Simi/ Ojai Century Ride- 100 miles

Yup! I decided to do the Simi/ Ojai Century ride on Saturday 4/29/06 and I've lived to tell about it. Many people have told me that this ride is harder than any day on our ride in June. It was filled with hills, hills and more hills. Four large ones (o.k. 2 but we went up and down them on the way there and on the way back). We met at the Simi Regal movie theater parking lot and headed through simi towards Moorpark. The weather was overcast and cool. Everything was going well until I was almost to the top of Grimmes Canyon, when I noticed I had a flat tire, then another, and another and yet another. Four flat tires within 10 miles. Heather my cycle partner for the day was nice enough to stay back with me and Bob one of our ALC training leaders was amazing. Bob helped me with my tires situation and even knew of a bike shop in Santa Paula which we ended up stopping at to get the tires checked, not to mention new tubes. Then we were back on the path to Ojai.

There were so many breath taking views. Everything was so green and beautiful. The orange groves between Filmore and Santa Paula were gorgeous. We arrived at the Summit a resturant at the top of Ojai Rd before decending into Ojai. Some of the views that we saw coming down into Ojai reminded me of New Zealand's rowling greeen hills. We stopped at a park were Team Venture training leaders Mom & Dad had an amazing picnic set up for us in the park. We filled our water bottles and camelbaks and filled our tummies. Mom & Dad were so sweet and a joy to see.

We took off for the ride home back towards Simi. I was doing well until we hit Grimmes Canyon. I "bonked" "hit a wall" and was so exhausted that I walked my bike up most of the way up the hill--two-thirds from the top I was "SAG'd up to the top by one of the cycle leader's wives who had a mini van and picked me up and drove me to the rest stop at the top of the hill. After refuling, eating and having a little rest, we were back on our way towards home. On our way into Moorpark I noticed a a WWI fighter biplane and a WWII fighter plane were circling about our heads. They were flying really low so we got to see them pretty closely. We then went through old town Moorpark on our way back to Simi. We had finally made it back to the car. (photo is of a turn on Grimmes Canyon)

I have to give big props to Bob and Heather. Bob taught both Heather and I about climbing, decending, proper bike fit, etc during our ride. It was like having our own private instructor on the climb. He was so laid back with all the strange things that happened on our ride and was just amazing. Heather, was my cheerleader and constant support. This was my third ALC training ride with her and she was a huge help and a sweetheart.

One thing that I am noticing with each ride, is that everyone is so laid back. Not competitive and very very giving and helpful. If one ALCer is down 5-10 stop to help. Amazing. I am glad to be a part of this group.

A huge thank you to those of you who were on call for me on Saturday. I am very thankful that you were available for me and I am glad that I did not need to call on you to pick me up on my route.