Day One: Sunday, May 31, 2009
Daly City to Santa Cruz (80mi.)
It's still dark. I haven't been up this early since my parents used to drive my sister and I to Disneyland for a weekend vacation. We'd hop in the car, still in our pajamas and half asleep. Whispering for no other reason than we're "not supposed to" be awake yet and feeling like it's still the middle of the night, tiptoeing around in a near hurry as if we were trying to sneak out before the sun came up and exposed our plan. Pack our pillows and our favorite stuffed animals; mom and dad pack the suitcase; put the cooler of milk, lunch meat, and condiments in between the two front seats of the minivan; pack the grocery bag of mini cereal boxes, bread and road snacks between my middle bench seat and the sliding side door. Then back to sleep until we wake up in front of the "Welcome to Disneyland" sign as if Mickey brought us there by his own magic.
This still-dark morning doesn't feel quite the same as those of my early childhood, however I still have that twinge of excitement which washes away any exhausted burning in my sleepy eyes. Replace pajamas for bike gear, teddy bears for camelbacks, milk and cereal with Red Bull and Cliff Bars. We've been training for this for months now; he on the bike, and I in my patience. I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm proud, I'm sad, I'm worried, I'm confident...
4:00am - up and at 'em
I can't believe I'm doing this...
I'm so excited for him, but I'm so worried for him!
4:50am - en route to the Cow Palace
Crack me open a Red Bull.
Coffee would have been a good idea...
5:15am - arrive at Cow Palace
Here we go...!
Man these people are crazy.
5:30am - check in, breakfast
Sweet, Cinnamon rolls?!!
Is that going to be enough breakfast for the next 70 miles?
6:00am - Opening Ceremonies, warm up
I'm nervous.
This is so exciting!
6:30am - Announcements: we raised $10.5million!!
Holy Sh*t.
Oh my God! That's so powerful.
6:45am - to the bikes!
I'm ready!!
Ah! Here we go! Exciting, but sad.
6:55am - hop on and say goodbye
Here I go! I'll miss you.
Ride safe and have fun! I'll miss you.
7:00am - the ride begins! supporters cheer on the riders.
I'm doing this. Let's go!
Where is he? Where is he?
7:10am - exit Cow Palace and hit the road
Bye!!
There he is! There he is! Bye!!! Good luck!!!
8:45am - Rest stop one
"I'm doing good. No matter how many I pass there are always a thousand more ahead of me."
Phew! So far so good. So happy for him! This is so exciting.
8:55am - Back on the road
"Only 55 miles left."
Ok, well I can sleep better now. zzzzz...
10:45am - Lunch stop
"...this is killer...also my ass hurts."
He's doing so great!
12:00pm (??) On the road again
2:05pm - Rest stop three
"Only another 20 or so and I'm there."
Wow, I'm so impressed. He's amazing!
2:10pm - Pie Break!
Pleasant surprise.
Haha, random.
2:15pm (??) Back on the road for the last leg
2:45pm - Arrive in Santa Cruz!
I made it! It wasn't that bad either. Tired, but doing good.
Congratulations! I'm so impressed. Have a great time and get some rest!
8:00pm Bed time
I miss you.
I miss you.
9:15pm Goodnight
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
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