No triple cranks for me my friend, I was on my Orbea which is standard 52-39 with an 11-23 in the back. But like I said even with the burning legs and the choice words I had a great time. It was beautiful scenery and terrific weather. I guess alot of my situation with the climbing is that I live in a desert and my normal rides are either on short rollers or flat land so climbing for the first 12 miles or so of the ride was a bit of a chore for me, which consequently wore my muscles out a little bit and had me cursing any further hills longer than a freeway overpass, lol.
As far as passing me I was out from noon-ish to about 4:30pm or so and I tried to wave to pretty much everyone I saw that was of the "serious roadie" variety not just the casual "ride along the beach with no helmet" variety. I was the guy in a generic blue jersey, and silver helmet riding an orange and yellow Orbea. So if we did see each other then "Hi". I would have given you a call but I wound up leaving late and figured you would have already had your day planned by then. Hopefully next time we can hook up for a ride if you don't mind being slowed up a bit.