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.

Day 3, June 6, 2017, King City to Paso Robles, Quad Buster

Jan at the top of Quad Buster and Jan & Lori at the top

The town of Bradley used to be a bustling place until 101 moved and it became almost a ghost town.

The school district holds their only fundraiser with AIDS/LifeCycle cooking & serving burgers, with the option of a $100.00 plate in an air-conditioned room.

This year they grossed (with generous donations from ALC riders) 

$60,000.00 and netted $45,000.00.

Jan & Nicolas with a student promoting the $100 club. They now take credit cards.

An old gas station across the street from the BBQ.

Every Rest Stop & Lunch had bike mechanics.  Cannondale was at lunch in Bradley.

Due to a road closure from the rains this year the route deviated off of 101. We were given permission, not only to ride through Camp Roberts, but also to photograph parts of it.



That hill was a surprise that topped out at 20%. It was short, but after Quad Buster, many walked the last part of it.

You can guess which part of that is Quad Buster.

 Every year a pet rescue woman visits us in Paso Robles at the Mid State Fairgrounds where we camp. She brings a stroller with some of her friendly rescues. 

Rick with Opossum and Emilia with Bunny.                                                                                    

We get letters along the route from different elementary schools being taught about AIDS and the ride. They are all very interesting.