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DAY TWO
The 2001 CAR8 Route
Santa Cruz to King City - 102 miles.
Today's route sheet looked as though this would be an "easy day". Well, easy it wasn't. What it was however, by way of beauty, challenge and good weather, made it a day to be glad to be out on the bike, riding for such a great cause!
After a very good breakfast of oatmeal, with raisins and fruit, and a yogurt, we packed our still wet tent and tarps, filled our water bottles (camelbacks) and headed out through soft, rolling hills. We drove down through Soquel through tree-lined streets, and countryside that was green and inviting. Our first pit stop was at what many claim to be the loveliest of all the Pit Stops - Manresa State Beach.
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As I rode into the Pit Stop, a woman - on her way back to the road - asked me if this was my first AIDS ride. When I confirmed that fact to her, she told me that what I needed to do was to take off my shoes, go over to the beach and walk in the water, savoring the sound of the waves and enjoying the moment. That might have been an excellent idea, but I had 88 more miles to go, and I decided on grabbing what nourishment I needed, re-filling my water bottle, taking care of nature's needs, and heading back on the road. Our route followed the coast for a long time. Pit Stop Two was at Moss Landing Boat Launch Parking Lot - another place at which Paul and I often stop for lunch at the little restaurant there. The weather was just wonderful - no big crosswinds to fight, traffic was fairly light, and motorists were very courteous. I would imagine that a long line of riders (even riders who were riding for a cause) would be a real bother and concern for motorists. But we CAR8 Riders had no problems moving along smoothly.
Leaving Moss Landing, we headed east, toward Salinas, along a long, narrow valley. It seemed to stretch forever in front and behind. We saw a multitude of farms on the valley floor. We passed celery and cabbage farms, there were broccoli and carrot farms, how clear it was, that this is the food basket of the country! The tall mountains rose on either side of the valley and we riders rode on!
I had read about a gentleman who distributed bananas to riders as they rode today's ride. Sure enough, along the road was "Larry, the banana man" who stood at the side of the road at four different locations, handing out bananas. His sporty German roadster was filled with boxes of this potassium heavy fruit. He has done this act of kindness for several years, and it was an uplifting sight to see him do what he could to make our ride easier.
I intended to mention yesterday, that just outside Santa Cruz, two young couples stood along the side of the road, holding chocolate covered strawberries and encouraged us to stop for a taste. This was their way of participating in the ride. I don't know how long they stood there, or how many strawberries they prepared, but that they were there, sure made a difference. We who ride our bikes are not the only ones participating in this ride!
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Nearing mile 41, I fell in behind David - the rider who has no legs. He navigates his "tandem" with his hands and arms. Needless to say, his upper torso is well developed. Many riders pull along side David and chat with him for awhile. I stayed behind in awe. He and the rider who rode next to him were so interested in their conversation, and I was so mesmerized by the scene, that we all failed to see or hear the call that we needed to make a right turn into lunch! Our traffic crew are fantastic, and the three of us did not go far when we were called back - thankfully, to lunch! David agreed to pose with me for a photo. Many riders and crew members, when they learn of my age, tell me what an inspiration I am to them. Well, here's a REAL inspiration - David, who has been a rider in the AIDS California ride about 5 times - and with what a challenge! He has the most up-beat attitude, and makes everyone on the ride a little more humble. )
Another rider whose picture I was able to capture was a fellow who has also been a rider on the California Aids Rides before. I think his name is David McDevitt. He had a niece or nephew who died at a very early age. He pulls this empty burley in remembrance of that child, and also rides for children who are HIV positive. This burley adds about 30 more pounds to an already tough journey, and the orange flag flying at the end of the burley tells us that David is a member of the Positive Peddlers (HIV positive riders). Talk about inspiration!Our lunch stop was held in Central Park, Salinas - as I walked toward the lunch lines, I passed a real train engine, sitting in the middle of the park! Thoughts of grandchildren Jesse, Parker and Caroline --- trains are their all-time favorite toys, mode of transportation, and books about. Besides all the cyclists who poured into the park, local citizens, with little ones, were about. Even though we mobbed the place, the locals seemed happy to have us there, and as we rode in and out of Salinas, we were made to feel welcome by the many signs people held up at street corners, or the many hi 5s we received as we passed groups of well-wishers!
The next thirty miles took us through some of the most beautiful countryside I have seen in California. This particular route runs parallel with Highway 101, straight down into a valley of two mountain ranges with the mountains to the right, being part of the Carmel Valley Range, I think. Someday I am going to ask Paul to drive down through here again - even though we are fairly close to highway 101, this route was off to the side, and circled around and over hills and dales that made me think of the cross-country ride of '99.
Pit Stop 3 (at mile 70.9) was at Soledad Mission. However, I knew I had thirty miles yet to go, so I passed it up and stopped 14 miles down the road at Pit Stop 4. One thing is certain, there are plenty of Pit Stops and "Grab and Go" stops that insure we will never be without water or facilities! Today I filled my camelback (70+ ounces) four times! I also drink from my water bottle. I think I am hydrating adequately!
Although on our route map, this doesn't look like a particularly "hard" day, the climb we faced shortly before reaching King City, was indeed a challenge. I think perhaps some of the "hill challenges" we had today were not long, high hills; rather shorter, steeper hills.... and maybe it was the distance. I don't know, but I do know that the last 10-15 miles of today's ride were counted off, mile by mile!
And finally I was "there" - from afar I could see the orange vest markings of our wonderful traffic crew. What a blessed sight that was! The greeting the crew member gave me was so warm and encouraging, I think I fairly sprinted into San Lorenzo Park Campground. But what a surprise! As I rode in, the road was lined with crew and faster riders (who had arrived hours earlier, but who came to the entrance to cheer us home!) All of these people stood in line for several hours, cheering and clapping the arrival of those of us who had finally reached the end of today's ride. In addition, each of us was presented with an AIDS 2001 scarf - in recognition of the fact that we had completed a century (100 miles)!
My tent mate had already set up our tent, and had even brought my very heavy suitcase from the truck. There it was, in the tent - which meant I did not have to walk the distance over to the truck, retrieve my suitcase, and lug it to the tent area. The various sections of camp are, of necessity, not close one to another. All the tents are pretty much in one area. The trucks that carry the tents and luggage are in another. All our bikes are parked in another area, and the dining area is placed in a separate area, too. Finally, the showers are placed in a final area. Porta Potties are placed everywhere they can find room!
Alison was at dinner when I arrived, so several of us who arrived fairly close to one another, joined her for a much appreciated spaghetti dinner! As soon as the evening's program was over, I headed off for the showers. What a singular blessing at the end of a hot day! God bless the inventor! And God bless the Pallotta organization for making sure they are part of the camp!
Today we saw a number of riders succumb to heat prostration. Some were given several I.Vs. of liquid right at the Pit Stop or Grab and Go Stops. I was surprised at how many felt the heat. I felt quite comfortable most of the day, and made sure I hydrated often.
I think Alison and I will both sleep well tonight! Most of the riders are in their tents and asleep by 9:30 p.m. And the camp - even with over 3,000 people becomes very quiet at night!
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