After 2 days of riding

I just got off the phone from my first conversation with Marilyn since she started riding.

Marilyn left a few days ahead to enjoy some time in San Francisco, she became the typical tourist, riding the Bart, going to the Pier, taking a boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoying many good meals.

Her bike arrived safely and was put together by her crew. Her bike was packed very well for the flight across the country. There are 27 riders on the trip along with 5 staff members and 2 vehicles. Of the 27, 5 will be riding the 1st leg only which is about 1,100 miles. And of the 27, 4 are female. Ages range from 29 to 74 and the 74 year old has done this trip before. Everytime I speak to Marilyn I will get more information on her fellow riders. One is from South Korea, one from Holland and another from England. She will room with Carol who is the same age as Marilyn, 60.

They started on Sunday getting up at 5 AM and on the road at 6:30 AM. They road on Balboa Street to the Pacific Ocean for their first photo shoot. But first when they arrived at the ocean they had to remove their shoes and socks, lift their bikes and walk down the stairs to the ocean, just for the photo. Good thing she has a new very light bike. Then they had to haul their bikes up the stairs and head towards the Golden Gate Bridge.

They are given maps each day and usually ride in smaller groups. It took the first day to find a group that fits your driving style and speed. It was extremely windy riding on the bridge.

One of the people that was in Marilyn's group was Rick from PA. He is 47 and his brother paid for his trip, he had recently lost 100 lbs and gave up smoking and he has not had an easy life. While riding on the road he hit a reflector and instantly he was off his bike and hurt. Of course Marilyn was right there and contacted 911 and the Sag wagon. Ambulance came and off to the hospital Rick went.

This small group soon discovered a problem, Rick was the only one that could read the map.....So they struggled and ended up going west on Rte 37 which is similar to our Rte 95 (special permission to be on this road) so they had to figure out a way to get over the eastbound lane which is where they should have been in the first place. And yes they were safe.

After a long first day, they all ate dinner and Rick returned from the hospital with a separated tendon and they all sat together and were in bed by 11 PM. Rick will be flying back to PA and hopes to meet up with the group when they arrive in Erie.

Those riding in Marilyn's group are Bob 74, Jack 51, Carol and Mary 37.

They were back on the road at 6 AM and off to Sacramento. Already Bob has fallen but is fine, another broke a set of handlebars but even with all the aches and pains they are all in very good shape.

The first day they all wore a uniform shirt for their photo shoot but are now wearing their own shirts & shorts.

They meet up with the sag wagon a few times during the daily ride and follow a process to keep all healthy. You put your bike down, take your gloves off and purel before touching any food or drink.

I have to say Marilyn sounded so happy and excited and said this is an experience of a lifetime. She was just winding down for the night to start off tomorrow. Tomorrow is an easy day only 51 miles.

Feel free to comment or send an email so she can enjoy reading them when she returns.

We will be in touch again in 2 days and I will follow with another story.