BUT I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO 2 GIRLS ON OUR TEAM THAT REALLY IMPRESSED ME LAST WEEK WHEN WE RODE IN HALF MOON BAY.. IT WAS A TUFF RIDE WITH ALOT OF CLIMBING AND THEY DID GREAT. KATHY CLIMBED SIDE BY SIDE WITH ME ALL DAY.. I HAD TO MAN UP AND BEAT HER TO THE SUMMIT OF EACH CLIMB... NOT SAYING THAT SHE COULDN'T HAVE BEAT ME.. SHE PROBABLY WASN'T TRYING... LOL AND MARY WAS RIGHT BEHIND US ALL DAY... KUDOS TO YOU GALS.
OK NOW TO THIS WEEK... THE MORGAN TERRITORY DIABLO LOOP WAS ALSO A TUFF RIDE. SHORTER THAN THE HALF MOON BAY RIDE.. BUT MORE CLIMBING... 65 MILES WITH 6800 FEET OF CLIMBING.
THE DESCENT INTO LIVERMORE FROM TOP OF MORGAN TERRITORY WAS GREAT... FAST AND SMOOTH.. I THINK I HEARD PEOPLE CALL THIS THE PLUNGE.... I HEARD SOME OF THE TEAM WANTING TO CLIMB BACK UP JUST TO DO THE DESCENT AGAIN... THAT'S A LIL CRAZY BUT IT WAS FUN. OUR TEAM STARTED OUT BIG BUT FINSIHED SMALL.. 11 TURNED INTO 6 AND 5 BECAUSE OF 2 FLATS IN A BLOCK OF EACH OTHER... THEN ANOTHER FLAT AND THEN A RIDER SWITCHING GROUPS THEN LAST DROP WAS A RIDER THAT DIDN'T GO TO THE SUMMIT. SO 11 TURNED INTO 3 GOING TO THE SUMMIT.
WE MET HEATHER'S GROUP AT THE RANGER STATION AT THE JUNCTION AND ABOUT 7 OF US, A MIXTURE OF 2 TEAMS CLIMBED TO THE SUMMIT. SO THIS WEEK I HAVE TO BRAG ON MY WIFE HEATHER.. SHE CLIMBED HER BUTT OFF.
ME AND MY CLIMBING PARTNER THE SKINNY KID DROPPED HER ABOUT A MILE IN .. AND THEN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE WALL SHE REELED US IN AND PASSED US... WOW.. I WAS IMPRESSED.. BUT YES I DID BEAT HER AND THE SKINNY KID UP THE WALL... 
BUT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE RIDE FOR ME WAS WATCHING THE JOY THE OTHER RIDERS HAD WHEN MAKING IT TO THE SUMMIT FOR THE FIRST TIME... IT WAS GREAT WATCHING THEM CELEBRATE...I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO STOP THINKING ABOUT IT SINCE... OK THAT'S IT .. FOR THIS WEEK...
WE ARE READY FOR SOLVANG.. OUR FIRST CENTURY... NEXT WEEKEND..... CANT WAIT.....BUT WE DON'T WANT THIS ADVENTURE TO END....BUT WE THINK WE HAVE MADE SOME LASTING FRIENDSHIPS.. JUST LIKE COACH WAYNE SAID WE WOULD SOME 14 WEEKS AGO AT THE KICK OFF RALLY. WE ARE EVEN PLANNING MONTHLY RIDES AND A 200 MILE SEATTLE TO PORTLAND RIDE WITH A COUPLE OF THE GUYS..
OH AND THE COW BELL.. OUR SAG HAD A COW BELL AND WAS RINGING IT ALL THE WAY UP THE CLIMBS.... IT WAS GREAT .. REALLY MOTIVATING.....LOL
So, I have only driven up and hiked up to the summit of Mt. Diablo and along the way saw many cyclists making their way up there. It looked like really, really slow going and I always thoughts they were nuts!! lol After reading your blog, it almost makes me want to try it!! Almost... I am no where near ready to make that kind of climb on a bicycle!! I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment that every rider must feel as they finally reach the top!! Congratulations to all of you for completing such a trip!! I am so proud of you guys for committing your time and your hearts to this cycling adventure with Team in Training. I cannot wait for next weekend when I can watch you finally complete this part of your journey and achieve the goal you set several months ago. I'll be cheering for you all the way from start to finish!! Love you guys!!
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