Day 20 Recap: It Hurts So Good

I think most people believe that things happen for a reason. It may be driven by religion, karma, the laws of nature, or it might just be dumb luck. As far as I'm concerned, Kelley coming into my life is all the proof I need that things happen for a reason.

From the day I envisioned cycling the Pacific Coast, only to have a heart attack two hours later, I have believed that everything that has happened leading up to and during this ride happened for a reason.  Take for instance when I hurt my knee. That knocked me out one day before I had a scheduled two week break, and it was an injury that needed two weeks to heal.

Plenty of ice and Diet Coke got me ready to return

And with that deep sentiment out of the way, it's time to whine about my latest owie. Today was easily the best day I've had in terms of both the knee I hurt in Washington and the achilles I hurt in Oregon. Today was the first day the achilles gave me almost no problem at all. Likewise, the knee is pretty much back to normal. Even my trapezoid soreness seems to have been fixed with a minor handlebar adjustment. So, wouldn't you know it, now my right hamstring has decided to get in on the action. Yesterday, I mentioned that I had some muscle issues and cramped up. This hamstring was a big part of it and it was sore all day today.

"Fredericks is such a whiner"

But I'm perfectly OK with it. I believe these injuries, aches, and pains, are all reminders that this ride really isn't about me. They are reminders that my daughter and others with arthritis deal with this kind of pain, or much worse, every day.  The fact that Lindsey flared after I decided to do this ride was a huge reminder to me what the ride is about, and I think that happened for a reason too.

Yes, cycling from Canada to Mexico is a big deal for me and I'm going to be immensely proud of my accomplishment. I'm living a dream and it's very easy to get caught up in that. But It seems like I'm constantly being reminded to remember why I'm here. And as far as I'm concerned "it hurts so good."

"Lame excuses for the fact he's getting passed by the unicyclist"

After doing 85 miles the day before, I knew I needed a 48-mile day, and I really knew I needed it by the end of the day. Between the hamstring soreness and just a tired body overall, I was dragging most of the day. But I enjoyed the ride nonetheless. It was team jersey day and our 6-person Links for Life Team connected for a photo op at the start and then most of us took a coffee break together in Aptos, and then had lunch together on the wharf in Monterey.

Team Links for Life minus Dean at Surf City Coffee

Dean dumped us for a girl, so he wasn't at lunch either

The ride turned inland a bit, through artichoke and strawberry fields, before retuning to the ocean in Seaside.  It was another clear, sunny, day and whether we were cycling past farmland, ocean, or Monterey Bay, it was all equally enjoyable.

Probably the worst part about Day 2 is that road conditions are pretty rough. Our entire team except for Dean, hooked up for a great lunch in Monterey before the steep climb to camp. Those climbs take on new meaning when your legs have been resting for an hour and then they're immediately called to action for a climb after food, beer, and no warm-up.

Field of Greens

Doesn't get much better than Monterey Bay

Bay panorama

Bike path rolling into Monterey

View from our lunch table

Divney still smiling after the camp climb

Jim Fuqua, who runs the Monterey chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and his wife Renee, once again hosted us for happy hour here at Veteran's Memorial Park. Jim is the one who got me involved in the Arthritis Foundation and it's quite probable that this ride, or my 5 previous CCCs for that matter, wouldn't be happening if it weren't for him. Thanks, Jim!

I also had Lynn, one of the PTs, give my legs a good massage.  She sure hit all the hot spots.  I was hurting in places I didn't even know I was hurting. I got the 20-minute "teaser" and it must have worked because I already signed up for another one tomorrow.

Team Links for Life L-R: Derek, Steve, Scott, Jeff, Dean, Terry

The Honoree at dinner in Monterey was Alan.  Alan is yet another kid I know from Camp.  This was his first year at Camp Milagros, and after being very quiet the first day or two, he really opened up and had a great time.  He says he's really excited to come back next year. About 90% of the kids who come to Camp Milagros, keep coming back until they age out.  At that point they can go to Teen Retreat. Lindsey can now go to Teen Retreat. Lord Help Us.

Honoree Alan hanging with "the old guy counselor"

Day 20 Recap: Santa Cruz, CA to Monterey, CA
Actual Miles:  48.2
Cumulative Miles:  1,297.4
Elevation Gain:  1,699'
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  53,565'
% Distance to Mexico:  68.9%