Day 21: Santa Monica,CA to San Clemente,Ca
MILES ON THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY: 85
# OF MILES RIDDEN IN THE LAST 4 DAYS: about 425
HOW I FELT TODAY: Surprisingly good. I definitely could have ridden more.
WEATHER: Gorgeous! Fantastico! 70's, sunny, and a little bit of a cross-breeze.
TERRAIN: Mostly flat with a few hills at the end as we rode into San Clemente. (You were right, A.T.)
Today we spend many many miles on a bike path/trail close to the ocean and then again on one that paralleled the Los Angeles River.
# of car doors that almost side-checked me into traffic today: only 1, fortunately.
# of times we stopped to look at the map: 12-14, maybe?
# of wrong turns: two, arguably 3.
The thing I'm NOT going to be doing for the rest of the summer: Anything that requires me to look at a map. I'm a pathetic failure.....and I probably am at a 2nd or 3rd grade level when it comes to reading a map.
Individuals who are stellar cyclists that still might want to consider training wheels on certain occasions: Marcy Mcgovern and Andrea Thompson. (A.T. took Marcy's spot and had a nice little whipe out today. Yeeeee-Ha!)
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Ha Ha Ha....you guys got like a do-it-yourself repair your bike thing going on or something. Must have been pretty crowded in there."
As Stephen and I rode the elevator of the Hampton Inn to our room on the 2nd floor, the wiseguy getting on (He was a complete California red-neck) muttered these words to us. I walked right by the guy, then looked at Stephen and said, "I'm not even going to respond to that."
QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: "Your life is in your own hands."
A passing cyclist shouted these words to us as we rode into a small crowd of people on the Marina Del Ray boardwalk-bike path.......much like the one you see in the picture....except it was full of people.
Songs stuck in my head: "Marina Del Ray" -George Straight (We rode thru Marina Del Ray this morning)
"Hammer and a Nail" -Indigo Girls
TOMMY'S TAKE ON TODAY.......
I've got to be honest and say that I'm bummed that The Ride is coming to an end. I'm genuinely sad right now. Have you even been on an awesome vacation.....and you pull into the driveway or walk into your house and you have that "letdown feeling." There's part of you that says, "Dang, does this have to be over?" .....because you've had so much fun. Well, the 2007 Hunger Ride has been nothing short of a dang good time. As Joe Dirt would say, "Dang!"
We were having a conversation a few days ago about "go-to statements." You know....statements that people make over and over again in certain situations......and you begin to recognize these people by these "go-to statements." Well, many of you know that one of my "go-to statements" is "Good times, Good times." Oddly enough, I mutter these simple words when I'm having a ton of fun......OR......when I'm NOT having fun and I'm being extremely sarcastic. Well, I'm saying these words tonight, and I mean them in the former context.
TUNE IN TOMORROW........
For my "50 Thoughts about the 2007 Hunger Ride"
THE HUNGER RIDE SAYS GOODBYE TO.......
Andrea Thompson, the remaining third left from TEAM DENVER. She rode with us for 60 miles today and then said goodbye to us in Newport Beach to help her younger sister (who lives in Newport Beach) get ready for her wedding this Sunday. Geez, I wouldn't be so mad right now if she actually had a good reason for ditching us. J/K. :) Hey A.T.--it's been a great ride. You were strong the whole trip. And when I say strong I'm talking like Hulk Hogan kind of strength.......strong like an ox.....strong like Glad garbage bags.....and you did a great job in replacing Lyle in the "Triangle of Power."
SHOUT OUTS.....
*Susan, the GM of the Hampton Inn of San Clemente. Speaking of strong......Susan came strong with a big fat donation of a suite for the Hunger Ride. We're cuddled up nicely this evening in Room 213...the room overlooking the ocean at the Hampton Inn.
posted by The Hunger Ride at 6/21/2007
6 Comments:
I like the fact that you're growing your beard out Tom...It makes you look like California Redneck, Joe Dirt. (That was too easy.)
Slappy
Having the same feeling here --- sad to see the Hungerride come to an end. Sort of like the Cub/Marlin, Steve Bartman series where you wanted it to keep going on.
Hey, I wonder if they will make Halloween masks of you and Steven!? Will you want them with or without beards?
Tom and Stephen, have a fun and special ride into Paris --- or no into Mexico -- no sipping champagne.
You guys are amazing -- and boy do you serve an amazing God -- may you glorify Him in what you do.
God Bless,
Dad & Mom
Tijuana fact of the day:
Tijuana is home to many businesses selling products and services at a much cheaper rate than in the United States. Such businesses as auto detailing, medical services, dentistry and plastic surgery are heavily marketed and located near the city's border with the US. Tommy it might be time to get that J.Lo booty surgery you're always talking about.
Know what you're riding for.
I am kinda sad myself to see the Hungerride come to an end. I love reading the blog and praying for the ride and feeling like in some small way I am a part of something very huge. Thank you Tom and Stephen for sharing the experience with the rest of the us bench warmers (to quote your friend). Can't wait to see you back in Memphis, though I can just about bet you're not ready to be back there just yet. Enjoy the blessings in the days to come, just as well embrace the challenges and God continues to build your character. Good times is right! See you soon
hey, listen to Chilly, my grandpa gets all his dental done in Mexico, he also gets most of his meds there too, but no booty surgeries, so I have no advice there. But, if you did get it, you would have no need for the padded riding shorts next year. :)
Tom! Wow. What a RIDE! No Joke. It was a joy to participate in the Hunger Ride. You and Stephen are such a strong team. I'm inspired. Thanks for making this bigger than yourself, thinking of MANY lives impacted in Ethiopia b/c of your efforts! God Bless, Marcy "training wheels" McGovern
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