So, let me take you to the beginning, or at least to Friday evening when we and most other participants/racers had to take the journey with their bicycles from Long Beach over to Avalon, Santa Catalina Island.
We opted to take the Catalina Express and took a not so smooth journey across the approximately 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. The recent storm that come all the way down from Alaska had indeed left, but she left some rough seas in her wake.
After an hours ride by ferry we had made it safe and sound to our windy destination.
 Got our tickets! |  Crew, loading the bikes. |
And after a lovely first night at our chosen hotel THE SNUG HARBOR INN, on the following morning we literally only had to go downstairs sign our waivers and pick up our race packets before heading over to the start line which was at the iconic Catalina Casino.
Let me tell you how much better I felt doing the ride this year versus last year (2014).
Yes I still huffed and puffed, but it was all very much easier, with fewer breaks, and no rubbery noodles!
The exact same horrible climbs were still a part of the course, but there was one major factor being different - the weather!
The temperatures were considerably lower and for the most part the sun was shaded by some beautiful overcast clouds. This was certainly more appealing cycling weather in my book!
Let me tell you how much better I felt doing the ride this year versus last year (2014).
Yes I still huffed and puffed, but it was all very much easier, with fewer breaks, and no rubbery noodles!
The exact same horrible climbs were still a part of the course, but there was one major factor being different - the weather!
The temperatures were considerably lower and for the most part the sun was shaded by some beautiful overcast clouds. This was certainly more appealing cycling weather in my book!
Looking down from my hotel room at the SNUG HARBOR INN
 Heading to the start line |  |
Although I had certainly remembered much of the hellified climb, what I did somehow forget was exactly how soon it begins...you turn a corner and all of a sudden there you are looking up with barely enough time to switch gears.
Plus if you are anything like me - then you suck at shifting gears.
Really, I don't know what the heck is my problem. I go to downgear and most of the time I instead shift into a more difficult gear than what I was already in.
No bueno. No fun.
I am persistent though - and I fight through it. There is no way that I'm stepping my foot down because of my own lameness. I don't care if I go slow or how slow I go, but I'm gonna be pedaling - not hiking my bike.
Well, not too far up the route (about 1 mile in), I got a flat! BOO.
I've seen the poor unfortunate souls who get flats as I pass them by on other rides and now that poor unfortunate soul was little 'ol me!
Plus if you are anything like me - then you suck at shifting gears.
Really, I don't know what the heck is my problem. I go to downgear and most of the time I instead shift into a more difficult gear than what I was already in.
No bueno. No fun.
I am persistent though - and I fight through it. There is no way that I'm stepping my foot down because of my own lameness. I don't care if I go slow or how slow I go, but I'm gonna be pedaling - not hiking my bike.
Well, not too far up the route (about 1 mile in), I got a flat! BOO.
I've seen the poor unfortunate souls who get flats as I pass them by on other rides and now that poor unfortunate soul was little 'ol me!
Flat or Not, I'm still smiling. Dave is repairing the flat.
I've had my Kona Mountain Bike for almost 6 years and this is actually the very first flat that I've even gotten. So knock on wood, or a tree trunk that I don't get another for another 6 years!
Anyhow, reason being that I apparently ran over a thorn who wasn't too happy and was out for revenge!
One guy in particular that we all managed to pass was an old timer. And for most of that initial grueling climb he was in fact hiking his bike. But at the ripe age of 89 years old I say we all give him a pass!
As I passed him I jokingly told him that he needed to speed it up, because I was going for last place! LOL
Anyhow, reason being that I apparently ran over a thorn who wasn't too happy and was out for revenge!
One guy in particular that we all managed to pass was an old timer. And for most of that initial grueling climb he was in fact hiking his bike. But at the ripe age of 89 years old I say we all give him a pass!
As I passed him I jokingly told him that he needed to speed it up, because I was going for last place! LOL
Still had to huff and puff!
This guy is a local Catalina Island resident and has participated and finished in all of the 4 annual Catalina Gran Fondo Races. As you pass him, you'll notice the feathers strapped onto his handlebars.
Dave had made the inquiry - both of us curious as to if they were mementos from the Vision Quest rides, but rather he has placed them there to remind himself to be careful!
He has collected a Raven's feather for each time that he has taken an unplanned departure from his saddle (a fall) in the past 6 years. And he actually hasn't got all that many.
Falling hurts, and if you only fall and get hurt while riding these crazy hills in Catalina then consider yourself very lucky!
With 384 riders this year, he is definitely the oldest, and I'll tell ya one thing...even if I still have it in me at 89 years old - I do not by any means think that I'll be interested in doing this particular ride!
At that point I think I'll be happy staying in the side lines cheering other people on!
But kudos to this guy, to me and to all of the other riders, fast or slow or in between who toughed it out!
Because once we were faced with the steep graded first climb out of town, there were actually some people who said "screw it", turned around and backed out of the race altogether!
Dave had made the inquiry - both of us curious as to if they were mementos from the Vision Quest rides, but rather he has placed them there to remind himself to be careful!
He has collected a Raven's feather for each time that he has taken an unplanned departure from his saddle (a fall) in the past 6 years. And he actually hasn't got all that many.
Falling hurts, and if you only fall and get hurt while riding these crazy hills in Catalina then consider yourself very lucky!
With 384 riders this year, he is definitely the oldest, and I'll tell ya one thing...even if I still have it in me at 89 years old - I do not by any means think that I'll be interested in doing this particular ride!
At that point I think I'll be happy staying in the side lines cheering other people on!
But kudos to this guy, to me and to all of the other riders, fast or slow or in between who toughed it out!
Because once we were faced with the steep graded first climb out of town, there were actually some people who said "screw it", turned around and backed out of the race altogether!
Dave and I rode up on our own custom ride, stopping at the first aid station which was 3 miles in at a much better pace than that of our 2014 ride. We had some fresh juicy watermelon and took some photos, then hopped back onto our bikes and continued up to the Airport in the Sky. We got a hoot out of this tiny little airport and I just loved the old retro hanger.
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We stopped. We shopped. We used the potty. We snacked.
I happened to notice how much I stank!!! Eww.
Yup I said it - this ride had made me stink! Boy did I need a shower. Badly.
And then we headed back towards Avalon. By this time we were at over 10 miles (which doesn't seem like much, but mountain biking miles are much more difficult that road miles), and with about 11 more to go my booty began to get quite sore.
Yes my BUTT HURT a lot!
I won't go into anything else that might be TMI. But (hehe) you get the picture.
I happened to notice how much I stank!!! Eww.
Yup I said it - this ride had made me stink! Boy did I need a shower. Badly.
And then we headed back towards Avalon. By this time we were at over 10 miles (which doesn't seem like much, but mountain biking miles are much more difficult that road miles), and with about 11 more to go my booty began to get quite sore.
Yes my BUTT HURT a lot!
I won't go into anything else that might be TMI. But (hehe) you get the picture.
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The one thing that I missed out on seeing last year during my ride was a buffalo, and so that was my goal for this years ride. Yup to see a buffalo!
Kinda funny huh?!
While I didn't have any timed or distance goals - I just wanted to see a buffalo! And luckily I have got a decent eye for wildlife. Because once we were on our way back from the airport, I had spotted one off in the distance and captured a few photos.
Kinda funny huh?!
While I didn't have any timed or distance goals - I just wanted to see a buffalo! And luckily I have got a decent eye for wildlife. Because once we were on our way back from the airport, I had spotted one off in the distance and captured a few photos.
Now why are the buffalos here anyway???
In 1924, fourteen bison were brought to the island for the filming of the silent film version of Zane Grey's Western tale 'The Vanishing American'.
And guess what...the scenes with the bison in them did not make it into the final cut!
Due to cost overruns, the film company decided to leave the bison on the island instead of bringing them back to the mainland.
Over the decades, the bison herd grew to as many as 600 individuals. Today the size of the Catalina Island bison herd is maintained at population of about 150 animals.
In 1924, fourteen bison were brought to the island for the filming of the silent film version of Zane Grey's Western tale 'The Vanishing American'.
And guess what...the scenes with the bison in them did not make it into the final cut!
Due to cost overruns, the film company decided to leave the bison on the island instead of bringing them back to the mainland.
Over the decades, the bison herd grew to as many as 600 individuals. Today the size of the Catalina Island bison herd is maintained at population of about 150 animals.
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Dave and I eventually made it back into town, crossed the finish line, and got lei'd. And while most of the other cyclists were enjoying the beach and a beer after the ride.
We headed back to our hotel room and I took that much needed shower.
Keepin' it Real,
-T
We headed back to our hotel room and I took that much needed shower.
Keepin' it Real,
-T
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