Day 18, King City, CA to Paso Robles, CA.  61 miles and 4500 feet of climbing.  Another day of long, stressful climbs and nail biting descents thru gorgeous country side under a bright sun and blue, cloudless skies.  What more could a guy ask for, (other than to have his wife and soul mate with him)?  We left King City on a dirt path bicycle trail and were soon into mountainous, barren, cattle country.  It was very remote country and extremely hilly.  We all agreed that some of the most grueling climbs happened today.  Those who are using Garmins reported that we were consistently on 9 to 11% grades.  That makes for some very slow and stressful climbs.  We rode thru Fort Hunter Liggett Army Base but if  not for the signs we would have never known it was a military installation.  There was no one around.  The entire day we saw little traffic and little evidence of human activity other than fences and gates designating indivual ranches.  This is the dry season so all of the hill sides are golden brown.  As we approached Paso Robles we began to see lots and lots of vineyards and wineries.  Our group was rather reserved and sedate today.  Whenever a member of a group has an accident and has to leave the ride it causes everyone to take pause and remember that this can be a dangerous sport.  So we were constantly reminding each other to be careful, ride safely, etc..

You will recall that on Sunday I got a new roommate i.e. Shorty aka Santiago Ramos.  Well, yesterday my first roommate Jim (our mechanic) came to me and said, "Jay I read your blog last nite and I just wanted you to know that you were one of the better roommates I have had in all my years of doing this tours."  Of course I thanked him, etc..  But as he walked away I thought, "Well that certainly doesn't explain why he would tell his boss that he'd take a pay cut just to have a room by himself."  Oh well, whatever.  I ain't gonna worry about it.  Shorty and me are doing ok!  :))

I was able to add some new pic for the past 2 days.  Check em out under day 16 and 17.

 

Dirt path out of town.

 

As we left King City there were vineyards on the left and barren mountain on the right.  We began climbing within a mile of the motel.

 

A woman in our group, Cuv, climbing.  She is one of the best riders in the group.  Climbs like a billy goat!

 

Cuv continuing up the grade.

 

 

The SAG stop was a real oasis.  This is the first day that no Espresso could be found!

 

Wow!

 

Here come John.  He is 74 year old and this is the 4th time he has done this ride.

 

Another magical ride.

 

Perhaps the Fat Tire is not making me look so fat after 18 days??