Day 5; Santa Maria to Lompoc

Day 4. Wait a minute. Is it day 4 or day 5.  I think it is day 5.  Wow, the days are kinda blending in on each other.  Yes, it is day 5. Santa Maria to Lompoc. (Why do I look pregnant in the picture above??)

I forgot to mention something from last night. Day 4, in the food line, after a rough day in the saddle, Tony came up to me, he rides with Team San Diego. We had not talked much prior, but he asked how I was doing.  I told him everything.  The flats, the emotions, missing Jose, thinking of Ricardo.  It was chilly.  He grabbed hold of me and held me in his arms.  For anyone wondering, no, there was nothing sexual or a come on about it.  He just knew that I needed a good solid hug.  So he did.  Tony has been partnered forever and understood, I think, what it was like.  What I was going through.  This is his fourth ride I think.  So as we waited for food, he just held me close, in a loving hug, and reminded me to feel the emotions and experience ALC fully.  This is the love bubble I speak so fondly of.  When you need a hug or shoulder, there is one readily available.

Day 5. Started out great!  I needed a good cry day yesterday and a good night’s sleep!  Today was a bright and cheery morning.  I like this camp because you can see the entire camp.  So far, camp has been dispersed.  This one was compact.  All the tents lined up neatly in a row.

Camp. All the tents in nice rows.  Everyone in red for red dress day!

Today is red dress day.  2200 riders all dressed in their best red dresses cruising down the California countryside!  I looked fantastic!  So did everyone else.  Though some guys were wearing next to nothing.  One, too cold for that. Two, how does your ass not hurt when you are in a Speedo and not a padded short.  To not wear a red dress, you would have been in the minority.  It was very cool to see motocrew (motorcycle team that stands at corners guiding us) in red dresses and then some!  Super fun to see them get into the spirit!

Lots of cars honked at us as they passed, showing their support.  It was also neat to see the line of red as you cruise down the long stretches of road.  Your inspi”red” signs read.  Lots of support out on the street and from passing cars today.

Romi and I are having a blast.  Her knee is really bothering her, but we push on and make it.  SOOOOO, the hills today sucked!!  Why did they not tell us that red dress day hills were going to be far worse than Quadbuster or the Evil Twins??  And to do it in a dress??!!  Yeah, hard hill day, but Romi and I killed it!  Because we are awesome like that!

Romi and I fierce in our red dresses!!!!

A sea of red dresses at rest stop 1.

Romi, Darth and peanut butter and jelly grahm cracker sandwiches at RS1! Those were so tasty!

Lori Jean and a very creative outfit.

Yes, those are high heel biking shoes with clips!

I found some mexicans on a mission

I met and talked with Lori Jean today.  She was super nice.  I really enjoy her and hearing her speak.  So motivating.  She said I was her hero.  I told her she in return was mine!  She was with us every day, standing in the rain or heat, to cheer us on and provide the most amazing support.  And to hear her talk every night, super cool.  I am glad to have had the opportunity to meet and talk with her, albeit briefly.

This day, we biked through and Air Force Base and government penitentiary.  I wonder what they thought as we passed through……??

Lori Jean and I :)

Some members of Team San Diego!

More rest stop shenanigans!

Me, in a red dress, in the middle of nowhere California

Rest stop 4!

I got my free massage today!  Super nice.  The girl worked me over something fierce.  She was not shy about getting in my business and massaging my legs thoroughly.  And to be honest.  I did not care.  At this point, your legs are in so much pain and hurt, to have someone attack your legs in a good way, rotating your legs in every imaginable position, and positioning me in some very awkward and revealing positions, you would think I would care.  Nope!  I just laid back and took it because it felt soo good!  And, the masseuses do this for free, on their time.  Again, part of the larger ALC family.  Give because you can. Do something bigger than you.

Hung out with David some.  Just talked and enjoyed the California scenery as we walked the perimeter of camp.  Shared stories and laughs.  What was weird about today, I was emotionless of anything sad or crying moments.  I was happy and in the best mood.  But compared to yesterday’s breakdowns and tears, today was none of that.  No Zen either.  Just a really good mood, all day long, so happy and blissful with what I was doing and where I was.  Had to have been the best day on the ride just to be in pure bliss for every waking second. Maybe I am just too tired to have the other spectrum of emotions.  I am tired and sore, but I am an athlete!!  This is sooo awesome.  I am an athlete.  I never have felt this way before, but I need to say it again, I am an athlete.  (The Olympics are on in today’s real date 7/31/12. I wonder if this is how they feel at the end of an event??)  I am so proud of myself and what I have done/am doing.  I am an athlete and I rock!!  We all rock!!  Go us. Go ALC Family!!

David, Raquel and I

I saw some fights today.  People’s emotions are running high.  I choose to stay at peace.  You can get so caught up in the emotions that it takes you the other way.  I chose to not go that route.  Mind over matter.  I am here to save lives, and this high I am on can’t be destructed with the bickering over misaligned tents or loud talkers when you’re trying to sleep.

At dinner we watch all the media coverage from local stations form the past few days.  Really cool to see how much attention and media this gets.  I hope it encourages those watching to investigate more what ALC is and how they can help.

Dinner, inappropriately arranged.

I decide I will do this ride next year.  I will ride all 545 miles.  I will know my bike better and be a better bike tech to Blanch.  I will save lives.

Best moment of today.  I went to the portapotty and lifted my dress to pee, standing like a man stands.  I look down at my jersey and it was the jersey from last year’s San Diego Team (David let me borrow it).  On the Jersey was David’s saying, “Nobody said saving lives was going to be easy”.  I started to tear up just slightly from that saying.  I am beat, sore, tired, in a red dress in a portapotty.  I then see a name of a friend living with HIV (the jersey had names of those living with or whom have passed from this disease).  I started crying.  So here I am, in a porta potty, lifting my dress, crying at the itty bitty urinal inside.  Then it gets better.  I have to apply Butt Butter (a chamois gel that prevents rubbing and chaffing).  So here I am, in a red dress, crying at the urinal, lifting my dress, and applying butt butter to my butt.  IT WAS HYSTERICAL!!!!  I walked out of the urinal crying from laughing.  David told me to get with it J

Time for bed.  Tomorrow I see Jose.  I am curious how I will react.  I love that man a lot.  Through this ride, I have thought a lot of him, and know that I love him. Will I cry?  Will I smile and just be sooo overwhelmingly happy.  Will I pass out in his arms from being so sore and tired?

PS Butt butter is amazing!

Till next time
Keep peddling

Day 4; Paso Robles to Santa Maria. Halfway to LA!

Day 4; Paso Robles to Santa Maria. Halfway to LA!

Rough day. Emotional day.  Lets blog.

Took off from camp solo, the wife was taking a long time getting ready :)  (I never thought I would ever say that).  It was a nice day. Halfway to LA was in front of us and the Evil Twins (two hills that were supposedly really really hard).

At camp Romi found  deer leg which I subsequently played with and shoved her way.  I don't think she was fond of the voodoo deer leg.  I left it on the bike rack for others :)

After meeting up with Romi at RS1, her and I take off to conquer the Evil Twins.  And there was no conquering.  The hills were tame!  So Easy.  All the riding and training prior to ALC prepped Romi and I to take on the twins no issue.  So we did and up and over them we went!

Halfway to LA was coming up.  The views were amazing.  Today was a crystal clear day.  Somewhat steepish/gentleish rolling hills.  Wonderful California countryside.  At times, views sweeping through the hills to the ocean.  So gorgeous!  We make it to the halfway to LA. Bitter sweet since I did not ride all the miles due to day two, but the accomplishment is still with me and great.About a half hour wait for the picture, but a great picture it was.  I choose to wear my Colorado jersey to remind me of where I came from and what moved me to Colorado, dance, and how dance has forever changed my life out here and also introduced me to Ricardo, for whom I rode.

The line for a picture with the rolling hillside behind us.

Halfway to LA!!!! Ocean behind us, Tardis around my neck, steep drop off behind me as I am perched precariously on a slippery rock!

SWEET DOWNHILL!!!!!  SWEET!!!!  I don't recall for sure but I want to say I got to 35ish MPH.  Straight for the ocean.  So fun. 

Another pic of our rolling countryside.

The first LA sign we see.  Of course we had to take a pic.  Yes, it says 233 miles to LA :)

At the ocean, I had another tearful moment.  The ocean was so blue.  And the views were remarkable. So beautiful.  The water deep blue.  Mi Blue Angel. My Blue Angel.  This was the name of a piece Ricardo did prior to his death.  Actually a long time prior to his death.  I had heard of it, but never but two and two together.  This was his piece about his disease and his coping with it.  I had seen snippets and it was a beautiful piece.  One I had wanted to see him do live.  I cried.  I forgot that I missed him so much.  So to be at peace, with nature, and thinking of him, I knew that at this present moment he was proud of me. A little piece of me was pissed too. It was unfair he was gone too soon.  I wanted to beat the shit out of HIV/AIDS.  How dare it take my mentor, friend and one of San Diego's best artists away from us.

Rest stop along the ocean. One of the two ambulances that stays with the route in the background.

Romi's terrible driving.

At lunch, we meet up with quite a few members of team SD.  We eat, and everyone take off.  Suzi is lingering behind.  I give her a hug before I take off and tell her how much she means to me and thank her for being a supportive TRL, friend and just awesome person.  She says thanks, then I cry, then she cries, then we are both crying in the midst of hundreds of cyclists eating lunch.  I cant help it.  It is an emotional day.  I miss Ricardo. I am in a love bubble. I am learning so much about myself. I miss my boyfriend.  I see Suzi and Carol, her wife and kick ass Roadie, together at lunch and their love for each other is oh so present.  Any one can see how much they mean to each other.  Seeing that made me realize how truly in love I am with Jose, and how terribly I wish he were there to give me the love that only he can give.

Suzi and I.

The many bikes at lunch stop.

Onward, solo (Romi needed some knee therapy at medical) to Rest stop 3.  I actually felt solo too.  I think after the Suzi moment, I felt solo but not alone.  It was a pleasurable ride.  I enjoyed the sites and now more wooded area of California.  I reflected on my past four days.  I thought fondly of my family, friends and Jose. I thought of my future.  I was in a nice place.

Rest stop 3, I met up with David where I snuck a cigarette, enjoyed some BS time with Raquel and David. Alright, so here it is.  David slaps me around silly.  David is a great friend. He knows when to be supportive and listen, and when to kick me in the ass and tell me to buck up.  This was a combo of both.  He told me he was proud of me, to enjoy the moments and experiences and to get back on the bike and ride.  He also tells me I better not smoke after the ride.  He gets it that the ride brings out so many emotions so I forgive myself for restarting a bad habit.  But I promise him and I that this is ALC only, and even at ALC, not a hard core thing, meaning buying a pack or smoking every rest stop.  It was the perfect combo of support and slapping I needed.  I took lots of pictures at RS3.  It was Year of the Dragon themed, and I have a special dragon in my life (don't take it there, I mean a person who is a dragon year) so it really brought a smile to my face.  So I went picture crazy.

Chicken lady!!

Solo again, I take off.  I am spending some good time thinking with myself on what this journey means to me.  Through the training I went through incredible ups and downs.  No need to go into it here, go to past blogs to see that.  But I thought of the loss of a friends baby, the break up of my boyfriend and I, the amazing gift on my doorstep and reconnection with the love of my life, my first bike rides of 5 miles, my first century, my job, my relationships with my family, my coming out to my father.  I thought a lot.  I reflected and feel that at this moment, right here, somewhere in California, I feel whole.  My life feels whole.  I have purpose. I am present. And i know what I want for life, and what life needs from me.  And I feel good that what I am doing is bigger than I.  Doing that is an incredible feeling.

Four miles out from rest stop four, flat tire back wheel.  I check the tire.  Bike tech replaced the wrong tire!!!!  Damn it!  Why didn't I check this out!!!!  Damn it!!!!  Oh yeah, damn it!!!!  So I am kinda upset.  This is day 3 of bad tire issues.  I have an option pull over and replace the flat, only to probably get another flat, or just peddle flat to RS4.  I opted to peddle to RS4.  At this point, I am tired.  I have been riding some 250-300 ish miles, long days, early mornings, my body is shot.  I am cramping, already emotional, and there was no way I was going to fight through a tire change.  SO I rode on.  It was tough, and I thought I may be damaging my rim, but I didn't care.  I just needed a rest stop and the day was starting to tick on, and I didn't want to be swept.  So I rode. I got to bike tech and they say they can get the tire in 20 min.  So I went and enjoyed RS4, had root beer and some snacks. And wouldn't you know, I found a guy who was wearing a penguin jersey of a penguin on a bike.  Of course I had to take a pic of the jersey with the Tardis :)

Off to camp.  My favorite supporter was there.  You may have missed her if you blinked. We were on one side of the road peddling in.  She was on the other side of the road.  Small, little old lady, waving an American flag, with a simple small sign that said Thank You.  The truck that passed her blocked her from view.  A lot of cyclists did not see her.  But she was there, sheering her heart out as loud as she could, though it was so soft.  I cheered back. I thought, wow. What a difference you just made in my day.  The simplest of thank yous.  NO flashy lights, music, signs, commotion. Just a simple sign and small flag.  She made my day and was my favorite cheerleader on the whole route.  So little old lady, THANK YOU!  Thank you for being there for us and giving us that little extra encouragement to peddle on.  I was at my end, and you kept me going.  I am tearing up now as I think of you :)  I am glad you are part of my love bubble.

OK. I am a bubbling mess of tears now. 

I am close to camp on what has been the hardest day for me, physically and emotionally.  We are in town and there are kids on the side of the road giving high fives as we peddle through.  How cool.  They know what we are doing as another cyclist asks, why are we riding.  The kid says, to end AIDS.  He was only 7 or 8. 

I get to camp.  At the camp support people were on the side of the road cheering us in, saying welcome to camp, welcome home.  Crap, this feels like home.  I know I get to go in and take a hot shower, have a hot meal made just for us (salmon and beef tonight) and get to be enveloped in the arms of the ALC love bubble.  Followers, I cannot describe to you this feeling.  We are a family of 2800 cyclists and roadies.  For one week I am a hero. So are they.  We are home, and though I didn't have a cuddle buddy at night (minus my Tardis) I had 2799 people cuddling with me.  I cried.  I was surrounded and drowning in love, but I didn't mind that I was drowning.  I may be missing my family, friends and boyfriend, but I am definitely not alone.  So another Thank You to those on the roadie team who cheered us on every day, and cheered us home every night.  I love you all for what you gave us.  I got to have more David time, and a lovely call to Jose.  Lori Jean said it best. Newbies, today it all comes together.  Today it becomes real.  We are halfway through the journey.  It is almost over and all you want is to have this feeling last forever.  We are start as strangers and end as a family.

Now me and my mini headache are off to bed.

Till next time
Keep peddling

Day 3; King City to Paso Robles

Day 3; King City to Paso Robles

I woke up on day three to a beautiful sight of tents.  I am really starting to like the camping life and porta potty trips.  Food lines are fun and move quick.  The hot showers are delightful.  Truly, this is a fun camping experience.

Rows of tents!!!!

Darth and the gear trucks

A list of fun facts from AL that they pass out in the morning newsletter

I easily find my SAG'd in bike due to the highly organized efforts of ALC staff.  They moved some 1500 bikes from lunch and rest stops to the camp overnight, tagged them all, made a spread sheet and then let us all know where to find our bike in the easily marked mixed drinks named bike stands. 

Blanch survived the night, though her back tire is low.  I fill her up and we take off.  Not one mile out of camp, and the tire is low again (little did I know the small gouge in the tire is causing an air leak).  It is temporarily fixed enough for me to ride on.

Ahead of us is the infamous quadbuster.  We hear how challenging it is.  And it is a massive steep hill.  But once again, there are tons of people cheering you along the way; either biking by your side or pulled over to cheer you on.  What is funny, is that quadbuster was not much of anything.  Don't get me wrong, it was hard.  But Romi and I kicked its ass so easily, it was not all the hype they made it out to be.  It was a very peaceful ride up actually.  And yes, some others were struggling, but everyone got cheered on and everyone made it up quadbuster (that I know of).

Two bike shots of riders on the road just prior to quadbuster

The ride down the backside of quadbuster was sweet though.  It was so beautiful!!  It reminded me of the countryside back home in Colorado.  The air was still, It was quiet. The downhill was SWEET!!  On the way, a bird flew overhead.  Being in that moment, I had my first Zen moment on the bike.  I was completely present.  I looked at this bird and thought, could this be Ricardo, watching over me, joining me on the ride.  Is it someone else's guardian angel.  Is it someones sister, daughter, son, lover, friend.... Is it someone saying thank you.  A beautiful bird, soaring over us on a beautiful day.  I was so peaceful and would say I was being peace.  It was incredible and probably the most memorable moment of this ride.

We get to rest stop two, and it is words with friends themed.  There is a church in the background, and the scrabble board shows all the words that describe ALC.  Love being right in the center.  They say this is a big love bubble.  They are right.  I am smack dab in the middle of it and feel so full of love.  For my fellow riders, those that I am helping by doing this ride. my family, friends, boyfriend and myself.  I am at peace and surrounded by love.  I wish that felling on everyone as much as possible.  What an incredible day so far.

Found some elves on the way (each day, these four dressed in different themes and were the coolest bunch on the ride.  So full of energy and so much fun).

So bike was, the tire is not doing well. Each time I turned right, I would fishtail left.  I go slow, Romi ride wife by my side, and try to figure out what the hell is wrong with Blanch. 

We have lunch in Bradley.  This is a small small town of about a few hundred people. Each year they come out and do a BBQ (non ALC sanctioned) to raise money for their school.  It was burgers (really good burgers) chips and soda.  The line was long but the town was so welcoming.  The kids serve you, take the money and interact with you.  They were so cool!  Asking what you did, how is the ride, thanks for coming through our town, thanks for being a hero.  Here is what is the best.  We are in a podunk small town.  Should be filled of bigoted persons hating the gays and hating HIV and that silly gay disease.  You would think, right.  But no.  Because of this ride, these kids are being exposed to gays. lesbians, straights, crazies, and all sorts of shenanigans.  But they know why we ride.  These kids will grow up to accept what is different from their small town (similar to Falcon CO, my hometown where I was taught bigotry and hate).  I was so amazed that these kids were going to have such a great experience and exposure to society.  Great job to you, Bradley CA.  They also sold buttons and bandannas to assist with the raising of money.  I bought three :)

David's SAG truck on one of the three roads of Bradley.

The BBQ at Bradley

The long ass line for the burgers.  But well worth the wait.

The main street of Bradley. 

A sexyrican (insider moment) after a double cheeseburger, bag of chips and two Coke's.

We continue on through amazing countryside and vineyards.  It was just incredibly beautiful.  It was some of California's best scenery.  To be honest, not much to say, just quiet amazing California countryside.

Viagra man on the side of the road.  He dressed up each day and would be condom man, a four leaf clover, etc and cheer on riders.  He was creepy, but cool. And who doesn't want a picture with Viagra man.

Rest stop 3!  I caught up with David and we take some photos.  The Seuss Grinch was on the back of his truck.

Rest stop four. The best little fourhouse in Texas. On the backside of a Mission!  But the Mission supports the ride every year, and the girls of RS4 passed around a bucket and I believe raised $6000 for the Mission! 

Can you spot the elves??  Rest stop four always brings on a big crowd.

Yes, she is shooting a baby.

The back of Romi's jersey and a fun RS4 sign.

Camp!  Finally. Took Blanch in to bike tech.  Sure enough, she needs a new back tire and two new tubes.  Cost, $50.  That is cheap!  Seriously.  And the bike tech guys are super cool! She will be ready by 7.

We are in a fairgrounds at camp.  The place was HUGE!!!!  And there was an ice cream stand :)  I spent some quality time with Raquel and David.  I needed some time with them to sort our feelings from the ride and to help figure out this feeling of the ALC love bubble.  They are great to me and I am glad to have them with me through this journey.  I also, sadly, have a couple cigarettes.  But again, it felt right.  I cant explain it, but it was what I needed (and no, I have not had a single one sense then, almost 2 months later and have no urge for one :))  I too get hit on here and there.  It is flattering, and I politely say thanks, but no thanks, and it reminds me of what I have waiting for me in Ventura and how much I miss Jose.  I will see him soon.

Jordan and I!

Camp at the fairgrounds.

So, at dinner we get some notes.  At Bradley, they raised over $16000 through the BBQ and buttons/bandannas.  Enough to cover a year of their after school activities for the entire school!!!!  The Mission got $4000 dollars from donations from riders.  The reach of what ALC does not only for their cause, but for the cities we go through is amazing.  The reach is incredible!!!!  One 17 year HIV positive woman is 60 years old, and done the Paris to Breast ride; 760 miles in 90 hours!  There is  rider who was recently hit by a semi truck door that opened on her, which flung her into the road where she was struck by another semi and ran over.  She has had replacement surgeries of bones and suffers in daily pain, and is doing the ride, complaint free.  A rider who has had both knees and his hip replaced, doing the ride!!!!  I will never bitch again when I am in pain or I fell I have it rough.  They ride, cause they can and they want to save lives!


Best selfish part of the day, I got a free massage.  You get one 15 minute massage on the ride.  Well, I was with David when the Massage tent guy came and asked David to get a free massage for Media.  David put me in his place instead so I got an extra massage!  And my back could be in media print for next year!!!!  It was a great massage (and my back made it in the recap video and is also online!)



We go to sleep, it is a really windy night in camp!!


Till next time,
Keep peddling!