Flat and no flats

On Friday afternoon, Mark and I drove down to San Luis Obispo to participate in the L*ighthouse C*entury on Saturday. We had prepared our bodies and bikes, packed our clothes, helmets, gloves, extra bike tubes, and CO2 cartridges (instant air.) We were excited as the last time we tried a century together we got rained on and quit after 50 miles. Mark did the L*odi C*entury this summer in extreme heat so we were looking forward to this one. The Lighthouse is a fairly flat century with rolling hills that takes you on Highway 1 from Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, up the coast a little ways past San Simeon and Hearst Castle and then back to SLO. We had heard that it can be quite foggy the first half and that you don't see the ocean until after turning around when the fog lifts, but on Saturday as we drove from the motel to Cuesta College at 6:40 am, we were surprised that there wasn't any fog. There is a certain excitement as hundreds of riders park their cars and start unloading bikes and gear. Looking around, we realized that we were not the oldest people in the ride. I would estimate the average age to be around 40 years old. There were a total of 1600 riders in the event and there was a choice of a metric century (62 miles), flat century, or hilly century. We were off shortly after 7 am. There is no starting gun and people just start whenever, so their are no huge clumps of riders. Usually there are groups of 5 people or so that kind of stick together. Sometimes you can tag along after group and take advantage of drafting them, letting them pull you. Sometimes you realize that someone is drafting you and letting you pull them. We saw quite a few tandems and one guy riding a unicyle. I'm not sure how he could do the hills, especially the downhill with no brakes. He must have ridden the shorter route because we passed him twice. About an hour into the ride we hit some fog for about 1/2 hour, but soon it was gone and the views were absolutely gorgeous. The first rest stop was at mile 25 but we missed the turn for it, mainly because that was when we saw the unicyle and we weren't paying attention to the signs! Besides, we were riding down the main street of Cayucos, a quaint seaside town that was just too cute. It had a saloon! The second rest stop was at mile 42 and I was REALLY happy to see those porta-potties (how DO you spell that?) We grabbed some snacks, refilled our water bottles, and Mark took a picture with his Blackberry. I meant to bring my camera, but forgot!At this point we were averaging over 16 mph which we were really happy about. Just before the turn around point we ran into a headwind which slowed us down, but we were okay with it because we knew that once we turned around we would have the wind at our backs. The temperatures were in the high 60's, the sun was out, and the scenery unbeatable. The lunch stop was at mile 70 and the food was so delicious that I ate too much. There was a broccoli salad with red onions and raisins that I would burp and enjoy (?) the remaining 30 miles! We saw hundreds of elephant seals laying on the beach and a herd of zebras (!) at the bottom of the road to Hearst Castle. They hadn't been visible on the way up.I really don't like pictures of me in my bike clothes, but the scenery was so beautiful I just had to include this one too. I should have take a picture of Mark. He has skinnier legs. After lunch and before the rest stop at mile 85 we hit a head wind and that dropped our average speed. I was bummed because I had set a goal of averaging 16 mph for the whole 100 miles. But after the rest stop the wind must have shifted, because once again we were sailing along and realized that we were on an upgrade going 18 mph! We saw plenty of people changing flat tires and some SAG wagons with bikes on them taking people back to the start who had bagged the ride. We were very happy to complete the ride with no flat tires between us. We finished the ride reaching our goal of averaging 16 mph with a riding time of 6 hours 10 minutes, actual elapsed time was about 7 1/2 hours. We felt good, although we were tired of sitting on those little bike seats. We got in the car and drove the three hours home very content with our achievement.

business time*

*NOT associated with Flight of the Conchords! On Sunday, I was in the library at church preparing music for choir practice and one of the ladies in my ward asked me if I did embroidery for hire. This summer she had tried to call me to put something on an apron for her, but I was gone for two weeks, so she didn't ask me to do the project for her. We chatted about stuff I usually embroider on and I mentioned that I usually get my aprons from Williams-Sonoma and then pick off the tag so I can embroider the name at the top of the apron. She said, "Oh, you can get chef's aprons at the Business Costco, but only in black and white, and they're very inexpensive." I asked about dinner napkins and she said that they had lots of restaurant stuff. I decided to check out this new resource. I had looked at aprons and restaurant-quality napkins online, but wasn't sure of the quality, so I never ordered anything. I had also tried to find decent napkins at various discount stores, but never was satisfied with the selection. I love Costco, but I'd forgotten about the Business Costco. As I walked through the door, my steps slowed so that I could take it all in. It was then I realized I needed more than just napkins and aprons. I needed new cookie sheets, at $3.99. I swear I used to get them from Smart and Final for $7.50. I neeeded silicone baking liners to fit said cookie sheets, $11.99, at Williams-Sonoma they are $25. I needed a pack of silicone pot holders, 4/$14.29, I'm saving two for a gift! Aprons were 2/$6, at Williams-Sonoma they're $19 each. Napkins were 12/$12, I can monogram to my heart's content. I even got a Table Bell for $2.49, because who doesn't need one? The 17-year old thinks it's great fun to bang on it and yell "can I get some service?" but it's really for games at Seminary. As I unloaded all of my treasures into my car, I realized that I had forgotten to buy eggs. I hate it when I forget things. But that just means I get to go to my regular Costco later this week. They have frozen yogurt at that one.

the last (fill in the blank)

This year will be filled with *lasts*. The previous post was about one of those. But I have to make note of a couple of others. This week marked the last Back to School night we will attend. Six children times 13 years of school equals 78 Back to School nights. Of course, sometimes there were as many as 3 children attending the same school so that number isn't entirely accurate, but you get the idea. I don't think I will miss that ritual, but I could be wrong. Of course, I wasn't entirely mature about this one either. David's English class is called "Literature and Social Justice." His teacher likes to have people open up about their feelings. David had told us about her. When someone tells about some experience, she responds with, "Thank you for sharing that, it was really powerful." (or something like that-- always using the word "powerful.") It really bugs David. He even texted his dad during English one day, complaining of her overuse of the word. So when she began her overview of the course at Back to School Night, and used the word powerful to describe one of the books they'll be reading this year, I couldn't resist. I started counting. And in the next 12 minutes, she used the word powerful 6 times. It kind of loses its power. The other major last event this month is the senior picture. I have a wall in my family room with all my kids' pictures. Each year I would swap out their old school picture for their current one. Until their senior picture, and then that one just stayed, making me believe that they were all still in high school and still mine. I know that isn't really true, but it makes me feel better. And now I will have a matched set. Quite amazing, really, as it has been 16 years in the making. Almost powerful. (I know I've posted the younger picture before, but I couldn't resist the comparison. It's one of my all time favorite pictures. Thanks, Yvette)