Life may not be all peaches and cream ...but, we "can" learn from every experience. |
And a challenging day it was . . . .
"Day 2" - Santa Cruz to King City (via Monterey)
1. All of our cycling gang gets up at 4:30am. Nate, Tony, "Don Colnago" - Barry Elliot, "Norwegian Cruiseliner"-Tom, "Mr Rio," the "Atlas Team," and the "Brazilian Team" all line up for the 6:30am Start time .. . Yet, the Norwegian Cruiseliner informs us that there's some "juju" in the air. . ..
"And there off . .. ." Kyle Rich is "the rabbit."
2. "Norwegian Cruiseliner" breaks a spoke 10 miles before lunch (no chance of be reunited today with "the rabbit.")
3. After lunch,Tony misses "an arrow" and rides 15 miles off course ..."Can we say . ..Welcome to Monterey?"
After 9 years of traveling this route, I phoned for assistance. And then, I experienced my first ride in the SAG Wagon (Support & Gear Vehicle) - Scooby Doo's “The Mystery Machine”.
Yet the Ken's SAG Wagon (with the "rainbow striped Teddy Bear" sitting in the right rear corner of the car) . ...was great. They offered banana chips, water, and selected dried fruit to each passenger.
After being returned to the lunch stop (backtracking and increasing my day's milage by approx. 27 miles), I continued my journey to "King City."
4. Soon after my departure from the Lunch Stop, I passed "Mr Rio" on the side of the road.
He broke a spoke. Therefore, we dissengage the cable from the back brake (leaving "Mr. Rio" with only a front brake - yet allowing more room for his lopsided wheel to spin). And then, I guided him (to insure a safe passage)to Pitstop 4.
5. 5 miles before the finish line in King City, I was confronted with a 15 mile per hour sidewind combined with a side draft from "a Rig" . . "I lost control of my Soulcraft Bike Frame ... . "I ate it." Tony becomes reunited with "road rash."
A very kind cyclist insured "my" safe passage to the finish.
6. After experiencing my longest ride ever (an approximate 127 mile ride). I parked my bike. And soon following, I met the Buddha (a nice woman sitting out in the woods). We began to speak of today's journey and our experiences.
She told me:
"A broken foot and a stolen bike won't keep me from riding . . ." |
I felt empowered. Thank you Velo Girl!
Now, it's time to visit the medics and prepare for tomorrow's ride.
I'm having a wonderful time.
tony
Day 2 - Aptos to KIng City - AIDS LifeCycle 2005 (last year's journey)
Hi Tony,
Thank you!!! Hang in there!!! We are there in spirit with you every moment of your day...Here's sending you a large dose of energy and strength.
Posted by: Cheryl | June 06, 2006 at 01:53 PM
Tony,
I am so glad Jennie and I could find you out there in the boonies. I remember when dispatch called me; I was like, "there's a cyclist where?!".
I will never forget your smile and we are looking forward to seeing you next year!
Ken
http://www.aidslifecycle.org/9685
Posted by: Ken | June 11, 2006 at 09:33 AM