  Kind of

slow business wise could be a reason.

Fueled, was ready for that familiar tailwind home.

Unfortunately, this was not a normal day.  Another

topic that was discussed was religion.  Someone wanted

to make us suffer.

It is pass 2 and we've pass halfway.  We both have

lights.

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's

gone

All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.

Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea

All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to

see

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind

This is the Grand Tour return. Renee knows the route.

This ride is cursed when it's a headwind on Hueneme

Rd.  And to add salt to the wound, a flat tire.  Know

that rain causes flats, but wind does too as tumble

weeds deposit their thorns across the road.  Wave

Renee on but she wants to make sure nothing happens to

me.

I continue my agriculture lecture.  This road will be

nice when they finish, hopefully by the Grand Tour.

Well it got to be better on Navalair.  A little as

it's just a cross breeze.  And that big push was

hoping for on PCH became nonexistence.  This is a

cruel God.

And flat number two, the other tire via a thorn.

Fixing a flat in rain is difficult, just as hair

raising in the wind.

A fat tire rider was caught out in this with a

punctured tubeless.  Renee let him borrow her phone.

We did our good deed.  Think the wind let up a little.

Woohoo.  Cripes, it switched again.  Renee warns me

not to get excited, keep a low profile.

It is the night. My body's weak.

I'm on the run. No time to sleep.

I've got to ride.

Ride like the wind to be free again.

And I got such a long way to go.

To make it to the border of Mexico.

So I'll ride like the wind.

'The rock' is lots of little rock as the shoulder is

blanketed by shards, forced to walk across.  On the

other side a bulldozer is scraping rocks off the

street.  The wind is causing rock slides.

It is dark on PCH.  It is late.  Even Neptune Net was

not busy.  Mentioned I've never eaten there, so Renee

ask if we should stop. I want to finish this ride!

Kermit called to check on us.  Renee asks if we have

gotten pass Zuma. We just passed Mulholland.

So I counted down the 10 hills of PCH.  Top of Zuma

Grade, 7 more miles to go.  Called home, going to be

late.  In the morning said I'll be back 5-6.  It was

nearly 7.

Traffic was light and not a lot of cars parked.  Renee

was worried that her car might get towed.  The car was

still there. 

She gave me a ride home and we ate at another Denny's.

Question came up whether our server was male or

female.  I say guy, she picked gal.  Could have solved

it, asked it's name. I had the mushroom chopped steak

and Renee ate egg whites stuffed with chicken, soup

and salad.  She brought her own condiments.

Was that a whirlwind of a ride or what.

BTW, the reason for all the musical interruptions.  I

was singing as I rode.  Renee called it as good as an

I-Pod.

Who's peekin' out from under a stairway

Calling a name that's lighter than air

Who's bending down to give me a rainbow

Everyone knows it's Windy

Who's tripping down the streets of the city

Smilin' at everybody she sees

Who's reachin' out to capture a moment

Everyone knows it's Windy

And Windy has stor-my eyes

That flash at the sound of lies

And Windy has wings to fly

Above the clouds (above the clouds)

Above the clouds (above the clouds)