Yet another morning marine layer led to a brilliant, sunny day of exquisite riding. Today was the week's full century ride, a wonderful tour up to Santa Maria on the back roads, then inland on quiet Route 166 to Tepusquet ("Tay-pus-kay"), a fantastic climb. Almost the whole group stayed together all day, battling a headwind from Sisquoc to Santa Maria as a smooth ensemble, and just enjoying one another's company. Partway up Tepusquet, Chris Kostman's mother, Shelby, met the group with water and Clif Bars for all, plus the news that the road ahead was missing a few important feet. Sure enough, upon arrival, the road that had just been a short gravel stretch only ten days prior was now "the road that went missing." It had totally and massively been washed out by a recent storm. Never missing a chance for adventure and a unique experience, all of the riders scaled the banks and forded the Foxen River in order to stay on course (and avoid a ten mile detour). From there it was a lovely stretch on the incomparable Foxen Canyon past many wineries such as Zaca Creek and Fess Parker before the final miles through Los Olivos and the miniature horses along Alamo Pintado and then home, sweet home in Solvang.