One of the top 2 most scenic doubles on the CTC calendar (together with Eastern Sierra). Rode most of the day with Kim and Jeff. Strong winds all day: headwinds sapping strength before the climb up Nacimiento. The saving grace was cooler temperatures, and tail winds at the end of the ride to help get us home. With the adversity, the clock was against many opting for the highland route; I took off at the water stop under the bridge below US-101 (approx. mile 134) to see if I could make or sneak by the 6PM cut-off (Harden Square; approx. mi. 145) and got there at about 6:15. Steve Burns was there at 6:13 and was told "no", but wanted to go for it anyway, so we did. I made it to the highland check-point and told them Steve and 2 others were still coming. I made it to the next rest stop (Bradley school; approx. mile 179) as Kim and Jeff were leaving, and found Rick Jacobson there. Steve rolled in OK before Rick and I left. Rick and I rode to the finish together, and picked up an Orange County member of Adobo Velo along the way. Roland Hoffman, John Clare, Terri Boykins and others were still at dinner celebrating Teresa Beck's 50th double. Drove home after (ouch).