San Jose Livestrong Challenge

We got to the Shark Tank (aka HP Pavilion) around 6:45 - a little early for us on a Sunday, as you can tell - for a 7:30 start. Around 3000 riders proceeded through the streets of downtown San Jose. Beth and I stayed together through to the first "power stop" in Saratoga. From there, the ride goes over some rolling hills through Los Gatos. About 18 miles in, we turned towards the more remote parts of Los Gatos and San Jose, and the hills pitch up a bit for the first real climb. Beth sent me on my way - after all, I had to do an extra 15 miles and still get to the last rest stop about the same time as her.

The 65 mile ride heads out towards Morgan Hill, with a few short climbs prior to the key feature of the ride: Metcalf Road. This climbs up to the east from highway 101 for 1.8 miles at an average grade of 10%. Tough climb, with no shade. I set a slow, steady pace for another rider - a cancer survivor - who thanked me at the top. The route rolls a bit but is mostly downhill for the next few miles. I arrived at the last stop about 15 minutes after Beth. She was doing very well, having conquered the "moderately difficult but seemingly endless Silver Creek Valley Road climb" (the official description given by the ride).[Beth's note: moderately difficult, ha! Tough enough for mere mortals like me. There's quite a view of Silicon Valley from up there.] We rode together to the start/finish back in San Jose where we had a nice lunch.

This was a very well organized ride. Police and volunteer support was excellent. The route was clearly marked. It was Beth's first organized ride (and her longest ride ever), and she did great. And it raised about $1.3M for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. We raised about $800, thanks to our sponsors. Donations can be made through October using the following links: Sponsor Beth or Sponsor Andy.

Next up: my 2009 virtual PMC.