ELITE TOUR - Prologue

I arrived in San Diego Friday afternoon for the Sunday start of the PAC Tour Elite transcontinental ride.  By the time I got to the hotel, a number of riders and crew were already busy in the parking lot assembing bikes and getting things set up.  I am fortunate to live within an hour or so from the hometown of the PAC Tour owners, who offered to drive my bike out to San Diego on thier trailers, sparing me the hassle of breaking down my bike, shipping it and reassembling it at the start. 

(Everything you need for the next 3 weeks in one bag.

That's a lot of spandex!  ... and who picked out those drapes?)

After getting checked in, Lon and Susan (PAC Tour owners and both cycling legends) led an informal group of a dozen or so crew and riders to dinner at a local mexican spot.  Thus far, many of the other riders I met all appear to be previous PAC Tour veterans with one or more transcontinental rides to thier credit.  Was also glad to meet a couple other newbies like myself who aren't quite sure just yet what they signed themselves up for!

Saturday morning at about 6:00,  a group of riders set out for an early spin to the ocean and breakfast.  I favored a bit more rest and opted to sleep in until 8:00 and had a Red Bull from the parking lot vending machine instead.  Cloudy and overcast this morning.  Thought I'd wait it out and try to pick up a trip to the beach a bit later in the day.  Was able to hook up with a half dozen other riders just after noon when the sun finally came out and temps moved into the mid 60s.

(OK, now just ride east and keep going until you hit something that looks like this)

PAC Tour legends get thier names immortalized on the side of thier trialer.

Who is this "E" character?)

(Here is the route card - 19 days Pacific to Atlantic)

(Check the rider board every day for improtant info and updates.)

Late Saturday afternoon Lon and Susan held a rider meeting to go over expectaitons, schedules and the daily routine ... and by the way, don't do anything stupid out there!  I thought it was a bit amusing that we were politely reminded not to pee on the trailer which only tells me, yeah, they've probably seen it all over the many years they have been doing this.  No problem!

We finished off the day with a group dinner and a surprise visit from Pete and Jim Penseyres, both Race Accross America legends, who shared some great stories from the early ultra racing days.

Off to bed.  Tommorrow the fun begins!