Day 1, March 6: San Diego to Alpine, CA

38 of 38 miles

All riders were awake this morning long before it was necessary for our 7 AM breakfast and 8 AM ride start. I just wanted to get on the road. We rode the three miles to Dog Beach at Ocean Beach for the official start. Allan and Jocelyne Broadribb from Sarasota (Allan flies gliders with Tony) happened to be visiting family near San Diego and they met me at Dog Beach for the festivities, which included the traditional dipping of the rear tire in the Pacific. It was a genuinely nice gesture for them to take time from their vacation to see me off!

By 9 AM we were on our way, on a bike path out of San Diego. Finally, the ride has begun! It was a very exciting moment with so many people cheering us on as we left town. The terrain was rolling hills for the first 25 miles as we dodged city and suburb traffic, and interstate entrance and exit ramps. The final ten miles consisted of a series of several long hills, mostly at very manageable grades. There were a few scenic vistas along the way. Only one person had a flat tire. And, only one person got lost, but quite lost so it seems. She did ten extra miles of hills. Most riders pulled into Alpine before 1:30-2 PM.

Linda Baldwin, our chef, put on a great spread for dinner including fresh fish prepared in her tiny kitchen in the back of the WomanTours van. The surprise at the end of dinner was a delicious birthday cake for me—yes, this birthday celebration has been going on for several days—arranged for by Tony in coordination with Linda. Not only did the riders appreciate this for tonight’s dessert, but I believe we have enough for tomorrow and Sunday as well. Therefore, I guess we will keep celebrating my 60th!

Carol and Jocelyne

Carol, Nancy, and Peggy at Dog Beach