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DAY 17
But It's A Dry Heat

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ROUTE: Carmel Valley to King City CA DISTANCE: 55 Miles WINDS: SE 5-10 
WEATHER: Sunny and warm...50 at departure, 85 at destination TERRAIN: Hilly, climb first 20 miles then downhill and rolling TOTAL CLIMBING: 3257 Feet

DAILY REPORT:  It's hard to believe that just yesterday it was cool all day and we've had cool temps throughout most of the ride.  Today started out really chilly, but by afternoon it was pretty toasty in the sun.  Ah, but what a great night's sleep last night.  As I mentioned yesterday, our motel is out in the country and was converted to a motel from a horse stable.  It sounds odd, but it's one of our favorite places to stay.  It's quaint, but nice.  The rooms are quite nice on the inside and listening to the sounds of the forest, tree frogs (roosters, and crickets vs honking horns, car engines, and people yelling) during the evening was quite relaxing.  We had a relaxing breakfast at 7:00 due to the short mileage and departed at 8:00.  We knew we had some challenging terrain, but we're used to that by now.

We started out with a gentle climb for the first 11 miles.  That was our warm up for the "gradual" climb that lay before us at mile 12½.  There the road rose to the tune of 10% in one spot and shallowed out at about 7% until the SAG at 18 miles.  They weren't through climbing after the SAG as they still had a couple more miles of good slope before the terrain started to drop...and what a drop it was.  It wasn't a descent that you could just let it go.  The switchback descent was highly technical but everyone descended with aplomb.  The scenery was breathtaking but focus had to be kept on the road. The temperature was on the cool side so the climbing wasn't a problem in the early morning...plus, we had about a 12 mile warm up climb before the tough stuff. 

After crossing the mountain, we again entered the valley farmland where crops were in various stages of growth...pumpkins, Brussels sprouts, green beans, broccoli, and I even saw some corn...just like home.  While we were still in the high country, we came upon several vineyards too...just a plethora of various things to enjoy on your dinner table.

There sure wasn't much on our route today as far as towns or stores.  Except for 1 small town of Greenfield at mile 40, there was absolutely nothing.  Our SAG stop was along the side of the road amidst live oak trees and lots of gnats.  We had somewhat of a staggered start so most every one was at the first SAG together.  From there we scattered out as everyone took time to take photos and just lay back and enjoy the day. 

Today's ride is much more enjoyable than last year when we combined today and tomorrow into one brutal 111 mile day with over 7000 feet of climbing.  It made for a long day in the saddle and a long day in the vans for the staff.  Trying to get to 3 SAGs in this terrain with the spread we had was almost impossible.  I think the riders enjoyed the day much more too...less stressful on the mind and the legs as well.

It was early afternoon and I was waiting on the last riders to pass at about the 38 mile point and I was thinking that the front riders had gone by long enough to almost be in.  I filled their water bottles and started forward to check out Greenfield, the only civilization we passed through all day.  Greenfield was not on our route last year, so I didn't know what to expect.  The last riders said they were going to get a bite to eat there before going in so I thought I'd just scout out someplace for them to chow down.  As I was driving down Main Street, there was all the rest of our riders, minus the two front runners, all eating...and I thought they were in the motel by now.  Well, this made it easy...everyone that was on the road, was here.  So I stopped and had a lunch myself.

After a nice lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon taking photos of the remaining 14 miles to the motel.  As we departed Greenfield the road seemed to be flat along produce fields, but it didn't take long for it to bounce up onto a ridge line that overlooked the fertile valley below.  I'm sure some of the riders were thinking, "Why didn't they just make the road at the bottom of this cliff?"  I sure don't have an answer for that, but the views of the valley below were great.

Everyone got in before 3:00 so I offered a flat tire clinic for those who wished to learn the finer points of forensics and the mechanics of changing a tire.  Then it was rap and dinner...another day in the books.  We only have 6 days left...6 more days of our summer adventures.  Then we'll head east to bed down for the winter...a good life if you can get it.

Tomorrow we do the second half of the one day ride we did last year.  I know the riders were glad we didn't have 60 more miles in this heat today to Paso Robles.  Tomorrow we'll have most of the tough miles behind us before it heats up too badly.  Drop in and see some beautiful shots of the hills to Paso Robles.  See you then. 

HEARD DURING THE DAY:

"I'm amazed that we got here after that tire change this afternoon.  We did just about everything wrong."  Heard during the tire clinic

"At least we have a headwind."

"Mike, is there a top to this climb."

"When Mike takes a photo from behind us, I have to suck my butt in."
"Good luck with that."

"Yikes!  I'm sharing a meal with someone who wants me to sell my bike?!"
"OK, don't hyperventilate."

"I'm having a sandwich malfunction."

"I've given up on DQs."

"Don't tell me that wasn't the steep part."
"OK, that wasn't the steep part."

To Tom's wife:  Tom wants me to convince you when he gets home he needs to buy a new bike.  I hope this helps...oh, he's hoping you'll agree to a new set of golf clubs too. 

IS IT ME, OR IS IT JUST TUESDAY EVERYWHERE?

On our rides we usually have lots of type A personalities.  Well this ride is no exception as witnessed today by our group...I think Ron may qualify as a bone fide type A after today's little escapade.  Last night Ron informed us that he needed to leave early to take part in an important 2 hour conference call at 9:30 today.  He worked out a workable deal with Karen to load early so he could depart in time to get to Greenfield in time to get connected.  We worked out all the logistics, packed him with extra viddles, and off he went well before the other riders.  It was cold when he left and he was hammering up the climbs with barely enough time to get to Greenfield in time for the call.  By the time he crested the big climb he was a few minutes behind schedule...put the hammer down some more!  He rolled into Greenfield out of water and out of energy, but in time to get connected.  He dialed...put in the pin number...no answer.  Hmmm, he thought...sometimes it doesn't connect properly.  Try again...again no answer.  Then he called his office to see if there was a problem with the connection.  "Hello, this is Ron...I can't seem to connect on the conference call."  "What conference call," was the reply.  "The conference call about xxxxx we were supposed to have at 9:30."  "You mean the conference call we're having tomorrow?"    Hey Ron, that's staying ahead of the curve...you certainly weren't late...nice dress rehearsal today. 

SCENES OF THE DAY

Evidently nobody has ever told Tom that whipped cream makes your hair fall out.

Another Team Flamingo celebration.  Today they were excited to see a rare, spotted fence post rock.  I told you in another post that it doesn't take much to ignite the festivities.

Folks, I've been doing this for a long time...every time I see a bike like this I know there may be a problem somewhere.

Let's see, take off tire, do forensics, put in new tube, tire on rim, tube in tire, tube in rim, last bead on rim, check the tube, put in air...geeze...so much to remember.  I hope I can get this done in time for my conference call tomorrow...er, I think it's tomorrow.
 

This could be a cyclist's dream...bath rooms everywhere.

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