11 Weeks Out to the Train of Pain‏‏

Guys,

Today marks the 11 weeks out point – so it’s time to start giving everyone a view of each day’s endeavor:

Here is our route for Day 1 as we head out of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, snaking our way through Sausalito and Mill Valley, and then meandering past Muir Woods before the true hammer falls and we point north along Hwy 1 and look towards Bodega Bay.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-francisco/595051238629

Weather and view permitting; before leaving The City, we will stop briefly on the Marina Green for a photo op; with the GGB in the background.

Total miles for the day is just under 90 - 2 climbs in the 700’ to 800’ range, with the high point of the day topping out at 797’, plus an additional 5 others cresting at no more than 500’.

Fairly bumpy the entire day; really only 3 prolonged flat areas; miles 6 to 11, 25 to 30, and 62 to 68– but there is nothing overly steep…and miles 51 to 58 are a nice gradual downhill.

Final Starbucks of the day is just after we turn onto Hwy 1 @ roughly 21 miles in; this is guaranteed to make Kevin cry, but be ready as it may cause him to hit the gas early in an attempt to reach Bodega Bay sooner and search out his personal Shangri-La (little secret – there is not a Starbucks there either).

Built-in shortcut available to shorten by 13 miles and omit the biggest climb of the day (info on this available for 1 million dollars).

Last 5 miles of the day are downhill!

Remember: there is no need to commit the route to memory – laminated turn-by-turn route cards will be handed out each morning. Not that they do Steve and John any good – they will still, at some point, get lost…