Day 7: Ventura to Los Angeles

This morning we were encouraged to start extra-early to ensure that we reached LA in time for the closing ceremony at 3:30. So I rolled out into the June gloom just after 7:00. The first part of the ride was along relatively quiet country roads through Oxnard. and Port Hueneme, but after Rest Stop 1 we were on the shoulder of busy Highway 1 all the way to Malibu. Plenty of climbs today (incidentally, the entire ride has about 20,000 feet of climbing -- about the same as Denali!) along with lots of gorgeous coastal scenery and copious traffic. After a spectacular last lunch on bluffs below Pepperdine in Malibu, we rolled past Will Rogers State Beach, walked through an underground tunnel, climbed a bit through Santa Monica, and then, just like that, I rode through a big inflatable arch at the finish line and it was all over. 10 months and 1,050 miles of sporadic training, $6600 collected to fund HIV/AIDS services, and 475 miles of riding in one week. Thanks to everyone who made it possible!

Day 6: Lompoc to Ventura

This day had a little of everything: gorgeous inland and coastal scenery, a few climbs, some thrilling descents, and even an ice-cream stop courtesy of the good people of Santa Barbara. The long stretches of riding along the shoulder of the 101 freeway were tiresome, but these were far outshone by the tremendous beach views. We camped on the beach in Ventura and participated in the traditional silent candlelight vigil -- a solemn and powerful way to begin our last night in camp. 87 miles today, and 2800 candles held aloft and then slowly extinguished in the Pacific Ocean.

DONE!

I'm in LA and all's well. I'll post more about days 5 and 6 later. Thanks everyone!

Day 5: Santa Maria to Lompoc

Like the previous days, Day 5 was dominated by wind. But what made this relatively short ride memorable were the outfits, for Day 5 also happens to be Red Dress Day, when many ALC participants of all genders (but especially men) don red dresses and/or more provocative garb. At certain points along the twisty, hilly route, the procession of red-clad cyclists resembles a giant AIDS ribbon.

And in case you were wondering: yes, I did wear one! So now I can say I've bicycled up a steep hill on Vandenberg Air Force Base while wearing a stunning off-the-shoulder Chanel number.

Day 4: Paso Robles to Santa Maria

After a cold and windy night at the
Mid-State Fairgrounds in Paso Robles, I felt somewhat unprepared for what was planned to be the longest ride of the entire week, and my longest one-day ride ever (since Monday's 109-miler was curtailed due to weather). I hit the road anyway, and by mid-morning I had successfully climbed the so-called Evil Twins on Highway 46 --they're "evil" because there are actually four of them. These were followed by a 10-mile descent, near the end of which I got a flat tire. ALC riders being who they are, it wasn't long until a lovely older lady called Mary stopped to help me change it.

A few miles later, we were back on the coast for the first time since Santa Cruz. After a quick lunch just north of San Luis Obispo (the flat tire had me running late), I rode southward through a series of cute little coastal towns, ending up at Rest Stop 4 in the predominantly Latino town of Gonzales. Then a quick 12-mile cruise into Santa Maria with strong tailwinds brought this 97-mile day to a close. Not quite a century, but close enough!

Day 2: Santa Cruz to Marina

If Day 1 was perfect, Day 2 was anything but. About 20 miles after we left Santa Cruz, it started to drizzle... then sprinkle... then rain. I struggled for about another 20 miles, with inadequate gear (like almost everybody else) then got to Rest Stop 2. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that the route was closed and that we would all gather in a nearby church, from which we would be "sagged" to King City -- all 200 of us. An additional 1100+ people (!) were stuck in nearby Salinas, where the Red Cross declared a disaster and brought in coffee and supplies. An exciting day! The 2-hour wait for a bus to King City was somewhat less than exciting, but we were treated like visiting royalty, and people's spirits remained high. Of course I'm disappointed to miss out on what would have been my first "century" ride, but I'll have other chances!

Day 1: SF to Santa Cruz

The connectivity here in Santa Cruz is spotty, so I'll add photos later. The ride went very well -- 84 miles, my longest ever! Until tomorrow, when we're scheduled to ride 25 miles more than that!

Day 0

Today I stood in a bunch of lines to acquire some plastic chips, stickers, and wristbands. This was Orientation Day, when a small army of volunteers manages to register, assign, corral, and otherwise process 3,000 riders and roadies. A truly inspiring feat of logistics.