Day Two - To Century or Not to Century.....

Today I road my heavy ass bike 105 miles.  Let me repeat that for you….I road Blood Rayne, a hybrid Trek bike that weighs 27lbs 105 miles.  It was a long, long, long, LOOOONG day.

The day started at about 4:30a.m.  Well actually about 3:30a.m. because that’s when I woke up.  I did manage to fall back asleep but then when 4:45a.m hit I was wide awake.  Since today was the long ride I figured it would be good to try and be on the rode by 6:00 or 6:30a.m.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, the joke was on me.  By the time we got dressed, ate, packed, took the tent apart, and got to bike parking it was 8:30a.m.

That meant we had to ride 105 miles by 7:00p.m.  It took us an hour to just get out of Santa Cruz.  Jeez just past the gate as we were leaving, one rider took a tumble and appeared to have a gash on her head.  Terrible…not really something any one wants to see as they ride out.

As we meandered through the streets of Santa Cruz, I just could not find my rhythm. I felt I was moving painfully slow, a big change from the previous day’s ride.  I guess I was paying the price for having such a great first day.  Oh well, I still had 103 miles to go. 

Skipping ahead, our first rest stop was blanketed in fog that we could barely see the ocean.  The weather was really crazy…even though it was foggy and dreary, it wasn’t terribly cold.  I don’t remember too much about the rest stop.  I mean a rest stop is just that, a spot to rest.  Okay, so this rest stop had one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and let me just say, she really knows how to rock black boots.  I was jealous.  However, the thing I remember the most about rest stop one was the heinous hill that waited for us as soon as we rolled out. 

Actually most of the day was like that…crappy little hills and crappy big ass hills.  Or in the case of the ALC they would probably refer to them as rollers.  Let’s just call it what it is….a hill.  All day I kept hearing how flat this ride was.  Ha, that was a joke.  Oh yes, there were parts that were flat, flat as a pancake, but no one bothered to mention the head winds.  I heard about tail winds, but head winds, not one word.  And let me just say when you are happily pedaling away and suddenly hit by a head wind that wants to take your tires out from under you….well its not a whole lot of fun.  There were many times when I was practically riding sideways.  At least that is how it felt. 

I don’t really remember rest stop two so let’s just skip ahead a bit…lunch was at a nice, windy little park.  Don’t remember the town, but I do remember the food.  I had a nice chicken sandwich on a ciabata , with chips, apple and a big fat cookie.  Yum!!  Okay anything would have tasted good after 45 miles.  While at the park I found Kelly, and Gayla so we chatted for a bit before they took off.  Again, that was how most of the day went.   Kelly and Gayla ahead, followed by Janet, my sister Yolanda and me trying to play catch up.  I guess I was paying the price for such an awesome ride my first day.

By this time the weather was sunny, the sky blue, and windy as hell.  Oh yeah I said that already, but I really can’t say that enough.

Anyway, Yolanda and I quickly headed out from lunch.  We still had 60 miles to go and time was ticking.  The route is only open for a certain amount of time and after a certain point the sweeps will pick you up.  I so was not going to SAG today.  This was my first century and I was damn well going to finish.  However, throughout the course of the ride I wondered when I would decide to end it and just SAG.  I was even trying to come up with names for SAG.  Sad Ass Girl was at the top of my list, as was Sassy Able Girl, Special Agent Girl, and finally Silly Attractive Girl.  But as you already know I did not SAG, but I’m still a Sassy Able Girl.

After lunch we hit a lot of flats and finally, finally the much talked about tail winds.  I was really cranking out some miles.  Gayla said she and Kelly did 23 miles in just over an hour.  My time was probably a bit more than that, but I was still flying.  At this point Rayne (yes I named my bike and yes she is named after a video game…Blood Rayne) and I were in perfect synch, as we plowed our way to the next rest stop whose theme was Super Heroes.  I don’t remember all the super heroes present, but Superman in his tighty blue undies certainly stood out (uh, not literally, okay maybe literally).  Rest stop three is also where a very kind roadie gave me a shoulder massage which saved my life as my shoulders and neck were starting to cramp up.  I didn’t stay too long though because it was windy as hell and dirt was blowing all over.

The ride at this point was still flat and still windy, but the scenery was just amazing.  There were several times when I would remember to look up and look around.  Some times I have no choice but to zone out, just so I can concentrate on my pedaling.  It’s a shame really because you miss out on a lot.  The countryside was absolutely amazing.  There were rows and rows of grapevines, artichokes, carrots, strawberries, and I’m sure a plethora of other veggies.  Just incredible.

In between rest stop three and rest stop four was a water stop.  This really summed up the ride for me.  Not because of the otter pops that awaited us, or the gaily dancing men in their bright tutus, but because of the mission that was there.  There is a small church there and I was told not to miss it.  So I made sure to stop.  Once there I got my otter pop, got a few pictures, then went into the church.  It was just a small space really, but at the front of the alter there was a white cloth laid out for riders to sign.  I went up, found a spot and told why I was riding.  I wrote about my brother Chris and how he tried to teach me not to be afraid of life.  I think he did a pretty good job of that.  I then took a moment to think about him and that is when the tears started.  Once I regrouped I took a few quick pictures and headed out.

We still had 30 miles to go, 15 miles to rest stop four and 15 to camp.  Rest stop four was a real quick stop as it was already closing by the time we got there.  We stopped to say hi to Jeanette, my sister Yolanda’s friend, took a few pictures, downed some aspirin, then road off.  15 more miles to go.

I was so afraid I was going to be forced to SAG that I thought perhaps I could hide from the SAG patrol and finish when no one was looking.  Crazy I know but these are the thoughts that pop into my mind when I’ve been on a narrow ass seat most of the day.

I really just tried to concentrate on my pedaling.  I’d zone out, look down and just watch my front tire spin or watch my pedals turning.  A few more e’ffing hills and really, really long flats later I was in the home stretch.  I thought for sure I was going to see an ALC one mile to go sign….some times I really hate those signs.  After riding all day it is like they are taunting me.  I also am starting to hate the following…”Almost there”, “Only a few more miles to go”, and my favorite “It is all downhill from here”.  Damn liars. 

Well I did it.  I completed my first century.  There were moments when I didn’t think I would.  There were times toward the end when I felt like this ride was the ALC’s way of breaking me down to build me back up.  It was tough, and rough and almost kicked my ass, but I kicked it instead.

Comments

[Lorri Lee Lown]

Congratulations! What an incredible two days you've had, Annette. I hope your body is feeling well. Try to relax a little tomorrow. Day 3 will be the hardest (physically and mentally). Smile, breathe, and enjoy the ride!!!

[Sandra]

I'm so PROUD of you!!!! Congratulations on your 1st century. Way to hang in there, I know Day 2 is a really long day but you did it. You are my hero!!! Keep pedaling. Look left and right as the scenery only gets better. Michael and I are right there with you cheering you on. Lots of huggs - Sandra

[Bobbie]

You don't know me but I have been reading your blog and looking at the photos on the website since you started and I just wanted to give you a note of encouragement. To me, you're riding for my daughter, as well as your brother and everyone who lives or has lived with HIV. You go, girl!

[Jessica]

YOU RULE!!!

Congrats--you keep kicking that road's ass.

[A friend]

I'm tired just reading your blog. You make it sound more like a job, than a benefit ride. I hope tommorrow goes better for you, as it tests your strengths even more than todays century. Remember to enjoy the sites as you go by, after all, that is one of the most beautiful areas in our nation, it would be a shame to miss so much of it. Don't worry about not making the 7pm deadline, you would rather remember the mountains, ocean, and everything in-between; than pedalling your ass off, just so you didn't have to get "picked up." I'm so jealous, that is a spiritual journey of emense proportions. Enjoy and good luck...

[Jaime Merrifield]

Dear Annette, YOU KEEP GOING GIRL!!!! Thanks so much from the bottom of my heart for your blogging, I just can imagine how hard it would be to write after such long days especially your first CENTURY ride WAY TO GO!!!!! It is so great for me because I am getting into shape after long years of neglect and illness to my poor getting OLD body, and I am getting better and I am inspired by your story, I want to try to ride next year with my sister too who is on this years ride with a chronic illness of her own that she has wrestled under the carpet to turn out and do her first ride. She is #1840 Tray on Team 100 from LA if you see her give her a hug. She is a twin (are you and Yolanda twins?) but I am her older sister. You GO GIRL and bless you and I know Chris is with you every single revolution of your and Rayne's wheel . (See you make me feel good I got my first road bike in 19 years less then a month ago, mostly inspired by my sis, disabled as I am, and without $$$ but I made it happen...and it isn't that light either....)and named her Elletry......she and I are up to 40 minutes 6 times a week.........and counting.......maybe next year.....) So, thank you thank you, and many HUGS to keep you going, I will read every day and just for a few moments feel like I am there with you, my sister Tray and all the other 2,331 riders and roadies.......and for EVERY SINGLE PERSON NOW and ALWAYS living and not living with this horrid disease, and 11 million hugs for every dollar you all have raised and the wonderful awareness you all have brought and the touching way that this effort lets all of us know that we can truly change the worlsd and create a kinder gentler world by surrounding ourselves with others who care, and you can TRULY do whatever you set your mind too......Thank you so much for this blog it really means a lot to me Jaime Merrifield, Mesa Arizona