The Big Climb....oh...and some other climbing as well!
Day 3 started just as any other day would normally start on a long ride....stiff legs...excitement...and extreme hunger!!! You see, by this time we had ridden well over 200 miles and we were reaching the point where no amount of food seems to quite satisfy. Eat a huge dinner...you are hungry by bed time...big breakfast...you cant wait for the first stop.
After our usual coffee and breakfast chat where someone usually becomes the victim of extreme joking we decided to get our gear together and begin the long journey to Julian. Todays ride to Julian is only about 70 + miles but 34 of those miles are uphill!!!!!! As we began our way toward julian you could literally feel the anticipation in the air for the big climb. The day starts fairly innocently with just some moderate rollers...nothing big...just a few ups and downs that get the attention of your legs. We stopped for the first water stop and everyone began to talk about the upcoming climb. Our Marines as well as others were clearly nervous about what waited for us at the end of the day.
The lunch rest stop brings us a nice visit to the Leapin Lizard RV resort!!!! Now, before you jump to conclusions, dont judge the book by its name. This is a really nice RV resort that is incredibly clean, has great facilities, and is run by some of the nicest people we have met along our way. Two years in a row they have gone out of their way to help us....they are definately RFSF team-mates!!!
We enjoyed a great lunch from the support staff and began our journey again toward Julian. We first noticed that the rollers were getting larger...then we noticed the heat was incresing as well!!! By the time we reached the rock canyons temperatures were well above the 100 degree mark and their was absolutely no wind....no where!!!!!! The heat was intense as we climbed what seemed like unending rollers and hills. Every downhill seemed to be met with an even larger uphill. There was no doubt that we were headed for the big climb. You could feel the earth gradually tilting up.
The last rest stop came at a T in the road that is at the bottom of a large hill. You go downhill into a valley and make a right. This was the scene of the famous California HP incedent of 08!!!! No cops this time though...just jackasses with trailers and four wheelers...no teeth....and no personal hygene habits!!!!
After the rest stop you immediately are faced with about a 1/2 mile climb at about an 8% grade. We decided to split into groups of four or five based on ability. In true "ride captain" fashion our Captains volunteered to stick with our more vertically challenged climbers for the duration of the climb. We had discussed one rule with everyone sice the ride began....EVERYONE DOES THE CLIMB!!!!!!!!...NO VANS....NO SAG....NO BULL!!!! Each of the captains began their climb with their respective riders. I had the good fortune of being with Josh the Marine.......While all of our Marines put out huge efforts I was only witness to the efforts by Josh. As he climbed this mountain, he did not complain once.....never tried to quit, and even suffered from cramps that would have stopped any other athlete in their tracks. He is an amazing young guy. I watched him struggle of 15+ miles of climbing all the way to the end!!!! Josh, like our other Marines and our other team-mates puched through the pain and finished the climb.
(The Climb before the big climb...a nice warmup!!)
At the top their were tears by some...hugs for everyone. This is the kind of experience that truly binds a team together. Suffering as a group and helping each other to the summit is what makes a great team. We had become a great team!
(The Scene at the top of the climb)
That night after everyone got settled in came one of the best dinners i have had since the last time i came to Julian. Natasha (the cook at Angels landing) fixed the best Lasagna I have ever had!!!! Every rider in the place filled themselves with Lasgana, bread,salad, and finished with home made Dutch Apple Pie!!! As usual...the folks at Angels Landing were incredible!!!!!!!!
Joining us that evening were Cody, Kathryn, and Tannis...each of these folks are members of Team Semper Fi and team-mates of our other Marines Josh, George, and Dave. Also joining us was Captain Tim Merkle, and Carla J (not even going to try her last name). We were honored to have each of them and we were excited about what the next day was going to bring.
We finished the evening with a talk from team-mate Jay Kennedy and then a DVD. Jay told us about "why he rode." Jay was wearing the dog tags of a young man who had been killed in action. His father learned of our ride and Jays participation and asked Jay to wear the dog tags. Jays talk was without a doubt one of the most touching moments of our ride. Jay is a great friend and I could not be more proud to have him as a team-mate. We finished with a DVD recapping our trip thus far....the DVD showed pictures of the heroes we were honoring and showed pictures of where we had been and what we had accomplished so far...all set to very inspiring music.
It was a great evening.............
After our usual coffee and breakfast chat where someone usually becomes the victim of extreme joking we decided to get our gear together and begin the long journey to Julian. Todays ride to Julian is only about 70 + miles but 34 of those miles are uphill!!!!!! As we began our way toward julian you could literally feel the anticipation in the air for the big climb. The day starts fairly innocently with just some moderate rollers...nothing big...just a few ups and downs that get the attention of your legs. We stopped for the first water stop and everyone began to talk about the upcoming climb. Our Marines as well as others were clearly nervous about what waited for us at the end of the day.
The lunch rest stop brings us a nice visit to the Leapin Lizard RV resort!!!! Now, before you jump to conclusions, dont judge the book by its name. This is a really nice RV resort that is incredibly clean, has great facilities, and is run by some of the nicest people we have met along our way. Two years in a row they have gone out of their way to help us....they are definately RFSF team-mates!!!
We enjoyed a great lunch from the support staff and began our journey again toward Julian. We first noticed that the rollers were getting larger...then we noticed the heat was incresing as well!!! By the time we reached the rock canyons temperatures were well above the 100 degree mark and their was absolutely no wind....no where!!!!!! The heat was intense as we climbed what seemed like unending rollers and hills. Every downhill seemed to be met with an even larger uphill. There was no doubt that we were headed for the big climb. You could feel the earth gradually tilting up.
The last rest stop came at a T in the road that is at the bottom of a large hill. You go downhill into a valley and make a right. This was the scene of the famous California HP incedent of 08!!!! No cops this time though...just jackasses with trailers and four wheelers...no teeth....and no personal hygene habits!!!!
After the rest stop you immediately are faced with about a 1/2 mile climb at about an 8% grade. We decided to split into groups of four or five based on ability. In true "ride captain" fashion our Captains volunteered to stick with our more vertically challenged climbers for the duration of the climb. We had discussed one rule with everyone sice the ride began....EVERYONE DOES THE CLIMB!!!!!!!!...NO VANS....NO SAG....NO BULL!!!! Each of the captains began their climb with their respective riders. I had the good fortune of being with Josh the Marine.......While all of our Marines put out huge efforts I was only witness to the efforts by Josh. As he climbed this mountain, he did not complain once.....never tried to quit, and even suffered from cramps that would have stopped any other athlete in their tracks. He is an amazing young guy. I watched him struggle of 15+ miles of climbing all the way to the end!!!! Josh, like our other Marines and our other team-mates puched through the pain and finished the climb.
(The Climb before the big climb...a nice warmup!!)
At the top their were tears by some...hugs for everyone. This is the kind of experience that truly binds a team together. Suffering as a group and helping each other to the summit is what makes a great team. We had become a great team!
(The Scene at the top of the climb)
That night after everyone got settled in came one of the best dinners i have had since the last time i came to Julian. Natasha (the cook at Angels landing) fixed the best Lasagna I have ever had!!!! Every rider in the place filled themselves with Lasgana, bread,salad, and finished with home made Dutch Apple Pie!!! As usual...the folks at Angels Landing were incredible!!!!!!!!
Joining us that evening were Cody, Kathryn, and Tannis...each of these folks are members of Team Semper Fi and team-mates of our other Marines Josh, George, and Dave. Also joining us was Captain Tim Merkle, and Carla J (not even going to try her last name). We were honored to have each of them and we were excited about what the next day was going to bring.
We finished the evening with a talk from team-mate Jay Kennedy and then a DVD. Jay told us about "why he rode." Jay was wearing the dog tags of a young man who had been killed in action. His father learned of our ride and Jays participation and asked Jay to wear the dog tags. Jays talk was without a doubt one of the most touching moments of our ride. Jay is a great friend and I could not be more proud to have him as a team-mate. We finished with a DVD recapping our trip thus far....the DVD showed pictures of the heroes we were honoring and showed pictures of where we had been and what we had accomplished so far...all set to very inspiring music.
It was a great evening.............
Hey John - We have been waiting for the final day and donation amount. Is it coming anytime soon??? Sounds like it was a great ride this year. Brett was really upset that he couldn't go, but his back has been really bad this year. Hopefully he will be feeling better for next year!
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