Willful ignorance can be useful. As can friends and loved ones who withhold unpleasant information. To any of you who know this route and did not point out yesterday that the real cliffs were in front of me, my heartfelt thanks. Truly.
Behold the elevation chart below. The climb and cliff I mentioned yesterday is the far left of the image (perhaps even off screen). A mere blip when compared to the three peaks between Big Sur and Ragged Point. That was today. All white knuckle, deep breathing, focus on the pavement 8 feet ahead. For hours. That I made it is testament to nothing more than my stubbornness.
I now recall my first thoughts when considering this ride a few years ago: will there be cliffside riding? I did a little research, but didn’t dig so deep that I’d abandon the idea. Because if I’d known, I probably wouldn’t be here now.
As soon as I realized what I was in for I started riding and didn’t stop. I rode more or less for 6 hours in order to get it over with as quickly as possible. Fear is pretty motivating.
I’m now in San Simeon state park. I am 20 feet below and 20 feet to the east of highway 1. Maybe not the nicest campground here on the coast!
My neighbor this evening is JD. He’s 75, has a new to him motorcycle and just became homeless because when his girlfriend died recently her kids sold her trailer home out from under him. Currently he is drinking himself into oblivion (vodka and squirt but mostly vodka) so he can sleep tonight. All his camping gear is new so he hasn’t been able to ‘dial it in yet’ and therefore didn’t sleep well last night.
I shared my chocolate bar and pizza dinner with him and I think he was touched. So touched he made me his honorary nephew and let me manage the fire he started (I was worried he’d fall in). Crucially, he let me know he liked me whether I was straight or gay. I’m taking this as the highest form of acceptance. I guess?
powerful moving writing.
of the roads and cliffs of our ilusiones and real encounters
of dayly life.
The journeys are on…
You did it! Glad you are safe.
I aged a little!
If you had known the climbs and cliffside riding “you wouldn’t be here”……but you conquered your fears (short-term anyway), you are there, you did it……well done!! I might add I don’t think you’d have to research too far to see that you’d have windy, cliffy roads…..that’s all on you! Hopefully no nightmares last night and you slept well. Slow, smoothing riding today. Bike safe.
Willful ignorance, like I say.
Way to go Chad. That views are gorgeous but the riding sounds absolutely terrifying! Stay safe!
The irony of me missing the views that draw people to this place is not lost on me