Nice to meet
@Earn Your View yesterday.
It was a Misty day, riding in the cloud for a few hours. A friend of mine texted me about 7am that he was in, prior to that I had no close friends doing the event. So, we tried to ride together.
I did notice early on that there was no marshall/volunteer at the 10/25 mile split. (Foreshadowing)
A couple of riders had less than spectacular days. Riding the 25 at the slow end we got to the Vista downhill just as a couple of Rangers showed up for a downed rider.
One Ranger with an attitude declared the trail closed (he asked us what trail it was and said he was from another park, I bet he is still a jerk at that park)
So, we went up to Monastery Road to connect up. My buddy was concerned about the no bikes signs, but I told him we have to move on.
So later, just past the Red Monkey banana aid on the mesa another rider asked me how many miles I had. I told him just under 10 and he said we should be right near the finish. I was a bit shocked and then felt pain, for him. I said, "Dude are you doing the 10 mile?"
He responded yes and then I pointed out the big turn he had missed. And there was noone there pointing which way to go. They did send the 10 milers at the same time as the 25 milers. They did tell the the 10 milers to he at the back. I think a 3-5 minute gap between the groups could have been all the difference.
So, I steered him down Antonio back to the start.
We rode along and I did not pay attention to all of the pre event instructions because I have done this many times and I know everything.
Well, I didn't know that Dove Canyon was the only test stop for the 25 mile. Thankfully, I needed no further support, I was just unknowing.
A bit further along we see a Helo of orbiting, we hope for no bad news. We get to Look so and cross and head down Antonio. And then there is a river of riders coming back to us. Word is someone went down on Waterworks. A few guys near went forward to Spitfire, but we went back down to Oso and into the Arroyo and back to the start.
Overall a good ride, just hard enough for a 25 mile ride should be for a fat, old guy like me.
Got some good Habit burger and a few beers in the beer garden. Didn't win any big raffle items, but they were throwing things of the stage into the crowd. I said I would like one of those ODI coozies in orange. Next toss was right at me and I caught it with only a few golden nectar drops spilled.
I did rub off some of my winning mojo to a couple I just met, she won a $250 gift card.
Overall, a good time and party, even with the Misty weather.
So, Doug Grant said this was it, because they are tired of doing it. I totally get that. Later, in the parking lot some dude unknown to me told me to watch my email for something to come. So, take take that for the randomness it is worth.
At the beginning I also saw
@Grego who said Vincent was doing the whole thing.
In the beer garden I also saw
@horsebikerider and talked to her briefly. Seems J did not get voluntold this year.
Sounds like they may put it on elsewhere since they mentioned final in Orange County.
