Sean and Jeff 40 Years - Part Two - ToC

Everyone is probably tired of hearing about our 40th Birthday. Blah, Blah, Blah.

You probably ask why another birthday post nearly six months after the event? Because it was very memorable! And I am taking the time to document it and share it.

Everyone knows there was a lot of playing in the month of February. On top of the birthday celebration, the Tour of California (ToC) was happening mid month and we were going to join the circus of riders for a special birthday bash...

My dear friends Rudy, Cary, Alvin, and cousin Mike Easter joined Sean and I at the SLO tour finish for a get together and preparation for the next 3 days of riding to Pasadena in advance of the ToC. Everyday would be a ride for the stage of the ToC and at the finish we would enjoy the run in of the professional riders.

Rudy forgot something and had to run to the house so we missed him in this garage shot.

Day 1 - The morning of the TT in Solvang we woke early to a winter rain storm and started the ride from Arroyo Grande to Solvang. We new we had approximately 70 miles of riding and were dressed in typical rain gear expecting to get soaked. Well - we were not disappointed with the rain since it pelted us from mile 5 until the end of the ride. On top of this, we enjoyed the muddy Santa Maria roads and a dead head and cross wind all the way there. Pace was a bit more than we all expected but this always happens in this group particularly when Cary is in the bunch. For now on, call Cary Jackie Durand!

This first day of riding was eventful for sure and everyone agrees it loaded the legs hard for a 70 miler. likely the pace, rolling terrain, and cold wet weather was to blame. We suffered two flats near Sisquoc and fixed them in pouring rain. These were the last of the flat tires for the entire ride to Pasadena! We arrived in Solvang at approximately the start time of the TT and after a breif clean up, food, and drink, we watched our favorite athletes duke it out. Levi was the victor of the day.

Those are not freckles. We were mud caked and soaked and totally spent from the effort. Mike, Cary, Rudy, Yours truly, Alvin, and Sean.

Support staff. Mom, Jenn, and Heather (Cary's wife).

At days end, we drove approximately 25 miles south to Santa Barbara and shacked at a hotel. Prior to dinner, we felt compelled to find a car wash to clean the silten laiden bikes. All the bikes were severely caked in mud and sand from the days ride and if we were gonna make the next two days rides, we need to service them big time. After the clean, we ate tons of pizza, pasta, and a few beers and to bed.

Day 2 - woke early and ate left over pizza and some other treats that Jenn brought along. I called everyone else and found Rudy red eyed from a stellar nights sleep with none other than my brother in the room. Did I mention Sean snores like a dang hibernating bear... Cary was ready, sore knee and all from the previous days break away. Mike Easter showed up and brought his good riding buddy Mark Noble to cut the wind for us. What a deal. Two top level professional cyclists to cut the wind for the birthday bash. Alvin did not ride this leg but our new addition Korey Carrol (kind of nephew in-law) joined us for the 100 mile jaunt.

Pace was moderate through SB and we all rode very strongly over Casitas Pass to the Ojai area. From there we rode over the Ojai grade and descended into the 126 corridor. Jenn, our sag wagon full of food was stuck in traffic and way off the back until this time and we had to get over the toughest day climb until we could feed. Balcolm Canyon was looming. 20 percent grade for 1.5km at approximately 65 miles into the ride. Wammmm!!! There goes the legs!!! We all sufferred up the climb and really enjoyed the many ToC fans lining the road screaming even for us. Mike and Noble simply danced up the climb and made it look easy. So cool! At the top, we were treated to cold beverages, food, and again, more cold pizza. This stuff would not go away.

Tempo time leading to the climbs.

Refuel time on top Balcolm Canyon. This place is a circus and keeps getting bigger every year. Total stinking grind for sure!
After Balcolm we had several more climbs including Grimes Canyon and then the slow tempo and 1-2 percent 25 mile grind up the 126 to Valencia. The wind was strong but nowhere near the previous hell wind that killed us the year before. We again arrived in Valencia just in time for a quick parking lot clean up, hydration, and a walk to the race circuit for the completion of the second to last stage of the ToC. Melissa and kids (Rudy's family) and Debbie (Seans wife) joined us and we watched the pro riders blast the three circuits in our childhood town. We also watched my father bring the riders home on his motorcycle as part of the moto marshall team. So proud of his efforts. Also ended the day with some photo opportunities with none other than Hincapie and a few other autographs with our favorite athletes. What a day. Not over yet...!


Climbing Grimes Canyon. Jeff, Rudy, and Cary running up.


Still flickin it forward! Jeff and Rudy at the bottom of the Grimes descent.


Everyone road very strong. 20mph for 100 miles even with the mountains!

Quick transport to the hotel, shower, and running (literally) to the twin brothers birthday bash at the Wolf Creek Brewing Company. Great time of fellowship with my brother, family, and close friends. Even saw some of my long time childhood friends. My mothers brothers and sisters even joined us. What a blessing. We ate food and drank water. Well, maybe a few beers as well... We were treated to the video of the family growing up and the tribute to me and the bro. If you have not seen this video, it is a must and is below in a blog post. What a special time and there were not a lot of dry eyes after watching it. Thanks wifey! The evening was spent in celebration and joy but I could not help to notice all those riding were kind of nervously taking about the next days event. The weather forecastwas very bleak with severe winter weather starting to form in the mountains of the next days ride. The forecast was snow, wind, and very tough conditions. Oh boy... Back to the hotel and barely any zzz's to top it off.


40 year old blowhards. What a blessing for sure.

Day 3 - Rudy and I awoke drained and scraggled out of bed to breakfast with a very funny look on our face along the lines - are we really going to ride in these conditions?! But ofcourse!!! Cold drizzly day as we drove to Seans house 5 miles from the hotel. We kept looking at the ominous clouds and mountains ahead thinking we would need to fit our 23 cm tires with snow chains!

Rudy and I met my brother Sean, Mike Easter, and Cary once again for our final leg of the ToC. We started in Valencia and made our way north east towards the Angeles Crest Highway. Everything up to that point was hilly and tough and we had a touch of head wind that was actually near freezing. We all were getting into the groove on Soledad on the way out when I began to notice a bit of a problem - my HR was not coming up. I could not get my heart rate to even go over 160. I mentioned this to Mike and he just laughed and said, "it will get better." Oh great I thought to myself! As you know, when your motor does not work, it makes for very tough riding conditions and this day was real serious climbing with considerable elevation gain at approximately 5,500 feet. The first major pitch resulted in exactly what I thought - I pedaled backwards from the group. Jenn went straight to work making me eat everything left in the van and kept drinking as well. Most everyone was up the road and out of sight by then. Rudy and my brother were kind enough to occasionally fade back to encourage me forward. I appreciate this guys. It made the difference. I endured the slow first 7 mile grind in my own little painful and blowing world...


Sean and Jeff on the second pitch heading to the KOM. I was finally recovering here and staying in contact and picking up pace.

When I finally crested the 7 mile first major pitch, the others were waiting for me and we continued on. For some reason, my spark plugs started to fire and I was able to climb tempo at a nice HR of 175 and actually started to feel great. At this point, we were witnessing 40-50mph crosswinds, freezing cold temps, snow on the ground around us, and looking up the road at the 2nd major pitch and KOM for the ToC. We stayed together and topped the climb in great form and there were surprisingly many people and cycling fans waiting for the ToC to ride by. They yelled and encouraged us up the mountain and at this point we stopped to fuel up and add rain clothing again!

After pounding down everything left in the car, we warmed up and hugged our wives in preparation for the final 2-3 shorter climbs and the heavy descending. the first descent went on for at least 10 miles and was likely the most dangerous descent I've done since rain, freezing temps, and powerful crosswinds made it difficult riding conditions. All of our hands were like frozen logs by now... At the bottom of the descent we grouped up and road an amazing temp over the last 2-3 climbs. We all looked and road awesome in 2x formation and we were flying. We had tons of people and fans yelling at us and it was an amazing experience. The final descent was amazing in pouring rain, 45 mph+ descending on a curving mountainous highway 2 from Angeles Crest into Pasadena. It was definitely one of those things where the horse smells the barn so to speak. We road in through foothills into the Rose Bowl parking area and ended one of the most amazing experiences I've had. This final run was just a tad over 70 miles with heavy mountain climbs and terrible conditions. It was over and we were smiling ear to ear!


Ride is complete. What a great day of riding.

Ofcourse it ended with again tons of food and a few beers. Deserved at that.

I really need to make considerable thanks to:

Alvin - even though you had one day with us. We really enjoyed your company and appreciate how much you have accomplished in your cycling in just a two short years.

Korey - you are the man! Cannot believe you took on the 100 mile stage so soon in your cycling. Thanks for joining.

Cary - Thanks for being such a long time friend. You did awesome even with the sea sawing at the front and the back. We appreciate you doing this thing with us and it meant more than you will ever know.

Mike - Thanks for riding with the mortal rookies. Crazy as it may seem, you appeared just as excited as the rest of us. Thanks for burning so many hours at the front for our benefit. You are an amazing rider and appreciate the friendship we have. Give thanks to Noble, Jenn, and kids as well.

Rudy - You impressed me big time! You road strong everyday and only seemed to get stronger with every mile. Your friendship and participation in this event meant more than you will ever know - Thank you for everything you do for me and my family. Also, big thanks to Melissa and the kids as well for joining us, celebrating, and helping out. It was a blessing to have you all with us. BTW - Melissa, Jenn, and Rudy through the boys a very awesome B day celebration and we are grateful.

Wifey/Debbie - Your encouragement made the difference on the last day. Thank you for the support of us all and having fun doing it. Wifey - thank you for the entire month of celebration and the amazing video you made.

Sean - What can I say... You are an inspiring athlete even when you don't train. This experience together in a way almost gives a glimpse of our lives together - exciting, physical, joyful, and with lots of great friends and family around. Love you brother!

I love and appreciate you all. Thanks for everything and thanks to God for the safety, joy, and amazing life experience in all this. God Bless you all!