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DAY 17
  But it's a dry heat 

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ROUTE: Carmel Valley to King City DISTANCE: 55 Miles WINDS: Slight headwind until after 35 miles...tailwind remainder
WEATHER: Clear, sunny, hot.  50/departure and 100 at destination TERRAIN: 20 mile climb out of the motel, then big rollers until the last 10 miles...flat to motel 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.  Actually, it was hard to believe how hot it got so fast.  Everyone was dressed pretty much for winter when they pulled out and by the time they got to 12 miles, it was already getting pretty warm. 

Ah, but with the cool evening we had 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 even had a couple deer visit us during RAP last night. 

We had a relaxing breakfast at 6:30 which was earlier than normal in spite of the short mileage.  With the forecast heat today...maybe triple digits, we decided to get an early start.  We also 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.

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 when we originally put this ride together.  Last year 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.  Plus, with the heat we had today, we may not have made it.  I think the riders enjoyed the day much more too...less stressful on the mind and the legs as well.

After a nice lunch in Greenfield, 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...good thing too...it was pretty hot and if we hadn't cut this day in half last year, we'd still have over 60 miles to go...yikes.  Aside from that, we have 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 two years ago...climb to Paso Robles.  Hopefully, 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. 

 

HAPPENINGS ON THE ROAD

David made a new friend this morning at breakfast...a friend who doesn't want to use his mobile phone.

 YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

"Ever since I left the motel this morning, I've had a hankerin' for oats."

"I didn't know I could go this slow without falling over."

"I wonder just how many things we'd do to get in one of Mike's photos?"

"You weren't kidding when you said we'd have a couple steep climbs today."
"Yeah, but you had some nice down hills too."

"My granny gear just about wasn't enough a time or two today."
"Yeah, some grannies just aren't as good as others."

"Legs don't fail me now!"

"Finally you gave us something worthy of being called a HILL."

"Come on Mike, you can find a steeper hill than that!"

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

Poor man's bifocals...This may start a fad...but I doubt it.

The tandem team tested their emergency air brake on the descent into Greenfield.  Just one of the many talents of a pro stoker.

Rugged terrain, dry landscape, and somehow they find enough water to support a vineyard...beautiful setting.

Riders have many reasons for doing a ride like this...Ray's dream was to find and touch the famous "Blue Spotted Fencepost Rock."  This rock is said to have mystical powers and many believe that touching it and making a wish is the end all to blissful euphoria.  Ray told me that it really worked...as soon as he left this spot, the terrain started going down!

Larry made the rollers look easy.

It was nice as we left and even when it started to get hot, the shady climb kept everyone from overheating.

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