One of the Tougher Rides I've done

Today we began our ride after going to bed last night a 7pm – no tv and no internet and only my brother to talk with....The 73 mile ride began with a 1000 ft climb out of Big Sir – this would set the tone for the ride today. I think I remember that at some point on the ride, Gary commented about my shorts – my shorts had been worn and washed so many times, that he was now staring at what amounted to my naked rear end for miles on end. But I digress – this ride was spectacular – along the rugged cliffs of Big Sur. Curve after curve and hill after big hill – we must have climbed easily 5000 feet today. Two major climbs – the first one out of Big Sur and the next one soon after our lunch stop in Gorda – another 700 foot climb. In between were many many 300 to 500 foot climbs.

We climbed our way out of the Big Sur cliffs and down to straights of Pacific Valley and into San Simeon. We rode along the coast where elephant seals layed on the rocks and we smelled them as we cruised by. We climbed the last few miles into Cambria and found a cool small hotel at the edge of town. First thing I did was stop at a bike store and purchased new shorts – I had to spare my brother the agony of staring at my naked rear for the next 300 miles. I also purchased some chain lube – my chain was dry and my bike was making some awful noises! 73 miles at an average of 13.9mph and painful. All is not lost – the place we are staying has a tv!