Always wanted to come to Big Sur and stay at the lodge – just wasn’t thinking of doing it on my bike! Today was the lightest day – only 45 miles. The first stretch includes 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach. What a view – the ocean and beaches were amazing and the houses…well I would take any one of those! Tom just wanted me to ride faster so I wouldn’t get any big ideas! We all took our time today and really enjoyed the scenery – as you can see by the pictures! First rest stop was in Carmel – after a 0.4mile straight up Ocean Avenue ride…..and the midpoint check-in was at the Carmel beach just a few miles further on.
Today we rode for Macy Coad – a beautiful little girl I met at the opening dinner. Diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and uveitis- she inspired us all today.
I met a man and wife at the Carmel Mission who wanted to know about the ride and then asked me how to donate – I told him he could donate on the ride and we would give the money in at camp (I must have looked trustworthy) and so he pulled out a twenty. His name was Patrick and he was a kind sole…thank you Patrick! I turned around to see a group of about 8 riders behind me saying Go Chris – as they watched is all transpire! It was a satisfying feeling knowing others care about arthritis too!
We reached Highway 1 and had about 25 miles of shoreline to ride along. Big cliffs, great views and some really big climbs. We went over Bixby Bridge today – and I almost didn’t make it. It is the world's highest single span concrete arch bridge – it is 260 feet high and 700 feet long. Was started in 1920 but finished in 1932. For those of you who know me – I have a terrible fear of heights –so it took all I could muster to get over it! And then a huge climb right after!
The weather was hot today – the hottest day of the year in Big Sur, about 95 – and hot on the ride. Made for a sweaty day and lots of liquids to be consumed. The beauty of Big Sur lodge is there is electricity but no phones or televisions…of course there is no AC either! Really could use some right about now!
There was a pool and we jumped is as soon as we got to camp…..trying to conserve energy for what many call the toughest day- lots of uphill climbing on our way to San Simeon and Hearst Castle tomorrow.
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