BCI - Ride Reports, Doo Dah

Ride Reports List

by Peter Gerrard

October 1, 2004 - This was the 30th edition of the OC Wheelmen’s famous ride to San Diego with a return on an Amtrak train (or MetroLink for the detail oriented). Over the years this has become one of the most popular centuries in the West. In 2002, registration closed in only two weeks. In 2003, all slots were filled in 4 days. This year the “With Train Return” option was sold out the same day; the 200 “Ride Only” openings were gone a day later, and the waiting list was capped at 200. Congratulations to OCW for a great job and a terrific event!

A thousand riders descended on the Irvine Transportation Center before dawn’s early light on Saturday morning, September 11, 2004. As far as we can tell around 50 of the hardy souls were members of BCI, or at least guilty by association. Riders faced heat, a mystery dog, and a train that just didn’t want to appear. Here are some of their stories.

From Clint McDonald: “Tommie and I were riding on PCH in San Clemente in the bike lane next to the guard rail. I saw the rider in front of me point to something and I started looking for an obstruction in the road when suddenly a runner appeared immediately in front of me. I was not aware of him until he was so close, I didn’t have time to take an avoidance maneuver. We passed so close we brushed elbows. Had been another 3" to the right, we would have had a major collision. Later in the day, when I was starting to get really tired, I had my head down (some friends suggest it was some where else) and not looking very far ahead. Suddenly a vertical post appeared ride in front of me, too close to avoid. I thought I was toast. Fortunately, it turned out to be a plastic lane marker attached to a flexible anchor. You would think after the first experience, I would have learned something.”

Wayne Broadhag noted that the upper stretch of Torrey Pines (where there were no trees and no breeze) was 93 degrees when he went though it...and it was “only” 80-85 on the lower parts where there was some shade and breeze.

This was Angie Carson’s first century ride (here with husband Don atop Torrey Pines). Even though she trained well, she awoke the morning of the ride with as much dread as excitement. 100 miles later, here’s her take on Amtrak: “The most fun you could have in the sun with your shoes on.”

And, last but not least -- The Dog Ate My Handlebars

Sometimes all the group rides and training give way to a karmic experience you just didn’t plan on, as discovered by Mike Brooks. “Just after the lunch break, we crossed rail road tracks and turned right onto Broadway into a residential neighborhood. Nancy Parks and I were riding side by side, talking at the time. Suddenly, a small brown dog darted across the street in front of us, and neither of us saw it until it was right in front of our wheels. We both hit the dog and fell to the left. I went down hard on my side – Nancy fell onto me and my bike. We both needed help to get up. Once we stood up we looked around and the dog and its owners had vanished. We caught our breaths and assessed the damage. Nancy was banged up and bleeding from a gash on her elbow. I was sore and bruised from my left knee up to my ribs. Nancy’s bike seemed OK but my expensive carbon fiber handlebars were broken and I could not continue. We elected to call the SAG truck for a ride to San Diego. Once in San Diego, we went to the health club and got cleaned up. Our fellow BCI members took good care of us as we waited for the train. In the station our cups were kept filled with Margaritas and our pain also was eased by the concern of our fellow riders.”