Big Sur bound bruv
We left Santa Cruz in the clouds and misty rain. Riding out through the urban sprawl and to the artichoke farms that stretch for miles. I left later in the morning with the faster group. The night before I'd fretted about being in the "slow" group. I wanted the validation. As it happened Bruce hadn't assigned us and just asked us how we were feeling. Good, I said, and we left with the racers.
It was heads down in the flat stretches of farmland, as the pace got hard riders dropped off the back of the train. I clung on as Charlie and Avelino drove us forward. Nutella and banana sandwiches kept the spirits up. Thank you Loli and Crystal!
The road turned into a beach cycle path and we kept the pace high. Then we turned and headed up. And up. Charlie disappeared, I tried to hold Michael Raimondi's wheel but he scampered off. I was alone on a big hill that eventually led down to lunch. Lunch was too big. Red onions should be avoided in riding situations.
After the drab vistas of the morning we headed to route 1 and towards Big Sur. It's really the soul of the ride, where it's heart is. You are two days in, with lots to go. Embedded , as it were, in the challenge and the miles behind and the prospect of many more miles ahead. The views are genuinely breathtaking. This time I stopped and enjoyed them.
At a certain point you leave the coast and head into the valley. The giant redwoods sit in front of you like a composed artists impression. You roll down into them and behind the shades the eyes take a second or two to adjust and then your breath is taken by trees that are wider than cars surrounding you. The coolness hits you like a tonic and the smell of pine changes the whole complexion of the journey. A good hour of effort later you hit Big Sur lodge. Just a great place to stop and feel part of something bigger than you. (in lots of ways)
I jumped into the pool. Like last time I witnessed way to many men stretching and 'rolling out' muscles like some disorganized post-cycle work out video. Too much.
After dinner there were some speeches that left me floored. We had been jovial but, yeh - this wasn't the time. We went to bed in the forest with some nervousness of what awaited us tomorrow - the Queen Stage. (for those that don't know cycling - that's the really tough part of a race)
It was heads down in the flat stretches of farmland, as the pace got hard riders dropped off the back of the train. I clung on as Charlie and Avelino drove us forward. Nutella and banana sandwiches kept the spirits up. Thank you Loli and Crystal!
The road turned into a beach cycle path and we kept the pace high. Then we turned and headed up. And up. Charlie disappeared, I tried to hold Michael Raimondi's wheel but he scampered off. I was alone on a big hill that eventually led down to lunch. Lunch was too big. Red onions should be avoided in riding situations.
After the drab vistas of the morning we headed to route 1 and towards Big Sur. It's really the soul of the ride, where it's heart is. You are two days in, with lots to go. Embedded , as it were, in the challenge and the miles behind and the prospect of many more miles ahead. The views are genuinely breathtaking. This time I stopped and enjoyed them.
 |
| Ok the sea didn't bend like this. |
 |
| A good afternoon riding some amazing coast. |
At a certain point you leave the coast and head into the valley. The giant redwoods sit in front of you like a composed artists impression. You roll down into them and behind the shades the eyes take a second or two to adjust and then your breath is taken by trees that are wider than cars surrounding you. The coolness hits you like a tonic and the smell of pine changes the whole complexion of the journey. A good hour of effort later you hit Big Sur lodge. Just a great place to stop and feel part of something bigger than you. (in lots of ways)
 |
| This shit's bigger than you. |
I jumped into the pool. Like last time I witnessed way to many men stretching and 'rolling out' muscles like some disorganized post-cycle work out video. Too much.
After dinner there were some speeches that left me floored. We had been jovial but, yeh - this wasn't the time. We went to bed in the forest with some nervousness of what awaited us tomorrow - the Queen Stage. (for those that don't know cycling - that's the really tough part of a race)
Comments
Post a Comment