Final Day - Dana Point to La Jolla 55 Miles, 1,700' climb

Camp Pendleton - Pannikin Coffee  - La Jolla - Mount Soledad

The final day is a short one so we roll out late, trying to get to La Jolla at 1:00 for pictures before we enter the CAF picnic at 2:00.We ride through Camp Pendleton and through Carlsbad, and Encinitas.  We rode by our Monday Night Pizza spots and down to Pannikin Coffee, where I used to meet every Friday morning for many years before I took the position at Open Doors.  Grammy, George, Vicki, Marion, Jody and Lori showed up and that was just great.  I didn't realize that this was a traditional stop for the CAF ride so we had many other riders with us.

Hannah in front of my fellow riders at Pannikin Coffee House

Grammy, Vicki, me and Lori at Pannikin

So we slowly rode through Del Mar, up the last big hill at Torrey Pines and in to a park to stage ourselves for entry into Kellogg Park. We took a group picture and then we went into the end of ride party.  Another surprise is that the Patel family was there to greet me.  I am so blessed by friends.

Crossing the finish line after 620 miles

Mira Patel, Hannah and Luke and Devin Patel 

The ride raised over $1,400,000 for Challenged Athletes

But I had said that I wanted to finish at Mount Soledad.  I wasn't really tired but nobody I rode with wanted to ride up the 3 mile, 800' it would take to get there.  But my father's military history is on a plaque at the park and my faith, my history and my training seemed to mean that there is where I should finish.  By myself, riding alone but then met by family and friends.  It seemed a little grandiose but I had talked about it and as I want up the hill I felt really strong. 

So now the ride is finished.  A great adventure.  A mixture of an accomplishment and great experience.  Will I ride again next year?  I would think about it.  I have some time to think about it.  But for now, a lazy weekend ahead, trying to overcome the usual letdown after a big event.  I'll probably register for the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon in January and then some other races till I may do the Vineman 1/2 Ironman in Napa in July.  It's Darcy and my 20th anniversary that week and that seems like a good combination to me.  Darcy is still undecided though.

Thanks for keeping up with me, praying for me, supporting me financially and just asking how I am doing.

Blessed,

Tom   

Day 5 - Santa Barbara to Santa Monica - 86 Miles, 1,900' climb

We rolled out from Santa Barbara with my friend Sully.  He was having some tendonitis in his legs so we were determined not to go with any faster riders and take our time "meandering" down the coast.  At Pt. Magu Naval Air station, we had our picture taken with a poster of John. He had rode the CAF for the last few years but after last year's ride he found out he had pancreatic cancer. Now, he sits with few days left and his poster was taken down the coast and photo'd everywhere so he could know that he was missed. Special people on this ride. Very special people.

So the presentation at the end of the day was by Sarah Reinertsen. She spoke of her early disability and her desire to run, to compete and eventually be the first women with a prothsetic limb to finish the Kona Ironman. She missed the time cut-off the first time she tried but worked with John Howard (World-record biker from day 1) and eventually finished the Kona Ironman in under 15 hours. She also is on the cover of ESPN Magazine "The Body" issue. What an inspirations speaker. This is exactly why I brought the kids, not the Body issue, but meeting people who overcame great challenges.. These are things that you don't learn in school.


Great hotel again, Le Marigot in Santa Monica.  Great view from our room.  Great ride with a great rider.  It is a little sad since entering LA means that we are nearing the end of the ride.

View from our room at Le Marigot Beach Hotel in Santa Monica