Alc 2009

[Trek420]

I got a text from Duck that she stretched and stretched but the knee was stiff. Nevertheless she set off on Day 2. At the first rest stop her knee just went stiff and did not want to go on.

She made the right wise decision and SAG'ed in.

I described the problem to Knott and she said while the IT band may be an issue that Duck has a knee derangement.

No, she's not deranged ;-) It's just some way the knee is unhappy.

KnottedYet suggested a series of exercises that may make Duck's knee less deranged. I text messaged them to Duck, the only way to reach her.

Here's hoping these allow her to get back on the bike and be more comfortable.

Hope so because day 3 is the infamous "Quadbuster Hill"

I assume UK is fine, at a little before 4 now she would still be on the road. Today's route has always been my favorite including stops for fried artichoke hearts and .... the cookie lady.

[sgtiger]

Oh, awesome! Thanks, Trek. I was just wondering about them this morning. Go Duck and UKE!

[Trek420]

Today they did this I apologize for the shot of riders climbing 4 abreast. It made good film but its not tolerated on the ride, one of the things that'll getcha booted off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcK4Ov-h3qY&NR=1

I heard from Duck both right after Quadbuster and at lunch. She made it 48 miles in todays ride including Quadbuster. The last 3 miles before lunch the knee was yelling at her "please stop!" So she did, in the teeny tiny itsy bitsy town of Bradley where lunch is.

Smart gal! We sent her a message to keep up the stretching. Seems to help.

I've heard from UK's DBF. He talked to her at lunch, she's feeling fine and Quadbuster went well. He says "her bum hurts" But she's riding well despite being ill before the ride. Guess all that commuting in the Welsh hills works.

[Trek420]

Today our TE'ers climb Evil Twins, a series of 2 climbs. Those familiar with the central coast think of climbing to Hearst Castle from the East side. Few talk about the 20 miles or so of warm up hill, false flat ... bleh

The view is fantastic, UK told of climbing this on ALC 6 while watching red-tail hawks circling below. Duck who left California for Norway 40 years ago is seeing parts of her home state she may never have known.

I've heard from ACG, she's reached the summit which is where riders celebrate "Half Way to L.A.". She is having a great ride.

I've heard from Duck and UK, Duck made it to the top of the Twins and I don't know how much further. UK at that point was about 2 hours ahead of her. Both had knee problems today, Duck did the wise thing and packed it in, she met UK on the bus later on.

In camp the amazing medical crew have patched them up, Duck says both our riders feel better now. I'm texting her "stretch, stretch, stretch ... "

Tomorrow is Red Dress Day, a shorter ride but hilly. This is a day almost all put on a frilly red dress, an amazing sight. And the women look pretty good too.

[Possegal]

Thanks for the updates (and the youtube link). It's fun following along!

[Trek420]

Duck says there are about 2700 riders and today they all rode in red. She says they look fabulous. Her morning yoga class went well with a taped knee. She's continuing to do the other stretches too. On the bike she felt fine and then suddenly a sharp pain when she got to rest stop one.

The medical staff thought that raising the saddle would help. I'm not sure if by that they mean raising the seat or the angle? Duck had her bike expertly fit by Chris Robinson owner of Robinson Wheelworks before the ride (thanks Chris). I rode behind her on the Cinderella and the fit looks great.

Whatever they did it worked and she was back in the saddle.Duck caught up with UK at rest stop 2 who was considering taking a ride in. UK decided at Duck's speed she could ride on.

Duck, are you going to take this? Sounds to me like your daughter's calling you slow ;-)

They made it to lunch at Solvang, 43 miles, 1,300 feet of climbing (Duck that sounds a little low for Day 5, less they changed the route) and ... ice cream! (hey, they never served ice cream on Day 5 when I rode!)

They took the SAG wagon from there but I must say the ride extended the distance of Day 5 this year so any other year they'd have ridden in to camp.

Did I mention that my sister has no lower intestine? She's doing ALC and has very severe colitis. That's not stopping her, the knee is.

If I could get her to stretch or maybe yoga she'll be unstoppable.

Did I mention I am very proud of my sister (and my niece As UK said to me when I had a tough time on ALC 6 "you've ridden every mile before and ... you were younger then "

[Trek420]

First off everyone's ok but this is a first. First time ever the ride stopped for the day. I heard from Duck, a car wreck occured (as far as I know no riders involved). Police closed the road and with 2000 + riders and crew you can't just say "oh, we'll all go around this way"

So the ride stopped, everyone headed back to camp, some rode, other bussed and then the whole circus gets bussed to the next camp, Ventura.

This is my favorite route, day on the ride and I'm sorry they missed it. A well earned rest day but I know everyone would rather ride