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Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle (September 6, 2008)

It was over 100 degrees when I left for Monterey on Friday afternoon, and I was relieved that we would be riding along the coast, where it would be cooler. The next morning, we weren't far down Highway 1 when the first patches of fog appeared. There are cyclists who prefer not to repeat a route, but I'm not one of those. How could anyone not appreciate the views along the coast? And the fog changes everything. Take a virtual tour with my photos, or use Google Earth to fly over the route.

There were more riders tackling the century route this year. Paradoxically, there also seemed to be more traffic than last year (blue Sebring convertibles are particularly popular). At one point, a line of cars pulled far to the left to give us plenty of space. The Bone-headed Move of the Day Award goes to the motorcyclist who took advantage of this gap to pass a Lincoln Navigator on the right, splitting the lane between the SUV and me. Further down the road I passed an emergency crew tending to a downed motorcyclist. Same guy? We'll never know.

There are three long-ish hills on the route, and the last two materialize around mile 72. I passed a few people who were walking their bikes up the hill, dejectedly proclaiming that they had trained for this ride. Far below us, in the fog, sea lions were laughing. At the end of the day, I had climbed 6,345 feet over more than 96 miles, and my legs weren't complaining like they did last year.

When the concert ended, it was on to the next party for me. I owe a huge thanks to everyone who sponsored my ride this year, for my fund-raising success landed me an invitation to a special party on the grounds of Hearst Castle. For me, the highlight of this event was the rare privilege to swim in the Neptune Pool. I was determined to go the distance, propelled by my best imitation of a breast stroke. There are sound reasons why triathletes swim before they bike . . . but I managed to keep my head above water and safely cross the pool twice. I thought of William Randolph Hearst as I enjoyed my evening at his estate, and I imagined he would be pleased that we were there to enjoy his home as guests, not just as museum visitors.

Not your average day: rise at 5:00 a.m., bicycle almost 100 miles, swim a few laps in a spring-water pool adorned with antiquities, and party till midnight.

On Sunday morning, I returned to Hearst Castle as a tourist before boarding our bus back to Carmel Valley. All of the funds we raised go directly to benefit Best Buddies; the event and our perks were underwritten by a long list of sponsors. I am proud that, thanks to my family and friends and some generous corporate matching donations, I will have raised close to $7,000 for Best Buddies International this year!

Sign me up for 2009!