Pacific Coast Hwy 200km Brevet
Photos by Chris Kostman, RBA, February 9, 2003:
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The Sunday, Feburary 29 Pacific Coast Hwy 200km brevet was a spectacular day and great kick-off to the new year of endurance riding. We had 89 riders for our flat and fast blast from Brentwood up world famous PCH to the Ventura Pier and back. Only one had to DNF and one forgot his helmet, so we had 87 official finishers.

The out-and-back 124 mile route featured just 2,700 feet of total elevation gain. Temps were cool, but not cold. Wind was mild and only occasionally in our faces. The sun was often shining and the beautiful, blue Pacific Ocean was almost always right off one shoulder or the other. It was pretty much an idyllic way to start the new year.

Many of the riders wisely rode the event "Audax-style" in nice, neat pacelines at a moderate tempo. It was definitely a day to enjoy one another’s company and work the route with a spirit of teamwork and camaraderie.

Deborah Caplan did quadruple duty running the start line, checkpoint one in Malibu, checkpoint two in Ventura, and then the finish line while Chris Kostman got to ride the event and then later take over finish line duty. Although it was an "unsupported training ride," Deb had a nice box of You Are What You Eat Bars at the turn-around for anybody who needed some yummy calories.

One rider who wished he'd snagged a few extra bars in Ventura was Mike Angelos of Marina Del Rey. Mike's a familiar face to many of the riders as he works with Chris at many of the AdventureCORPS events. But this time instead of driving a SAG van, fixing bikes, and taking care of people, he was on his bike enjoying his longest ride in five years.

A while after the turn-around in Ventura, Mike stopped at a convenience store to buy some bananas, energy drinks, and other miscellaneous food items to fuel his return ride. When he reached in his jersey pocket, he discovered that he’d lost his cash along the way, leaving him with only sixty cents. With that, he was able to buy the two bananas, but nothing else. Let's just say that he demonstrated his resourcefulness to obtain the rest of his caloric needs on his way back to Brentwood…

Special recognition has to go to Tammy and John Meehan, who flew out from Iowa to ride this event!

All in all, it was a great day and we thank everybody for coming along for the ride!

Feedback from rider Amber Hutt

The Pacific Coast Highway 200-km Brevet is easily one of my most favorite rides. The ride starts in Brentwood, goes out to Ventura via Malibu, then doubles back to where you originally began. You cycle along PCH, which is smooth, clean, and has wide shoulders so that you are at a good distance from traffic. These roads are so spectacular that bicyclists from all over the world come to the United States just to ride them. Instead of listening to heavy traffic roar by, you get to hear the pleasant sound of the ocean's waves crashing against the large, brown rocks. During most of the ride, you are in sight of the sparkling, deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is peaceful and not rushed, so that you can take your time and enjoy the wonderful scenery. The ride is generally flat, so even if you are not one of the strongest bicyclists, I would still highly advise that you do this ride. This brevet is extraordinary, and not something that you want to miss out on, so come along and enjoy the scent of fresh air, the view of the ocean, and the mild temperatures as you ride your bike and have a great time!