Day 2 - Santa Cruz to King City, 109.5 miles

Day 2 is our longest Day, relatively flat, with very intense winds and rough agricultural roads. The orange clothing is representative of the "Safety Day" theme. Isabelle sported that curly wig all day on her helmet.

Emilia & David worked as Sweep in the Mocha Madness van. All week they boosted riders who needed assistance for,
1) mechanical,
2) emotional,
3) physical reasons.

You can see by the flags how strong the winds were.

The Otter Pop Water Stop is at Mission Soledad, founded in 1791. The Otter Pops are a true treat.
Isabelle, Brandon, and Jan getting love from the "Bears" at the stop.

Cookie Lady is a legend on the ride, now part of the Water Stop. She bakes homemade cookies all year and freezes them to have enough to give out to the 3000 participants. Her entire family assists her at the event.

Isabelle, Jan & Julio tried to get a photo with the portapotties in the background. They were a sponsor of the ride and had an advertisement on them for a diarrhea medication, which we found amusing.

Rest Stop 4 we still had big wind, but needed one more break before finishing the >100 miles.

Emilia & David ran into Jan there while getting more ice. It was a really long day for all.
We were glad to see Leo, one of our Roadie team members serving us dinner.

Day One-Cow Palace to Santa Cruz, 6/3/18

Opening ceremonies at the Cow Palace, pre-ride out; the big screen showed how much has been raised so far. More donations will continue to come in all week. The riderless bicycle is then carried down the center isle in silence to represent those no longer with us.

Isabelle & Jan, just before ride out at the Cow Palace.

Brandon, Isabelle, Jan, Julio, managed to find each other at Rest Stop 2.  

Mia, Jan, Isabelle, Lunch stop

Julio, Jan and Brandon, flanked by Training Ride Leaders, not riding this year, but cheering us on at the Lighthouse on Highway 1.  We are under way, and at Rest Stop 2, Brandon, Isabelle, Jan & Julio all found each other.

Emilia & David, Sweep Roadies, also stopped for a shot with these energetic, moral boosting, roadside entertainers.

 Rest Stop 4, Brandon posed with the volunteers dressed as Hotel Concierge.

Keith & Tom both worked all week as Traffic Roadies, directing cyclists, mostly in and out of camp, but other places as well.

Tent city, not completely set up yet. When done there will be 1600 tents.

We’re off

This is a shot of almost the whole team waiting in line , on Day Zero, to see our orientation video.
Thank you to all the volunteers who showed up from PG&E to assist signing in the Cyclists and Roadies.

Tom & Keith, arriving later, with different meet up time.

ALC is almost here, training hard

Great team rides this weekend. Saturday, 6 riders, 60 miles, then team meeting/ prep talks about items to pack, how logistics will work for camping all week, travel to and from, important details, etc.

 Brandon, our newest member, on his longest ride ever, and a few short but very steep climbs.

 Brandon and Jason coming up Cross Rd in Livermore

 Jason & Jan, thanks to Isabelle, our fastest strongest rider to forges ahead to take photos.

 Julio over the top of Cross Rd.

 Julio, almost to the top, not sure the grade, Garmin sometimes lies, but it was steep at top.

 Lunch at the PG&E site, Western Regional Lineman's Rodeo in Livermore,
Jan in front, Isabelle, Brandon, Jim, Jason & Julio.

After we changed out clothes for team party/meeting. Keith, Jim, Julio, Tom, Jan, David, Mary, Isabelle, Larry and Brandon. 

Need volunteers for the Cow Palace, Sat & Sun, June 2 & 3

We've been busy training, changing a couple of flat tires, climbing hills, and more hills, and fundraising.
If you can volunteer, for the send off from the Cow Palace, we have a PG&E contingent, or you can pick your own shift, click below.
PG&E 6.2.18_8:30am - 2pm

volunteers for Sat or Sun

Saturday we rode Morgan Territory & Sunday Tunitas Creek and Half Moon Bay. Isabelle is a strong, fast rider, and takes photos for us.

 Isabelle helping Julio, both are quite proficient at changing tires though.

Jim, Isabelle & Jan on a snack break. The amount of calories we need to consume is over the top.

Highway 1 view, we will ride by this again on Day 1, June 3.

Towering redwood trees on Tunitas Creek Rd, a climb of 2000' in 6 miles.

The Pulgas Water Temple in Filoli, taken from Canada Rd. One of the best benefits of riding is the scenery we get to enjoy. Another, of course staying fit and the best of all, knowing we are helping others with our fundraising efforts.

4 weeks until we ride from SF to LA

Several team members joined the AIDS/LifeCycle official Day on The Ride. It was a simulation, although only 70 miles it exposed riders to port-a-pottys, snack filled rest stops, and costumed volunteers. Isabelle and Laura rocked the day. Isabelle is a super strong rider and takes the time to stop and shoot photos. For an I-Phone the water shots came out great.

 Isabelle snapped the water photos with a great sun shining.

Jan just after finishing.

Isabelle is in the bright green jacket, with the big smile, during the pre-ride ALC talk to 350 riders.

Laura coming down one of many hills that day.

 Isabelle & Jan in motion, (captured by the pros)

Laura riding out with the group of >350 riders. All 3 of the women on the PG&E team rode.

Team rides as well as AIDS/LifeCycle training rides are in progress

Jan with pink sleeves. Isabelle in hot green vest. Andres in blue El Salvador jersey. Jason holding up a peace sign. Laura in pink jacket.

Some great team rides early in the year. David in white & Michaelangelo in red jacket joined as special guests. Both are Training Ride Leaders for AIDS/LifeCycle.

Emilia, pink helmet, joined for 1 ride, she's a Roadie this year, so training not such a priority.

Jason helping Isabelle get her chain even cleaner, like his is.

We've had some really cold rides.