Day 4: Paso Robles to Santa Maria
94 miles, 6:30:44 pedaling, 14.3mph avg, 35.6mph max
Let’s hear it for Santa Barbara County! We crossed into it today. I finally feel more “at home” now. Each following day is just going to get better as I get closer to home. I called Brian and asked if I can “princess” it with him tomorrow night in Lompoc. That means stay in a hotel (or house) instead of camp. I REALLY need to charge the batteries of my camera and iPhone. Or else all of this blogging and photography screeches to a halt.
Today’s ride was all about the Evil Twins, two hard hills back to back. At the very top of the last one is the approximate halfway point of our ride. Most people stand in line to take a photo standing near the sign, holding their bike about their head. The vista looking out over the hills is stunning, especially when there’s a little fog like today. A special thing happened today at the halfway point - one guy proposed to his boyfriend while standing on the rock at the halfway point, and I was there to witness it. Everyone started cheering… what a cool memory!
Rest Stop 1 was Cowboys, Rest Stop 2 was Gilligan’s Island, Lunch was hospital/doctor’s office, Rest Stop 3 was Wild West (cowboys), and Rest Stop 4 was See’s Candy.
I have monkey butt. That’s what I call being saddle sore. I’ll spare the details, but it’s a bit swollen where it touches the seat. So as I write this, I’m laying in my tent with a bag of ice between my cheeks, LOL. Nothing else hurts, I have no leg/knee/foot injuries this year and I am riding really well and strongly.
At dinner tonight, they showed us a compilation of the television news we are making across California. I’m very happy with the way this ride us being covered.
Tomorrow is Dress in Red Day, A.K.A. Red Dress Day. I have my little red spaghetti strap number from last year. It has beads and sequins across the bust. I have to say, that with my chest and leg hair, and beard, I do not at all make a pretty gurl. I can’t wait to see everyone else’s outlandish costumes for tomorrow… that we have to ride 60-something mile in! We were warned to keep it classy, not trashy.
G’night everyone. Time for my beauty sleep.
2 years ago