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Century Pacific Coastal Skate 2002
Report by Frank Landfield |
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"I believe it is important that people understand that The Century(The Southern California Annual Pacific Coastline Century Skate/Bike)is a bunch of people who individually choose to do something together. Each individual fully assuming all risk for himself/herself. This is not an event with a sponsor/host. It's basically one person saying: "Hey, I am going to skate from A to B on day X". and someone else saying: "That sounds like fun, I will do that too." When I first heard that from Elliot, I immediately knew that I'd never be able to skate 100 miles! I also knew I had to be involved somehow and help those brave and pure skaters and bikers who were going to skate/bike The Century. So, a few emails were exchanged, and it was agreed that I would be the lucky one to staff an aid station at the top of The Torrey Pines Hill. The spot was perfect, and I truly was the lucky one. What a divine place to spend a Sunday afternoon. The participants in The Century are very much like me...they skate or bike simply for the love of it. I personally skate 26 miles every other week, simply for the love AND fun of it. But people who freely choose to skate 100 miles are a breed unto themselves! The Southern California Coastline, along which much of The Century follows, is breathtaking enough by car. Why would anybody want to skate or bike it? Why indeed? To completely understand this, I believe you have to do it for yourself. But seriously, realistically, how many people are ever going to, in their lifetime, skate or bike 100 miles in one day? Not very many, and believe me, they will have missed an unforgettable opportunity and experience. For me, a marathon is enough. But for some, it is not, and that is why, I suppose, there is Athens to Atlanta and, The Century. They started out at 5am(yes, in the morning)at the Santa Ana Train station, just a group of individuals, I dare say, not unlike those on the Mayflower. People, skaters and bikers who would spend the entire day together and inevitably become closer. Hills? Oh yes, hills. Hills make this experience ideal for skaters and bikers because they help one another. (And when will a skate maker put a reliable brake on skates?) The route, from Santa Ana to San Diego, rolled through some of the best Southern California scenery imaginable, including: Irvine Blvd, the strawberry fields, lovely skate/bike trails, the Muirlands, Camino Capistrano, El Camino Real, the Freeway!, Oceanside Beach, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, SeaWorld, The Star of India, Harbor Drive, and beautiful downtown San Diego. I've seen all these places and I've even skated through some of them. But for me, the highlight was at the top of The Torrey Pines Hill. There I sat, in my car, for three hours, waiting. I was in touch, by cellphone, with the support vehicle, so I knew the progress of the skaters and bikers. I watched as each and every person coming up that Hill had agony spelled out on their face, and I wondered, "how are The Century participants ever going to make it up that Torrey Pines Hill. And then the call came, they were at the bottom of The Hill, Torrey Pines State Beach, beginning their climb. I got out of the car and made sure the supplies were ready. Moments later two bikers appeared asking if I had any water. I said: "Absolutely! I've got water, gatorade, fruit, cookies, etc..." and they looked as if they'd just met The Messiah. Moments later a tall, lean skater appeared with his skinsuit half unzipped. I thought to myself: "gosh, he's a good skater! I never would have made it up THAT hill!" He too was ready for some refreshment. Moments later more came, women and men who had been skating and riding together for 80 miles. They were all ready for a breather and some refreshment after that Torrey Pines Hill, especially Mr. Bill, the camera-man. By the way, the video is AWESOME! The group ate and drank everything I had. I promised them I'd have much more next year. Then off they rolled, headed to the San Diego train station and their easy ride back to Santa Ana. While driving home I decided it had been quite enough for me to have been a part of this grand Century event(there is no way I could ever skate 100 miles and live to tell about it). And so I will definitely be at the top of Torrey Pines Hill again next year. But why, you may ask, do people skate and bike 100 miles? We all must answer that question for ourselves, but I believe it is for the same reason that people sail around the world in The Whitbred, and climb Mount Everest, and ride The Tour de France, and swim the English Channel. Why indeed. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to choose to participate in The 2003 Century so you will know, first-hand." written by frank landfield, July 14, 2002. you have my permission to print this article. Frank Landfield PO Box 3391 Idyllwild, CA 92549 |
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