We were there too. An amazing day. Great friends, awesome weather, high-spirited cycling, and mood-enhancing alcoholic beverages to imbide with wild abandon afterwards. And the food.....one word: YUMMY! Three types of pasta, fresh tossed salad, and brownies. It's a long way to drive for a bike ride (10+ hours round-trip), but worth it when you get to ride with such a cool group of people.
Congratulations, Matt! There is no one more deserving than you for the Man of the Year award. Bravissimo! and Jay...thanks so much to you and your wife for a wonderful day. You are great hosts.
The one memory from today which still makes me laugh took place on the infamous 'home-stretch; the last five miles of fairly straight roadway called the Pacific Coast Highway that turns into an all-out BIG RING HAMMER FEST. We had a couple fit guys (Chuck, Derek, and Matt) up in the front setting tempo, with everyone strung out behind them, in various stages of self-combustion. I was motoring to catch them, with Brian Baylis working together with me to bridge the gap. He would pull for a bit, then pull off and let me pull. Brian was huffing and puffing, grunting, groaning, and in general, being very vocal about his lack of power to catch the lead guys. I kept cracking up, listening to him grunting and groaning, it sounded like passionate love-making was going on behind me. "Arrrrggggghhhhhh!" "Mmmmmmmmmffffff!" "Oooowwwwwwwww!" We finally caught them at a red traffic signal, but those sounds coming from Brian are still echoing in my mind! Sleep well, Brian. You worked hard today.
Great ride, everyone.
Jan and Peter Johnson
Portola Valley, CA