Jessy was exhausted from helping with a birth the night before. Well ok, the early morning. Jessy is working on certification to be a doula and the birth mother was suppose to deliver early Friday evening, but Jessy didn't make it home until just before 4:00 a.m. She would have bagged on the ride, but she has the least amount of miles in of any of the chicks and knew there was only 6 more days. She keeps saying she is planning some sabotage to ensure someone rides back with her at her pace for the Amtrak. The plan is to get Karen drinking lots the night before and not to let Pat get uninterrupted sleep. That way the both of them will be off their game and have no choice but to ride along with Jessy at her pace. As we were getting ready, Jessy said, "I feel like Pat is going to feel next Saturday morning."
A couple of more tweaks on Steve's bike and then we were off....really off...downhill very fast down Aliso Creek. We've never started a bike ride with such speed. Everyone broke 30 and Steve and Theresa were in the 40's. Great start and what a way to bump the average speed. Then we start the grind up El Toro, heading North. Watch out for the seniors at Leisure World. We spend a little time on the multi-use path along El Toro meaning, walking, riding and golf carts. As we are working our way past the mall, Steve is thinking maybe we should just stop at a bike shop and get a longer skewer for his front wheel. The decision is made to make a right turn at Muirlands and stop at one of our favorites, Two Wheels One Planet, better known as TWOP. Stop one! Except they don't open for another hour. Despite Jessy's suggestion that we visit the donut shop and eat donuts while we wait for it to open, we got back on our bikes and headed for Aliso Creek trail.
Now it was time to follow Karen as she expertly wove her way around and up and under over passes and bridges along the creek. Plenty of shade even though we were steadily climbing. Everyone was in great shape and seemed strong. Over wooden bridges (if we had listened to her) and fairly quickly we found ourselves at Portola and Santa Margarita. To get to the street we needed to walk over a dirt and gravel spot. Most of us picked up our bikes to avoid any tire issues, but Becky rolled hers accross. At the light she realized her back tire was completely flat. That's OK, we are going to stop at Rock 'n Road Cyclery to see if they had a skewer for Steve's bike.
We spent a little bit of time looking for the Rock 'n Road Cyclery following Karen again when we realized it was across the street. Becky walked her bike over and bought three new tubes and we waited while she got her tire changed and Steve and the mechanic rummaged through a bin full of different sizes skewers. He found one that would work while Karen and Pat had their bikes put on the stands for a quick check over. Karen's needed a little chain lube and cable adjustment and Pat's bike was totally worn out and she needed to recycle it and buy a new little pink balance bike. Just kidding, trying to see if you are still reading this post. From her skills training class a couple of weeks before doing skids and quick stops, Pat had worn out her back tire and the tread was beginning to show. Alas, she would keep the bike and just need a new tire.Soon we were on our way again ready to head down hill as we made our way back to Karen's house with a cool pool and refreshing drinks waiting for us. The way back went so much faster than our uphill ride there. Theresa only went off road a couple of times when the trail zigged one way or another as she and Jessy were trying to catch up.
All nice downhills have to end though as we turned on Glenwood and began our hot, miserable ascent climbing back toward Karen's neighborhood. At one stop in the shade, Pat said her thermometer on her bike showed 98 degrees. I suppose that must be right because that certainly wasn't her maximum speed.
When we got to the house we grabbed some quick ice water and ice tea and then changed into our suits ready to let the clear inviting water of the pool wash away the drying sweat on our skin. It was so refreshing. Jeri arrived with the twins and some great additions to our potluck spread. Then the pool boy made us a fabulous chicken lunch and we relaxed and discussed the next week's big ride.
Check list for the Amtrak:
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For the Ride
(in addition to your normal riding gear – shoes, shorts, jersey,
socks, helmet, gloves, bike)
Lights
Sunglasses
Arm warmers
Sun screen
Advil
Kleenex
Driver’s license (must for Camp Pendleton)
Medical insurance card
Some cash
Chap stick
A couple of small snacks (just in case you get off route)
Two large water bottles
Camera
Your spare tube and tire changing kit
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Post Ride
Change of clothes
Shoes
Hairbrush
Washcloth
Deodorant
Hat
Ice Chest
Party Food to share
Party Drinks to share
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