Since I am being nagged behind the scenes for my report (erm, excuse me, that is the Princess is gently asking about the whereabouts of same), I better get crackin.’

The very patient Bubba got up when the alarm went off at 3:20 am which meant we arrived in Santa Rosa at 5:40-ish so I probably qualify as more AR than maillotpois. By the time Bubba finished eating, we got dressed, de-watered and registered, we were on the road about 6:10 or so – and it was darn cold (48F). However this was a blessing as we had a prolonged period of climbing in front of us. Coleman Valley – charmer of a hill. If MP and Deanna had told me there was a 22% spot on it I wouldn’t have gone since I have done almost nil in the way of hill climbing for several months. We climbed up through green valleys and into California redwood forest. At one point the fog was so thick I think the visibility was about 100 ft. Wildflowers were in abundance. Fields of poppies, lupine, Itherial's spear, red warrior, on and on. Good ride days for me seem to always include hawks. Just as I was cresting the big climb on Coleman a hawk swooped down to grab something next to the fence directly opposite me on the road. I could see him (her?) soaring in just above the field coming right at me. Amazing to watch and guaranteed good kharma for the day. This was the glory of the California coast hills in springtime.

After the climb up Coleman, the sky suddenly cleared to crystalline blue and we descended a steep and gnarly storm-damaged road (including a sighting of the infamous jobob skeleton suit) to the Sonoma Coast where we rode on Highway 1 along the cliff above the waves and sparkles of the Pacific Ocean. My computer registered a max descent of 16% and it had to have been on this descent. It was not to be fooled with. We cruised up and down rollers along the coast and through meadows. MP was right. This portion of the route was not to be missed.

We then turned inland and cruised along the Russian River where MP caught up with us and we got to meet Mr. MP as well as an old training partner and friend of hers (and, coincidentally a client of Bubba’s – small world). After a couple of grunter hills, we had all the serious climbing behind us and rolled up to Lake Sonoma for lunch and then south back through Geyserville and Santa Rosa. Of course, the last 30 miles was into a headwind. Wouldn’t be a real ride without it, right?

Since I had not ridden a double metric before, had so little hill training this year, and was unfamiliar with the course, I really had no way to gauge my energy reserves. This course has time cutoffs for the 200K so AR-me had carefully calculated the avg min speed to make the cutoff time and the course closure time (I even had a little spreadsheet, AG). Based on a 10 hr ride time allowance, I needed 12.35 mph avg and MP can tell you how often I questioned whether I could make this time. I knew I would be slow on the first half because the big hills were there. When I hit the 2nd rest stop after these hills with a 13.1 mpg avg I Knew could do it because the rest of the course would be faster, just no gonzo-ing the rollers on the way back. After numerous delays to get across highly trafficked roads and to remove a bee from the boobage, I rolled in at 5 pm. Right on the money. 9:17 ride time, only drafted the Bubbameister for maybe a mile and had gas still left in the tank. Feeling pretty darn pleased with myself today.

‘Course I couldn’t have done it without the constant support, encouragement and confidence boosts from maillotpois and yellow. They put up with paroxysms of self-doubt from me. Thanks, girls.

I was very disappointed not to have seen snap, jo, and cindysue. They probably gave up and went off to dinner somewhere. Can’t blame them. It was a long day. Instead we stopped in Sonoma on the way home and found a chocolate shake and a root beer float. Calories don’t count when you’ve just ridden 126 miles and almost 5,600 ft of hills.

Few last ride notes: Tremendously well supported ride. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many SAGs. Great food (PBJs, strawberries and lemonade, yum). Bike racks. Flag waving volunteers at course hazards. Clothing drop-off service. Delicious marinated, grilled locally raised turkey breasts for dinner. Kudos to those VIPPS (very important venerable volunteers).