 |
|
Day 2 Monterey LDTSG Trip Report by Vicki PeltonI was the only one to ride the second day at the Monterey LDTSG Trip so I thought I'd write up a trip report. Monterey LDTSG Trip Report Sunday, 5 March 2000 (second day) After such a glorious ride the day before, with questionable weather the next day, people were not too eager for a second day of riding in Monterey. It had poured during the night but in the morning there was just a very slight drizzle & a bit of wind. Well, ok, there were 40 mph gusts, but hey, there's spectacular scenery to be seen. (I heard from a reliable source (the clerk at the Mini-Mart) that this is the strongest wind they've had in a very long time.) It turns out I was the only one that wanted to do the route, so with map & route sheet in hand, I was off. As I entered 17 Mile Drive, the wind really picked up. There was an ominous sound above me. I looked up just in time to see a limb coming my way. I scurried out of the way just in time & the limb fell harmlessly two feet from me. That was a close call. Seventeen Mile Drive then made it's way toward the beach. Right when I got out into the open, not only did the wind pick up but it also started raining. I thought I'd make my way to a more protected area to add more clothes. I was headed downhill to the ocean but the wind was so strong I was almost at a standstill. With much effort, I finally made it into a protected area. And viola. The rain & wind stopped. How nice. I even saw a few Monarch butterflies fluttering about. As the road wound its way along the coast, I was awed by the vigorous surf, whipped up by the strong winds. I enjoyed watching the huge waves pound on the rocks. The churning ocean created a lot of foam that was piling up along the shore. As each wave came in, it surged under the foam & lifted it up, making it look like a witch's cauldron, ready to be served to its next victim. Foam & salt spray were blowing across the road in front of me. Yesterday people were saying they were hungering for salt. Today, they would just have to stick out their tongues to get their salt al fresco. It turns out I missed a turn so had to do the 17 Mile Drive part of the trip backwards. I had to reverse the directions, but that was no problem. South of Carmel the route made its way into the Carmel Highlands. The route took me into some hilly residential areas on both sides of Highway 1. The route eventually made its way right along the edge of a cliff. A foot high rock curb was the only thing that separated me from a 200 foot drop down to the pounding surf. I stopped to admire one of the incredible scenes that California has to offer. The strong winds were adding extra energy to the surf as it pounded upon the incredible array of cliff & rocks at the water's edge. The houses were clinging precariously to the cliff & were as close to the ocean as possible without actually being washed away. No manicured lawns here. Just sheer raw nature at work. As I marveled at the wonders below me, I was wondering what the other bicyclists were doing. Shopping perhaps? It became clear I had made the right decision. I have seen the highest sea cliffs in the world (on Molokai in Hawaii), but this place was more thrilling, since I was closer to the action of the waves. With renewed vigor, I continued my trip. After I turned around on Highway 1 & made my way back towards Carmel, I decided to stop at a sculpture garden/gas station/espresso shop. I was ready for a break & hot chocolate sounded good to me. As I was waiting in line for my drink, my bicycle helmet in hand, I must have looked like a drowned rat. My hair & jacket were soaked (although I was moderately dry inside). A gentleman next to me, in a calm tone, asked me, "Is this a good day for a bike ride?" I was laughing inside at his calm question since he was obviously incredulous I would be out in such weather. I replied I was enjoying myself, though I would have chosen different weather. It was quite a treat to be sipping hot chocolate (topped with whipped cream) while strolling through the sculpture garden. I especially liked the sculpture/water features since I have a water lily pond at home. I made my way to the inside part of the gallery. At that very moment, the drizzle turned into a downpour. The gallery owner commented it looked like the rain was in for the long run. I looked out the window forlornly. Here I was 20 miles from my car, imagining riding my bike on busy Highway 1 in a downpour. I sighed & figured I have finally met my match. I just couldn't continue. I wandered through the gallery as I tried to figure out what to do next. I finished looking at all the artwork on display & realized I would have to make a decision soon. At that very moment, the rain turned back to a drizzle. I was saved. I could continue on my way. After the downpour, the drizzle seemed inconsequential. It's still tricky to be riding on curving Highway 1 with virtually no shoulder in a drizzle, but at least I was headed home. Then I heard a funny "thup thup thup" noise. Even as a beginner I figured that didn't sound quite right. I glanced back & found I had a flat tire & of course it had to be the rear tire. Before the trip I had a friend show me how to change a tire, but I had never actually done it myself. I wanted to learn but these weren't quite the conditions I had in mind. At this point it's drizzling, I'm on a busy, winding highway & the shoulder is not only narrow (a foot wide), it's mud. I figured I couldn't change it there so started walking, thinking, how much worse can it get? It turns out I should have asked, how can it get better? Over the rise I found a side street with a nice driveway that allowed me to get off the road; & then the rain stopped. Things were looking better. I got out my tools & then racked my brain to try to remember what my friend had told me. It was a bit overwhelming at first but I figured I should just take it one step at a time. I took a mental picture of how everything fit together before I dismantled it. To make a long story short, I was able to patch the tube & get everything all put back together. Success!! I felt quite a sense of accomplishment after the task was complete. There was a lot of aluminum oxide on my rims & the rain made a slurry of it. In the process of changing the tire, I succeeded in getting my hands completed covered with it. Not having enough water to wash up, I noticed the gutters were full of water so proceeded to wash up in the gutter. As cars whizzed by on Highway 1, I was wondering if I looked like a homeless person washing up. I finally got on my bike & headed off down hill. The road was very wet so I applied my brakes to keep my speed in check. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I had forgotten to hook up my rear brakes!! Having only front brakes on a steep, wet, downhill is not my idea of fun. I carefully stopped & hooked up my rear brakes. I hope I never make that mistake again. At the next shopping center I was able to really wash up. I woman in the restroom was concerned for my welfare since my hands were still quite black. Upon hearing my story, she exclaimed, "You changed the tire yourself? In the rain?" She was dutifully impressed. Then it was time for a well deserved bowl of hot soup & lunch, & a place out of the wind. After my meal, I went to a gas station to fill my tire, since I figured I didn't get full pressure with my tiny hand pump. After a gazillion strokes on my hand pump, it was quite a luxury to be able to use a compressor. I contemplated taking the easiest way back, but then I realized it had sort of stopped raining so I might as well complete the route as published. I was following the route backwards & so now I headed into the more rural sections of 17 Mile Drive. Instead of the usual flower beds, I was surrounded by natural vegetation. Much more to my liking. I was thoroughly enjoying the scenery & stopping at turnouts to absorb it all. Twice, people in their cars stopped to ask me directions. I guess they figured if I was out on a bike in such weather, I must be a local (or is it loco?) For both people, I was able to answer their questions, since I had just come from where they asked about. I was glad to help out. I finished the 17 Mile Drive Loop & headed back to my car. My motel had let me park my car at their place so I went in to let them know I was now taking it. When the woman at the front desk saw me, she exclaimed, "You were out riding in this weather?" and quickly handed me a towel & let me change my clothes in their laundry area. I packed up the bike & drove to the downtown area of Pacific Grove to get a bite to eat. The town shuts down way early on Sundays so I had to make due with cookies from the Mini-Mart. As I drove back to Redwood City, munching chocolate chip cookies, I reviewed my day. And an exhilarating day it was. From fighting the wind & rain, to near failure to complete the trip, to spectacular crashing surf on rocky outcroppings, to success at my first tire change, it had been quite a day. --Vicki Pelton |
|
