My First Century Was A Cool Breeze !

This past Saturday August 17th, Gerry and I bicycled 100 miles.  It was my first Century ride.  And, it was "almost" Gerry's first Century....it was his first Century since 40 years prior when he was a mere college lad.

The ride started and finished in Ventura, CA.  

Along the ride....at mile 80.  Feeling the cool ocean breeze.

We left home Friday afternoon and drove to Ventura, 66 miles north of L.A.

Cool indeed!, I thought.  Here we are driving 2/3 of the distance we would be pedaling the very next day!  We got a room via Priceline at the Crowne Plaza Hotel which was located right on the beach, minutes away from the Ventura Pier.

The Pier dates back to over a 100 years ago - fitting into the Century theme. 

I'll admit I was a bit nervous about attempting to ride 100 miles, though we had heard the Cool Breeze Ride was an "easy" Century.   Easy???  Century???  - aren't those 2 words mutually exclusive?  I would soon find out.

We got into the saddles at 7:00 am with the game plan of re-grouping at each aid station.  Gerry is a much faster cyclist, so it is best we ride at our own pace, mine much more pokey.  The bike ride was very well organized with  five terrific aid stations (Mile 15, 30, 50, 70, 82).   Aid station at mile 50 was the Lunch Station, where we were treated to a buffet line to build-your-own-sandwich, with fresh bread, a variety of meats and cheeses, vegetables and all of the fixins'.   Very "cool"  to take a long relaxing break at the half-way mark!

A popsicle sure hit the spot at the final aid station, mile 82.

Gerry cooling off with a popsicle.  

We finished the ride at 4:00 pm, and then enjoyed a delicious post race BBQ, featuring tri-tip steak, grilled chicken, pasta, salad, steamed carrots and fruit. 

Here's proof... A very happy me crossing the finish line of the ride. 

Although the Crowne Plaza didn't have a hot tub, they did have a heated pool,  (hot enough in my mind to be  almost categorized as a hot tub.)  It proved the ideal post ride recovery - to soak the body and relax.  

View of the Pool from our room on the 10th floor at the hotel.

Saturday evening we walked along the beach to the pier, where we viewed the sunset and the locals fishing from the pier.  Then we took a stroll down old town Main Street, stopping off for a delicious gelato at a local spot, Palermo's. 

Sunday morning we went to Ventura Harbor to view the art show, Arts In The Park.  Many vendors were set up,

Booths set up on the grassy area near the Harbor. 

but the main draw were the thirty chalk artists who participated in this fund raiser, raising money for FOOD Share.   Their chalk art was something to see....A "Cool" ending for the Cool Breeze weekend.

The chalk artist at work.

A colorful mermaid. 

My favorite....the artist was working and putting on the final touches while we were a few feet away enjoying brunch at Le Petit Café Bakery. 

Outdoors of Le Petit Café, a fine setting for a relaxing brunch.   The finale of the "Cool" weekend.