Day 5 - 08 June 2006, Santa Maria to Lompoc

Photos from Day 5

Day 5 was our shortest day of the ride. We took our time getting out this morning and left a bit later than usual, but we started as a group. We stayed together to rest stop 1 where there was some sort of "red riot" as we were leaving. Today is 'Red Dress Day' on the ride where most dress in red clothes and many dress in red dresses and all sorts of regalia (it started with wanting it to look like a red ribbon riding down the road).

We then continued through fields and with pleasant weather the 10 miles to rest stop 2 in Casmalia. The school in Casmalia was holding a fund raiser and had music playing and people were dancing in the street, quite a sight. The teachers were handing out copies of letters the students had written to the riders and roadies. We also got letters from school children in King City. It's great to see that children are getting education on what we're doing and our cause.

Leaving rest stop 2 we hit the first big hill of the day. It wasn't difficult at all, just long, about 1.4 miles. The line jumping guy from yesterday was cheering us on again as was Ginger Brewlay. She was handing out baggies of candy to the riders and listing names over a p.a. system of people lost to AIDS. I've been really touched by the people that aren't part of the ride but they're out there cheering us on. There is a couple that is supporting one or two riders that are out on hills with a horn and a drum cheering us up the hill. People call them Mom & Dad and they have signs saying that.

Descending we were going into Vandenberg Air Force Base. I got up some speed and cruised it along towards the next big hill. This one was on CA-1 and ran for about 1.5 miles. It was steep and long but I just cranked through it in the low gears. As I was going up a rider was headed down on the other side. When I was nearing the top he passed me and said "almost to the top." Then he turned and went back down the hill again. I know he's just trying to get enough riding in and encourage other riders, but damn it it cocky and pretentious. We turned and rode right through Vandenberg AFB.

At the lunch stop we only snacked and regrouped for the remaining 6 miles to Lompoc (pronounced Lom-poke). We rode and re-gathered at the gate to the camp and then rode into Lompoc and ate lunch at the Budget Cafe. The meal was good, cheap, and the perfect cap to a short day (burger, fries, onion rings, soda). After lunch some of us rode on to a bike shop and the rest of us went back to camp.

Having a short day was a good rest for us and for the amazing roadie crews. I ended up at Sports Med again for more functional tape and after it was applied I started feeling better. Thomas and I were so pumped up that after dinner we went with Kevin and signed up for next year. ALC6 here we come!