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DAY SEVEN
The 2001 CAR8 Route
Ventura to Los Angeles - 73.6 miles.
We finished our California Aids Ride 8 today. Our journey began in Ventura and ended at Exposition Park at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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When we awoke this morning, two things were different - the tent was dry, and we would not be picking it up again at the end of the day. When we had it packed, we took it to the "tent drop-off" truck, where the Pallotta Team would dry clean, repair and get them ready for the next AIDS Ride. We packed our luggage for a final time, took pictures and were just a little reluctant to leave. However, we had 73.6 miles ahead of us, and we needed to finish this last ride "early". Here are Team Members Dallas and Stephen posing for the camera.I found my bike and was pretty much with Alison for awhile. The roads were narrow, with lots of parked cars. We were warned to keep an eye open for car doors opening without warning, but as far as I know, no one had any problem with car doors, thank God! We cycled through Ventura, Oxnard, and 18 miles into the day's ride we arrived at Point Mugu Naval Air Station (our first Pit Stop of the day). I called Paul to find out when he would be leaving the Bay Area and was surprised to learn he was "just down the road" - at Malibu, which was about 15 miles away. He told me where to look for him, so I replenished my liquid, used the porta potty and took off. At mile 19 we joined Highway 1 again, and the traffic was fairly heavy. I tried to go faster than I usually ride so Paul would not have to wait too long, but I knew it would be over an hour before I reached Malibu. After huffing and puffing up some of the rollers along the way, I decided to calm down and get there when I could. I called Paul on the cell phone again, but he didn't answer. He might have dozed off or might have been outside the car, looking at all the riders passing him, wondering if I was coming. I left a message telling him the mile number I had reached, and told him I'd be there when I got there! I picked up my bike and continued my usual slow, but steady forward motion. Down the Pacific Coast Highway I rode, with a multitude of other AIDS riders. I found out that if I took my time, rode at my own pace, I could make all the rollers, so on I went until I saw a familiar van before me, and a handsome gentleman smiling for all he was worth! It was good to see Paul. He had today's route sheet with him, so he could tell where our rest stops and lunch stop would be. I cycled through Malibu, Santa Monica and through a section of Beverly Hills. For most of today's ride, we skirted the Pacific Coast. The weather was great, and we had a good view of the ocean (after the fog lifted).
I looked for Paul at Pit Stop 2 (mile32) but didn't see him. I made a quick stop, then continued on, always looking for our van. Just before our Lunch Stop at mile 44, I saw Paul stopped in a parking lot at a little shopping center. He saw me, so I stopped and went back to chat with him. He suggested that we enjoy lunch together, and that there were several choices right there at the shopping center. I knew we might be having our team picture taken at lunch, so I went up to the lunch stop, (Malibu Lagoon State Beach, which was across from Pepperdine University). I found my team (the entire lunch stop was a mad house!) and after some consultation with team members, realized it would not be a good idea to go back and eat with Paul at this time. The lunch stop was closing in 25 minutes, and I needed to be on the road if I didn't want to get sagged in. I called Paul and we agreed that we'd meet at the Closing Ceremonies. I quickly ate some lunch, and followed my Team Mates, many of whom had already taken off. It was nearly 2:00 before I took care of all my needs and was back on the road. Shortly after the lunch stop we picked up another great bike path (similar to the one through the University of California at Santa Barbara) - only this path was much shorter. Near Santa Monica Beach we had to navigate a pedestrian underpass which took us under Highway 1 and onto Channel Road. After about a mile on this road, we made a short 180-degree turn and negotiated a short, but steep hill - at the top of which were many, many well wishers. "Welcome to Los Angeles" one sign read - so I suppose we actually had reached "the City". In a short while, I noticed we were cycling along San Vincente Blvd - right in Beverly Hills! I doubt this is the area where some of the movie stars live, but the homes were palatial, and the street was wide and lined with trees. Everyone seemed glad to see us. Even motorists, who must have stood in lines for hours, because of all the bicycle and automobile traffic along the way, gave us thumbs up!
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I had planned to by-pass pit stop No. 3, but our Traffic Crew told us it was a "mandatory stop" - so I pulled into University High School parking lot. The crew members here were dressed in western attire, and even the porta potty doors had a "Western Theme" to them! This stop was the least crowded of any pit stop I have visited on this AIDS ride, so I figured most everyone had reached Exposition Park or had been sagged there. I could find NO Road Hackers here, so I took some liquid and did what I needed before heading out the last 13 1/2 miles to the end. By this time, there were lots of riders - most of whom rode single file through these very busy streets. The only thing that separated us was the break made by one part of the group having to wait for a red light to change to green. AIDS Riders follow ALL traffic rules, and this bunch was no exception! It was nice to be riding with this group, there wasn't much room for passing, and we all moved together, like we had been doing it all our lives!We had lots of traffic lights, and a few little hills, but at length and at last I could see the familiar orange vest of our traffic crew, directing traffic and giving us the signal when to move forward into "victory lane". The road at this part of the Exposition grounds was lined with crew and well wishers. It was quite a feeling of joy, pride and gratitude that filled my being as I rode past all these well wishers. I followed the crew member who directed us to bike parking. I parked my bike and found my Team, most of whom had arrived earlier in the afternoon. They were just taking some team photos. I insisted that every one remain where they were, so I could capture the moment on film.
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I found out later than Jenny and Elena were still out "on the road" when this was taken, so we missed them in this shot.
At 4:45 we were given the order to get out bikes and prepare for the entrance ride. Someone behind me got on her cell phone and notified her family that we'd be riding in on the left side of the stage. I wasn't sure what all this meant for my family, but I quickly called Paul and gave him the same message. Happily he realized that he was on the "wrong side of the stage" and when I rode in, I was happy to see my husband, and delightfully surprised to see that he was accompanied by daughter Christina and baby Catherine Rose (only one month old!) and son-in-law Chet! It was such a surprise, I nearly stopped the bike (which would have caused an accident, as everyone was riding in rather briskly, and not being too aware of anything except looking for family and friends!) - Thank God I continued riding, and we all were soon aligned along the "corridor" which would be the passage way for the riderless bike. We had great "seats"!
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And now was the time for the "raising of the bikes". The end of the journey gives cyclists the right to hoist their bikes above their heads in victory. Many of the "youngsters" around me did just that as I snapped their pictures. Then I gave a fellow rider my camera and asked him to take my picture. He did not think this old gal could lift her "hybrid bike" (which weighs more than the slick little "road bikes") above my head ... well, these kids still have a little to learn, here I am! The closing ceremonies were particularly impressive. The entrance of the riderless bike again was a moving ceremony, but the folks who received the biggest ovation were the Crew Members. All crew members followed the path, down the center "aisle" that the riderless bike had taken. Each group came in together, traffic crew, medical crew, camp crew(s), and pit stop crews.... What an ovation they received! The Crew is universally loved and respected. They go far beyond the call of duty ... their hours were long and their sleep short ... I can't imagine the labor of love they have offered to make this CAR8 so successful. So impressed am I with Crew, that next year, when son Paul Jr., son-in-law Chet, and husband Paul participate in CAR9 (yep! that's the plan!), I will join the Crew and find out what real work is all about!
It's been a great and a spiritual experience. Getting to know and appreciate my team members was a big part of that journey, and the success God gave me to ride the miles, to experience no problems, and to enjoy every moment, well, what can I say? Thank you each and every sponsor - your contributions join the other contributions that now total 11.8 million! Please God that one of these years - soon - there will no need for the AIDS Rides, and we will ride in celebration that a cure has been found. That is the goal of these rides, to raise the money needed to research and find a cure. I want to see those "Positive Peddlers" in future years, riding not HIV positive, but HIV cured!
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