I totally biked over 100 miles. For serious.

This is what I look like waking up in the morning.  I awoke James with camp songs from when I used to go to Boy Scout camp and then ceremoniously deflating the air mattress while he still slept on it.  We're friends.

What?  Free fruit smoothies and coffee, are you kidding me?  Steve at The Ugly Mug coffee shop in Santa Cruz surely wasn’t.  There’s Steve.  And me.  Riders were treated to free smoothies in the morning, and a hearty “thanks for riding.”  I love the sound of that.  And at no extra charge, I got an ice-cream headache.

Today we rode 105 miles.  I’m totally not kidding.  Its 9pm and I am completely exhausted.  Today was the one day I really wanted to focus on my riding and push it as far as I could.  I mean, c’mon 105 freaking miles!

Luckily I ran in to Southern California Cycling Vixen and good friend of mine, Jennifer Diamond.  We rode together most of the day and kept each other going.  Jennifer is good for support like “do you even know how to shift?!?” and “Keep peddling, why on earth would you want to coast right now?!?”  Thanks, Jen.

And there were Artichokes.  Fresh ones, I probably spelled that wrong, but whatever.  Here’s me and Jen and James enjoying delicious Artichokes from a local farm stand that I can’t really remember the name of in my exhaustion right now.

So, yeah the big story of the day, is that we biked 105 miles. These “cyclists” I seem to be riding with call that a “century.”  I did my first one today.  It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done physically in my life.  There was a certain point where I had to literally say out loud to myself “keep going…keep going…keep going…keep going…”  I know, that sounds really lame and weird, but at mile 80, it was “whatever it takes.”  Luckily the roadies and supporters were all out in full force once again.

Here’s me at the top of a hill at around mile 100.  Totally worth it.

James says that he bikes better in groups, and I never really understood that until today.

There is such wonderful comfort in knowing that there is someone right behind you.

There are a million emotions going through my head right now, and tomorrow I'll have the time to sit down and tell you all about them.

Goodnight from King City, California.  See you tomorrow.

Days remaining: 5
Miles to Los Angeles: 361
Legs:  Feelin’ it.

Comments

[josh]

What is that I'm feeling? Oh my god...it's...it IS...admiration.

I'm very impressed. And you write good too, which in it's way is as impressive.

Also, in case anyone thought Gary is only impressive, he also ruled in this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0zM31EQTeE

[Mandy]

Wow- my two minute routine looks so piddily compared to this.

In so many ways I admire your strength and perseverance and I strive to be more like you- you are an inspiration!

I like this Jen gal...since when have you EVER coasted though life?

[Alonso]

So when "whatever it takes" was going through your head, does that mean you were actually singing the Degrassi: The Next Generation theme song?

Keep up the good work, baby.

[Aaron]

hey, i'm reading about you! be sure to wear sunscreen and use extra chains when locking up your bike outside of the magic shop!

[Dianna]

You rock Gary! Keep it up -- we're all amazingly proud of you!