The blog site was down two days ago so I couldn't update. Probably, that was good so no one would worry about us for the last day. Thursday, we knew would be very difficult, but no idea of how treacherous. We set out for the mountain early. Winds were calm and the temps warm but we would climb before it got too hot. We started out strong and well rested. Hard, but not impossible. The climb was steep and long,26 miles before there was enough of a plateau for a break for a water break. By then it was already 90 degrees and 10:00 in the morning. Ron's tire went flat! Thank goodness it didn't happen on the climb.
We grabbed a snack and started up again. We had another very difficult several miles before getting a break with a quick downhill. We were descending at 35 mph when one of our front panniers broke off at the bottom and then flipped onto the road. The front pedal struck it and almost flipped the tandem. Bob caught control and we came to a stop without falling. I ran back and retrieved the panniers off the road before another car came along. We secured it and again continued upward. The ride was breathtaking with canyons dropping deep on the right just feet away. At some points I couldn't look. One mistake and there wouldn't be a second chance.
Then the unbelievable!!! The chain came off our bike! Climbing a mountain and NO control! Bob turned the front wheel over to the left to avoid the drop off the road but that meant we had to swerve into the traffic lane. We had just come around a curve. As we pulled into the lane I could hear a car coming toward us. I just kept saying over and over "a car is coming, a car is coming"! The bike tipped over and we both rolled. The car was able to stop right behind us. The woman didn't even ask if we were okay. Ron was nearby and he was expecting the worse.
The mountain ended for the day at Pine Valley. It was a beautiful little town. Everyone told us that the last peak was hard but then it was all downhill from there.
We took off expecting a rather easy day. Bob and I didn't even put on our heart rate monitors because we expected resting heart rates with so much downhill to the ocean. Obviously, no one had ever gone all the way. All day long we climbed more mountains. Each time we thought it had to be the last, we'd look ahead to see another mountain to climb. The climbs continued until two miles from the ocean. But we made it!
Arriving at the ocean was an experience that no words can describe. Tears just rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. Unless you've done it, you can't believe the feeling!
We are now on Coronado island just relaxing. We spent all the morning making preparations for shipping home the bikes and all the equipment. What a job! Then we headed by bus to the downtown area for lunch and some looking around. While we were eating, sitting right in the window of the restaurant, we saw all the commotion! People began to gather and instantly police cars surrounded the area. We went outside to learn that a man just shot a woman! Police immediately wrapped crime scene tape around the entire block. We heard on the news later that an 80 year old man shot a 40 year old woman in the head. She is dead.
We are leaving the island tomorrow and going to stay in old town just to experience more of San Diego before heading out on Tuesday. The weather is cool, only in the sixties. It hasn't been this cool for us since leaving the snow in Michigan in March. It will be nice to return to another spring and start of summer.
The trip holds so many memories. Those of us who rode together will remain more than friends forever. We came together as strangers, being so careful about what was said or done to respect each person's privacy and space. After two months of spending every minute together, nothing was private. There were no secrets, no topic off limits. It amazes us all that we got along so well in the worse conditions possible. We worked together to survive and accomplish what we all set out to do. We rode from ocean to ocean! Mission accomplished!
Thanks to all who cheered us on, for the encouraging words and staying with us in spirit. We love you all and will be home soon now.
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