Missing GPS data for a portion of this day (22.8 miles, and +1240'/-1461); the totals for the day SHOULD be: 233.0 miles 13,235' / - 13194' (1 hr 30 min moving time recorded as stopped time here at mile 30, with a 1000' drop in elevation between recorded gps points) I evidently covered the 233 miles in approx., 16.3 hours, including actual stopped time of about 2 hours, for an average speed of 14.3 mph. With approx. 14.4 hrs peddling, my average peddling speed was nearly 16.2 mph. A very good, scenic route, and perfect riding weather. The climb up to Alice's Restaurant was very nice (my third time at Alice's on bike, and I still have not eaten there; it was not yet open, while it looked too busy to take the time to eat there the last time I was there on a brevet). I was at the start on time, but chose to finish the Starbucks bottled drink and a muffin they had instead of pushing off with the mass start. I understand one person came along and started even later, but I was DFL for the most part until I passed one poor fellow who only made it about three blocks before having a blow out (tube must have been pinched when putting on the tire). I eventually caught and joined a small group of guys as we worked our way through the signals in town, and did not move on ahead until we made it out into the countryside. Of these was an interesting fellow, Bob Olsen, who I saw several more times during the ride, and who finished shortly after me on Sunday. He had a great beard, and looked a little like he belonged in an old tin plate photo of a 49'er, although he hails from Annandale, NY; to his credit, he rides a Specialized Roubaix. ;-) I went to Norm's Market in Pescadero (mile 62 on this map, but add 22.8 miles for the actual distance, i.e., /84.8) for a deli sandwich, eating half there and taking the other half with me. They have a hose along the back wall of the produce section which cyclists use to fill water bottles. In Santa Cruz, a "local" rider stopped at Erik's Deli for a sit-down meal at mile 98.6/121/4, but I went over to the 7-Eleven across the street and bought what I needed and moved on a little sooner. Stopped in Aromas at a store (mile 129.7/152.5), shorty after having met Gabbi (sp?), a friend of Becky Burka, who was doing the 1000k; we were gabbing, and missed the turn at Aromas Rd and had to double back (only a 0.6 mile bonus and additional 40' - LOL). I mentioned to her that I was concerned her seat bag was not strapped correctly, and I lost her on the descent when it evidently came partly loose and slipped down. When I started to mount my bike upon leaving the store, I discovered I had lost my "EN-1150" vest which was required equipment for riding at night. I was so distracted I missed the next turn and climbed to the top of a hill before realizing I was off route and had to backtrack again (a 0.9 mile and 100' bonus). I next stopped at the Paicines General Store at mile 158.2/181. I bought a Coke and maybe a candy bar, but I mainly was interested in whether they might have a cheap "visibility" vest I could buy, new or used. The clerk in the store, Hispanic, did not have his work vest in his truck or he may have sold it to me. I also stopped at the Cal Fire Fire Station in Bear Valley (mile 170.7/193.5), and found the guys playing stickball, with a backstop that had a square hole cut out for the strike zone behind the batter - no arguments whether a pitch was a strike or not. The guys were ready to be helpful with water, etc., and I told one guy my story and he went to discretely check with his captain whether they might have an old, tattered vest they could give or sell me, but no such luck. As it was, I borrowed a RUSA "Sam Brown" visibility belt from Scott, a SAG volunteer extraordinaire at the next control, a staffed control at the Pinnacles Campground, which I reached before dark. That, at least, kept me within the RUSA rules for night riding, even though it did not meet the ride organizers' more stringent rule. (It was clear that the more stringent requirement was not too strictly enforced, based on my observation of what many riders were using; in fact, I saw one rider that was not even compliant with RUSA rules.) I saw quite a crowd of riders at this penultimate stop, including Debra Banks, and John Lee Ellis. I enjoyed a soda or two, and a Cup of Soup here before moving on feeling much better about things (not so worried I was going to be DQ'd); I passed a lot of people over the final 32 miles into King City, and rode in the last couple of miles with the inimitable Jason Pierce, who was riding the 1000k on his fixie! As for my vest issue, I thought it was equally unlikely that it had been stolen or fell out from under the compression cords which were holding it to my seat bag; it must have been my fat ass that pushed it off, as someone found it and turned it in, as I discovered the next morning when I checked out of the control and was giving Bill the Sam Brown belt to return to Scott with my sincere thanks. I checked into my room and carried my bags in before riding to a Denny's on the other side of the freeway for dinner. After I made it back to my room, I did not start peddling again until 7:30 Friday morning. Some SERIOUS inefficiency here, since I was at this control for a total of over 9.5 hours, and probably only had 4-5 hours of sleep.