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.

ALC Day 2 Santa Cruz to King City

Distance 107.73

Moving Time 6:36
Elevation 3,789ft
Avg Speed 16.3mi/h
Max Speed 40.0mi/h

Temperature 87.6

Harvey West Park, 326 Evergreen Street, Santa Cruz, 95060 to

San Lorenzo County Park, 1160 Broadway, King City, 93930 

Rise and shine early on Day 2. We got up at 4:15am to beat the morning rush hour commuters and get an early start on our second day in the saddle! This is a long mileage day with relatively flat terrain that took us through the Salinas Valley, also known as Steinbeck Country. 

I'm not sure what happened today, but I broke down crying four times in the first hour of riding. 

Maybe it was all the love and support from you all. Maybe it was the one man standing in front of his garage early morning cheering us on or a few minutes later a family smiling and waving. Maybe for all who we've lost ... we ride for those who can't, for those who give, for those who live. 

But more about the ride. The lushness of vineyards, strawberry and artichoke fields stretch as far as the eye can see in all directions. Highlights of the day include fried artichokes, Christmas stop, Day of the Dead stop, The Otter Pop guys at the Water Stop and the Cookie Lady, she bakes all the cookies just for us at the water rest stop. The best was the Bronies stop. My tribute to Chris Paunovich.

Then finished the ride and then off to dinner, a nice hot showe, then bed. 

ALC Day 1 San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Distance 85

My Garmin was working but never recorded :(

Cow Palace (Main Entrance), 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City, 94014 to 

Harvey West Park, 326 Evergreen Street, Santa Cruz, 95060

What a day! Our adventure began as we rode out immediately following Opening Ceremonies - which had John and me in tears. There was such a touching presentation remembering those who have passed. The route on Day 1 had some great scenery and cycling roads that San Mateo County has to offer - my cousin Arthur Espos took me through some of these paths earlier in the year. The stunning coastal views from hilltops to the ocean are truly Northern California at its best! Highlight of the day: The lunch stop on Day 1 offers a spectacular and breathtaking view of the ocean but I took a picture of the hill we were about to climb right after lunch. 

Climbing this hill

Right after lunch at San Gregorio.