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. 

California scenery, photos by Isabelle

One of our strongest riders, Isabelle, has an eye and enjoyment of taking photos, with her iPhone, of amazing sunrises and California scenery. Here are some of he photos for the week. I can't tell you exactly where each was taken, but I can say, she got off her bike lots of times to enjoy the areas we rode through. THANK YOU ISABELLE!