Day 3:

So first of all, I've just gotta tell you a quick story about exactly how much the community of this ride carries on into the next year and the next year. Last night, I was finishing up my post (I had exactly 12 minutes to write and save the log), and as I was leaving the Media Relations tent, I was chatting with the staff-people and one of the guys asked me about my beanie, which has the Tel-Aviv soccer team logo on it (it's how I find all my fellow Jews =)
Anyhow, we got talking, and he pulled up his sleeve and showed me his Jewish star tattoo at which point I recognized him: this guy (Brian) practically scraped me off the road in the very same camp last year - my tentmate was nowhere to be found (she'd torn her miniscus but I didn't know that yet - poor Jen) and I'd just finished the longest ride I'd ever attempted and I was incredibly upset and Brian walked me over to the gear trucks, carried my bag for me, helped me set up my tent, and basically made my day.
Go community.

But. Back to business.
Day 3.
HOT. HOTHOTHOT. So hot that I'm sitting here trying to remember ANYthing that happened over the day and I just...can't. I can't think of anything!

I suppose I'll just give you all the rundown of how we cyclists prepare for the day, give you an idea about what all this requires.
1. Wake up: 5:45 am (though I'm usually up a bit before from other people moving around or another person's alarm)
2. Change into bike clothes, put on my sweats over them, pack-ish my bag and head to breakfast. Breakfast is a slient affair; Ang and I love each other dearly (haha, I think we've confused some people here =) but 6 am is a little too early to be nice to anyone you know too well.
3. Eventually we start speakjing, head back to take the tent down, drag our bags to the gear truck, and stretch.
4.We've been getting out on the road somewhere between 7-7:15 am.

It makes for some long days.

Okay. Now I'm finally remembering random things about today.
-This day has THE worst pavement in the WORLD. I think Tutugirl described it a couple of years ago as feeling like "using a belt sander as a vibrator". Little bit graphic, but mostly true. There is nothing more jarring than riding mile after mile over bumpy pavement. It jiggles your wrists and your knees and...other things.
-Quadbuster happened and wasn't quite as hellish as I remembered it being. I got a little push from some fabulous man at the halfway stop and made it all the way up in one shot (which is more than I can say for myself last year). Ginger was in a nice little black cocktail dress and three-inch heels on a SCOOTER scooting back and forth across the street to cheer riders up the hill.
-Ang and I took turns being way tired and way hot but really, Ang pulled me through this day...I was majorly tired and mostly just kept up with her (yay Angie =)

Oh. And I think I drank two gallons of water. And it STILL wasn't enough (I mean I'm not dehydrated, but I was drinking about every three minutes because I NEEDED to.)

What else. Oh. Shout out to my aunt Sue and Steve, who fed Angie and I in Santa Cruz on the first night. Everyone rocks.

And now I will bring this post to a close and go eat dinner, or Angie will - and I quote "Eat my post for me."

Comments

[David Klass]

Great blogs. It's like we get to share this event with you. Picture with you and Ginger was a hoot. Will remember your description of the 'quadbuster'. Think Wednesday will be another HOTHOT day, just to test your humour and stamina.

[Tim Klass]

What is this, "fed Angie and I"? For this we send you to college, and at out-of-state tuition rates? Really, though, Mom and I love your blog and I can't wait to see you in L.A. (you'll have to introduce me to Ginger). You made your Aunt Sue very happy, she emailed us with delight about finally having her house full of "girl energy."