The western horizon was covered with rain clouds, ready to unleashed a torrent rain storm upon the Californians below. I had checked weather.com last night and the site predicted that rain would not fall until 6PM Sunday night, more than enough for us to finish our morning ride. Or so I thought!
The moment I stepped out of the car at MSP, guess what, it rained! The drops were thick but few in between. We debated whether or not to go eat Pho, a Vietnamese noddle soup perfect for this kind of weather. The debate was leaning towards food.
The die-hard riders were there. There was Cap't Thomas in his yellow shoes, Steve C in his black VeloViet uniform, Hoa, Chanh, Minh, James, Kimberly, Rose, Kevin, Brian, Arnel, Donovan, Greg G, Luke, Sang, The Rock Racing Brothers, The Rapha Crew, Tan, Kiet, Keith, The Paris Couple, Dave, Karen, and more. Anh Minh was there showing us his new "Marines" haircut. Roxy and Scott pulled in a bit late. And even our long time friend Billy P came out sporting his red VV uniform.
Photo - Anh Minh (aka Mr Marines today ;-)I also brought our just arrived uniform order! Our new female members, Kimberly, Minh, and Rose were excited to try on their ware. What do you guys think? How do they look?
Photo - Rose in Her New VeloViet Jersey
Photo - Minh in Her New VeloViet Jersey
Photo - Kimberly in Her New VeloViet JerseyThe rain slowed and we decided to go for it. I prepped my bike and got ready to go. Cap't was giving the sign to hurry and get ready to go, so I had everyone lined up for a photo. Here we are with some serious rain clouds in the background.
Photo - The Gang at MSPFrom MSP to Newport Coast, the ride was good. I was really enjoying the ride among passionate cyclists, my VeloViet brothers and sisters. Brimming with energy still, I yo-yo between folks to do some catch up talking. It was all good until...
I struggled as the road steepen on Newport Coast. Tan was going for it from the front of A2 group and I was hanging on for dear life. We manged to get in front of the red light at Pelican Hills while everyone else was trapped by the light. Part way up this hill, I turned and watch all the protagonists struggle up the steep climb far away from me. No way were they going to catch me, I thought. I surged and pulled pass Tan.
At the halfway mark, I turned and viewed the carnage, and was surprised to see two cyclists pedalling up towards me. I expected only Tan. Who was the other?
Then I recognized the red Rock Racing vest. Darn it I thought. It's brother Can and he is moving quick. He must have sprinted to close the gap to Tan. I raised the pace.
And he still passed me! I latched on for dear life yet again as we near the top. Can was spinning madly as he was in a very high gear. Then RR Can cracked. Seizing the moment, I passed Can!
Then I cracked! He pulled alongside and both of us spin madly... and he beat me by a few inches as Can seized the climb first of the A2 team! I stopped to huff-n-puff.
From that point on, I don't remember much. I was too tired and was ready to turn around at the gas station on PCH when someone had a freaking bright idea that we should continue on. I was dazed and confused, and I think I was part of the large grupetto that was blindly following the front wheel as we did not want to get left behind.
On the way back I was with Cap't, escorting our new lady rider Minh. I was thankful to do a much slower speed as there was no way I could have gone faster. And my rear end was really hurting on my bike seat, which felt like a 2x4 but sitting lengthwise. No I have not ridden in a while so don't laugh! You all have been through this at least one time.
In the end, we did 62 miles and I was completely exhausted and hungry. So off to eat with my friends!
Photo - The Gang at RestaurantWe still have alot to do before PSC, but Palm Springs... ready or not... here comes the VeloViets!
Out,
Phong
The rain may have dampen our kits but it did not dampen our spirits. Very glad to see so many riders out riding today. We showed OC that our passion to ride trump all weather.
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