Lighthouse Century Ride Reports & Pics

[merider1]

Okay, so I'm working on the ride report (going to be a long one) and uploading pics. In the meantime, I hope others (like jmechy) will provide their reports!

Here is Jmechy's: http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5359822&postcount=416

Sorry we didn't meet you, Jmechy! Would really have liked to, but I'm glad you had a nice ride today. :)

[Happytime]

Don't forget to mention how you got the hotel employee to break us into the wrong room.

And the underwear pics, the cockroach who ate our muffins, the gangsta lowrider, the total lack of sleep and how we got super lost on the way to the restaurant.

And three mechanicals in the first 1/8 mile of the ride.

And my near-bonk. And Scootcore giving me a Magic Pill to help me recover, after which I went crazy and I tried to drop him.

And the super BFers who were along for the ride. The best company anyone can ask for! :D
(MErider1, Herbm, Cassave, Scootcore, RaiderDave, Spingineer, UMD and his adorable wife Kim.)

[spingineer]

I actually got in with the help of InkedinPink. Sorry you couldn't make it Karen ... it was a terrific ride. This was the first time I got in as a result of someone not being able to make it to the ride. So I got InkedinPink's spot in Lighthouse, and hotel room (which was pre-paid through the Internet).

The whole ordeal started when someone posted issues with Rose Garden Inn, and lost reservations. So I called Thursday, just to verify, and they said it's in there. All I need is to show my driver license ... wrong :eek: When I got there, they needed proof that InkedinPink will transfer all of this to me. So it's not that I need to show my driver's license, but InkedinPink's driver license ... So I called Karen, and told her she needs to talk to the hotel. Without going into further details, there was a chance I would be out of a hotel. So things didn't start too well on this trip. Finally, hotel got it all squared away, and I got in the room.

Met the rest of the group at Mama's Meatballs ... great little restaurant. Highly recommend it. Herbm brought a couple bottles from his stash, which added to the great dinner outing. Met up with ME, Happytime, Herbm, Raiderdave, Cassave, and later, UMD and his wife Kim, came along.

In the morning, met the group, and took a pit stop before rolling. However, I laid my bike against the fence, and there were prickly thorns lying on the ground, which seem to attract to my front tire. As I rolled the bike, I heard some crunching ... bad news. I found 5 thorns stuck in my tire. I pulled them out, but there were still some lodged in the tire. Had to carefully run my fingers through and pluck them out.

Finally, got it repaired, and we are ready to roll. Just a few hundred feet after we make the first turn, there was another flat. Then, a little later on, ME had problems with the magnet for her cadence. This all happened < 1 mile going out. This was a bad omen.

Despite the problems, I felt really good this day. I was riding with Scootcore and Cassave, trading leads in the beginning. Then, Cassave powers up this hill, and that's the last we would see of him until he loops around to ride with us, 7 miles from the turnaround point.

I was noticing something wrong on my computer. The speedometer reading was sporadic, so I had to stop after we made the right turn into the hill climb. My sensor was not quite parallel to the sensor, so one quick adjustment, and it's all better now.

Oh, the hill climb. That was just gorgeous. I was a long climb, but definitely doable. As always, the climb got steeper and steeper near the end. There was this one right hand bank, which was really steep, and I happen to notice my computer reading 20%. Yikes.

After we reached the top, we were ready to head back to the coast. We had a nice downhill descent, but that was a little dicey. There were stiff cross winds, and it got to the point where I had to slow down a little bit, just so I wouldn't get thrown off my bike. That was a wild ride.

The rest of the ride went through pretty smoothly. The winds were calmer this time than in past years. This contributed to the great ride, and the company that I rode with was excellent ... ME, Happytime, Cassave, Scootcore, Raiderdave ... it made it thoroughly enjoyable and lotsa fun. It is why we ride ... to have fun!

I decided to drive back last night, after showering up (since I had 2 nights in the hotel). It was a last minute decision at 7 pm.

Thanks for the great time guys and girls. This was truely a memorable event. :D Can't wait to hear ME's cockroach summary!

[herbm]

OMG....what an incredible ride.....
It is so beautiful up there....
Got up there Friday afternoon...amazingly they still had my reservation...the girl at the desk said my room wasnt ready...luckily the mgr said to just put me in the one next to it that was ready...duh....
I though the hotel was ok....nothing special...but not terrible..

Got all my stuff upstairs...and was prepping my gear ..laying out my stuff for the AM... hmmm...no arm warmers...looked thru eveything, checked the car...nope...forget them...I did have a long sleeve jersey, but was afraid I would be too warm...luckily I had my laptop and internet access so I found Cambria Bike Outfitters in downtown SLO...nice new warmers now...
Off to registration and dinner with Cassave...(thanks for driving S)
The place ME picked for dinner, we pretty smalll, but from the traffic in and out of it, we figured it had to be good...and it did not disappoint....great call ME.
UMD and his lovely DH came as well as Raiderdave, Spingineer, Cassave, ME and Happytime

Up at o dark thirty and off the Cuesta College...
We all met up and finally got going after a few small delays...poor Cassave...I think he just wanted to get moving!
Thru Morro Bay and the up Old Creek....wow...tough climb...but it was just incredible thru there....great scenery.....hit hywy46 ..one more climb then a sweet downhill, but got up to 43..but had to scrub speed as the cross winds were brutal....

The ride up the lighthouse was very pretty also...but a bit windy....and probably not as bad as it could of been....
Rode back from there to lunch...then back thru Cayucos and finally done...

The rest stops were great....there were alot of them which helped me when I was tired or need fuel...
The roads for the most were in excellent condition...

This was a great group of people to ride with....thanks to everyone for waiting for me to catch up at the reststops and some of the other regroups...

Thanks Dave for hanging...I had a great time riding with you....its a good thing no one else was around us the last 10 or so miles...we were getting a bit b*tchy about the continous rollers...

I feel pretty good that i completed the more challenging course....thanks to Scoot and ME and everyone else for your encouragment....

my only disapointment was Happytime didnt wear the white Assos:rolleyes::p

My numbers
97 miles
6:47 ride time
14.2 avg
43.6 top speed


Cant wait to do this again next year!!

[spingineer]

Some pics:

ME, Happytime, and herbm waiting patiently for our seat at Mama's Meatballs
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280002.jpg

Raiderdave
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280005.jpg

Happytime
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280006.jpg

Scootcore, Happytime, and ME arrive at Whales Rock
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280009.jpg

ME .... Does this pic meet your satisfaction?
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280010.jpg

Whales Rock
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280011.jpg

Ready for descent
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280012.jpg

ME and Scootcore
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280015.jpg

Hamlet Rest Stop
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9280016.jpg

Morro Bay in the distance
http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse_files/P9290020.jpg

More pics at http://web.mac.com/ronng/iWeb/bikeforums/Lighthouse.html

[merider1]

For those of you who have never ridden the Lighthouse, I personally suggest you do. I rode it last year in freezing headwinds and this year in darn perfect weather – but in headwinds – and it is definitely worth it. The others in this thread have already described the ride to you as well as I could have. I will simply add that I took pics of all these beautiful people and pushed though the 95 miles (sigh…when will ride organizers get it that 100 miles is a century!) and managed to stay awake long enough to come out of my fog and really enjoy the day. Oh, and that climb up to Highway 46 is BRUTAL and this year was definitely more of a hit for me - and not just because of the weather but because of the nice strong BF contingent that jumped onboard for the ride: Happytime, Cassave, Herb, Spingineer, Raiderdave, Scootcore, Bernmart, UMD (and his lovely wife, Kim). Their company definitely made the ride and day for me!:)

Now, the real report…The day, night and morning BEFORE the ride…

Happy and I had decided to carpool together and share a room at the Rose Garden Inn – a hotel that I may now actually rate below Motel 6-ening. The drive up the coast was great, with us stopping at the Outlet Malls (oh, oops, where did that $200 go?) and at a coffee shop where we bought pumpkin and blueberry muffins for all of us BF folks to have the following day (those muffins were so good too, as the shop gave us a sample). We then arrived at the hotel a little after 5pm.

I quickly checked in at the front desk, and we proceeded to the parking lot in the back where our building was located. As we were getting out of the car, we noticed a very interesting character in the parking lot that we hoped was just hotel “security” (he came out of a low-rider wearing a wife-beater tee, super baggy jeans with a chain hanging down out of his pocket, tattooed all over from neck to wrists and a shaved head. I’m not trying to judge here – really. He very well may have worked for the hotel! I smiled at him and said, “yo.”). We heard from David later that there had been an altercation at the hotel as he had arrived (something violent), and that the fellow in the low-rider may have been involved – but again, I am not judging, simply reporting.

At the check-in desk, my phone had been ringing as I had signed the receipt, so when Happy and I grabbed our big bags and bikes and were struggling up the stairs to the room, I forgot exactly what the front desk attendant had said, and could have sworn we were in room 230. An other “character,” one I just hope was the “building maintenance guy,” who just happened to have a master key to ALL of the rooms, saw us and very sweetly helped us through four doors (don’t ask) and up the two flights of stairs (I wanted to be on the second floor as I figured it would be quieter and we would have a refrigerator). Well, when we got to Room 230, the keys to the room didn’t work in the sliding metal key hole, neither one, and so the “building maintenance guy” so kindly used his master key to let us in (he did knock and say, “hello?” before entering). We dumped all of our stuff in the room before it dawned on me that this may not be it. I called the front desk and sure enough, we were meant to be in Room 231.

Happy, who fortunately has a wonderful, solid sense of humor, just laughed and began dragging her bike back out into the hall. The “building maintenance guy” laughed and then skipped out at that point (he had “maintenance” to do in other rooms). So, we dragged and pulled our stuff down the hall a few feet and I began the process of opening up the door to our room. Damnit! The keys didn’t work again. I was so perplexed. Joy waited patiently, and then after a few attempts and some cursing, I looked up. Oh, oopsie….we were now trying to break into Room 232! I turned and there across from me was Room 231! (I’ve never felt blonder.:p) Yippee! I immediately opened the door and in we piled into a rather large room directly above the hotel pool. We dumped our stuff and I began the process of laying out my things for the next day’s ride, including putting my Gator Aid into the refrigerator along with two bags of muffins. Joy put one bag of muffins on the dresser, hung up her skivvies on hangers to dry (hey, I had my priorities and she had hers, okay!), and we were off for dinner at Mama’s Meatballs.

As we drove toward downtown SLO, I realized that I had no idea how to get to the restaurant that I had suggested for dinner, so after several calls to Herb and a stop at a Tasty Freeze, we finally arrived and met the group. Everyone showed for dinner but Scootcore, Bernie and his sweet wife, Leslie. We had a bit of a wait since Mama’s is tiny with few tables but it was worth it. Herb had brought a couple bottles of wine which we all shared, and we had very good food for very reasonable prices. I think it was a hit.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel. I skipped out for quick nightcap with one of the hot single men (my lips are sealed), and then was back to the hotel and into bed by 10pm, feeling great but sleepy and excited about the following day. But did I get any sleep? Um…NO. As soon as I had drifted off, the first round of party-goers arrived. We had doors slamming, people yelling, and the sounds of footsteps and laughter all up and down the hall. This went on for hours! Then, they decided the pool area, just beneath our window, would be a suitable place to continue partying until 4:00 am. At 4:30, Joy gets up from her bed, goes to the bathroom, turns on the light, comes back and falls on her bed…with the light still on (I think she was sleep walking). I asked her if she was getting up, and she said, “nnnyyoot yffet.” I then asked if I or she could turn out the light please…she then did. This is how tired we BOTH were.

Finally 5am, the alarm goes off, and we both scrape ourselves up to get ready for 100 miles. To say I was exhausted is an understatement. I really didn’t sleep at all. Joy eyed the bag of muffins on the dresser and immediately went over to retrieve one, popped it in the microwave and nibbled. I decided I wanted a blueberry muffin which I had tucked quickly into the refrigerator the night before. I walked over still half asleep and proceeded to open the refrigerator door. Much to my surprise, shock and then disgust, a cockroach the size of my ear came rushing out toward my hand. Of course, being that I hate those bugs, I began screaming at the top of my lungs (I hope I woke every single party-goer in that f’ing hotel!) and flapping my arms (why I thought that would help is beyond me). Then I realized, the refrigerator was off…because…I had never turned it on. Not only did all the muffins go in the trash at that point (I think Joy spit out her pumpkin muffin), but my Gatorade was nice and hot. This was not looking to be a good morning.

Now, we had to hustle as we needed to find a place for breakfast. We piled our stuff and bikes back in the car and took off into the dark. The diner next to the hotel was closed, so we headed toward the ride start (I had to call Herb for those directions too…thanks, Herb!). Jack-in-the-Box and Carl’s Junior were both closed. The registration wasn’t opened when we arrived at the start, so we headed back out and finally found this little diner (in our search for Starbuck’s) and ordered egg sandwiches to go. We got back, prepped and were ready to roll at 7:00. Phew!

At least I had Happy along! She made it all worth it. Not only did she point out how blonde I am in my “mistaken rooms, no directions, not turning the refrigerator” kind of way, but she laughed the whole time. The ride was just part of my weekend, but I have to say the entire experience was a blast and certainly one to remember.

I look forward to a repeat next year only minus the cockroach…and I am NOT staying at the Rose Garden Inn again.

Pics to follow...

[merider1]

Spingineer, Raiderdave, Cassave, Happytime, Herb
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/10.jpg

UMD and his wife, Kim (they are the cutest couple)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/9.jpg

Representing with the jerseys (Scootcore in the middle):
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/8.jpg

Ahhh....look how thrilled Cassave is that I'm forcing him to take a pic with me...
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/7.jpg

And we are off:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/6.jpg

Raiderdave in the front
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/5.jpg

Happytime and Raiderdave
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/4.jpg

Some good shots of Herb
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/3.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/2.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/1.jpg

[merider1]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/20.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/19.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/18.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/17.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/16.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/15.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/14.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/13.jpg

Spingineer, rocking the Nor Cal Jersey
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/12.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/11.jpg

[merider1]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/30.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/29.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/28.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/27.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/26.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/25.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/24.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/23.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/22.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/21.jpg

[merider1]

Me - notice both the lovely zinc paste and how exhausted I look!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/40.jpg

Herb, me and Bernmart, who caught up with us as one of the reststops:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/39.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/38.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/37.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/36.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/35.jpg

A rare shot of Cassave! I teased him all day, but he stayed with us in the beginning for a bit, dropped us (easily) but then turned around into the headwinds and rejoined us for the rest of the ride! Our treat.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/34.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/33.jpg

Joy, rocking the jersey, the Assos, the bike...you name it
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/32.jpg

But what is that mysterious bump?
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/31.jpg

[merider1]

They killed Cassave! Those *******s!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/49.jpg

Rare captured photoe of UMD
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/48.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/47.jpg

Kim - all smiles on the way back
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/46.jpg

And the both of them riding together
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/45.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/44.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/43.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/42.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/41.jpg

[merider1]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/60.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/59.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/58.jpg

Joy and I have are special signals to one another
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/57.jpg

I know what this means...
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/56.jpg

Oh, and I forgot this shot - a really rare shot of UMD - one of him NOT in motion. ;)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/50.jpg

[spingineer]

Who recommended Rose Garden Inn anyways?

[herbm]

Who recommended Rose Garden Inn anyways?

I think it was Asia....
Now we know why she bailed!:rolleyes::eek:



BTW...the photocrazy stuff is up....
10:20 and 2:00

[spingineer]

BTW...the photocrazy stuff is up....
10:20 and 2:00

Bogus ... you can't get the pics for free

http://www.photocrazy.com/2007/0929LHC/nofreepic.html

[Happytime]

But what is that mysterious bump?
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Lighthouse07/31.jpg


I wish I could discount it as a weird fold in my jersey. But the truth is, I was going through contractions, as I was expecting an Alien baby. Fortunately, it popped through my rib cage prior to climbing that big hill. I'm all for shedding weight for a climb.... any way I can! :p

BTW, those crosswinds coming down Hwy 46 sucked. I was hoping for nine miles of 30-40mph Bombville, esp to make up my overall avg. speed. But when that first gust hit me and almost knocked me off my bike, I rode my brakes all the way down at sub-20mph. I'm not normally a white-knuckle descender, but that was just a little too unnerving.

[jschen]

Nice reports and pics. :beer:

[merider1]

Bogus ... you can't get the pics for free

http://www.photocrazy.com/2007/0929LHC/nofreepic.html

That is the biggest crock of BS I've ever read. Puhlease. I cannot imagine that SLOB would not release the names of the participants to the photograher THEY hired for the event. BS.

[mkadam68]

Ummm....were, uh...were there, umm, ahh....any, umm... lighthouses on this Lighthouse Century?

Just asking :shrug:

[merider1]

Ummm....were, uh...were there, umm, ahh....any, umm... lighthouses on this Lighthouse Century?

Just asking :shrug:

lighthouses? What? ONE lighthouse won't please you? :p Yes, there was a lighthouse. But I didn't take a pic of it because I was sucking someone's wheel going through heavy headwinds with traffic on my left within inches of me. I felt pulling a camera out at that moment would be ill advised. ;)

[nygirl777]

Nics pics everyone. Looks like you had fantastic weather. Sorry about the hotel :o I swear it wasn't that bad last year :p We were in one of the newly remodeled rooms. Luckily you all made it through the night. :eek:

[merider1]

Nics pics everyone. Looks like you had fantastic weather. Sorry about the hotel :o I swear it wasn't that bad last year :p We were in one of the newly remodeled rooms. Luckily you all made it through the night. :eek:

You owe me six muffins, lady. :p We missed your and Travis' gorgeous faces out there!

[Happytime]

Cassave, admit it! You probably rolled your eyes/shook your head more times in one day than you usually do in a month! Esp. when Ron, Scootcore and ME couldn't ride one block without having a mechanical problem... :p

BTW, as fast as you are on your bike (yes, folks, he lapped us) you are turtle-slow in your car. We blew by you last night on Highway 101... what were you doing at 40mph in the slow lane?! :D;)

[spingineer]

Actually, while we were waiting to get our seats, the group was contemplating going Mexican instead. But I think once ME and Happy saw the Italian waiter/hunk, it was decided to wait .... :p

[merider1]

BTW, as fast as you are on your bike (yes, folks, he lapped us) you are turtle-slow in your car. We blew by you last night on Highway 101... what were you doing at 40mph in the slow lane?! :D;)

:lol: I should have rolled down my window and taunted you, Steve, but I'm sure we'd promptly get dropped on the next ride, so I thought better of it.

[merider1]

Actually, while we were waiting to get our seats, the group was contemplating going Mexican instead. But I think once ME and Happy saw the Italian waiter/hunk, it was decided to wait .... :p

Look it, he had an accent and could sing really loud...not well, mind you...but loud. I found that both appealing and painful to my ears...and I knew that could be transformed to other arenas. So, Italian it was! ;):p

[Cassave]

Ok, my turn.
I'd been looking forward to this since the morning I got my number for this ride and it did not disappoint.

Dinner with the BF peloton was a treat. Herb's nice peppery zins topped off the very good food and conversation. And the restaurant had the prerequisite Italian waiter for the ladies' entertainment (and yes, they were entertained). A very nice evening till the very end.

Ride morning was perfect, warm and clear with the standard-issue north winds still sleeping. We got underway
with minimal effort and had a great ride up in the hills. The descent down 46 is well worth the climb, fresh pavement and killer views, doesn't get any better.
Saw Stan M. from SFVBC at the highway 46 stop and at most of the stops after that. A repeat of what we did
last Sunday on the GT lite.

The final miles up to Piedras Blancas were windy but I traded pulls with a very strong young guy and it made things go quicky. A few peanut buttered apples later I headed south for some distance only to find the rest of the group headed north. So I head north again to catch them. Oh good, more PB slathered apple slices.

The run south was fine. A nice steady tailwind, everyone feeling frisky and having a great time. We finished
in good time and had another nice "feeding" (ME's term) at the end.

Again, nice to meet RaiderDave, UMD and Kim for the first time and certainly fun to see the other mis-creantes,
Scoot, Spingineer, HT, ME and Herbm again.

And while we were at it, we re-defined LOL.

[roadfix]

Thanks for the ride reports everyone! :)

[merider1]

in good time and had another nice "feeding" (ME's term) at the end.

And while we were at it, we re-defined LOL.

:roflmao:

Yes, I forgot to mention the "feedings." Given that lately I'm a little pudgy (not fatbagging and really not all that down about it, just aware ;)), after suited up in a base layer, jersey and puffy vest, I felt kind of "heffer-ish" as it was, but add to that - every 15-16 miles, there was not only a rest-stop, but massive amounts of food. I just couldn't help but think that the SLOB (whose motto is eat to ride, ride to eat - and this year, eat to feast) must somehow consider us all cows or pigs bellying up to the trough! So, yes, in lieu of SAG stops, I called them our feedings and kept asking when the next "feeding" would be. :p

Oh, and the acronyms of the ride: LOL and CFM. Our youngins of the group didn't know what CFM meant (so cute, and I feel so old), and the LOL had it's own meaning and it wasn't laugh out loud. :D

[herbm]

:roflmao:

Yes, I forgot to mention the "feedings." Given that lately I'm a little pudgy (not fatbagging and really not all that down about it, just aware ;)), after suited up in a base layer, jersey and puffy vest, I felt kind of "heffer-ish" as it was, but add to that - every 15-16 miles, there was not only a rest-stop, but massive amounts of food. I just couldn't help but think that the SLOB (whose motto is eat to ride, ride to eat - and this year, eat to feast) must somehow consider us all cows or pigs bellying up to the trough!). So, yes, in lieu of SAG stops, I called them our feedings and kept asking when the next "feeding" would be. :p

Oh, and the acronyms of the ride: LOL and CFM. Our youngins of the group didn't know what CFM meant (so cute, and I feel so old), and the LOL had it's own meaning and it wasn't laugh out loud. :D

cows or pigs bellying up to the trough
Maybe suggest that as next years jersey theme!!

[merider1]

cows or pigs bellying up to the trough
Maybe suggest that as next years jersey theme!!

:lol: I think I will! I did say to the volunteers, "I'm ready for my feeding and when is the next one?" They laughed and nodded, so I'm sure it would be considered. ;)

[spingineer]

A few peanut buttered apples later I headed south for some distance only to find the rest of the group headed north. So I head north again to catch them. Oh good, more PB slathered apple slices.

So that's the real reason for the extra loop! :p

[merider1]

So that's the real reason for the extra loop! :p

Well, that and the LOLs. :D

[spingineer]

Yikes ... time to replace my cleats ... and this is what I was riding with yesterday ...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/P9300001.jpg

[roadfix]

I used to rotate my Look style cleats when I used to use them.

[Cassave]

..........BTW, as fast as you are on your bike (yes, folks, he lapped us) you are turtle-slow in your car. We blew by you last night on Highway 101... what were you doing at 40mph in the slow lane?! :D;)

I swear officer, I never had it under 65.........that and I have nightmares about that flaky trunk rack of mine
barfing the bike off the back onto the 101 at speed. Staying in the granny lane means at least I can
stab the brakes and get onto the shoulder if rack failure did occur.

That and I'm slowly forgetting how to drive since I only do the evil deed so infrequently.

[Cassave]

Well, that and the LOLs. :D

Yes. I'm found out.

[Cassave]

I used to rotate my Look style cleats when I used to use them.

Is it hard to pedal with your feet on backwards?

Just asking.

[Mr. Beanz]

Nice reports and GREAT pictures! I likes pictures!:D

[umd]

Ok, so my report is kinda late. I was actually riding today ;). Actually I had a whole ordeal, I was doing a training ride and my non-drive-side crankarm broke as I was accelerating out of a turn! Got it a replacement arm for the time being and rode out to Thousand Oaks. Here are some pictures. Report soon...

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1441t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1441.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1442t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1442.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1443t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1443.jpg)

1. First rest stop at Hardie Park.
2. I think the sign said that this was some kind of indian interpretive site, across the street from the rest stop.
3. A bunch of bikes. None are anyone I know, they just looked cool and I was bored.


http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1444t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1444.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1445t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1445.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1446t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1446.jpg)

4. Kim and I ended up riding with the 'Cyclepaths' from Riverside for a while until the first rest stop. We saw them on and off throughout the day.
5. Kim enjoying the 'feedings'
6. Nice view from the Hamlet rest stop.

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1447t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1447.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1448t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1448.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1449t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1449.jpg)

7. The rest stop was sharing a parking lot with the Moonstone Gardens restaurant.
8. Anne and Carol at the lunch stop.
9. l-r: Scootcore, Merider1, Cassave, Happytime

[umd]

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1450t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1450.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1451t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1451.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1452t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1452.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1453t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1453.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1454t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1454.jpg)

10. l-r: Herbm, Raiderdave
11. Someone was saying they didn't see a lighthouse?
12. A random group of riders comes by while waiting for Kim.
13. The carbon sokes on my R-SYS wheels. Note the zircal spokes on the drive-side.
14. Spingineer while waiting for Kim.

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1455t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1455.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1456t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1456.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1457t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1457.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1458t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1458.jpg)

15. And here she comes.
16. This looks like a picture of Kim but its really a picture of me, reflected in her glasses!
17. Just looks cool, doesn't it?
18. The Morro Rock.

[umd]

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1459t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1459.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1460t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1460.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1461t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1461.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1462t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1462.jpg)http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1463t.jpg (http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1463.jpg)

19. A real picture of me. I had to take it several times. This was the best.
20. Happytime after the ride.
21. After the food (l-r: Merider1, Cassave, Herbm)
22. Scootcore looking grumpy. I think he always looks like this.
23. Scootcore trying NOT to look grumpy. Just looks creepy.

[efficiency]

Cool pictures!

[Nachoman]

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/1457t.jpg[/URL
17. Just looks cool, doesn't it?

Yes!

[bernmart]

Damn! Ever since I got home I've been glancing at the original Lighthouse thread--just now realized this great stuff was in its own thread.

It was a great ride, wasn't it? To be sure I did the Coastal Route, so no scary downhills to report. But the temps were perfect, the scenery was astounding, and everyone I met was mellow and fun to talk to. A big plus was running into a bunch of BF's at the second rest stop, and having a chance to chat.

A big minus was that I failed to recognize ME and Happytime in their civvies at the post-ride dinner. We all and wife Leslie could've hung out for a while. I mean, the only time I can catch you guys is when you're standing still!

[spingineer]

Great to finally meet you Bernie. It was a great ride, with just about perfect condition (except for that pocket of air descending Hwy 46).

[DanteB]

Great reports!!!! :roflmao: Maybe you should have stayed in the tents and cots? Isn’t Old Creek a great climb and the downhill on Hwy 46 with the crosswinds is always fun. Anyway glad everyone had a good time and came back in one piece. Oh my old son, he broke a spoke on the way to the start.:(

[spingineer]

Great reports!!!! :roflmao: Maybe you should have stayed in the tents and cots? Isn’t Old Creek a great climb and the downhill on Hwy 46 with the crosswinds is always fun. Anyway glad everyone had a good time and came back in one piece. Oh my old son, he broke a spoke on the way to the start.:(

Hello !!! that would mean ruffin' it ... :lol:

I keep having visions of ME flapping her arms like a wild and crazy person. Still don't get the arm flapping ...

[Happytime]

I keep having visions of ME flapping her arms like a wild and crazy person. Still don't get the arm flapping ...

Her feet were doing a little dance, too. :D

[alicestrong]

This is a great trip report! Thanks...