4 Weeks to Go!

There are only 4 weeks to go until we start our ride in SF. We've been getting in most of our training on the weekend - last weekend it was down in Capitola/Santa Cruz; the week before up at Old La Honda to Pescadero and back via Tunitas Creek (65 miles and 6000' of climbing). One of our best rides was a couple of weeks back when we were up in Arnold and we rode to Bear Valley Lodge. It was 50 miles round-trip (25 miles up hill - about 5-7% average grade), but then we got to ride the 25 miles downhill! What a great ride... We averaged about 22 miles per hour on the way back down and enjoyed the ride.

As we get ready for the ride, remember us in your prayers for health and for safety. Also, take some time to go to www.alsotouch.com and see videos of the last year of Christiana's life. This is why we ride!!

Team Also Touch is at it again!!

Welcome to Dwight and Maria's blog for the California Coast Classic. This Dwight's 5th year and Maria's 3rd year in riding down the coast in memory of Christiana.

Here's where you can find the updates on our rides and even comment!

We currently have 6 weeks until we leave San Francisco for our bike ride to Los Angeles. We leave from San Francisco on September 17th and arrive in Los Angeles on the 24th. It is a total of 525 miles over 8 days (but we do a little more as we do some site seeing). The team (Also Touch) will be 16 people (so far) this year; 9 from Northern California and 7 from Southern California.

Over the past 4 years, we have been able to donate $120,000 to the Arthritis Foundation because of your generous donations. Thank you all so much!

If you are able to contribute please click on the following links below for Maria or Dwight. If you notice that one of us has already reached our minimum of $2900, please donate to the other.

For Dwight - http://2011cccnca.kintera.org/spongebob
For Maria - http://2011cccnca.kintera.org/spongefan

Also, continue to keep us in prayer as we continue our training for the ride.

Thank you!

Well, we have been home for the last 2 weeks and enjoying our comfortable bed instead of the sleeping bag! We don't have to setup and tear down the tent and sleeping bags until next year ;-)

One of the things we do miss, is all of our friends (old and new ones that we met for the first time). It is truly a family and if you join us next year, you will not be disappointed!!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your financial contribution, prayers, thoughts and well-wishes. Our team met our financial goal and we raised almost $40,000 as a team! Woo Hoo!!! Over the past 4 years, we have raised almost $120,000 for the Arthritis Foundation, to help them in their fight against arthritis.

So, who is in next year for the ride of a lifetime? We are planning on doing it again! If you are interested, contact Maria or me at dpowery@gmail.com.

God's Blessings,
Dwight & Maria
In Memory of Christiana

Day 8 - Ventura to Santa Monica

Today, we finished the last day (Day 8) of the ride from Ventura to Santa Monica. It was a relatively short ride of 60 miles right next to the ocean. We had a nice, cool breeze and a little rain as we rode; a change from the previous days!

While we were riding, we saw some dolphins playing out in the ocean... What an amazing sight!! How often do we miss simple things like this because we are going too fast or not paying attention? Take the time to appreciate and enjoy the small things in life!

As we rode through beautiful Malibu (27 miles of sandy beaches), we were in awe of the beautiful beaches, the ocean and the sun shining. We noticed that it was different in each one of the beach towns and they had their own flavor.

Maria and I stopped at a local park to refuel and to catch 2 teams playing soccer. Two people asked us what we were doing and we had a chance to tell them. They could have walked on by and not said anything. How often do we pass by people and not ask them their story? How often do we not ask "Why are you riding?"

It was an incredible journey! Alot of time to reflect on God's beauty, on what God has done in my life and with my family and seeking what he has planned next for us.

Finally, it was GREAT to see Serena and her USC SBG friends at the finish line... SBG... in Tha' House!!! (BTW, SBG stands for Saved By Grace Gospel Choir!).

Well, until next year... Will you join us?

Day 7 - Buellton to Ventura

Today we rode from Buellton to Ventura down the coast. It was a total of 86 miles with a little over 3500 miles of climbing. The morning started with a beautiful, bright rainbow in the sky; we knew it would be a good day! The weather was beautiful with the temperature in the 80s. We had an adventure alright as we rode down Hwy 101 near Lompoc where it is 6 lanes. Not my idea of fun, but it did keep us awake. We rode a total of 25 miles on the freeway! The neat thing is that they closed a lane for us over this bridge for about a 1/2 mile - Bike RACERS coming thru :-)

We rode through the beautiful city of Santa Barbara and stopped on the pier for lunch... Very delicious!! People were out sunbathing, playing volleyball, boating, etc... It seemed like a Saturday... Hmm, what day was today ?

Tonight we are camping next to the San Buenaventura State Beach and enjoying the nice, cool wind. We definitely appreciate that!

BTW, has anyone ever had a sandwich with peanut butter, banana and chocolate? Oh my goodness, it is sooooo good!

Until tomorrow - one more day to go!!!

Day 6 - Oceano to Buellton (near Solvang)

Today we rode 73 miles with a total climbing of 3000 feet. It was another warm day ad the temperatures hit the 100s again. We left camp and rode an extra 6 miles to get the best cinnamon rolls in town - called Old West Cinnamon Rolls in Pismo Beach. They were incredible as always!! We'll post a picture or two for you to see!!

Today was the day we went inland through farm and wine country - Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Los Olivos, etc. It was a day of incredible smells - lettuce, strawberries, other vegetables... We saw quite a few of the farm workers picking their ware for the day and realized how tough of a day this is. We only have to ride through it and when we get back home, we pick the fruit/vegetables we want from an air conditioned store. Do we stop to think how it got there? Do we stop to thank those that went through all the labor to put it on the shelves for us! As I was riding, I was thanking them for all they do and how appreciative I am of their labor.

Ride-wise, it was harder because of the heat but not too tough with the climbing. We averaged almost 14mph on this ride. There was a point as we were going thru the fields that 8 of us were drafting at about 20 mph. We looked like the green train (we were wearing green) as we went by. All in all, it was a tough day, but a good one. The showers were a welcome treat!

Onto Ventura tomorrow (through Santa Barbara and onto 101)...

Day 5 - San Simeon to Oceano

Today we rode from San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to Oceano. It was a total of 63 with very little climbing today, compared to yesterday. We got to relax our legs a little after all that climbing to get into San Simeon. We went through some cute beach towns on our way - Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay, then inland to SLO and then back to the ocean at Pismo Beach and finally to Oceano. It was a nice relaxing day, but it was still hot in San Luis Obispo. My favorite part of the ride was the downhill heading into SLO where it was like a mini-roller coaster ride (long and smooth). The other part was celebrating our 26th anniversary together.

On to Buellton (near Solvang) tomorrow. We are hoping for some cooler weather ;-)