On the Pilgrimage

This year I decided to support the BBP rather than ride it. I truly enjoyed every mile of the ride last year, even with the scorching heat and burning legs, I cannot find another ride that compares to the Buddhist Bike Pilgrimage in its incredible support, good company, and the time on and off the bike that I could place myself in the rest of this universe.
As a SAG, I was able to follow the ride, offer assistance, and ride along with Leon and Nikki as they took a break from their own pilgrimage. They made the first leg of the ride, some 30 miles. But with the temperature rising and the steady pace of the riders, Leon and Nikki got on the SAG and we had a great time.
At the last rest stop of Day One, there were so many people who needed to get sagged, Leon decided to get on his bike and ride to the finish. Nikki and I drove the last leg, circling around to pick up or provide water for the remaining riders. It was great fun for us as we sped around the corners, looking for riders, and breathing the warm air from wide-open windows.
We made it to the KOA camp and had a relaxed time. It was much different arriving there as a driver. Last year, I nearly cried seeing my wife waiting for me at the camp. In fact, I first saw our car, and then it didn’t take too long to find her. That was the best feeling. I’ve ridden many centuries much tougher than this one, but seeing her there at the end made it the best. She wasn’t there at the camp, but she came to meet us this time at the second rest stop in Petaluma. That was over an hour of driving north, and she brought sushi for us. I will never forget that. She was the ultimate SAG!
I don’t know what next year will hold, but I hope to be on the ride in some form or other.