Day 1: DO get there BEFORE the crack of dawn. Give you bag to your gear truck roadie but make sure you have EVERYTHING you'll need for that days ride like: your cycling shoes, gloves, sunglasses, water bottles, etc.
Stretch!
Eat something... you will likely get up at oh, say 4am or earlier? You'll eat breakfast then and by the time we ride out (7 or so) you will be hungry again. Bring a little snack (I bring PB& J sandwich) to eat just before ride out.
BE PATIENT!
Day 1 is the only day that all 2300+ of you will be riding out at the same time. This means you need to pace yourself and do not get all hot and bothered about going too slow!! I have seen many an accident happen in the first 12 miles of the ride because people get all freaked out about riding too slow. ... better to ride too slow than to not ride at all because of a broken collarbone!! I'm SERIOUS!!
Stop to take pictures often!! For some of you this will likely be the first and last time you'll ride your bike from SF to LA, you might as well have some proof to show the grandkids!
PACE YOURSELF! it's only Day 1 and you have to have some energy for Day 2, which is one of the longer mileage days of the week! The route does not close until 7pm (hint- the later you are, the shorter the lines are for the shower!).
Think about this: pack a little compact totebag (the kind that fold up into themselves- most sporting goods stores sell them) or a fishnet bag-- some small bag that will fit into your seatbag, or fit into your jersey pocket. At the end of the day you can use that bag to carry your water bottles, helmet, gloves, sunglasses, etc with you without having to juggle it all when you go over to the truck to get your gear. ALSO A GOOD HINT- PUMP YOUR TIRES NOW, instead of in the morning. You WILL lose a little air over night, but not much. In the morning, the line for the pumps will be hella long. Some folks wait until rest stop 1 to pump their tires, but its been my experience that even there the pump line is long (and they have less pumps to go around).
Walk over to your gear truck, grab your bag and your tent (unless your tentmate already has) and find your spot on the grid. Set up your tent. It's easy and fast and if you ask anyone around you they will be glad to help, I promise!
Grab something to snack on from Camp Services (they will have all of the leftover snacks from the rest stops). Eat something while you wait in line for the shower, or better yet- go eat first (dinner starts serving at 4 and goes til 9) and then go take a shower. Again, the shower lines are shorter later. But be sure to eat because otherwise you could bonk while standing in the shower!
Get to the dining tent for evening announcements every night at 7:30. There will be information you'll need to know for the next days ride, as well as some pretty special announcements.
Day 2- Especially TODAY, plan to get up EARLY and get on the road when the route opens at 6:30!! It is Monday morning, and we are trying to get out of Santa Cruz along with all of the Monday morning commuters!! Again, be PATIENT!!
Today there is an unofficial stop in Castroville for artichokes! It is a tradition that folks stop there to have either deep fried or steamed artichokes. My advice? Go with the steamed artichokes. They are ready to go, there are no lines for them, they are better for you and hell, they won't come back to visit you at mile fifty like the deep fried ones will....
Also day 2- an Otter Pop & water stop at the Mission Soledad. Be sure to go in and check out the Mission, it is quite a beautiful place.
Also to note-- the winds will likely be crazy: headwinds, tailwinds, crosswinds and the rider in front of you breakin' wind... from those deep fried artichokes I tell ya!
more to follow.... I'm gettin' sleepy!
