Today’s entry comes from Jackie, and comes after a few days of skirting forest fires, finding accomodation day by day, and what seems like one crisis after another. And the riders, this amazing, incredible team, remains in high spirits despite it all!

On a very sad note, Sean had to head home to be with his family after a death in the family, though he insists he’ll be back and we all miss him and his energy in the group. Our thoughts are with Sean and his family as we continue to battle the sun, flat tires and ambiguous routes - a sharp reminder everyone that these are all small trials and that life is precious, each moment to be enjoyed and lived to the max. Tell your family you love them today.

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Written by Jackie Douglas

If you are reading the blog for the first time in a couple of days, let me update you on our detour. There are severe fires in California and we have detoured away from the coast and are riding inland. We left King City to ride to Paso Robles today, and we hope to return to our scheduled route after San Luis Obispo.

As if avoiding fires isn’t enough of an adventure, we came to find that our alternative road is now a private road (Google maps is not as updated as we thought). The van arrived at a gate to find out that the road was bought several years ago. Some of us in the front of the pack were stopped and had to turn around and hit an extreme head wind. Four of us attempted to draft the van (sadly, without success). We laughed and headed in to the wind and met up with the whole group at an intersection where there was one restaurant and a gas station. We ate lunch while a new route was planned. We called highway patrol and found out that cyclists were allowed on a stretch of Highway 101. Again with the wind behind us, we continued south.

We arrived in Paso Robles to be welcomed by the Live Oak Christian Church. They opened their doors to us without hesitation when we called this morning. The generosity is incredible and we cannot thank our hosts enough.

Our group had another surprise after dinner… several riders treated the group to dessert! They bought ice cream, heath bars and Reese’s peanut butter cups for the group. It was delicious.

Sadly, Sean, one of the riders, had to fly home to be with his family because a family member passed away. He hopes to rejoin us - we look forward to his return and miss him greatly. We send our love to him and his family. We miss you Sean!!!

Jackie - 2008 rider