Wildflower

The Wildflower ride was so much fun! I made it the entire 50 miles, the furthest I've ever ridden. Since I was woefully undertrained, I was worried about the distance. I had even contemplated selling my bib, although I didn't really want to. I have wanted to do the Wildflower ride ever since I heard about it three years ago. It's very popular and sells out within hours.

Since I'm used to big races, I picked up my packet the night before. It wasn't really necessary, because it wasn't crowded on Saturday morning. But I bought a souvenir jersey  then washed it so I could wear it on the ride. 

We hooked up at 8 a.m. My running partner Bunny was there with her new bike. We rode with running partner Ang and her husband and two friends. It begins in Creston, a very small town. We headed out on Hwy 58, a two-lane highway that was hilly but not horrendous. I managed to drop my chain shifting gears uphill and couldn't get going again, so just walked my bike to the top. I could have ridden downhill then made a u-turn but wasn't comfortable with that because of the highway. It wasn't too far, but I fell behind the others. They kindly waited for me and we continued on as a group.

We turned on Shell Creek, which a few weeks earlier was abundant with wildflowers, but there weren't as many this day. The weather was actually cool and misty, which kept the poppies closed. I had to keep wiping the moisture off my sunglasses--it was like looking through a window screen! The first rest stop was here and there was food and coffee and portapottys with no lines. Can you believe it!

At this point, Ang took my picture so I could show you my bike. Allow me to introduce you to Aria, a woman-specific Orbea Diva. She generated a bit of attention that day. It's my first road bike and it's kind of like putting a 5-year old on a thoroughbred. Truly, it's all about the bike, because I never would have been able to finish the ride on a lesser bike.

We rode Shell Creek into Shandon. I had never stayed on Shell Creek Road that far so all this was new scenery for me. At Shandon park we stopped for an awesome lunch. Freshly made sandwiches and sweet strawberries. Bunny commented that it was the best sandwich she'd ever eaten! The only thing missing was shoulder massages. Here's a picture of the two of us.

The red band around my wrist is my Road ID, which I purchased recently at 20 % off, thanks to Steve-In-A-Speedo. After lunch, while waiting for the group to get started, I heard a crash and saw a motorcycle skidding down the road. That was bad enough, but then I saw that a bicyclist was down. I don't know how it happened, but a motorcycle hit a bicycle and both riders were down. Ang, a nurse, went over to help and said that the cyclist was dazed and confused. It made me appreciate the value of Road ID. I always carried a drivers license, but the bracelet has SDs phone number, and well as the phone number of other family members, so it's a lot more useful.

That put a somber note on the rest of the ride. And we were on Highway 41, which has no shoulder and is only two lanes. The speed limit is 55, so it was unnerving to ride with cars. But after a while I stopped worrying about the cars because I had a monster hill to climb. According to the map it was only a 3% grade, but it seemed to go on forever. At one point I stopped to take off my jacket and eat a Gu, thinking I was at the top of the hill. I was wrong and there was more climbing. Groan. Finally we got to our last rest stop and I caught my breath. The group had dropped me, but waited for me at the rest stop.

After that, the ride got easier. Here's a picture that the ride photographer took. It gives you an idea of the scenery, which is pretty typical for this area.

Downhill was fun, but I was a little cautious. I probably would have gone 35 mph if I hadn't been applying my brakes. Twenty-five is more my comfort zone. Eventually, we turned off Hwy 41 and rode on Camp 8. That's a funny name for a street, and I don't know why it's called that, but it was pretty. It was also bumpy--like riding across a washboard! North County has some bad roads!

Finally it was time to turn on Creston Road, for the final mile or two into town. I was ready to get off that bike! That's where being out of shape showed--my arms, shoulders, and butt were killing me! I stopped at my truck before I got to the barbecue and left my bike and put on some sandals. I didn't want to face getting back on the bike after eating.

It was refreshing to not have to worry about a finishing time. It made it much more relaxing and fun. We definitely want to do this ride again next year--maybe the 75 miler. Here's a picture of all of us, post ride.

So now I'm off on my next adventure! I apologize for not reading your blogs--I haven't been on a schedule for a while. I'm going to be out of town for the next few weeks, and will have limited access to the internet. Good luck in your adventures and I'll catch up with you when I get back.