Our heart bits went way up and beyond for non-stop pounding on our pedal. We struggle multiple times on those huge and long up hills, and almost past out trying to keep up together with  our healthy club members that we admire. And the whole story begins…

Early Sunday morning the 3^rd of August 2003 was a little over forecast when couple of SDTC riders gathers at the Del Mar Heights Shopping Center. We also had a new guest Paul Noy that was eager to meet SDTC members to make new friends and eventually will be joining our ride using his single road bike. In addition, Ron Spiewak also showed up at the meeting place just to let everyone aware that Debbie is not feeling well and they both cannot join said ride. Were hoping that Debbie will feel better soon and be able to ride with us by next time. Ron also reminds us about the motorcycle ride that he’s trying to coordinate for next weekend.

Its nine quarter and our ride leader Jerry & Jeannie starts to hand-out ride itinerary printout then held our pre-ride meeting and discuss the route in more detail. Per Team JJ, the route that we are doing were borrow from Tony & Sarah’s secret bike route which is actually Tony’s current training trails in preparation for his coming Tour De Australia for 12 consecutive weeks.

Now the clouds are starting to burn-out and spotted blue skies are starting to show up in Far East inland and……… we’re still at the parking lot having a good time for chatting. Our wife/girlfriend are all having a good time socializing and they are all laughing & smiling. I recall and remember on the very first thing I’ve learned in this Tandem group is to make our stoker happy and comfortable, so therefore, all captains just go with the chatting flow too.

All of a sudden, another tandem had show-up at the meeting place. Steve and Zuzzane had start riding very early from their home at Oceanside to meet as along our planed route. They kept open their eyes as they approaching Del Mar area on the way south and found us still on the parking lot after their twenty three miles warm-up ride. Their present brought an attention to all that it’s about time to start for a ride.

And then the ride begins……. The actual ride starts at nine thirty morning and climb up the El Camino Real with Tony & Sarah on the way out front that made everyone get warm instantly. After reaching the El Camino Real peak, a decent long down hill gave us an opportunity to catch-up on our breath. But everyone shift to big gear and maintain their outstanding cadence which forces us to pedal harder. This is our first experience having a hard time on a down hill and got drop way behind.

We continue to roll along San Dieguito Road and then to the wealthy neighborhood of Rancho Sante Fe. We are now surrounded with multi-billion estate homeland where rich and famous reside. Front horse ranch and huge garden home scenery are just normal panorama within this area. San Fe area are popular to many road cyclist for their great country rolling hill routes specially on the weekend that many big cycling group/team are taking advantage of this beautiful route. Jerry & Jeannie have an S pattern route to cover the entire Santa Fe area and took the lead on high speed pace. Unfortunately, Gery & Virginia are running low on fuel and just enjoy great scenery along the road and of course got fall behind further…and further…

The sun is up straight above us and pulling lots of energy. To sustain our strength, Sarah made a call to re-energize. Lunch is an ultimate answer. The deli food we choose for lunch has a variety of good healthy foodstuff and everyone order some sandwich which really revives us from our fading vigor. More food and more chatting…

We hit the road again after lunch and we head up towards west to pacific coast. Steve and Zuzzane had split out with our group at our turn around point by Cardiff State Beach. Paul our guest was so excited on the route we are taking and maintain his second position most of the time. Heading south of Pacific Coastal Highway has fabulous ocean sceneries. Local and foreign visitor’s are all over the place and tons of surfer’s can view on far west distance on the ocean blue. We have enjoyed so much of the ride and the outstanding scenery along the way and.........we’re all surprised to see back our starting point after thirty six miles of enjoyments.

 Thanks to all and huts-off to Jerry & Jeannie for another great ride. Ride pictures can be view on my photo album web site and just look for “SDTC Ride August 3, 2003”  (http://www.picturetrail.com/gerryphotoalbum).

See you all next ride,

Gery & Virginia