Arrived at the Solana Beach train station at 6:15am on Sunday to the sight of 100 or so cyclists preparing to embark on the same train as us. There are approximately 3 bike racks per train. Doh.
They were with the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge and luckily, had arranged a truck to transport all their bikes to the Big-A in Anaheim where we got off the train. Andy and I managed to find space for our bikes and we were off.
I can’t say enough how cool this ride is. There is something about it that somehow makes it special. Maybe it’s the 90-minute early morning train ride up the coast. Or how the ride is one way, so when you get off the train, you have to be fully committed to getting yourself home. I’m sure the course has a lot to do with it too, winding down Pacific Coast Highway through all the great coastal towns between Orange County and San Diego.
Andy and I had a perfect day. A light following breeze kicked the pace above 22 mph early and we pootled some, put the hammer down some and shared all the pacing. We sprinted for town signs and shared them too. We managed to set a new record for average speed on a CTB, 19 mph. Not bad.
By the time we arrived back in Solana at the Pizza Port, we were both ready for a jalapeno/pepperoni pizza and a pitcher.
A special mention – Andy rode *really* strong. His form is coming along nicely. His track skills allowed him to nab almost all the town signs that came down to a short sprint. Keep it up buddy, it’s working!
I Got My "Yippee!" Card
2010 Leadville Trail 100
2010 Julian Death March
I Do Not Ride Alone
My Secret Leadville Plan
Previewing the Leadville 100 MTB Course
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
If we can only figure out a way around Corona Del Mar, it would be epic. They don’t seem to care much for bikes in that town.
I’m just going to start carrying a hammer.