ridecamp@endurance.net: Flying pigs, Rio and Artichokes: California Crewing

Flying pigs, Rio and Artichokes: California Crewing

Roberta Lieberman (rlieberman@phillips.com)
Wed, 20 Aug 1997 15:44:42 -0700 (PDT)

Hello ridecampers,
I've just returned from California, where I helped crewed for Lani
Newcomb, Kathy Broaddus and Rio on the Swanton Pacific 100 Ride and
Tie. Yes, Roger, they did finish, and in fine shape, around 2 in the
morning. Our crew waited for them in "the meadow" just above the
finish, in the light of a silvery moon, as four plucky pigs went
leaping across our view through the shadows. A real Kodak moment, one
of many on a fabulous ride.

Lani ("Granny," of broken collarbone and standup humor fame) and Kathy
("Leadfoot" -- an elite runner if I ever saw one) got around on guts,
potatoes, guts, Cytomax, and most of all (I think) a desire to have
fun. Rio helped. Rio was a champ. He tied well (staying parallel to
the trail, came the reports), watching dutifully for his next rider,
cheerfully carrying whoever happened to be on him at the time up the
next hill. Smart horse, Rio. A thinking horse. About the smartest I
ever have had the privilege to work with. Horse knows what is going on
-- where is the competition, when it's time to eat and drink and rest
and boom! When it's time to tighten the girth and get out of town. He
never got tired or lost his desire, never lost his wonderful gait,
never looked anything other than the tremendous competitor that he is.


I'd planned to hook with up Rio's crew at Duarte's Tavern in
Pescadero, where folks traditionally gather for breakfast after the
ride starts. As I drove up to the tavern early Saturday morning, the
trucks and campers jamming the parking lot laden with pit crew gear
were a welcome sight. I walked into the tavern and there was Becky
Hart, Barb Thomas, just moved West from Maryland, and look, there was
Odette Parker, just moved West from Virginia, and Becky's helper
Michelle and Lani/Kathy's crewperson, Lachlan. It was a reunion!

After the first vet check, a few of us headed back to Pescadero,
browsed the art festival, and brought back artichoke bread, brie and
white wine for the rest of the crew. Then we settled in to wait for
Rio and Co. We got to see the leaders come through, including Kathy
Thompson and Zane Grey -- who took time to give her little girl a
"ride" on her horse at the stop. (If anyone knows Kathy's address, let
me know -- I took photos).

Anyway, Rio and friends came trucking through, stopping briefly before
clattering on over the metal bridge. And so it went...to the sawmill
at 86 miles and the final check at 96 miles and finally, the flying
pigs at the finish. A great experience.

This is fabulous country and the only way to improve on the experience
would be to see it from the back of a horse. Maybe next year!


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