Elite Tour Prolog
June 9, 2007
San Diego, CA
June 9, 2007
San Diego, CA
Lon's Route Description
We will arrive in San Diego with riders from all corners of the world. After we assemble our bikes we can have a leisurely ride to the beach for photos in front of the Pacific Ocean. That evening we gather for a festive dinner before our adventure across America.
McDonalds Locator
Weather
San Diego Forecast
We will arrive in San Diego with riders from all corners of the world. After we assemble our bikes we can have a leisurely ride to the beach for photos in front of the Pacific Ocean. That evening we gather for a festive dinner before our adventure across America.
McDonalds Locator
Weather
San Diego Forecast
On my way to San Diego
Laura and Annie wish me luck as I head to the airport. Leaving from my local airport, I had to arrange a flight with one connection. Knowing how bad flight delays can be when going through Chicago, I opted for a connecting flight through Washington DC. Upon arriving at DC, things were going just as I expected ... the information board showed several delays at Chicago but my flight was on time. However, about 30 minutes before boarding time, an announcement was made that my flight was going to be delayed after all: apparently, the impact of those Chicago delays are far reaching ... the pilot and crew for my flight were stuck in Chicago! So after about a 2 hour delay, I was finally on my way as we taxied to the runway -- or so I thought: the pilot shut down the engines and informed us that air traffic control had stopped all flights. This resulted in an additional delay, sitting in a hot airplane on the tarmac. By the time I finally got to the hotel in San Diego, I figured I had logged as much time waiting around as I had in actual flight time. Next time, I think I'll take a direct flight.
Laura and Annie wish me luck as I head to the airport. Leaving from my local airport, I had to arrange a flight with one connection. Knowing how bad flight delays can be when going through Chicago, I opted for a connecting flight through Washington DC. Upon arriving at DC, things were going just as I expected ... the information board showed several delays at Chicago but my flight was on time. However, about 30 minutes before boarding time, an announcement was made that my flight was going to be delayed after all: apparently, the impact of those Chicago delays are far reaching ... the pilot and crew for my flight were stuck in Chicago! So after about a 2 hour delay, I was finally on my way as we taxied to the runway -- or so I thought: the pilot shut down the engines and informed us that air traffic control had stopped all flights. This resulted in an additional delay, sitting in a hot airplane on the tarmac. By the time I finally got to the hotel in San Diego, I figured I had logged as much time waiting around as I had in actual flight time. Next time, I think I'll take a direct flight.
Ed Pavelka (right) at the start, getting his ride ready. One of the PAC Tour support vehicles is in the background. Those signs on the side of the truck are the names of all the riders who are in the PAC Tour Hall of Fame. To get there, you need to log 10,000 PAC Tour miles. If I finish this tour, I'll have about 8,800 miles. Several other riders however, will be riding their' 10,000th mile somewhere on this tour.
Passing by Mission Bay (left), on the ceremonial ride out to the Pacific Ocean.
(Below) Near the beach several Elite Tour riders spotted at an outdoor restaurant, carbo loading on pizza. On the right towards the back, are Josh and Doreen Simons. I had known of them from reading their previous PAC Tour blogs and we had been corresponding during the previous months on an e-mail discussion list. It was great to finally make our introductions in person at breakfast this morning. Josh and Doreen will be riding a fast tandem. With a few exceptions, the terrain we'll be riding is ideally suited for a tandem
(Below) Near the beach several Elite Tour riders spotted at an outdoor restaurant, carbo loading on pizza. On the right towards the back, are Josh and Doreen Simons. I had known of them from reading their previous PAC Tour blogs and we had been corresponding during the previous months on an e-mail discussion list. It was great to finally make our introductions in person at breakfast this morning. Josh and Doreen will be riding a fast tandem. With a few exceptions, the terrain we'll be riding is ideally suited for a tandem
Here I am, on the beach with the Pacific Ocean in the background. 17 days from now, I hope to have a similar picture with the Atlantic Ocean in the background. I'll be a bit disappointed if I can't cover the entire distance under my own power. But if I don't, at least I'll know what my limits are. While I haven't logged as many training miles as I would've liked, physical preparation is actually just one dimension of putting together a successful ride. Another dimension is mental -- keeping a positive attitude through all sorts of unexpected hardships. The other dimension is experience -- learning to listen to what your body is telling you and making the right adjustments.
At the beach, I met up with Jeff Weible from Missouri. As you can see from Jeff's jersey, he has ridden the Elite Tour before, on the very hot 1998 edition. He confirmed one of my biggest concerns: riding through the burning desert heat all day is a tough proposition.
On the left, here we are at the rider meeting where ride organizer Lon Haldeman (in the yellow shirt below left) gave us an overview of what to expect for the upcoming tour. .. more on this, later.
Below, here we all are at the pre-ride dinner banquet.
Below, here we all are at the pre-ride dinner banquet.
At the registration, we got our Elite Tour jerseys (left) and our rider packet that had the cue sheets and maps for the next 17 days (below).