Today was a great, challenging day! We woke up to find out there had been some showers overnight – and were welcomed by a rainbow on our short ride back to camp for breakfast. I was a little nervous about the ride today – it was going to be a long day, I wasn’t feeling 100% and I was worried about going down the Gaviota Pass on the 101 freeway.
Today we ride for Francesca, a 14 year old diagnosed with juvenile RA at age 12. She was at the finish checkpoint today – what a wonderful young lady!
Before I left camp there had been an announcement. A mountain lion has been spotted on Alisal Canyon Road –the one we were going to be riding on in about 30 minutes! We were told to ride in pairs – but I had no riding buddies – so off I headed, hoping to find someone along the way! Turned out that Alisal Canyon had a nice steep hill with an elevation gain of over 1350 ft. I tagged onto Olivia and Princess Gail who got me to the top! And there at the top was a fallen deer with its hindquarter missing – looks like we found the reason for the mountain lion to be near!
After Alisal Canyon we headed south on the 101. Scary! A long uphill climb and then a long descent through the Gaviota Pass. I hate to drive this portion of the road and so I took it slow whilst the tracker trailer trucks whizzed past. First rest stop was at mile30.1 on the 101 highway. I linked up with some Amgen colleagues and we ended up riding the rest of the day together. Rod, Lyn and Chris – our fearless leader, since the rest of us were all newbie’s and he is a 3 year vet! And we only got lost once, going into camp!
The back roads through Goleta and Santa Barbara were well paved (very necessary for the 7th day in a row sitting on a bike seat!) and the weather not too hot. We arrived at the midday checkpoint (mile 50.2) to great fanfare! See our group picture with the princess and angel princess!
After a short lunch break we continued on to Santa Barbara. The weather was beautiful as we rode along the beach, past the pier and next to the zoo. The last rest stop of the day was at mile 64.9. We all agreed that we would not push it to hard; we just wanted to finish. And then we popped on the freeway for the last 4 miles of freeway riding….doing about 22 mph! Our last water break was livened up by a visit from the Backroads crew – wearing vintage 80’s prom clothing…..so a picture was in order….
A quick trip back by the seaside led to a bike path that took us to Ventura. What a terrific feeling of making it to the end of the ride today! EFI! (Translates to Every Freaking Inch – and means not riding in the SAG wagon.)
Tomorrow is our last day- we ride into Santa Monica and celebrate our 525 mile adventure. I am pleased to say that Tom has taken care of his leg and is feeling optimistic about riding tomorrow – I know have my riding buddy back – and we should have lots of fun. Our children will also be happy to have us back home!
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