The Saturday ride was good this weekend. The crew: Andy, Brett, Chris L, Chris P, myself, and the newbie Michael. The mission: cheer on our peeps in the Vineman triathlon, OA member Matt Ruscigno and his friend Brian.

Last time I saw Brian and Matt was at the World's Toughest Half Triathlon in Auburn, CA. They had done the Davis Double Century the day before. Whatever Matt and Brian do together ends epic.

We saw Matt first cruisin' down Airport Rd. Go Matt! We then stopped at Tierra Vegetables for some strawberries and to cheer on the hundreds of triathletes cycling by. Brian rolled by. Go Brian! That was their first lap of two.

We ride to the top of Chalk Hill Road. Chris Lods and I chalk Go Vegan! and other messages on the road. All of us cheer on endless stream of cyclists, some struggling, others in for a good time. The group splits now: Brett, Andy, and I head off into the hot and dry Alexander Valley. The Ironman people look like they're starting to suffer on their second lap in the 90+ degree heat.

We make our way back to Windsor for more cheering. Awhile later, Matt rolls into T2. Go Matt! Not long after, Brian smiles by. Go Brian! After they pass by on their first of 4 laps of the 26.2 mile run, we get back on our bikes. I take video, which unfortunately did not come out. Brian had broken his chain early in the bike and had to wait for Matt to get a chain tool. Brian is a raw fooder, and I asked him what he had eaten. Bananas, dates, celery, and coconut water had kept him going for 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 2 miles of a marathon. We rolled up to Matt, who was in good spirits and happy to hear that he was running on the Tour d'Organics course. Matt looked like he was running a determined and strong pace. We coasted down the hill, leaving the boys to listen to the beat of their feet for the remaining miles.

Later that evening, Justin rode to Windsor to see them finish. He got there just after Matt finished in just over 12 hours. Brian did not finish. He had had a foot injury before the event, and it was only getting worse.

That night, Matt, Brian, and Jenna (Brian's wife) showed up at the OATC. We shared banana ice cream and good stories.