It was cold that night, but I didn’t care, I only cared about one thing to stay focused and not give up. In fact, I had already been through Oregon and along the northern California coast and then up the Russian River and through San Francisco in 3 days and was now on an extremely long trip trying to force two days of travel into one hike.

I honestly believe and know for a fact that human intent and will, with the right strategy and a little planning ahead, is as good as gold. In fact, I forgot about the weather during that trip, as I did a 272-mile stage without stopping.

Ride at night listening to nature; coyotes, owls and bugs in the bushes as the wind howled sometimes in my face other times at my back on the long slow “S turn” road it hit me as I was exhausted and tired but had absolutely no thought of quitting smoking. I was going through Big Sur at sunrise to complete the hike on my way to Santa Ynez.

That morning I woke up figuratively still on the bike knowing there’s nothing in life you can’t do and as I climbed the hill from another cove on that two lane road I felt like I was driving through a billboard of “Inheritance”. in someone’s office. But it was real life and there I was in the photo.

Now I know that victory and success go to those who preserve to go beyond what they said could not be done. I mention this to you my fellow cyclist and I wish you the best and if you believe there is nothing you can’t do in this life then you are 110% correct and Godspeed on your next race! Consider this in 2006.