Tom Nelson – ALC 2024 Blog

Out of the Cow Palace in the early morning light. Lunch at an Gregorio State Beach (at mile 44.2).  Camp 1 at Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz.

Total miles traveled: 83.4 (16.0% of total route). Miles to go: 448.9 (84.0% of total route).

Tom’s Actual: Dis 83.7 miles, Mx 34.1 mph, Av 13.2 mph, Tm unknown, Oat 8 hr 15 min, Lv Cow Palace at 7:15am, Arv Camp 1 at 2:30pm

Luggage drop off at truck “N”

Bike parking under the Cow Palace

Rolling out from the Cow Palace

Riding along the line leaving the Cow Palace

One last wave and I’m on my way

Lunch at San Gregornio beach

Dinner under the oaks

Bike parking and the tent camp at Santa Cruz

Shower trailers and shower line

Started the day with a flat in the camp! On the road at 7:45am, an all time late start.

Saw fellow Santa Barbaran, Andy, at the regrouping Vista Point…he is such a strong dude, he cracked his bike frame (Cannondale, an ALC sponsor loaned him a bike for the ride duration).

Carried my Girsh Park lunch with me to meet friends at Los Positas and Modoc Rds, in Santa Barbara. Arrived in Ventura camp at 5:15

Dis 89.1 miles, Av 15.0 mph, Tm 5 hr 55 min, OAT 10 hr 10 min

Total miles traveled : 481.3  (88.8% of total route)

Yvette and Andy (the guy who broke his bike frame), at bike repairs, Vista Point.

Carol, Tom, Carla at Las Positas & Modoc Rd, Santa Barbara

Tom & Ashe

Phyllis (102 years old) & Tom

Rod Lathim, founder of Paradise Pit for 15 years, serving up McConnell’s ice cream.

Ate at Duckie-s Chowder in Cayucos. (Big bowl of New England Clam Chowder plus a hamburger….next time ask for milk). Took along Cuesta College lunch bag (mile 49.5), and ate it at rest stop #3, the  PG&E Comm Center (mile 61.2). Worked great.

Climbed Quadbuster, saw sunny view of the coastline from Half Way to LA, sunny sky the entire descent to Cambria.

Right knee had little strength and was tired of the Rollers miles: mile 6.7 through mile 98 at the end of the day. Good news: No bad wind at Guadalupe, and no bunching up or riders (no crowded feeling). That night I was too tired and it was too late to assemble my Red Dress Day 5 helmet…Will do  that the morning of Day 5.

Total miles traveled 355.0 (65.5% of total route)

Dis 98.3 mi,  Av 13.7 mph, Tm 7 hr 10 min, Oat 10 hr 15 min.

Lunch 1 at Duckies’s Chowder, Cayucos, CA

I appreciated Santa Cruz’s  new bicycle paths, and moving out of the city a little faster. I skipped Salinas’s bad lunch stop food and ate at the Artichoke Wagon (mile 47.7) . The Artichoke Muffin and pork burrito were good. Later went inside the Mission La Soledad  (mile 81.3).   I also saw the Cookie Lady, in the tent area.

Total miles traveled 190 (35.2% of total route)

Dis 110.0 mi, Av 15.0 mph, Tm 7 hr 18 min, Oat 12 hr 20 min.

Right knee pain 1.0/10.0 for last quarter of the ride; a long day, skipped evening shower.

Altar women place memorial altar cloths………..you can go up to and touch…..