Our ride from San Francisco to the Mexico border is called the Big Rube in honor of the ride's director and host, Steve Rubenstein, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. The group consists of seven people, all of whom rode together on the 2006 Big Ride Across America, and all of whom were sleeping at Steve's house last night. Team Rubenstein consists of Steve, Eric Knudson, Dave Frankel, Carol Tremble, Alice Nelson, Maria Nardella, and yours truly, along with two other friends of Steve's, Louis and Lenny, who are with us for the first three days. Eric was the mastermind behind the Big Rube jerseys we're all wearing. Steve was presented with the jersey before dinner last night and then woke to find the rest of us all wearing them.
[Photos: Steve checks out his jersey (right) and Team Rubenstein (below) prepares to depart.]
Team Rubenstein on day 1 south of Half Moon Bay.
The ride today from Steve's house to the Hampton Inn in Santa Cruz seemed intimidating on paper - 75 miles - but I had an easy time of it, being the first volunteer to drive the Steve's van, which we have as our support and gear (SAG) vehicle. I drove behind the group on the mostly downhill ride beyond the city limits, warm and dry while the others rode in a dense, cool, wet fog. By the time I started riding, around 10:00 a.m. in Half Moon Bay, having missed the first 25 miles, including the day's toughest (steepest, shoulderless, pitted, and slick) climb and descent, just south of Pacifica, the fog was dissipating; and the road had a good surface and shoulder the rest of the way. By noon it was mostly cloudless blue sky, and a stiff tailwind sped us along. Thus I rode 50 dry, wind-aided miles, and given that I didn't train much, I'm not sorry for what I missed.
The day stayed cool throughout, and coastal scenery was wonderful. Wildlife sightings included sea lions, elephant seals, crowds of pelicants and cormorants, and a gang of turkey vultures. All told, then, a great day of riding, and I feel over my usual first day jitters.
The California coast near Davenport after the morning fog dispersed.
No comments:
Post a Comment