Easily the most difficult cycling conditions I have ever encountered. I've described some days of my ride as difficult or a grind, but today was downright brutal. I'm not sure how to gauge wind speed, but whatever speed is necessary to nearly blow you to a standstill on the flats while you're standing and pedaling as hard as you can, or whatever speed is necessary to turn a 30 mph coasting descent into a 10 mph pedaling descent, or whatever speed is necessary to blow a girl off her bike and over a retaining wall, is the velocity of the wind we faced for the first 35 miles today. As if that wasn't enough, I made matters worse by turning a 70-mile ride into 74 by making a 2-mile wrong turn late in the day (with the wind) requiring a 2-mile ride back (against the wind). Oh, and it was the hottest day of the year in these parts, but I barely noticed that.
Best shot I got of the wind - note 3 flags and palm trees - the haze is sand blowing in our faces
The good news is that there was never any question that I'd gut it out. I don't know how many CCC riders had to sag to the finish but those vans were packed with bikes on the roof, so I'm sure it was a lot. I'll tell you though, it was unbelievable to me, but I passed Mark the unicyclist, and somehow he was staying upright. I have to believe he was getting blown off his unicycle, but certainly not when I saw him.
Not a good day to take even one hand off the handlebars to shoot a photo, so here's Mark without the unicycle
...and here's the unicycle without much of Mark
I wish I could have gotten more wind photos, but you can't see the wind and frankly, I just wanted to get through it, not ask it to pose. Similarly, I would have liked to have taken more photos of the craziness along the ocean from Malibu through Venice, to Manhattan Beach. After having been in Nowheresville for the greater part of 25 days, the mass of beach-goers and activity was off the charts.
Muscle Beach: I placed second in the crazy ripped calves competition
Get your weed and as soon as you walk out the door, get your munchies fix
The coastal views were great and the spray coming off the high surf made for awesome scenery. But again, I mainly caught it in my peripheral vision as I tunneled my way through Hurricane Malibu Barbie.
Great wave action today, most of which I missed
But I did stop to capture these birds (pelicans?) dive-bombing a school of fish
I finally limped into Manhattan Beach only to discover my motel was a mile uphill on Sepulvada Boulevard. After I checked in, my college roommate Tracy came by with his wife Nikki, and the three of us went to dinner together. I was really happy that we had a chance to catch up. He is the same, humble, great guy I remember. I have no excuse for no photos. I just forgot.
Manhattan Beach: Proof I arrived before sunset
We hit the Manhattan Beach Pier area for dinner - blew it and took no pics of Tracy and Nikki
So, I'm back to solo for my last three days to Mexico. The rides are little shorter coming to the finish line, and if the wind cooperates, they'll be pretty easy - but that's a big "if" because the Santa Anas are still in the forecast.
Switched to solo mode at Gladstones in Santa Monica for the last 25 miles today and the final three days to the border
Speaking of blown away. I'm blown away by our Links for Life California Coast Classic team. Dean (the smart one for not hanging out with the rest of us), Derek, (the smarter one for leaving a day early), Terry (for helping those old ladies off the bus AND FOR finishing the toughest CCC EVER at the tender age of 71-1/2), Steve (for barreling past me twice at 71-1/2 mph), and most of all to Scott (for accidentally sending me a text meant for his girlfriend). This small team, plus Steve Gibson, who nursed me through Oregon, was the #2 fundraising team for the Arthritis Foundation's #1 fundraiser. Links for Life Teams have now raised over $200,000.00 in the 7 California Coast Classics we've ridden! I'm proud of you, boys!!
Damn we looked good then
Day 26 Recap: Ventura, CA to Manhattan Beach, CA
Actual Miles: 74.9
Cumulative Miles: 1,708.8
Elevation Gain: 860'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 68,066'
% Distance to Mexico: 90.8%
Actual Miles: 74.9
Cumulative Miles: 1,708.8
Elevation Gain: 860'
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 68,066'
% Distance to Mexico: 90.8%
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