Rode the Wildflower Bike Course yesterday. The weather cooperated
as we didn't get a drop of rain on us and had the sun on our backs
most of the day. It took about 2 hours to drive to the South Shore
at Lake San Antonio from Monetery.

Here are my initial thoughts about the bike course:
- Overall, the bike course was more challenging than I anticipated.
The Wildflower website says its a difficult course, but until I rode
it myself I didn't have an appreciation for the hills.
- The roads are not in very good condition. No shoulder (although
that won't matter for race day), and lots of bumps, cracks
(especially on Jolon Rd), and rocks.
- There are hills out of the transition area all the way to mile 16
on Interlake Rd.
- Then the last couple miles of Interlake Rd through the end of
Jolon Road is fairly fast riding, eventhough this is the worst
strecth of bad road (severe cracks, pot holes, and rocks). There
are some small rollers at the beginning of Jolon Rd (mile 20), but
its still fast until you reach the beginning of Nacimiento Rd (mile
33).
- Nacimiento Rd is hilly and windy (at least it was windy
yesterday). Also, this road had several rock slide areas and
flooded areas (which had dried up when I was riding it).
- At mile 40 the fun began. It was a sustained climb for several
miles. Then shortly after getting back on Interlake Rd there is a
steep downhill for a couple of miles (48 MPH on my bike computer).
- I thought the hills were over, but was mistaken. There are still
several small hills to climb before re-entering San Antonio Drive.

I'm planning on riding the course a couple more times before race
day. Also, I would like to run the trails a couple of times as
well. Please let me know if you're interested.

I'm going to try and post some of the pics I took yesterday under
the photos section.

Dave Meteyer
meteyer@...