Day 7, June 10, 2017, 555 miles done, in LA

Day 7 is the most emotional day of the week for most of us. We made it!
Chicken Lady, an iconic rider of many AIDS rides in many states, and I think 21 AIDS/LifeCycle rides, is making a difference in the world. Every year on the morning of Day 7, riders find a plastic egg with a message inside attached to their bike seat.

Day 7 appears to have one very steep climb towards the end of the day. In reality, because the length of the ride isn't that far, that steep line on the map isn't too bad or too long. However, there are cyclists who have to walk up it. None of the PG&E team though. We all trained hard and were ready for it.

At the beach lunch stop, some of the PG&E team, Emilia, Jan & David, posed with 4 ladies from Team Box. These 4 ladies trained with us and Awesome Ahead for months and were able to ride like rock stars. One of them didn't even own a bike until March. Proof, that if your mind is in it, your body can be too, if you give it enough effort, time, luck and love.

This link is a video of Tom & Steven riding across the finish line. 

The announcer calls out Team PG&E!

https://www.facebook.com/mlsn25/videos/1476532485746226/

Steven on the left, Tom on the right.

Tom in the back greeting his wife (also a PG&E employee), Steven in front.

I (Jan) rode in by myself. It was really emotional for me.

Next year I hope we can ride in as a team.

It's hard to facilitate because we all had different times 

we had to catch flights or get picked up by relatives.

At the finish there is a celebration where many folks are lucky enough to have family and friends greet them. This cheer team was amazing.Recruiting for next year has begun as well. Want to join us next year? Email me for info: jhw8@pge.com

Larry who is a strong, healthy, 70 year old, finished strong again this year.

He is registered for next year too. Jan also rode every mile and is signed up for next year.

John had lots to be happy about.

Not only did he finish strong,

John and Tom got engaged on Day 1 of the ride.

Tom worked as a Roadie on Sweep all week.

Congratulations to you both!

Day 6, June 9, 2017, Lompoc to Ventura, ICE CREAM

Lompoc to Ventura
Day 6 begins on one of the prettiest roads on the entire route. You will pedal through vast expansive ranchlands with wildflower-covered hills on both sides! As you ride toward the coast through the gorgeous Gaviota Pass, you will be on US101. After lunch, you will pass through the heart of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria, and on into Ventura, where we camp at San Buenaventura State Beach. Highlight of the day: Day 6 is your best bet for dolphin sightings!! Cast an eye to the sea and perhaps you will glimpse those playful creatures jumping in and out of the water as they frolic just off the coast. 

That's a blurb from the ALC website. I haven't seen the dolphins yet, maybe next year.

This is a shot of the band that performed atop many hills on the ride. Made up of guys who are long time riders and couldn't do the ride for the entire week this year, for a variety of reasons, but couldn't stand to be away either.

Rest Stop 2 is where we wait for CalTrans and CHP to work together to close a lane on a bridge at 9:30 am. Cyclists are then funneled through, 20 at a time, for the stretch down 101. Depending on when you arrive at the rest stop it can be a long wait. I got really lucky this year and was only there 20 min. Barely enough time to grab a snack and use the potty.
Larry and Jan at lunch, at beautiful Girsh Park in Goleta.

Rest stop 3, I needed a slight adjustment to my bike and mechanic Debbie, one of only a couple female mechanics on the ride, was glad to assist.

Diane is a retired PG&Er who has ridden the ride and volunteered well over 15 years. She and sister Nita are the Sweeping' Beauties, helping cyclists who need a lift to the next stop.

Emilia, Diane (Nita in car) David & Jan, at RS 3 in Santa Barbara.

After RS 3 is the famous Santa Barbara Ice Cream Stop, Paradise Pit. This is hosted by people in Santa Barbara each year and is a highlight for everyone. It's on a little piece of City owned land. Volunteers pay for and scoop ice cream and toppings and give cheer to all. They even provide portapotties for the riders.

Jan, John and Tim happened to be there at the same time.

The last night in camp there is a trek to the water at the beach where we camp. A candlelight vigil is held. Family and friends are welcome to join participants for this silent and very emotional time. We remember those we've lost and those striving to live healthy lives with positive HIV status and focus on the love that is shared during the week.

Day 5, June 8, 2017, Red Dress/Dress Red

Dress Red morphed into Red Dress years ago. It started with riders wearing red on Day 5, when photographed from the sky climbing up a winding road, it looked like a red ribbon. Apparently you can't keep straight or gay guys out of dresses, so dress red became red dress.

It's all a lot of fun to see the different red themes and this year there were some amazing ones.

The gear truck roadies often have the best ones as they can pack extra clothes in the trucks.

This band is composed of long time riders and TRLs (Training Ride Leaders) who couldn't ride this year. They came out at several locations through out the week in different costumes and rocked us with live music.

Team Iron Taints

Many teams coordinate their costumes. This is "Friends with Bikes"

Director of the ride (on right) is Tracy Evans.

Rick & Natalie with friends before we rode out.

This team, "Cretins" of 17 riders all ride fixed gear bikes.
This means the pedals never stop moving. Just think about that and what it would take to ride 555 miles.

Jeremy was a photo must at lunch. He actually rode his bike wearing that dress.

Lunchies Harley and Linda, who ride some years on the
PG&E Team with their son Owen, a former PG&Er.

John and Jan pose with Jeremy, the
belle of the ball at lunch.  

David, PG&E retiree and Emilia his daughter
worked as Roadies on Sweep this year.

Bean bags are in the lounge area at camp for just hanging out with friends.

Lunch team after cleaning up pose for their annual photo.
Tent city in Santa Maria.

Day 4, June 7, 2017, 1/2 Way Day, Paso to Santa Maria, Evil Twins

The 2 hills before the 1/2 way point are named Evil Twins. Towards the top it got foggy but then started to break up.

David was on break when our fastest riders, Neil & Tom made it to the 1/2 way mark. We say it's like herding cats to get us all together for photos, but it's really harder than that. I waited at the top of the hill until everyone made it up and took photos, not all in one photo but the 1st time in 10 years for us to capture everyone in small groups!

How many PG&E'ers does it take to set up for a photo?

Tim, David, Steven, Natalie, Emilia & Rick

Rick, David & Natalie, not sure why Rick & David felt the need to duck.

Jan, Neil, David, Tom & Emilia, still foggy.

                                                               Go Tim!

 Tim, Steven, Larry, Jan & John

 John & Larry

 Tim and Jan at the PG&E Energy Center, which is donated for use as rest stop 3 by PG&E

 The neighbors here mark their street with Northern & Southern and draw a line.
Then cheer the riders on, with balloons lining the street, telling us we are 1/2 way.

 Rest Stop 4 always has fun costumes and themes with Roadies to pose with for moral boost.

                  The PG&E team had 6 Roadie volunteers this year.
This is Leonel, he worked at breakfast and dinner and always had a smile.