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The journey on Strava

The maps below show the seven routes taken from San Francisco (Oakland) to Los Angeles.

ALC Day 7 Ventura to Los Angeles

Distance 61.66
Moving Time 3:59
Elevation 1,922ft
Avg Speed 15.4mi/h
Max Speed 33.2mi/h
Temperature 94
TOTAL DISTANCE/TIME 543.1 miles, hours minutes

San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St., Ventura, 93001 to
VA Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90025

Going south took us through Ventura, Oxnard (Hi, Vera de Vera) and Port Hueneme (pronounced Why-Knee-Me) and Malibu. We saw military planes on display as we rode past the Naval Air Station on our way to Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). PCH was a straight shot down the coastline for about 20 miles. Now I’m trying to look for surfers and beach boy goers in Malibu, but I’m too focused on not getting doored from the right, tinned over by cars on the left, and getting to LA. We turned away from the coast and rode through through Santa Monica (Hi, Ben and Jeff) on our way to the Closing Ceremonies. Highlight of the day: The streets are peppered along the route on Day 7 with friends, family, and well-wishers. 

What a wonderful emotional roller coaster these seven days offered, especially at the finish line - yes, I broke down and cried into the loving arms of Meredith Slater, Julie Brown, Neil Giuliano and fellow cyclist Carlos A. Rangel. Don't worry it wasn't right after the finish line, but at least 20 feet past because after all, there were other riders 😉. 

Here's Ben Connelly walking through after crossing the finish line. 

Our Sunday Orinda Training Ride Leader Hero Mark Smith.

20-somethings Ben (left) and Roger center. Then Bill and Woojin. I yelled out to Ben and Roger when they passed on my left earlier today, "How could you do this to a 52-year old?" They're response, we couldn't believe how many times you passed us ...

Wonderful Roadies! Wish I could have captured the whole lot passing through. 

A glimpse of the Closing Ceremony. 

Made it Los Angeles!

545 miles / 7 days. More about Day 7 later. 

Pictured with Carlos A. Rangel

ALC Day 6 Lompoc to Ventura

Distance 86.53
Moving Time 5:38
Elevation 3,493ft
Avg Speed 15.4mi/h
Max Speed 38.8mi/h
Temperature 88

River Park, Sweeney Rd. & Hwy 246, Lompoc, 93436 to
San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St., Ventura, 93001

Day 6 began on one of the prettiest roads on the entire route. We pedaled through vast expansive ranchlands with wildflower-covered hills on both sides! As we rode toward the coast through the gorgeous Gaviota Pass, we ended up on US101. Yikes. Time to pedal faster to get to the lunch break. After lunch, we passed into the heart of Psych-land, for those of us who are Psych fans - Santa Barbara, then through Montecito and Carpinteria, and on into Ventura, where we camped at San Buenaventura State Beach. Highlight of the day: Had great dolphin sightings, but iPhone couldn't take good photos. Almost like Kauai when John and I saw dolphins.

Here are the great pictures.

This was Paradise Pit. I had two servings of ice cream and all the toppings including cookies and brownies. 

Of all times to break down in tears, it was this stop. Rod Lathim has been hosting this great stop for 15 years to continue supporting AIDS/LifeCycle after he stopped cycling for AIDS/LifeCycle. When I thanked him for his continues support, he asked me how many times I've cycled and how I was doing. I couldn't answer and all he could do was hug me through my tears. So thee you have it. A video is on Facebook and will be included when I get back to a computer. 

ALC Day 5 Santa Maria to Lompoc RED DRESS DAY

Distance 39.90

Moving Time 3:14
Elevation 2,027ft
Avg Speed 12.3mi/h
Max Speed 36.2mi/h
Temperature 93.4

Preisker Park, 2301 Preisker Ln., Santa Maria, 93458 to
River Park, Sweeney Rd. & Hwy 246, Lompoc, 93436

Today was not a regular camp day, it was the AIDS/LifeCycle tradition to ride in our AIDS awareness red best. You can let me know if I looked fabulous in an Alysse red outfit - oh, yes, she did. She was resurrected from many years GONE to head out of Camp 4 on her way south towards Rest Stop 1 in Orcutt. We were on a route through Santa Maria, but we headed out much too late. As my friends and I headed to the bike parking lot, an announcement was made that we had only 10 minutes to get out. So we were a bit late getting into each rest stop, but we made it. 

As we approached the switchbacks after Rest Stop 2 that originally inspired early AIDS riders to don red. The route on this day afforded beautiful vistas of Alysse and light traffic. As we entered Lompoc, I had deep emotions. This was a town my parents came to seeking work in the grape vineyards, They picked grapes in the hot sun, while my brother and I were kept in grape crates tied to ropes linked to my parents waists.

I was overwhelmed with both sadness and happiness, that they endured so much to make a better life for us. We are definitely much better off than they were as adults. Although my mother is around to witness the result of her hard work, I wish my father were around to see the fruits of his labor and Alysse 😄. 

A video to show that I actually cycle will be posted separately. 

ALC Day 4 Paso Robles to Santa Maria

Distance 88.16
Moving Time 5:50
Elevation 4,289ft
Avg Speed 15.1mi/h
Max Speed 36.6mi/h
Temperature 63.9

Mid State Fairgrounds, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, 93447 to
Preisker Park, 2301 Preisker Ln., Santa Maria, 93458

The route on Day 4 had a little bit of everything. A delicious treat for the eyes with stunning vistas and ocean views that gave way to sprawling fields of farmland and even some quaint seaside towns. The route was sometimes remote and and some were congested town streets. Before lunch, we conquered the infamous Evil Twins. The views from the top of that second sister hill were pectacular. The top of the second sister was where we crowded around for our half way to L.A. pictures. 

I was fine when I finally got to the top of the second sister hill until somebody asked me how I was. Yes, another breakdown with tears streaming down my face, but I finally composed myself as you can see from the picture.

From there, we rode back out to the coast and through the city of Pismo Beach and on into camp. Highlight of the day: Half Way to LA!! At the top of the second sister hill, we came upon a vista point turnout where we had the opportunity to have our pictures taken with the Half Way to LA sign! Also, the fun rest stops - I'll let you figure out the themes. By the way, the last three days, I've been eating only bananas and oranges at the rest stops. Today, junk food ruled 😄. 

 

I met Jeanne Reed a 16-year veteran of AIDS Ride - AIDS/LifeCycle. 

Dinner piled ver high. 

Another great picture of our tents, all packed into one area. And, a makeshift charging station. 

ALC Day 3 King City to Paso Robles

Distance 65.05
Moving Time 4:27
Elevation 2,582ft
Avg Speed 14.6mi/h
Max Speed 31.7mi/h
Temperature 97

San Lorenzo County Park, 1160 Broadway, King City, 93930 to
Mid State Fairgrounds, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, 93447

We started the day at 4am striking our tents and being greeted by our gear truck roadies in horror costumes. 

Today's ride is known as Quadbuster Day. Don’t let the name scare you. We all made it to the top with our fellow cyclists - I made from camp to the top in 57 minutes. That deserves a great big thanks to the Training Ride Leaders for such great traing rides in the East Bay - Mary Vencill, Hugo Sosa, and Mark Smith. But Quadbuster is only a small part of the route on Day 3. I had such a great ride up the hill, but once I got to the rest stop I broke down in tears when Ramona Martinez asked how I did on the ride up. I can't express the emotions I'm going through - they're all over place. There was a good, quite space to reflect. 

I finally calmed down and Mark Tidyman, my tent mate took a less emotional picture of me applying butt butter. Of course I hammed it up. 

Rest stops were so much fun! Lunch was at the small town of Bradley, which has embraced the ride with open arms. We pedal on remote roads passing only a few small quaint stores, mostly later in the day. 

One great thing about riding into these small towns or country stores is that AIDS/LifeCycle coming through, including cyclists, provide sources of income and fundraising that has been lost when 101 was built and bypassed these towns. One story I heard was that because of having lunch in Bradley - donating to the town for hosting and feeding us. Bradley was able to out a roof on one of their public buildings. 

Rolling hills through beautiful countryside took us into camp.