Quote Originally Posted by melissam View Post
MP, thanks for the b-day wishes! I did OK -- I've never climbed Sierra or the back side of Mt. Hamilton. It was hard, especially with the heat. Whew. OTOH, it made the Calaveras Wall (my former Nemesis Hill) seem like an anthill. I felt bad about taking the SAG back from Sunol, but I just couldn't get rid of the dizziness. Guess I was cooked. I didn't see you until I came back to the Sunol rest stop to rescue dachshund and Laurie. Glad you were able to finish the ride. You guys are amazing!!

Coach Theresa and Vernon were great -- I didn't have the social graces to respond to all their encouragement, but I really appreciated it.

Seeing the Bobs and Snap at the top of Sierra was awesome. They run the best rest stop ever -- valet parking for bikes, warnings about glass, picture taking, waiting on riders hand and foot. I was so beat that I didn't notice their decorations (TnT-colored leis, umbrellas, etc.) until I saw Jo & Snap's pics.

The woman at the Sunol rest stop was awesome too. At that point, I was back to barely speaking, so I never was able to tell her how much I appreciated her help and kindness.

How's Mike doing? He reached deep into his Suitcase of Courage to get to the top of Sierra. I hope his cough hasn't turned into a debilitating lung disease.
Agreed - that Sierra stop was an oasis of happiness. I just wish I'd been more coherent and appreciative. I've never climbed Sierra in the daylight and did not know you could see Hamilton from the top - THAT was cool!

You did 99% of that ride so don't worry about a little SAG. I am so impressed with how everyone did. It was pretty amazing. 20 - 30 degrees cooler would have been an entirely different ride. That reflective heat off the pavement on Sierra was easily 110. Crazy.

Mike has never ever quit a ride. He should have stopped on Sierra (heck he should not have started). Silly stubborn men.