We started out almost immediately with a 5-mile long climb to almost 1300 feet.  It was a challenge, but was well worth it as we came into the redwoods at the bottom of the descent.  Massive, gigantic, incredible  – there are no words to describe them.  I don’t know how anyone can deny the existence of God after seeing them.

After getting through the forest okay, I got a flat tire leaving the second of three rest stops.  It took a while to fix and by then I was at the end of the pack with the sweeps.  Two miles later my tire was flat again – later I discovered there was a tiny piece of wire stuck in the tread that we were unable to find.  I had to call for the SAG vehicle and hitch a ride to the end of the route.  

Otherwise, I would have unduly held up the completion of the day’s riding.  That night I found the piece of wire, removed it and put in a new innertube.

We had an awesome dinner that night provided by Dave and Beth, two of our SAG vehicle drivers, at their lovely home.