A dream (bike ride) is coming true!

It's been on my "Someday/Maybe" list for over 20 years.

"Multi-day bike ride the California Coast."

I still remember my first mountain bike. A steel-frame Fuji. I bought it on lay-away over a school-year in 1986. This was long before I'd heard of bike cleats or triathlons; but boy did I love riding those fire roads of West Marin County.

Well, years later, and the owner of aluminum, titanium AND carbon fiber bikes, I am proud to declare my intention to complete one of my life life goals.

And, I invite anyone reading this to join us as well! I received a note from a fellow rider in Marin (thanks Nancy!). Something to the effect of, "Hey Jason, I want to get some road miles in pretty soon." Well, two or three e-mails later, we'd collected a few like-minded (crazy!) souls, and we're planning a "Big Ride" to begin on March 1st, 2007.

We are hoping to expand the group, so call in to work, use some of that "time off" you've accrued, and ride with us! Here's a brief overview...

Click this Link: California Coastline: 1 March (for three days of riding!).

Day 1: We will push off from the Golden Gate Bridge this year at 7:00 am. We'll travel as light as possible*, our packs full with a change of clothes, credit cards and cash. We will weave our way through the Presidio onto the Great Highway. Turn south and drop down to Pacifica. Go on Hwy 1 along Devil's Slide. Stop in Half Moon Bay for a refill of liquids. Stop in Davenport for what could be your last meal for a very long time. Pray for a tail wind and go straight through Santa Cruz. Rule of thumb.if you see the sea in Santa Cruz, you're going the wrong way.or at least the long way. Ride into the sunset and stop in Seaside by Monterey at the Holiday Inn Express. This is roughly 138 miles. (*FedEx is an option!)

Day 2: Starting at 7am again, we'll ride to Big Sur where you can stop and have the biggest and best breakfast you can imagine. Directly following, you will experience a series of hills and breathtaking sights that will leave you both defeated and rejuvenated. Stop in Morro Bay at the Days Inn with roughly 125 miles added to your legs.

Day 3: Starting at 7am again. This is what many consider the hardest day, roughly 125 miles, but the most desolate and longest climbs of the ride. Have breakfast in San Luis Obispo and jump on your steed for a day of attrition. Weave through Lompoc and stop for lunch at Subway on the main drag. Hop onto 101 South till you see the sign for bikers to get off of the highway. Spend the night in Santa Barbara at the Lemon Tree Inn. When you get to this point it feels real good. The weather changes to sunshine and the hills are behind you. This is the day of attrition because typically more than half of the group ends their Ride at this point, only the Strong keep going. :-) Those who stop after Day 3 will rent cars from Santa Barbara airport and drive back to SF that night or the following morning.