great finish photos - thank you Knarl Stuart

 Isabelle

 Jan, Julio, Tom

Jan, Laura, Julio, Tom

Brandon & another happy cyclist 

Day 7, Ventura - Los Angeles, 77 miles & finish!

Day 7 is all about the excitement of going over the finish line. The route was changed and the finish was at City Hall, so even veterans, especially those not from LA didn't know what to expect. This can be good, as it's nice to have a change, but also frustrating at the same time, not knowing what to expect.

On the way to Rest Stop 1 is a pull out with a mini outdoor museum of Navy planes. Tom & Isabelle found each other there and rode together the rest of the day. We all had a nice surprise in the repaved road most of the first 15 miles which used to be a mess.

Isabelle got so excited at the slight downhill, she flew ahead of the rest of us to finish.

First time we've had 5 finish together. Jan, Laura, Julio & Tom all crossed together.

As we crossed we were announced as the PG&E team with tidbits of info about us.

Or so we were told. I don't think most of us heard it in the excitement and cheering, but our families did.

Mary & Larry, who worked as Minion Sweeps all week crossed about the same time (by sheer coincidence) in the Roadie shute.

David & Emilia crossed right behind them.

Day 6, Lompoc to Ventura, 88+ miles

Day 6 is a favorite day for many. We've accomplished so much we are almost done. We ride on "The 101" a little as well as bike paths by the ocean.

This is Emilia, retiree David Haya's daughter. They work as a Sweep Team, one of 28 cars on the road all week picking up distressed cyclists and boosting them to the next rest stop for self, medical, or mechanical evaluation or repair.

Same Sweep Team got a short break at the same time as Jan, Julio and Isabelle and joined us in a beautiful park in Goleta for lunch.

Julio enjoying the beach later in the route.

The photos of the bike path aren't of any of our team but show the lovely parks we ride through on our way to Paradise Pit.

The bike paths are shared by pedestrians as well and everyone is excited to see the cyclists.

Flat smooth pavement is such a pleasure to zip by with the ocean in view.

Paradise Pit is an unofficial stop with lots of ice cream, home baked goods and fresh fruit. It's held on a small patch of city park land in Santa Barbara with lots of volunteers from there. (Not ALC volunteers)

Rest Stop 4 is on the beach and has a dance party that some cyclists stay and dance at for an hour.  Isabelle is posing with some of the Roadies working the stop. I'm not sure what the theme was, maybe sheep?

Occasionally we all or most of us, manage to find each other (through texts) to eat together for dinner. The food is usually over the top with choices and quantities. Some cyclists even gain weight by enjoying a little too many desserts.

The Candlelight Vigil is a tradition where family and friends are invited to join in camp and walk to the beach. The vigil is done in almost complete silence with participants being handed special safety candles to carry as they think of loved ones they've lost to AIDS/HIV. It is a very emotional time for many who attend.

The moments are personal even though they are shared by the entire group.

Day 5, Red Dress Day, Santa Maria to Lompoc, only 41 miles, but in costume for many

Red Dress day, or Dress Red, depending on your choice, started years ago. The appearance, of a giant red ribbon inspired it, when an arial photo was taken of riders winding up the switchbacks.

Isabelle made a kilt costume. Many of the men, straight or gay, enjoy wearing dresses. 
I guess it's a bit of a treat for them. Most women may not see it that way.

Jan with her 10K jersey, 1st time in 11 years reaching that goal.

Team Deloitte had 50 riders with home made fish heads covering their helmets. 

They rode that way too.

The Minieband is comprised of previous years' riders who pick a location on the route each day to play music for the riders. Usually at the the top of a hill where a quick rest and water are needed.

This is a small sampling of the red ribbon going up one of the several hills on Day 5.

SAFETY is huge paramount on the ride. The requirement to stay to the right of the white line on highways, even when passing, is strictly enforced. If a cyclist is caught with an infraction, their bike is pulled that night. The next morning they have to get "counseled" before being allowed on the ride that day. If they infraction is a serious safety issue, they have to ride the bus that day.

 Paper bags are handed out at lunch to put all your food items in. 

I save mine & use it each night in my tent for any trash I have.

 Sea of red at lunch. This is part of the huge team that dressed as Handmaidens.

 All unpackaged food items are handed out by gloved Roadies (volunteers) for sanitary purposes.

 This year Nuun sponsored the ride and these flavors were available at lunch as well as all rest stops.

All food & drink items are included for riders and roadies.

 Another team that went all out for "Red Dress Day"

 Star Trek outfits.

 This is great display of the toilets (portapotties) we use all week. 

There are different amounts at each stop, usually around 25, and several "banks" of them in camp.

 Water and ice are available at lunch as well as all the rest stops.

 The "water monsters" are more environmentally friendly than gallon plastic jugs. 

At the rest stops they are cleaned regularly to help prevent the spread of germs. 

Sanitizing is always stressed, but better safe than sick.

 Jan in the center of this photo, which showed us committing a "foul" 

riding more than 2 a breast while passing. 

Oops, it happens. There were no cars around.

Shortest day of the week, miles wise, and a good thing with all those crazy red outfits.

Day 4, Paso Robles to santa Maria, 89 miles

Day 4 we go back to the coast during the first part of the day. The highlight of Day 4, is the halfway point after we climb the "Evil Twins", which really aren't that evil or steep, just the nick name for them. This year wasn't fogged in like last and was a beautiful climb.

 Michael is the rider taking the selfie. He is so good at them with his big smile, I asked him to put himself in the shot. Such a great expression, that we were all feeling, reaching the 1/2 way mark.
Jan, Brandon, Isabelle & Julio on the rock.

Mary, a first time Roadie on Sweep Team, got a chance to pose too.                Julio, strong as ever,  did the upside down hold.

Tom & Keith, PG&E team members on the Roadie Traffic team, both 1st timers also, got to pose.

The Traffic team transports by vehicle from camp to camp, & posed with Coney, the safety mascot. You can't tell from the photo, but the other side of the rock is a steep cliff down the mountain.

Isabelle, Jan and Julio stopped at the bottom of the long, steep, 

windy descent for another photo op.

PG&E donates the use of their parking lot in Avilla for Rest Stop 3 on Day 4. Julio, Jan and Isabelle found each other there. Looks like that sign could use a fresh coat of paint.

I can't say enough about the yummy Brown Butter Cookies. Teammate Rick bought 2 dozen to share and it made me realize I should have stopped there too.

Another favorite afternoon spot is the Old West Cinnamon shop in Pismo Beach. Many cyclists stop there and sometimes folks are just handing out the rolls to cyclists.

I (Jan)  stop at a small family owned Ice Cream shop a couple of blocks past the Cinnamon shop.

This year I had Espresso Chip.

Julio & Isabelle waited for Jan at Rest Stop 4 while they watched the entertainment. RS4 is famous for their wild and crazy costumes and skits, usually involving singing and dancing. 

This year was not disappointing.