Today was bittersweet. We woke up all knowing that it was our last day of camping and living out of our dirty gear bags - but we also knew that it was our last day of the journey - the last day we would all be enjoying breakfast together and the last day, at least this year, we would all be riding together in AIDS Lifecycle 7.
We did our morning routine of porta potty stop, breakfast and camp breakdown. We turned in our gear and said our goodbyes to our Gear Roadies - who had taken such great care of us all week. We then made our way to pick up our bikes and hit the road for our trek to the VA Center in Los Angeles. Dan and Alvin were going to ride together and I wanted to ride with David on the last day. I said my later on’s to Alvin and Dan and went to go meet David so we could ride out together.
We made our way through Ventura - made a quick stop at a do-nut shop and then were on our way towards the Pacific Coast Highway - otherwise known as the PCH. The PCH is quite beautiful - you are literally riding right next to the beach as you make your way South torwards Los Angeles. It really was a great ride - the weather was beautiful and the winds were working with us as the headwinds were not that bad. We were making good time as we passed through the different communities along the PCH - including Malibu.
How big is Malibu! I could not get over how long we were riding through Malibu - Malibu is actually like 27 miles of the PCH - which was crazy to me - but it is what it is. The homes in Malibu are crazy - including Cher’s home which was perched on top of this huge cliff and surrounded by Palm Trees and a guard post..lol.
We skipped the second rest stop and also the lunch spot with a plan to have a REAL lunch at a restaurant in Malibu at a hotel which was managed by a friend of Davids. It was a fabulous stop - I was starving by the time we got there and it was well worth the wait. We had a really yummy lunch sitting on this beautiful balcony looking out at the pacific ocean and watching dolphins swim by - it was really, really cool.
After we enjoyed our lunch we hit the PCH again for our last 17 miles to the end. This actually was some of the scariest mileage of the ride - as we were riding the PCH there was a ton of traffic and you have cars on one side, and homes and driveways on the other so you have to be really aware of everytrhing going on around you - which can be a bit overwhelming - especially when you are tired and just anxious to get to the end.
We finally made it across the Los Angeles city line and then I knew we were close…..we wrapped ourselves around and the next thing you know we had the LAST HILL OF THE RIDE!!!! WOOO HOO!!! It was steep but man, it was so great to get to the top of the hill…and then we were on our way down San Vicente to the VA Center. I was so taken by emotion as there were people on the sides of the roads cheering us on and congratulating all of us for making it to the finish line.
We made it to Peets Coffee - which is about 3 blocks from the VA Center. Since closing ceremonies do not start until 4pm - many of the bikers hang out at Peets and enjoy a cup of java while cheering on the bikers which are going by and headed to the VA Center. Alvin and Dan had been there since about 11:15 or so and so when we got there around 12:45 we joined them in the festivities. It was actually pretty awesome to stand there and cheer on the bikers as they made their final feet into the VA Center. Many times, once again, I was taken over by emotion as we watched these bikers go by. We recognized many of them as they zoomed by and it was just so incredible to be part of this entire experience.
Tym, Becca and Kyle had been on their way and they called us to let us know they were at the VA Center waiting for us. We departed Peets and made our way to the VA Center to meet up with them and also prepare for closing ceremonies. Riding in once again was very emotional - there was not a spot on the road in that few block ride where there weren’t people cheering us on and congratulating us - and then to ride into the VA Center was beyond unbelievable - I had actually fininshed!! I really was still in some shock that I had completed the ride - I think there were many days in which I never thought this day would be here - and now that it was - although I was incredibly excited and proud to be done - I was overwhelmed with emotion that this experience was soon to come to an end.
We met up with Tym, Becca and Kyle and milled around until we were called to line up for closing ceremonies. We finally got the go ahead and we rode in with the other 2000+ riders into the VA Center to streets lined with our friends and families - it really was incredible. Once we were in side they then brought in the roadies - who had supported us the entire week. In ALC tradition the roadies entered and were doused with water from all of the riders water bottles while we were all screaming and cheering on the roadies - and thaking them for their incredible support all week.
Closing ceremonies were a bit anticlimatic - but still very nice. The two leaders from the two benefiting organizations spoke - and then the positive pedalers marched in with the dedication banners which had been made during our week together along with the “riderless bike” which is an empty bike which represents all of the riders who could not physically ride with us - but were with us in spirit. For closing ceremonies the riderless bike was escorted in by the youngest and oldest riders from the ride - at 18 and 81 years of age….I was a mess! I was literally heaving in tears finding it hard to believe that this entire week was over - and still remembering the overall reason we were all there.
After this they showed a compliation video of experiences from the week - and man, I lost it even more! I was just so overwhelmed with emotion that I had been able to participate in this event and was able to do so successfully - and frankly quite well! I was so happy to have had the opportunity to experience this with some of the greatest friends in the world that anyone could ever ask for - and frankly - I will not be walking away from this ride the same person I was going into it.
Closing ceremonies were finally over and we found Tym, Becca and Kyle to get through the madness of collecting our gear and loading the car - before we could head to the hotel - which we were all looking forward to - more than I could explain. It took more than an hour to get our crap and the car and everything but we were FINALLY headed to the W in Westwood - our home for the next few days. You should have seen all the crap in my car - you would have thought we were moving in for like 5 months - and I am sure the bellman at the W came close to passing out when he saw all of the crap we had brought with us - and he had to deliver to our rooms.
We finally were all in our rooms and started to relax and get ready to go to dinner - as we were all STARVING. I cannot even tell you #1 how gorgeous this room was!!! We all had suites and they were more than spectacular. But #2 - I don’t know that I have ever had a shower that felt so good. When we were all cleaned we decided to just eat dinner in the hotel - thinking it would be a casual, not super expensive dinner. Ummm….turned out the restaurant was quite fancy smancy - but you know what - we deserved it! The food and liquor were flowing and we all enjoyed a lovely dinner together where Dan, Alvin and I shared stories of our week together on the ride. We all laughed until we cried - and then cried some more when we got the $600 bill - but heck - we were worth it!
After dinner we all made our way to our rooms for a much needed night of rest - and boy - did that bed feel good! Although I missed being at camp….being in a real bed was much needed.
Before we knew it we were off in blissful slumber - our bodies still sore - but our hearts were full with the incredible experience we had all week. I would never give any of it up - and cannot believe that it was over…..
now - we will enjoy our time in LA……
