A Gorgeous Day with an Old Friend

Me and Matt at Del Mar

Today was our first full day in California, and what a day it was!  When I did RAAM in 2008, with all the travel and start-line festivities, I didn't ride for over a week.  The time off the bike really affected me in a negative way during the first 24 hours of the Race, so this year, I wanted to make sure I got in some riding while in San Diego.

Enter our friend, Matt Cazalas.  Claire and I met Matt during RAAM 2008 near Flagstaff, AZ in the middle of the night.  Matt was touring the United States and found himself in need of a tube.  Long story short, we've become good friends.  Check out his touring diary for an excellent read:

www.crazyguyonabike.com/lht

Matt's currently residing in San Diego, so he met Danny and I and played bicycle tour guide.  He took us up from Point Loma, through Mission Bay, La Holla, UC-SD, and Del Mar Beach.  The temperature was frigid for us Texans - I think it was about 62 degrees when we started, and it might have touched 70 by the time we returned to Point Loma.  What an amazing ride though!  It's different for Danny and I to ride in the city with all the traffic, and we probably saw more cyclists on the roads today than we see all year where we live!  By the time all was said and done, we had 50 miles under our belts before heading up to Oceanside to pick up some of our race supplies.

Everything went well in Oceanside and we've got all the vehicle signage on the XTerra.  Tomorrow, we head to Oceanside for a long and busy day.  At 0900, we meet the rest of the team to outfit their bikes and vehicle.  At 1100, we have a vehicle, bike and clothing inspection.  At 1 pm, we have a mandatory crew chief briefing.  At 3:30, mandatory team photos.  At 5 pm, the mandatory racer briefing.  If all goes well, then we will be done until Wednesday.  Tanner and Claire will arrive at the airport about 8:30 pm.

I could not help but marvel at how fortunate I am to have become involved in cycling.  If I hadn't started riding 6 years ago, I would not have met my wife, Claire, and I would not have met Matt.  I would not have competed in the Race Across America, and I wouldn't be in Oceanside today.  A big part of my cycling experience is due to my riding partner, Danny.  Without his excellent advice and counsel, my cycling adventure may never have taken off as it has.  I'm deeply indebted to him.

Well, enough for now.  Gotta get ready for tomorrow!