So we rolled out of Big Sur slightly early, en Lady fly masse. I don't think I posted the gifts I brought the 8 girls who are riding - Tara, Mary, Anna, Kira, Tracey, mother and daughter duo Rose and Britta... I got them these temporary bike love tattoos, and also a lip print scarf each.
The climb out of Big Sur was instant - up past the Post Ranch Inn and Ventana, super posh places to stay...and right up above the clouds! As we crested the first climb, we were looking down onto the deep coastal fog that had greeted us in the morning from our cabins. And it stuck with us (and to the hills) almost until we reached lunch, 60 miles later!!!
But the fog helped the climbing from being too brain painful - you can psych yourself out of a climb sometimes when you're seeing it rear up in front of you. Instead, we just had to take the road as it came, whether up, down, round corners...quite exciting. Just a shame we couldn't see wondrous views of the sea...
Although later on, we truly did. The PCH flattens out for San Simeon, and we rolled across swathes of cattle grazing land beneath the foothills of the desert range - and into San Simeon for a massive lunch - which I shared with Ed.
The good thing about this trip is that although the mileage is punishing, we break the back of the day's work before succumbing to lunch. After we had hoovered the food, we got back on the road, and Tara and I managed to do some serious bombing towards the finish, clocking up 33mph on the flat at one point, with Ed and Jeff having to work very hard for a few miles to catch us :)
We had a foam roller party to ease our aches and pains, a couple of bevies, and then searched out a stack of food for dinner.
Ready to do it all again tomorrow...
Hey ,
ReplyDeletethose legs must be feeling amazing Mareka , im loving reading your blog, your experience sounds fantastic... i so wish i could be there with you all . i am in spirit!! lovin the idea of a foam roller party . big kisses to you .
well done
xxxx