Day 6, Lompoc to Ventura, 89 miles & Paradise Pit

Day 6 is often a favorite for many. We have made it almost all the way through, the City of Santa Barbara and their mayor host an ice cream party, and we camp on a beach.
The miles seem easy, after what we've done so far, we have a long fun (for most) descent, and we ride along the amazing and beautiful California coast much of the day.

Rest Stop 2, on Day 6, can be a challenge. Cal Trans and the CHP coordinate a closure of a lane on a bridge on 101. The riders are held at this stop until 9am. This is a pano, thus it's bent. Those arriving early can put their bike on a rack, the rest wait in a long line. The riders are only released 10 at a time to prevent piling up, on the dangerous and steep descent that stretches US-101 connecting Lompoc with the Pacific Ocean. See mile 17 to 22 above.

Luckily the view is nice and if someone holds your bike you have time to run to the toilet or get a snack. Day 6 means we are almost done and everyone feels that sense of accomplishment.

After the descent, which many find exhilarating, we have an easy rest of the day. Lunch is in a beautiful park in Goleta, with lots of grass to sit on, followed by an easy ride to Rest Stop 3. Many skip RS3, to head out 4 more miles to Paradise Pit. This is an event in a city park, that the Mayor of Santa Barbara hosts an ice cream/cookies bar for the riders. They have about 8 flavors plus home baked everything. They have a donation jar, which is filled with riders helping fund the following year. This is a tradition the cyclists look forward to.
   
After dinner we gathered together other team members. Emilia, David, Jan, Sam & Valerie.

Emilia, Valerie, Jan

Valerie, Ike, Jan, Rick, Mike and Jamie, all our riders this year.

Roadie Tom, Rider John and Roadie David

Ike took this photo of the vigil. Those attending pick up candles at a designated spot in camp then walk silently to the beach. The vigil reminds everyone of why we ride or volunteer. It's the perfect time to shed tears if they are needed and bring an end (almost) to the week.