Today was another day that I would ride at the back of the pack and take-in all the beauty that life has to offer and also remember those who have left us.
Irene and I trying our best to open our eyes wide at such an early hour
Yoga humor
Off to mile 14.6 RS1 Caltrans Pull Out. As is with much of the San Francisco to Los Angeles route, this stretch was breathtaking with rolling hills, steep climbs, glorious descents into beautiful coastal views. And what do we have here? Finally, a picture with my tent mate, Carlos. Carlos and I became fast friends last year at the lunch stop on Day 5. During training from February to May 2014, Carlos found me aloof. I was a newbie. All I wanted was to finish training as fast and best as I could because I didn't know how I would be on the actual 7-day ride. I didn't spend much time at rest stops or lunch during my first season of training. Carlos was always holding court and in command. When Carlos saw me on Day 5 last year, his opinion of me being conserved went out the window, the door and any other opening available.
Bumping into familiar faces was such a joy at RS1.
Our Eminence Don Brown
Ken, the compassionate Chicken Lady
With Johannes, the Chicken Lady's future husband
Love training with and seeing Carolyn
Beautiful multi-year rider, Emily
Ms. Guru Bollywood in all her lovliness
The route to mile 27.5 RS2 Vista Point was closed from here onwards before 9am, so Johannes and I stayed put and waited until we were given the go ahead.
Riding at a slower pace, one gets to stop and take pictures along the route, so here we are with folks we had just left back in RS1.
Diana is wondering why she's at the rest stop before me
It's Chris with a smile
Unicorns are found everywhere
Ally can't believe she cycling every mile
Yup! Meeting George right outside the porta potties
With the Blond Ambition Robert
Lisa is LOVING that I'm arriving as she's leaving
Newlyweds James and George
You can't get any better than taking a photo of newlyweds, so on to mile 44.2 lunch at Girsh Park, where after taking a bite into my sandwich, I hear, "Lunch will be closing in 15 minutes." As I ride out, I see that Edna is remembered and Rich supported everywhere.
Riding to mile 57.2 RS3 Leadbetter Beach is spectacular, especially because our next stop is Paradise Pit with ICE CREAM!!!!!!!
All the toppings one could ask for
Skot loving Paradise Pit
Janet and Heartbreak Hector
Jen and Eric from New York, now Californians
Is Lisa making fun of me always being behind her?
Mile 71.6 water stop was skipped to go onto mile 78.7 RS4 Rincon Parkway Campground
Chris B - love where you take us with your music
Don't look, Rich, but you do know who this represents :)
Don't know who he is, but he's begging for a photo - right in front of my bike
The wonders of our Gear Roadies
88.1 miles cycled into camp at San Buenaventura State Beach and directly from dropping my gear off in our tent and off to be with Rich for a tribute to Edna.
After leaving the beach, I rushed back to my tent to get warm and showered. The day was indeed ending, the showers, at least the one I was using was not clean, but I was tired and needed to get done so I could get something to eat. I got to the dining tent just as camp announcements were ending and folks were leaving for the candlelight vigil. I ate in silence and alone, but not lonely. With each bite (I had to savor because I couldn't go back for seconds -- food service was closed), I was able to reflect on what today and the past five days meant. Everything. This moment dining on my own was very much like, at times, riding on my own. I get to have all this time to think, not think, to laugh, to ask, to answer and best of all, I get to know that my life with family, friends, the ALC community, our 48th and Telegraph family, Allen and the P-boys, and especially the love of my life, John is fulfilling. And with my last bite, I smiled, headed back to my tent and thought, "Should I walk into town for an In-n-Out meal?"
Say good night, Art! Well, I tried. Carlos and I ended up talking quietly, texting and giggling until we could no longer.
Off to mile 14.6 RS1 Caltrans Pull Out. As is with much of the San Francisco to Los Angeles route, this stretch was breathtaking with rolling hills, steep climbs, glorious descents into beautiful coastal views. And what do we have here? Finally, a picture with my tent mate, Carlos. Carlos and I became fast friends last year at the lunch stop on Day 5. During training from February to May 2014, Carlos found me aloof. I was a newbie. All I wanted was to finish training as fast and best as I could because I didn't know how I would be on the actual 7-day ride. I didn't spend much time at rest stops or lunch during my first season of training. Carlos was always holding court and in command. When Carlos saw me on Day 5 last year, his opinion of me being conserved went out the window, the door and any other opening available.
Riding at a slower pace, one gets to stop and take pictures along the route, so here we are with folks we had just left back in RS1.
You can't get any better than taking a photo of newlyweds, so on to mile 44.2 lunch at Girsh Park, where after taking a bite into my sandwich, I hear, "Lunch will be closing in 15 minutes." As I ride out, I see that Edna is remembered and Rich supported everywhere.
After leaving the beach, I rushed back to my tent to get warm and showered. The day was indeed ending, the showers, at least the one I was using was not clean, but I was tired and needed to get done so I could get something to eat. I got to the dining tent just as camp announcements were ending and folks were leaving for the candlelight vigil. I ate in silence and alone, but not lonely. With each bite (I had to savor because I couldn't go back for seconds -- food service was closed), I was able to reflect on what today and the past five days meant. Everything. This moment dining on my own was very much like, at times, riding on my own. I get to have all this time to think, not think, to laugh, to ask, to answer and best of all, I get to know that my life with family, friends, the ALC community, our 48th and Telegraph family, Allen and the P-boys, and especially the love of my life, John is fulfilling. And with my last bite, I smiled, headed back to my tent and thought, "Should I walk into town for an In-n-Out meal?"
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