Fifty Plus (50+) - Fantastic Experience with Fellow Forum Member

Just had a fantastic experience with someone from this forum.

Simplygib is riding his bike from Portland to Sacramento, along the coast. He mentioned this here on the forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=450823&highlight=), and I suggested he stop by my house and spend the night.

Along the way, he's met up with several other cycling tourists, and I suggested that they all stop over. They did and we had a great time. Here we are eating dessert after a big dinner:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a39/TromboneAl/GaryGroupTour/GaryGroupVisit001.jpg

L to R:

Gary (Simplygib), who is blogging the entire adventure, entering all the text in his smartphone! You can read the whole thing here (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/latest/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4089&v=39).

Mike and Jenna, who are on their honeymoon: riding their bikes from Vancouver to Chile (their blog)! Mike just finished his Ph.D. You can read about his research, about TV drug advertising, in next Tuesday's USA Today. He was doing cell phone interviews while on the trip. Mike and Jenna met while on solo bike tours across Canada.

Yours Truly + Ms. TromboneAl

Marisa aka "The Rocket" - She's from Germany, but speaks English with an Aussie accent. She's riding down to San Luis Obispo, at which point she'll hang a left and ride through Death Valley to Las Vegas.

A wonderful group, and we all enjoyed one another's company.

The next day DW and and rode along with them:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a39/TromboneAl/GaryGroupTour/GaryGroupVisit009.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a39/TromboneAl/GaryGroupTour/GaryGroupVisit021.jpg

It was an unforgettable experience.

What a great experience.

With all those long distance cyclists in the house, it's a wonder if you have any food left at all.

What a great experience.

With all those long distance cyclists in the house, it's a wonder if you have any food left at all.

There was recently a program on the TV about a British rider that cycled round the world. I know you must eat and he was doing 100 miles a day for around 200 days- but he was eating 3 meals- straight after the other whenever he could. Something like 5,000 calories at a sitting so hope that Tromboneal had a big enough kitchen to cook for this lot.

Great to meet up with other riders-

Cyclists unite! It would seem that everyone had a wonderful and special experience. I'm guessing there will be more contact with that group in the future.

Wow ---- really cool mix of cycling folk. I'm sure there was some very interesting conversation around the table. Lane Lp

I envy such experiences. The look of your faces are those of people having a grand time. Thanks for sharing this rewarding experience with the rest of us.

Great post . . . good-looking group . . . fantastic coastal scenery pic . . .

And good luck to the travelers . . .

What a crowd of heavy duty riders. I know if they were at my house, I might be talked into going, or doing some of the trip with them. Thanks for the post.