Today I had an incredible ride With Kalli, Josh, Noah, Emily, and Ben. Some how it was another 6 person ride and it was perfect. It was my last normal ride as tomorrow we reach Montereya ms I will be sweeping up until almost the end of the ride. However, in addition to that we just managed to some how fit so much into a great day.
The ride started off a bit chilly for a few but aswe rode we headed out of Pleasanton on one pf the prettiest morning climbs we've had in awhile. It was a quite ride half covered by trees with us leaving them to be on the side of abill with an incredible view as we rose. The road curved, it was such the picturesque country mountain side road that we didn't even mind the climb too much even though we thought we were done with them.
After the hill we descended into San Jose and were riding along when Josh made an offer to us. He said if we stopped at a donut shop he would buy everyone two donuts since that would be an even dozen, but His one condition he said was we had to finish them all before we left and no sharing. We couldn't figure out the catch since he was letting us pick the types. So we instantly google map searched and found two shops a mile ahead on our route. We stopped at Evergreen Donuts and I loved my crumb cake donut and my blueberry donut. We all thought it was a great stop that reminded us of all the donuts early on in our trip.
From there we some how decided the move was to go to In-N-Out for lunch instead of the lunch stop. Kalli and Ben said they'd prefer the trailer so we split briefly and went backwards 1 miles to an In-N-Out that had been one street over. Emily said that was the fastest she had ever biked that wasn't down hill, we made great time and arrived at 9:50 so once again we had to wait for the doors to open.
10 minutes later though we were placing orders 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the day and grabbing some hats. The Bike and Build/In-N-Out delivery squad was born. We loved our burgers and then headed out looking like the first trial bike delivery tester team.
We then biked to pick up Ben and Kalli down at the official lunch stop. They were ready to go and we hit the road headed out of San Jose. A little ways down the road we hit our 4,000 miles mile stone. It had been chalked as just 4000 but Rowan, Chelsea, and team had decide to add in Katy Perry as a California Girl. Ben gave it a thumbs up.
Also in this stretch we passed a great lemonade stand and well we are cyclists we can't say no. Especially to such a great sign.
A little earlier I had also received a text that my mom had landed in San Fran as she was coming to town to see me finish tomorrow. She had asked d she was going to pass us on the road to Monterey, as we weren't overly far from San Fran in the morning I sent her a copy of the cue sheet.
We kept riding past 4,000 and about 10 miles down we reached an interaction for a 0.4 mile stretch Jenna had said was too busy to ride on and maybe we should walk down the side. As we were waiting to cross a car honked, drove by and pulled over on the far side. There she was mom waving frantically. We crossed over and she then proceeded to block traffic for us for the 0.4 miles so we could stop at the next turn to say hi.
She had been amazing and stopped at a fruit stand to buy us some fruit. We stood around so she could meet the crew and we could take a little fruit break with her. It was a great little surprise we both and the rest of my group really enjoyed. We had to keep riding and she had to get to Monterey so we parted and the ride continued.
The last leg of the ride into Hollister took us past a number of farms and vineyards. We then arrived at the YMCA we are staying at. Unloaded the van, cleaned out the trailer nice and well before the end of trip, had a great dinner provide by Mac's aunt and her friends, and then covered details for tomorrow. Heads up people coming to the finish we will be there around 1:00.
The night then obviously had to Ed with a dance party. Whatelse would be the bike and build style. It's bittersweet but tomorrow will come.
"When you fly across the country in an airplane the country seems vast; but it isn't, it's all connect by roads one can ride a bike down. If you watch the news there is a tragedy in Kansas, that guys driveway connects with yours, and you'd be surprised by how few roads it takes to get there."
This summer was amazing, I can't believe it's coming to a close. Thanks for reading and following my adventure. Tomorrow's post may come a few days late as I assume the next two days will get away from me, but it'll come so just check back for it.