After Solvang, I knew my legs feel better the sooner I get out. One of my favorite rides is on the PCH - you can see, feel, smell, and hear the ocean. I was happy that JD was going to ride with me. So Sunday, we said adios to my parents and Solvang and headed to Camarillo. JD and I jumped on the bikes while the families shopped a bit and then met us at the beach. The first couple of miles was just loosening up and getting back into the rhythm of riding. The first 8 miles was into a nice head wind and then we reached the Pt. Magu and the wind disappeared and the ocean opened up. As JD put, "it was a perfect day" to be riding. We just cruised and took it all in. Thanks to JD for the ride - there is a comfort riding with a friend and doing a great ride. After the ride, we just hung out at the beach, enjoying the sea, the sand, and the friendship.
Monday was a tough morning. JD and his family got into their car to go home. It was tough saying good-bye to them. Saying good-bye to good friends reminds me of when I was almost 5, leaving Germany for the first time, having to say good-bye to my friend Alexander. I cried like a baby and couldn't say the words. I did much better this time but each time is difficult.
Tuesday was back on the bike to ride parts of several of my favorite rides near Simi - up Sunset Hills, over Westlake Blvd, out Hidden Valley and up Potrero Canyon, down past Cal State Channel Islands, back through Camarillo and Moorpark, and into Simi. All told, some 55 miles in the saddle. After the ride, we headed to Ramona (near San Diego) to hang with Bob. He has this beautiful home on top of a hill, overlooking the valley below. I really appreciate him letting us hang with him and get some insight into the NCAA tourney - great conversation. After consulting with him and www.mapmyride.com, I got some ideas of doing a ride around Ramona. I could have called the ride several names - Col du Bob because of the several steep short climbs to get up to his house, Vuelta de Ramona because I rode the perimeter and through downtown of Ramona, or Lost because I did get lost on the ride. My riding around Ramona was almost as much elevation gain over the 40 miles as it was if I had ridden Palomar Mountain. I had decided against climbing Palomar for several reasons - wrong cassette, don't know the roads or could talk to someone who does, more excuses, and more excuses. Cassie and I did drive out there on Thursday to take a peak at it. We drove both sides from the CA76. With the right gearing, it is a very manageable climb - much like the Col du Hamilton in San Jose. What amazes me is the speed that the pro cyclists did it in the AToCali. Wow! The average American has no clue about how difficult it is to ride up these climbs. I have an inkling and understand the pain of climbing for extended periods but the speed still eludes me. Next time in SoCal, Palomar will be on my list to climb.
Having rode for 4 out of the 5 days, I started to get a glimpse of what a multi-day stage race is like and why a massage is necessary each day. Tough but fun!
Friday and Saturday was spent in the car, returning to the cold and rain. During the drive, we listened to the tourney on the radio and followed it on the handheld. I missed Milan-San Remo race but saw the finish online. Cav has some incredible speed - even after 298K's.
Time to get back to work and to prepping for the STP... pics to follow...
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