Dan's
AIDS/Lifecycle 6 Pictures
Day Four (Wednesday 6/6/2007) - Paso Robles to Santa Maria
94.7 Miles
Click on the picture to expand
Day Four started with me waking up with anxiety. It was going to be a long day starting with the climbing of the "Evil Twins" to the half way point of the ride. The ride would head out to the coast after the climb and a very long descent. We would then head south along the coast and pass through Morro Bay, San Luis Obisbo, Pismo Beach and into the Santa Ynez Valley to Santa Maria. I knew that to get through the day, I would need to have overcome my knee pain. My knee never did hurt when I was off the bike. But, I was starting to ache all over, which is very common at this time of the ride. I woke up at 4:30 am because I wanted to get breakfast and then over to Sport's Medicine for my daily routine of deep stretching and taping. For the only time on the ride, breakfast was inside and not out under a tent.
After eating, I went straight to Sports Med and there was already a line. At 5:45, they opened the tent and I got a new intern who did a great job of stretching me and applying tape to my IT band on the side of my calf. By 6:00 am, I was on my way to my tent to get ready. I started rolling at 6:50.
Lori Jean, Director of the LA Gay& Lesbian Center, one of the two benefactors of the ride, pulling into Rest Stop One at the base of the first "Evil Twin" climb. She is also a rider that rides an recumbent bicycle.
Me and Mom & Dad right after summiting the second of the two not so "Evil Twins"
The half way point. Notice the clear day ahead of us. I've been on this ride where we couldn't see three feet in front of your nose.
Another shot of the view at the half way point. Stellar! Next to come? A five or six mile descent to the coast! I'm glad I wasn't using my fixed gear!!!!
On the coast at mile 28, the beauty of the coast never ceases to amaze me.
Notice Morro Bay Rock in the distance. Lunch would be beyond that in San Luis Obispo.
The road ahead on the coast. There is something about the ocean and the sun that rejuvenates me... I felt better already after completing the climbs and so far so good with no pain to speak of.
Rest Stop Two on the coast.
Morro Rock.
Bike parking at lunch at Cuesta College.
After lunch, I was motoring through San Luis Obispo and then Pismo Beach.
Rolling through Pismo and Shell Beach.
Pismo! After the water stop in Pismo Beach, I encountered my knee pain again. Not on any climb, but the flats! I had to break open a cold pack and apply it to my knee before starting a series of climbs and rolling hills before dropping into the windy agriculture fields before Rest Stop Four. Thank goodness for the cold pack because it got me through! I skipped Rest Stop Three because I was feeling so good on the bike before the Water Stop.
Rest Stop Four at the Spa! Wash cloths!!! Man, talk about refreshing even though the winds were blowing at 25 mph!