Incredible Christine...

Reach the Beach 2007 was a good ride. It was even more inspiring to see Christine fight to get it done. To the story - 2old and I started from Beaverton at about 7:30 AM and took on 2100 feet of climbing (out of the 3200 feet) in the first 25 miles. The climbing was not extremely instense but steady. It helped that I had ridden most of these roads before and knew where to push - flying down the hill at 35 MPH, blowing by other cyclists.

We picked up Christine at the elementary school stop. The original plan was for her to start at Amity, only 55 miles to the beach. Now, it was going to be a 75 mile ride for her, almost double here current max. To put this in perspective for me, I'd have to ride almost 400 miles to double my current maximum one time ride.

At mile 71, after riding into a stiff breeze and on the very busy highway to the coast with little room to pass due to a narrow shoulder, rumble marks, and plenty of cars, we stopped for a break. Christine is now entering no man's land, that time between suffering and knowing what time it is - with 30 miles to go. I call my mom to tell her to meet us at the next rest stop. Christine says something to the effect - I am finishing, not quitting, no matter how long it takes. Wow! Cool! I know this defiance. "Pain is only temporary, quitting lasts forever." I got a front row seat to see her fight all the way to the finish. Inspiring!

What a sight the beach was!

Thanks to 2old and the C for a great ride.