Reminds me of years ago and my first try at a metric century was a training ride for the AIDS ride from SF to the Russian River, camp overnight then ride back. Got to the top of the first hill and a rider passed me and turned right...

First lesson I learned of cycling: just 'cause someone turns does not mean they are on your ride!

I followed them. Golden Gate National Seashore is breathtakingly beautiful, and I'd love to ride it again someday, anyday, anyone!?

But those 20 miles were not on our route!

Ten miles out I realise I'm lost, ride 10 back and by then everyone, which includes my camping gear and car keys is in front of me, decided nothing to do but forge ahead.

From there I was on the route all the way.

Due to a series of near misses that are comical now, David the ride organiser thought I was ahead of them all. C'mon, it's me! Ahead??? He kept pulling up the route signs ahead of me, luckily I had the map.

I was about 15 miles from the end when I stopped at a tiny store to "make my own rest stop". David who by then had been to the end and "where's Trek?" was going backwards in a panic to find me. Boy was I glad to see his truck. Tired, hungry, cold, fog rolling in, I gladly took the ride in.

Deffinately some moments of panic out there in the most remote parts of Sonoma and Marin counties thinking "no one knows where I am".