Stage 2 of Tour de California: Jalama Beach

Solvang, CA city center... wander if it's a "real" windmill?

I wanted to make today a hard day, a test day for my fitness and also a climbing day (my forte).  We picked Jalama Beach, a famous local ride.  It is an out-and-back ride with a 1000 ft. climb and descent in the middle and a beach destination.  But that barely scratches the surface of our awesome ride.

First there was the wind... a tail wind until we crested the hill and then a head wind on the approach to the beach.  Then, in a cruel twist of shifting winds, a head wind for the climb back off the beach that led my powertap cyclometer at one point to read "400 watts" and "1.5 mph" simultaneously.  But, we were given the gift of a tailwind for the final push back into town.  Sweet.

Second, there was the blue...  Blue skies, blue ocean, vivid blue on Jim's Pacific Power/Blue sky jersey that I followed the entire last 15 miles back into to town because even with the tailwind, it was a trial.

Third, riding partners... Pete did awesome.  Heather was back in sorts thanks to some extra nutrishing and 10 hours of sleep.  Jim, on an "easy" day, hung back with us and was our work horse into the wind and up hills.  He traded off giving Heather and Pete pushes up the big climb.  And, on a particularly tough patch on Highway 101, uphill, into the wind, we formed a push line... Jim with one hand on my butt pushing me with one hand on Pete's butt pushing him.  It was quite the scenario.  :-)

Jim and I nearing the beach.

Made it back in one piece.  Got a great German dinner (Bratwurst and sauerkraut).  Haven't decided what tomorrow's ride will be (it's an easy day), but I bet it will involve some wine this time, and we'll get to see the first of the California produce at the Farmer's Market!