Hi everyone.
Well another year has come and gone. And as it has been for the 25 years for me, it happened way too fast, yet leading up to the event seemed like eternity. My wonderful and supportive wife, Kathryn, drove our van with our two doggies, Oscar and Munchkin. Since I had camped for the first 22 years, we decided to self support in hotels along the way. Kathryn would drive thr route, check in and out of the hotels and attend to doggy duty. A big job in itself. She's drop me off in the morning at camp where my bike was and would pick me up after I rode into camp after the days route. It is a requirement that all bike be in bike parking overnight, which is a very good thing.
Since we were very experienced in "camp" living (including getting our gear at the gear truck after your ride, setting up your tent, going to the showers, going to dinner with all the rest of the riders and eventually heading back to yor tent to sleep amongst all the other riders and volunteers, and waking to get breakfast, tear pack up and tear down your tent and schlep your gear to the gear the trucks, and then, get your bike once the route was open), we were done with that!
It was simple for us as we had the van. We'd wake up, I'd get dressed in my cycling attire, we'd loaded up the doggies and head to a Starbucks for breakfast and then into camp. Kathryn would handle the packing and loading up of our gear from the hotel/AirBnB and do some yoga and meditate or have fun with the doggies at the local dog park. I'd be dropped off at the camp and go directly to my bike after taking care of nature's calling. Fill my water bottles, and get out on the road to do my job!
Please click on the links for pictures
Day 1 - SF to Santa Cruz - 80 miles with 4449’ of climbing. Starting at the Cow Palace, the route took us through SF streets to the Pacific Ocean. At mile 41, lunch was on the coast at San Gregario beach. Then after lunch Highway One to Santa Cruz. Camp was in Santa Cruz. A beautiful day!
Day 2 - Santa Cruz to King City - 108 miles with 3547’ of climbing. We woke up to a crisp morning at 4:45 am to ride out at 6:30 am. The route would take us through the agricultural fields of Monterey Bay, then a sharp left turn into the Salinas Valley towards King City. Again, a stiff tailwind would help us most of the way. The longest mileage of the week. Ugg, the roads the second half were mostly horrible, including the last mile into King City which is absolutely the worst road I've ever been on..
Day 3 - King City to Paso Robles - 65 miles with 2431’ of climbing. Knowing the bad road conditions would be ahead (nothing like the last mile of yesterday's ride) on the ride. The first real challenging hill awaited us at the famous “Quadbuster” after the first rest stop. The route after that took us inland through Fort Hunter-Liggett and then through earthquake country of the Jolon Valley and to Paso Robles. As usual, aches and pains were starting to surface in the legs. This is normal and would go away. Stretching is a fantastic medicine. It would be the hottest day of the ride as it always is.
Day 4 – Paso Robles to Santa Maria - 88 miles with 4035’ of climbing. Out on the road, we would pass the half way point on Highway 46. We then headed down the climb we had just been on for that past hour and a half and we were back to the coast not too far from the Hearst Castle, then south past Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach and again into more agricultural areas leading to Santa Maria.
Day 5 – Santa Maria to Lompoc - 42 miles with 1795’ of climbing. Why 42 miles? Well, the actual distance as the crow flies is about 22 miles. How can you have a 22 mile day when other days are 100? So, we took a nice bike ride in yet more agricultural roads before climbing into the Vandenberg Space Force Base Hills and into Lompoc, the rose capital of the world (or so they say). A good day to rest up. We stayed in Solvang by the way. Outstanding!
Day 6 – Lompoc to Ventura Beach - 88 miles with 3425’ of climbing. We start out with a long gradual climb and then a great descent to the coast. The only problem was the ride was on hold at the Rest Stop 1 due to a car accident on Hiway 1. All the riders would have a two hour hold until we would be rereleased in groups of six. Code for LONG DAY. This is my favorite day because we ride through Santa Barbara. The people of Santa Barbara came out and gave us an unofficial rest stop called Paradise Pit featuring ice cream, hot dogs, candy, and soda. I cried. Absolutely enchanting…In camp, I realize once again that the ride is coming to an end and even though I’m sad, I’m glad.
Day 7 – Ventura Beach to Santa Monica - 59 miles with 1637’ of climbing. Out of camp, we ride through Oxnard and then the route took us to the coast at Point Mugu Air Station and down the Pacific Coast Highway. Then through Malibu straight to the Santa Monica Pier.
There. We did it! It was, as usual, a life changing experience. Knowing that we were riding for a cause that is so important made the sacrifices we made insignificant. This event is so very important, not only to me personally, but to the world. We made a difference and we will continue to so. With your generous help, we are making a difference!
So, with that, I have signed up for next years ride which will be my 26th ride. If you’d be interested in riding next years ride or volunteering in same way, please shoot me an email at dan@danhertlein.com or call me on my cell at 925-207-3776.
Thanks again! You’ll be hearing from me within the next couple of months. Have a great holiday season.
Love, Dan