Koast Ride 2009 Review

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The Koast Ride that was an Epic Adventure:
Hail, Rain, Wind, Snow, Sun,

Warning: There was a Flash Flood of enthusiasm and determination by the nine riders (Paul M., Paul A., Mark G., Terry, Kurt, Lance F., Christie, Louise and Steve La Rainmachine) and SAG driver extraordinaire Mike L who all made the un-sensible decision to drive to Carmel on Monday and ride back on Tuesday.

La Rainmachine started the day on Monday at 5am as he rode in the pouring wet up to Lake San Antonio where he met Mark G. and they both exhibited the only moment of common sense for the entire two days by deciding to return to Mark’s house to shower and ride up in the van. The multiple and triple rainbows seen on the drive north belied the stormy weather that lay ahead for us the next day. After a few beers upon arrival, a few more beers and hot buttered rum at the Hog’s Breath, and wine and great food at an Italian restaurant we retired to the hotel to catch the end of the last broadcast of the Tour for the day and get some sleep. Woken a few times by thunder and rain during the night we arose in the morning to Flash Flood warnings for the Big Sur area........still, at breakfast, we continued our un-sensible ways, had coffee, the biggest scones and Grizzly sized bear claws ever seen and headed out Junipero to Highway One and south a little after 7am.

7:15am - At first the roads were just wet and the wind in our faces but after ten or so miles the air became wet as it began to rain on and off the entire day. The road surface became more and more littered with debris and after the first stop at Fernwood (and the first of multiple changes of clothes for most) we rode through the muddy Flash Flood area, so much for Mark’s newly cleaned bike!! And so it went for the entire day, rain on and off, mud mostly on, and Cal Trans with their snowplow type vehicles moving rocks off the side of the road. Between Lucia and Ragged Point we not only had the pleasure of the rugged scenery (actually admired for a minute or two here and there...particularly the turquoise water, awesome clouds and green hillsides) and the ongoing head wind but a few minutes of very hard HAIL! OUCH! At Ragged Point we purchased hot food from the grill, put on warm clothes from the SAG vehicle and continued in bits and pieces toward Cambria. La Rainmachine was a man possessed and he lead the way the whole day. Louise, Mark and Paul A. left Ragged Point next while Kurt and Terry stayed to watch Lance eat his cheese burger and fries. Paul continued from Cambria down the coast to his car in Morro Bay, Mark stopped for "G" in Cambria and Louise headed on up to 46, afraid that any further stops would lead to no more go...It is hard to believe that the climb up 46 was one of the most enjoyable parts of the ride...the dry, warmer weather and TAIL WIND were a wonderful change after hours of the opposite. Kudos to all for pushing outside their physical and mental comfort level and supporting the efforts of each other. All were empowered by the effort that they had made, overcoming such extreme conditions, going further in worse weather than they would have ever expected, as follows: Christie rode to Lucia, Paul M. rode to Ragged Point (further than last year!) and then rode into Paso with La Rainmachine from the top of 46, La Rainmachine rode to Paso arriving at 5:30ish, Lance rode to Cambria, Louise and Mark rode into Paso arriving in last light at 5:50ish and Kurt and Terry rode to Vineyard and 46, being caught by the fast approaching darkness. Carmel to Paso…126 miles, 10 hours and 30 minutes overall elapsed time with each rider having his or her own ride time.

Special thanks to Mike L. for his SAG driving and crewing and to Kman for the use of the Van and trailer without which we would not have been able to have this Epic Adventure!