Yes it is getting close to go time with the ride less than a week away for Shred and me. In fact, the people doing the entire Sausalito to SD ride officially started their trek at 7:15 am today! Thankfully I was sound asleep but still planning strategy while I slumbered. Dave and I have officially committed to driving the Highlander (no it is NOT named after the #1 movie of all time but good thought) to Rancho Palos Verdes this year. I wanted to take a spryer vehicle but I couldn’t get 2 bikes onto the back of the car so the Highlander it is. They have a new start location for the ride this year (vs. Santa Monica) as they switch it around due to road closures etc. Normally that would slice 15 ish miles off the ride but not for the CAF they now have the official route taking a hard left in Newport Beach (mile 40) and going inland over the 5 and up into the hills until you pop back down in Dana Pt. at mile 95! 95 Jerry that is a big number! Because this route lops off some of the best coastal views of the day Dave and I consulted with our logistics team and they mapped out an alternative route which we will follow on our own—Staying in our lane and running our race!—because well we want to ride the coast so the coast we will ride! Click on the picture to make it bigger:
Enough of the logistics, who is coming and who is not AND if not WHY not is the big question.
–Bobby J: Our good friend was planning on coming but then somebody wanted to throw down and well Bobby threw it down and violated his parole which means he cant leave the state and hence was unable to make RR5. Yes we are sad. Tears were shed. We considered cancelling the ride but then Bobby GENEROUSLY came in to sponsor Team Rylo at the Platinum level so ALL is good we still love Bobby with our whole giant hearts and wish and hope to see him next year! Don’t worry he will make guest appearances on the Blog its in his contract.
–Rob Rowe: As some of you know Rob went missing a few months back. Just completely fell of the radar. We became worried and used some of our resources from the Institute to search for our dear friend and I am happy to say we now know where he is and what he is up to. Rob is a thespian, not that there is anything wrong with that, and his heart has always been with the theater….Side note and this is 100% true—Rob appeared in THE HIGHLANDER—well, part of his arm did, but this is still super amazing as this movie has been widely recognized as the Greatest Movie of All Time. Anyway, Rob was offered a part in an Off Off Off Broadway Production of “Kats”. Kats is the story of a man who believes he is part feline and lives in Central Park as a Cat sleeping in the trees etc. I hear it opened to rave reviews. Since Rob takes his roles very seriously he decided to try and live as the character in the play did so off he went in full costume to spend a few nights in Central Park. Since Rob is busy with the show he wont be able to attend RR5. More tears are shed.
–Nathan: Mr. Rose wont be joining us on the bikes this year but will be participating in the latter half of the ride as he is residing in Del Mar (I know isn’t that awesome) and will be meeting Team Rylo as we ride in with the CAF fanfare to end the event in La Jolla Shores. Nathan wanted to make the journey but pressing business at the Institute prevented his attendance–yes he is busy opening up the Del Mar Branch of The Ryles Institute. More on that later. So don’t worry you will all get to see plenty of Nathan during the trip. Deciding on who would portray Nathan on the blog was just super simple this year so here we have Nathan:
Shred: Obviously Shred will be in attendance as my ride partner so he will be well represented on the blog. We are doing the drive once again so we are REALLY hoping the 5 isn’t closed this time! Shred has decided to renew Sean’s contract for another year so there you go.
Me? Yes I will be in attendance for RR5! Only question for me was whom should I choose to represent me on the blog? In the end it came down to 3 choices:
–#1 was solid the Dread Pirate Roberts/Farm Boy but alas I have already been portrayed by a character who carried a sword (see below) so I went another direction.
–#2 was in strong contention up until I saw him in some roles that frankly scared me so once again sorry not this year John.
–#3, and here we have the WINNER for RR5!! It was a difficult choice but we decided to go with the person who I looked the most like and indeed we found my doppelganger. Yes soak it in a spitting image, no? Prince Harry will be playing my part this year and agreed to let us call him Harry!
I think that is quite a bit to absorb in one reading so I will sign off for now and get back to STR soon. It’s Happening!