Redwood Estates to Boulder Creek

 I'm writing out of sequence.  Will write about Cambria biking trip later.  Today, I and The BF joined Donny's club ride to Boulder Creek.  I've never done Redwood Estates off Old Santa Cruz Hwy.  Whew, tough.  I skipped 2 climbs because my heart simply couldn't handle it.  And everyone on the ride was feeling the heat even at 9am.  Above is somewhere in Big Basin State Park.  The route involved a lot of climbing, a similar route to the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge.

 I was mostly by myself on the ride though at times, I met up with some of the club riders -- hello Christopher, it's been awhile.  And John was great, riding with me from time to time.  Oh lookey, setting up a wedding on Zayante.  I thought what the heck, why not be a wedding crasher.  They gave me some water though the champagne was tempting.

It came from outer space.  Somewhere on Zayante.  Haven't a clue but I'd like one for Christmas.  I caught up to 2 cyclists towards the end.  They were out of water and exhausted.  A lot of people have helped me along the way the last few years and so it was my turn to help them get back to the start.    The heat certainly took its toll.  We found a hose at the school and sprayed one another.  Wonderful.

Just the Stats:

62 miles
6511 feet of climbing
9.6 avg mph
32.5 mph on descent
6 hr 25 min

A Room with a View

Tuesday, August 7

Me:  We're staying up there?
The BF:  Well, uh, not ....

 Me:  We're staying at La Cuesta Encantada!
The BF:  Well, uh, um ...

 Me:  Will there be boy toys to serve me those drinks that come with little pink umbrellas?
The BF:   Look here Missy ...

 What a view!

This view was just as nice from our bedroom window in Cambria.  We're here for, you guessed it, a short biking holiday.  But first, we played tourists, visiting Hearst Castle.  It was scorching hot on The Enchanted Hill.  Easily 100 degrees.  The temperature in nearby Pasa Robles along Highway 46 hit 104 but here at the coast, it's only 67 degrees.  Whew.

Marin Time

Time again to do the Marin Century.  Well, in my case, the 100k.  The BF and I have done this ride many times.  This will probably be our last for awhile.  Time to do other rides and see other parts of the world.  The weather today was odd, dark heavy clouds, wind, and a feeling that at any moment the heavens might open up with a stormy outburst.  This year, there were course marshalls out riding with us and plenty of SAG and good signage.  Very impressive and reassuring.

A month or so ago, I had minor surgery which kept me off the bike.  Additionally, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 hypertension despite a healthy lifestyle.  After many tests and one kidney ultrasound, all of which were normal (yay), my doctors concluded that I have extreme high blood pressure due to family history/genetics.  As one of my wonderful doctors says, "Sh*t happens."  Yep.  I'm on drugs and responding well.  I have headaches, I fall asleep at work and sometimes I can feel my heart racing.  You know what, I think the hot flashes and night sweats are ten times worse than having high blood pressure!  But, if I'm going to blow, I'm going to go out having a good time.

Thus, today, I gave it my all and I did better than last year but not quite as good as a few years ago.  Still, I'm pleased as punch even though no flirting took place on today's ride...I can see The BF smiling.  He had a good ride, too.

Just the stats:

59 miles with 3,830 feet of climbing (piece of cake compared to climbing in the South Bay)

12.7 avg mph (last year 12.5)

31 mph fastest (last year 31.5)

4 hr. 34 min (last year 4 hr 43 min)