Southern California - Sea to Summit Ride Reports and Pics

I don't have pics uploaded yet and haven't started report yet, but I figured I'd give Vertical Bob a chance to get his in before I yak away.

But I will say thank you to Keith Brodsky for driving Sarah, Bob and me out to the start at the buttcrack of dawn and to Ronjon :love: for coming all the way to Mt Pinos to pick us up and waiting 2 hours for us! :eek: I must have given him 5 stinky hugs, and I'm sure he just loved that :p

Congrats to those of you intrepid enough to do such a ride!

:beer:

Very upset about getting sick and bailing on this ride. I got to ride around the Rose Bowl and the East valley instead.

Very upset about getting sick and bailing on this ride. I got to ride around the Rose Bowl and the East valley instead.
John, we sure missed you (although I love riding with VB and he was his usual...bubbly...self :p) but you would have been miserable in those head winds. Pine mountain was one of the cruelest climbs of the day due to those winds.

Great job ME! Can't wait to read the ride reports ... and see pics!

My friend and I were up there mountain biking. I took a couple pictures of the Teen Challenge booth. There was a Star Party there too. I wonder if they had to leave because of the fire up there now. We got cheared when coming up the mountain from a trail that dumped onto the road about a 1/4 mile down. The SAG looked great.
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ME, can you walk? Great to hear you made it all the way to the top. I did survive Davis ... gotta compose my thoughts, and will provide a ride report. Don't know where to start on that one!

Yesterday, I took on a ride that I feared I had no business attempting. Which is a good thing, I believe. I pushed myself way past my comfort zone by attempting 87 miles with over 12,000 feet of climbing (more climbing than I have ever attempted in the past). Vertical Bob approached me about this ride a couple of months ago, about the same time he was teasing me for riding what he calls “junk miles” (a term I’ve noticed used on here quite frequently as of late) and pissed me off enough that I committed to riding Sea to Summit. Hopefully without starting any debate (for those of you who believe like Bob that unless you are out climbing mountains and epic miles you’re just out riding “junk miles”), I will state that my belief is that there is no mile wasted (unless you’re riding 10 miles flat to the local ice cream shop), and I don’t understand the theory. If a rider goes out and rides a strong 100 flat miles (by flat, which isn’t possible in California, I mean minus 7K feet or so of climbing – which is also something I’ve read of late), why is that considered “junk miles?” Why is that not good training? Seriously, I was quite curious.

So, I decided to use myself as a guinea pig. Why not? I’ve ridden over 3,000 miles since the first of this year, so I figured, with those miles (some including a very “respectable” amount of climbing with 7K ft and up ;)) I should be able to ride yesterday’s ride and finish it. I might not, but I could…maybe…well, I hoped. Thus, I set my goals as, 1) to finish (come hell or high water, I’d make it up that frickin’ mountain even if I was drooling and shaking – which I just about was :p); and 2) I’d stay up with Bob on the ride even if I had to push a little harder (which I accomplished, although he did finish the last three miles slightly ahead of me and did, at times, wait for me – more on Bob later).

Now, what was riding Sea to Summit like (if anyone cares)? Grueling, exhilarating and painful – but not so much so that I couldn’t ride up GMR today as recovery – and a long ass day! Yesterday, I was up at 3:30am and in Bob’s truck by 4:30. We drove to Sarah and Keith’s house and were packed and ready to go pronto. Keith graciously drove us to the start, and after greetings to Vickie, Orrie and Deb (three powerhouse riders and very sweet ladies from SFVBC), we were off. Sarah, who is incredibly strong, was up with the fast pack, and I didn’t see her again until the end. Bob and I were off as well, and after one mechanical stop for me, we were hitting a great pace out of Ventura and Ojai. The weather was foggy and a little overcast, but perfect (cool but not cold). The scenery was beautiful as we headed up into the canyons and nothing too eventful occurred for the first 20 miles – just a gradual climb.

But then, as we headed toward Pine Mountain (the easiest of the longer climbs for the day), the headwinds raised their nasty heads. Gusts of winds were so strong I could barely inch forward up the hill, but Bob and I struggled through it and climbed Pine. As I knew the climbing requirements for the day, I took it back a notch to reserve leg strength. I had no idea how I’d feel at mile 80 and didn’t want to risk it. Bob, who loves to climb for those of you who don’t know that, looked a little nervous. He hates headwinds with a passion as they affect his spirit even more than taxing him physically. I tried cracking jokes (when he could hear me over the wind) and give distance updates, “Hey, look at that Bob, we’re at mile30, just 57 more to go!), but I sensed his disappointment. I hoped we’d turn and be out of the winds sooner rather than later for that long stretch down off Pine.

Well, we got lucky and did turn, losing the winds for awhile anyway. But in their place, was a wall of heat in Lockwood Valley. Bob didn’t think it hot at all (I found out later that on Heartbreak, we were climbing in 83-92 degrees! – depending on whose computer you want to believe, but I don’t care as it was hot!), and I immediately started suffering. It’s a toss up between wind and heat for me. I hate both of them, but I really wane in heat. I feel lethargic and angry (which certainly affects my mood and enthusiasm), and climbing Heartbreak was the worst point of the day for me. I didn’t want to crawl up it, but I immediately slammed that bike down into its granny and spun as best I could. Bob was a little ahead and stopped briefly to adjust something. I told him to stay there so I could stop and put my head down over my handlebars (something I would do again several times before the day was over!). I had teased Bob that I would curse him out on the ride and at that moment in the heat, I let him have it. Of course, I was mostly kidding, but I hated that ride at that moment. As Bob tends to do, he ignored me and then gave me hope by telling me that we just had a bit more of a climb over the crest and then we’d get a descent.

Let me assure you, descents on Sea to Summit are like little drops of ice on a burning tongue. They are so infrequent and I personally found myself savoring the downs at any opportunity by coasting. The heat remained with us and the downs gave us a bit of a breeze. But, as we worked our way out of Lockwood Valley, the headwinds we had lost had suddenly found us again! Right back into it…damnit. Now, I could feel the first real tinge of fatigue. I tried sucking on Bob’s wheel but couldn’t get a groove (and I think I offered to pull him all of once).

As we pulled into Check Stop #5, with 16 miles to go, the hurt was on us. Bob ran over to buy us some cokes (and a PayDay…thank you, Bob!). And while he was there, I struck up a conversation with some of the very kind volunteers (more on them later). This sweet woman told me I was coming in 5th place overall for the women. I started laughing hysterically and asked, “5th place out of how many women? Four?” I think I was giddy at that point as I knew I’d finish those 16 miles. Of course, I blocked out the fact that, of those 16 miles, nine would consist of 3,000 feet of climbing to the finish line. Bob, on the other hand, knew what we were up against. For the first time ever in the year and a half that I’ve ridden with him, I saw utter exhaustion on his face. Bob’s tough as nails, he’ll climb any mountain and push himself beyond anyone I know. I’ve never heard of him quitting a ride (not that he’d tell me if he had), and suddenly I was worried. I tried cheering him up – “Come on, Bob, we’ve only got 16 more miles. You know you can do it.” He just shook his head and said, “Well, I don’t know, M.E. Not in this #$%@*& wind!” I just smiled like a goofy fool at him and gave him the “cheerleader – Rah, Rah, Rah!” look. I must have appeared just goofy enough, because he got up and back on his bike. Off we went into the wind and toward our last 4,000 feet for the day.

As we headed out on a highway (road’s name alludes me but its dangerous!), we had to ride single file. The coke had hit Bob and he was riding strong. I on the other hand was fading. I had drank the coke and eaten the PayDay, but the day’s riding was wearing on me. I know I’m always going on and on about how beautiful it is when I ride. Well, Sea to Summit is the Crème de la Crème! Riding toward Mt. Pinos in the afternoon with the sun casting a glow out over the hills…is stunning! At least if you have to suffer, nice to do it beauty, right? As we hit Rest Stop #6, I got off my bike and wanted to pass out. I put my head back down over my handlebars, and Bob came over and pet my shoulder. That gesture put just enough wind back in me to get me going. Bob knew I could finish Sea to Summit or he would have never have asked me to join, but I think he realized that this was truly a challenge for me. And with the added headwinds we had fought through for much of the day, an even harder challenge to boot! With his encouragement still felt on my shoulder, I clipped back in and began the ascent up nine miles to the finish. [Thank you, Bob, my friend, for believing I could do this and for just being a wonderful riding partner. It’s so nice to have someone who loves the views and riding as much as I do alongside me on these challenging rides.]

As we headed up, Bob started singing “Just what makes that little ol’ ant, think he can move a rubber-tree plant, when everyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber-tree plant, but he’s got high hopes, yes, he’s got high hopes. He’s got high apply pie in the sky hopes…” But, he could only remember the “high hopes…hot apple pie in the sky hopes” lyrics. I tried to sing it with him but didn’t have the energy, however, it just cracked me up that he was singing! Sure enough, within a mile, Bob began pulling ahead. I just said I’d meet him at the top, and then I was alone on that amazing mountain road suddenly craving a cherry coke Icee. Pedal stroke after pedal stroke. I’d spin at 6-7 mph and then drop down to 4.9, and the damn thing had zero flat or down on it! Cruel, I tell ya, but fortunately people who had finished the ride would pass in cars, and they’d cheer me on, so I just kept pedaling.

At one point, I noticed a Subura pulling up with this good looking blonde man in it. I knew flirting at this point would just appear pathetic, but I mustered a smile. Then it dawned on me, it was Ronjon!!!!! Ron had come down to see how we were doing and he lied to me, that doll, he told me there was only three miles left. I knew he was lying, but didn't care as I was so happy to see him. He was our ride home and had so patiently waited for us. I hugged on him later and thanked him over and over as I truly appreciated him offering his time like that!


I finally made it to the last stop of the day, Check Point #7. There sat Bob getting his 9th wind. I just sat down on the pavement, spent. I swallowed some Hammer Gel, told Bob to get going and then I took off for the last four miles up. Longest four miles I’ve ever ridden! Pedal stroke after pedal stroke. At least four times, I just stopped, put my head down over the handlebars for 10 seconds, and then I’d clip back in and take off again. I hated starting back up on the hill, but I was just so fatigued and appreciated the small breaks. A very sweet volunteer saw me as he was driving down and got worried. So, he followed me the last two miles up (had to be bored out of his mind!). Knowing he was back there got me going for sure, and about ½ mile from the finish, another set of volunteers passed. The driver (what a sweetheart), rolled down her window and said “Almost there, honey.” Music to my ears! I rounded the last switchback, and the teen volunteers were up there cheering like I was an Olympian star. I felt a rush of butterflies in my stomach as I crossed the finish line. I did it! I did it! I did it! I wasn’t sure I could, I smelled like a dirty dog and I wanted to be off that damn bike, but I did it!

Long report as usual, but finishing this ride meant a lot to me. The experience, although tough, was tremendously rewarding. The ride itself is incredible, and I’d recommend it to all you Billy goats on here! Bob says it is the hardest ride he does all year, so I know it would appeal to many of you. The volunteers were the sweetest, plentiful and fed us like kings and queens. I’ve never seen so much food! Nor have I seen that level of enthusiasm from adults and teens. You knew they meant it when they cheered you on and it certainly added to my ability to finish. My ride time was 8.5 hours and although that is nothing impressive by some riders’ standards - by mine, I’m amazed. As the guinea pig, I proved something at least to myself. My “junk miles” had a little more nutrition in them than I think is realized. I didn’t go out and climb all over in prep for this ride. Had I, would I have ridden faster? Maybe. Stronger? Quite possibly. But regardless, I finished. I’m stubborn, I know, but I’m also in good enough shape as a mere amateur rider to finish the hardest ride Vertical Bob does all year. That just encourages me to do more climbing, but to also realize that my riding, be it flat, hills or otherwise, is going pretty well.

Last but not least, to all you KOM riders, I have a deeper respect for what you’re doing. I hope to take on KOM next year (maybe, even though I keep telling Lee no), and I hope to finish feeling strong. You guys are inspiring with the level of commitment it takes to go out and push yourselves through three tremendously challenging rides, and I will use you as motivation as I prepare to do the same.

Pics coming…

Good report, Mary....and congratulations! :beer:

Sarah and Keith Brodsy (the riding couple!)
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You know who this is!
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Cool. :)

Outstanding ride m.e.!! I think the mettle of ones soul is measured by how well they fare against such challenges. Good on you (and Bob) for finishing a challenging ride.

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Heading up the last 9 miles of the day to the summit
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Ron getting a stinky hug
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Sarah, me, Bob and Deb (one of the nicest humans and amazing riders I've ever met)
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Sarah, all smiles
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Bob enjoying his stew
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The sweet volunteer to sagged behind me the last four miles
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Fabulous Report ME!!!! I love to read them! :p You should be SO proud of yourself, excellent job ME and Vertical Bob! And Ronjon, thanks for giving them a ride back, what a great guy!!!!!

Trac'

Fabulous Report ME!!!! I love to read them! :p You should be SO proud of yourself, excellent job ME and Vertical Bob! And Ronjon, thanks for giving them a ride back, what a great guy!!!!!

Trac'

Thank you, Trac and Jim, George, Jason for your sweet words. My reports are too long, but I just like to get it all out! :o

Thank you, Trac and Jim, George, Jason for your sweet words. My reports are too long, but I just like to get it all out! :o

they are great reading! I love them!!!!! :D

Amazing report, ME. After that, our little social ride may seem like a cake-walk to you. Thousand congradulations to you. Well done.

I wouldn't have been able to do GMR after doing a ride like that.

Fabulous Report ME!!!! I love to read them! :p You should be SO proud of yourself, excellent job ME and Vertical Bob! And Ronjon, thanks for giving them a ride back, what a great guy!!!!!

Trac'

I had a good time. Funny stories on the way back!

I wanted to check out the scene as I'm interested in doing the ride next year, always best to get first hand info. Plus it really wasn't that far at all. Always good to see people suffering on their bikes. On the way up to hill to the finish, I passed several people who were standing slouched over their handlebars. Tough ride indeed!

they are great reading! I love them!!!!! :D
You little doll. I can't wait to ride with you next week. :)

they are great reading! I love them!!!!! :D
+1

Well that was an epic day for us wasn't it. Those are the times that you find out what you are made of. I'm proud of you for what you have accomplished M.E. and award you with a V. Your determination was a big help, hell it was about the only thing, that got me out of a funk sitting there in Lake of the Woods with the wind blowing the tent out of the ground, thanks. "Little drops of ice on a burning tongue", classic and true.
This year ,more than before ,I was touched by the gratitude that the sponsors showed towards us. It's a charity event for a wonderful cause and everyone involved was just great. They made a hard day enjoyable. I can remember most of them today, especially the tipsy woman at Pine Mt. who made so much food and was sad that we didn't have the time to eat it. The cheering teenagers were great as usual. They are the recipients of the care they give at Teen Challenge. You see their smiling faces and bright eyes as a result of the help they get from T.C. I doubt that they came there with the same outlook on life that they have now. That's a great cause as are the other charitys the sponsor the event. I would like to see a larger turnout next year and will do my best to promote it anyway I can. I brought M.E. and she loved it. Ronjon is commited for next year[ I have a long memory Ron] so start training now and join us up there. [as you can see I have a very short memory as well]:)

Mary, you rock! I'm exhausted after reading your report, and felt like I was there with you. Congrats on pulling yourself together and accomplishing such an amazing feat. You and Big Sean are going to be hours ahead of everyone else next week in the Bay Area. All everyone will see is the two of you pulling away!

Great going.

Sheldon

Well that was an epic day for us wasn't it. Those are the times that you find out what you are made of. I'm proud of you for what you have accomplished M.E. and award you with a V. Your determination was a big help, hell it was about the only thing, that got me out of a funk sitting there in Lake of the Woods with the wind blowing the tent out of the ground, thanks. The cheering teenagers were great as usual. They are the recipients of the care they give at Teen Challenge. You see their smiling faces and bright eyes as a result of the help they get from T.C. I doubt that they came there with the same outlook on life that they have now. That's a great cause as are the other charitys the sponsor the event. I would like to see a larger turnout next year and will do my best to promote it anyway I can. I brought M.E. and she loved it. Ronjon is commited for next year[ I have a long memory Ron] so start training now and join us up there. [as you can see I have a very short memory as well]:)

Bob, you summed the ride up without the long, drawn out report I give. :p And you touched on something I did not. This was a CHARITY ride, and I cannot agree with you more about the teens. Thank you again for a wonderful, challenging day - and you being proud of me means a great deal to me. :o

You and Big Sean are going to be hours ahead of everyone else next week in the Bay Area. All everyone will see is the two of you pulling away!

Great going.

Thank you, Sheldon - but trust me, I won't be ahead of anyone. Bob will tell you, I am NOT a fast climber. I'm just stubborn, pig headed and determined. :p :D

I'm just stubborn, pig headed and determined. :p :D
but the difference is ... you look hot doing it ! :D

Thank you, Sheldon - but trust me, I won't be ahead of anyone. Bob will tell you, I am NOT a fast climber. I'm just stubborn, pig headed and determined. :p :D

babe... you will be ahead of me! This ride is a stretch for me and I plan on going as slowly as I need to in order to finish! You're gonna love it though... its GORGEOUS!!

but the difference is ... you look hot doing it ! :D
:rolleyes: You're funny. You looked hot in your Davis photos too. No really, you looked like you were burning up :p Ride on next weekend! Yippee!:D

babe... you will be ahead of me! This ride is a stretch for me and I plan on going as slowly as I need to in order to finish! You're gonna love it though... its GORGEOUS!!

Sounds like lots of photo opps!

Sheldon

You are an inspiration to a lot of us!
Congratulations

Put together your ride reports w/ your pics in an online blog, or personal journal/album - they will be killer stories for many years to come!!

Congrats - and to think you came out today to do GMR - makes me sick . . . in a good way, of course. ;)

Great job, ME.

Thank you, Luwin. :o I do go on and on don't I? :p

And, Grumpy, we were talking about your amazing quads today. Wish I had them (as in, attached to my body for pedaling use) yesterday! ;)

Congratulations
Thank you, Zymans! :)

Congrats on a great (and very successful) ride!

Thank you, Luwin. :o I do go on and on don't I? :p

And, Grumpy, we were talking about your amazing quads today. Wish I had them (as in, attached to my body for pedaling use) yesterday! ;)Go to the KOM standings. Scroll down A little further. Almost there. Down a little more...there, there I am, near the bottom. See? They're not helping.

Awesome ride, Mary. Great report, too. You are an inspiration!

Go to the KOM standings. Scroll down A little further. Almost there. Down a little more...there, there I am, near the bottom. See? They're not helping.

:rolleyes: You're talking to deaf ears, darling. If you finished that ride, you might as well have been the first one across the line as far as I'm concerned. ;)

I love reading your reports, ME. This one in particular was inspiring. Hell, Mary, you are inspiring! :)

I love reading your reports, ME. This one in particular was inspiring. Hell, Mary, you are inspiring! :)
Shnuddy, that is so sweet. But you know something, all the riders on here are inspiring! Anyone who gets on his/her bike, puts on a helmet (yes, public service announcement) and rides for fun, fitness and challenge (whatever level that may be on) is inspiring. But I hope some rider on here will see my pics (I'm certainly no lean and mean athlete...I drink my wine and enjoy my bread a bit too much sometimes! :p), read my reports (if they can slush through them they are so long!) and realize that they too can ride centuries, double centuries and any ride they put their mind to. :o If you want to do it, you will, pure and simple. I'll never break any records or come in first...but for me, I'll accomplish more than I thought possible just through the process alone. How's that for dorky? I'm tired...:p

Damn I'm impressed.

Great job ME, def one of the strongest female riders out there!!

Damn I'm impressed.

Great job ME, def one of the strongest female riders out there!!
Thanks, Ovo. :) How sweet of you. But flattery will only get you a pat on the head.

Thanks, Ovo. :) How sweet of you. But flattery will only get you a pat on the head.

wasnt looking for anything, I know this ride was really relaly hard

wasnt looking for anything, I know this ride was really relaly hard
I was just teasing you, Ovo. ;) Now, get to training as I expect to see you out there next year.

BTW, ME, I talked to Clem, and I told him you were doing this ride. He and I just think you are awesome. You are very genuine, and very gracious. He also knows Vertical Bob pretty well. I guess all climbers know each other really well. I'm just trying to get another inch up the hill. But if there is one thing I've learned about climbers is this ... they are all very modest. Or at least the one's that I know. I guess that's why Renee is such a good climber ... it runs in the family.

Thanks, Ron for that. That Clem is the gracious one. He and his daughter are well known for both their riding abilities and their warm, sincere personalities. Same for the whole ADO gang. Just good people out pedaling. I really hope to ride with them again and I'm glad you had their company at Davis. :)

You are pretty gracious yourself too. Lynn knew I was holding back a little bit at the start, and kept telling me I didn't have to hold back, but I wanted to ride with them. They are such a good group, and so knowledgeable. I wanted to absorb their vibes. They are the experienced ones, not me. And of course, Clem was way ahead of us. He is such a super climber, and just the fact that I've known him for 15 years is just awesome.

BTW, you gotta meet Nina, his wife. She is a hoot ... very funny woman too. She rides, but not to the same level. However, you get both of them on a tandem on a flat stretch (like Lighthouse), and it is a locomotive train. I remember training for speed by drafting off of them.

Nice report Mary. Well done.
A long day at the edge of your ability is not forgotten easily.

BTW, there are no junk miles, they're all good in one way or another.

Mary you are one amazing woman. I cannot believe you at times. You're my idol :) Much respect.