Village Well Ride Day 25: A Test of Will

Westport CA to Point Arena, CA

The fog had lifted in the morning, and we were greeted with pristine ocean views. We put on plenty of sunscreen and started down the coast on highway 1. The day before had involved a moderately serious climb to 1900 feet. As we looked at the elevation map for our route on that day, the elevation rarely topped 500 feet. We also knew that we’d have a tailwind for the day. “This will be easy,” we said to one another, full of the sort of confidence that comes with ignorance.

We were wrong. The day was actually quite tough. Though there was a steady tailwind and no super long climbs, the Northern California coast is made of jagged cliffs. This landscape presents certain challenges for roadbuilders and those who choose to cycle on the roads they build. We faced a lot of moderate, winding climbs and a couple of incredibly steep, demanding climbs, the sort that make you start talking about getting off the bike and walking. We toughed it out (no walking), but it was a test of will.

We ended the ride at a lighthouse near Area Point. The weather was gorgeous and the views were great, and we had managed to clear a respectable 67 miles and 4500 feet of climbing for the day (those rolling hills add up!). But we were spent. We ate a big plate of pasta, then another one, then we went to sleep.

Donate now to help us reach our goal of $75,000 to build a village medical clinic in Majok Goi, South Sudan: https://www.gemsdevelopment.org/2022-clinic-project