After roughly 163 miles, 17 hours (including breaks), and numerous packets of LiquidIV we completed the ride from Culver City to the Mexican Border.

We started training for the ride back in May of this year doing rides along the Ballona Creek Bike Path to Will Rogers or Manhattan, the Donut Loop in Palos Verdes and sections of the route further south. In addition we learned how to change a tire and I got bike shoes for the first time (highly recommend!). I also highly recommend cycling gloves. On our training rides my hands were get a tingling sensation/numbness in them - but biking gloves got rid of that for me.

Logistically we had two chase cars that would meet us at designated pit stops where we could refill our water bottles, have a bite to eat, and get help with any mechanical issues. On the ride the biggest mechanical challenge we had is that Bo's tire blew and my dad went to a bike shop to get it replaced.

Bo and I rode the entire thing and my parents, brother, and Indi joined for sections of it in addition to being the support crew.

We used the Adventure Cycling waterproof map.

Some memorable moments of the trip were:

+ In the Marina at 4 something in the morning we were stopped at a red light. The man in the car next to us commented, "Man you guys are fast!" and we replied, "Thanks! We're riding to Mexico!". He was like"Ok cool - good luck with that,". Then a moment passed and he was like, "Wait - are ya serious?! I can't tell if you're telling the truth or not."

+ There were so many gnats when we first got on the Long Beach bike path. It reminded me a little bit of when you're skiing, it's snowing, and hard pieces of snow sting your face - but it was gnats and I definitely accidentally breathed some in.

+ The sunrise in Long Beach was INCREDIBLE

+ Why do I never hang out in Laguna?! It is so beautiful (and really hilly)

+ We were going really fast down a hill when the streetlight at the bottom of it turns red pretty much right before the uphill section

+ Sweat poured into my eyes on the Torrey Pines Hill - needless to say it was not my best moment

+ I've never tried putting Kombucha in a water bottle before - it was interesting, but not bad.

+ Seeing all the twinkling lights of TJ and knowing we had made it. We rode to within two miles of the border before it was too dark to ride.


Epilogue:
Over the weekend we had two bike lights and my bike (after the completion of the ride) stolen. Ironically my previous bike was also stolen in SD.

Definitely looking forward to doing another long distance ride - I'm hooked!

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