Epic Training Systems - 2009 The Grand Tour 300 Page 3

When I pulled into Ojai. I saw William sitting down at one of the picnic tables. He asked what happened
to me. I begin to tell him I got lost and then he notices that I've also crashed. He then confides in me he
is not pursuing the Quad any longer. I'm having second thoughts myself but I was still committed.

Wyatt pulls in and can't believe "we're" still there. I tell him I've been lost and crashed. I grabbed 6-8
slices of Turkey from the large spread of food. I wanted protein. I hadn't been hungry but I know as
the hours go by your body needs protein. I didn't have time to waste with a sandwich and I didn't want
solid foods because I didn't want my pace to slow down.

I left Ojai lunch stop alone and what a P.I.T.A the first few miles are. So many lefts and rights on
poorly marked streets. It slowed me down enough that Wyatt and William caught me. Wyatt has done
the course numerous times and I'm quite sure he can do the course blindfolded.

I struggled on Hwy 150 with the climbing and the moderate heat. The prospect of cooler temps as we
neared the coast kept me going. I'd like to ride Hwy 150 when not incorporated into a 300 mile event. It
is very scenic around Lake Casitas.

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2009 The Grand Tour 300 Page 3

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After my mix-up on the Goleta checkpoint and the almost eight (8) extra miles. I was defeated. Making
the Quad with 13 extra miles and a crash was just not going to happen. At Goleta I pulled the plug on
the Quad. I told William I was hungry and went to the local McDonald's on Fairview. I felt better after
eating. But I felt even better to take that huge weight off my mind. Going for Quad in 24 hours is very
stressful. It is for me at least. I'm not a fast rider. It is right at the edge of my limit to maintain that
speed without running lights and traffic controls in general.

William entered the 101 ahead of me. I was dragging and I was holding him back. He started pulling
away from me and I let him go. I also started falling asleep. It is a headwind all the way to Gaviota. My
eyes get tired from squinting so much going into the sun. Yeah yeah what about my sunglasses they
were filthy.

The first moment of truth was here. At Rincon you have to decide whether you are going to do 300
miles or the 200 mile option. With each checkpoint it was getting harder to stay committed to the Quad.
I felt it was slipping away. But I decided I have to keep trying and grabbed the Triple/Quad cue sheet.

One bright spot in my day was seeing my friends Lynn Katano and Dave Evans. We went through the
first time I met them. It was the Grand Tour 2003. I was a nOOb to Ultra Cycling. In fact, that was
my first ever event. I had signed up for the 200 mile event. I had never done more than 125 miles and
that was two years before. I had also only been on the bike 8 weeks from a two year hiatus. Well they
talked me into the triple century. I completed my first Triple first Ultra in 23 hours. From that day on I
was hooked on Ultra Cycling.

William, Wyatt and I left Rincon and headed North. We would be heading North for the next 50 mile
into a headwind. In Carpenteria I could see people enjoying their Saturday. But if you are trying for the
Quad or even a great Triple time this area is a time suck. Lights and Lights and MORE LIGHTS.

We dropped Wyatt somewhere and then I screwed up getting to the checkpoint in Goleta. I
miss-calculated the miles (remember my mileage was off from the extra miles) and missed the
checkpoint. William and I made it all the way to the 101 and realized we had missed it. So 3.8 miles in
the wrong direction means 3.8 miles back towards the checkpoint. Then 3.8 miles back to where we
were at the 101. I HATE GETTING LOST!!

Here are some pictures of what I looked like at Ojai Lunch stop. These were taken in the morning when
I woke up from a quick nap. Yes still in my gear.

Ojai Checkpoint # 4 mile 115

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Rincon Checkpoint # 5 mile 137

Mariposa Gaviota Checkpoint mile 190.1

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Goleta Checkpoint Velo Pro Cyclery mile 167.9

When I got to Goviota the volunteers were so nice. Actually, they all are but the lady at Gaviota was
especially sweet. Nothing was appetizing except oranges. My hands were dirty from riding and I
mentioned that to the lady volunteer. She just picked up the bowl and started handing me wedges. We
talked for a few minutes and she just kept handing me wedges while her husband cut up the oranges.
Thank you so much.

William had waited for me to get in. I was slow getting there. We both did that 18 mile stretch alone
into the headwind. We turned south and were happy the winds were at our back. We made good time
back to the Goleta checkpoint.

Goleta Checkpoint Velo Pro Cyclery mile 212.5

Goleta the second time around was a little longer stop for William. They didn't have electrolytes at this
checkpoint. That's the only thing I remember. Oh and they didn't have signage on the right side of the
street which might have helped me notice them on the way out.

The return trip seemed to avoid some of the traffic but maybe it's just me. But it seemed faster and the
tailwind was still helping us.

Rincon Checkpoint mile 237.1

Rincon the second time around. I was starving. I had had about two (2) oranges at Gaviota mile 190
and nothing else since then. I had a cup o soup. But I really should have had two of them. I didn't want
to be greedy and wanted to make sure there was enough for the other riders. But I paid for that mistake
later. It was getting dark now. We suited up with arm warmers and vests and headed South. This was
our second to last checkpoint and we were headed south towards Malibu. There is this amazing calm
that comes over you as you know that every mile you do is taking back to your car. My injuries from
my crash were still making their presence known but I knew it would all be over in a few more hours.