We're closing in on our destination...only 2 more days counting today...hate to see this one come to an end.  (New Bike) It's been a great ride with a great bunch of folks.  But enough of the pining...we've got a ride to do today.

We had a leisurely breakfast and loaded and departed at 8:00.  (For Tom) Being a Sunday, the traffic wasn't bad at departure but as the day wore on, the traffic picked up as people were heading to the beach along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).  Early in the ride, we were riding back roads until about 9 miles where we got on PCH.  We had a great shoulder to the first SAG and a great view of the shoreline, albeit slightly foggy, as our route rode right through Malibu and believe me, there are some high rent real estate along that stretch.  Sorry, I didn't take any photos of Cher's house (I can't believe she didn't come out and say hi as we rode by...I hear it's up for sale for a mere $45 Mil) or did any other tenant of the multi million dollar mansions that overlooked the ocean.  Just know that the landscape was pretty impressive.

After the SAG the route got busy with traffic.  (New Bike) The good news is that cyclists ride this section all the time so everyone is used to seeing riders, but the wide shoulder was packed with parked cars.  Surfers and sightseers packed the lanes which made us ride a bit closer to the traffic than we'd like in some cases.  (For Tom) When we could find a wider shoulder and room to "gawk" at the scenery, we were presented with awesome views of the Pacific shoreline accentuated with large waves crashing the boulders below. 

Even though the traffic was heavy, our greatest concern was the foot and bicycle traffic that seem to just come out of every nook and cranny around the highway.  I remember driving the van on this portion last year and it was pretty nerve wracking.  (New Bike) Trying to watch for our riders, having to mingle with the heavy traffic, and being forced to watch out for the local riders many of whom didn't care about traffic rules, made my day a bit more challenging than normal.  But somehow on the bicycle it's much easier to negotiate all the wackiness that's going on around you.  We only had about 10 miles that were a little challenging, but after that were able to get on the coastal bike path that meandered along the beach and presented us with another set of challenges...walkers, social riders, fast riding locals, kids, rollerbladers, and visual distractions like bikini volleyball games.  (For Tom) I pretty much just meandered along the path taking in all the sights.  I stopped with Mike, Janette, and Marie for a bite of lunch at a pier and boardwalk on the outskirts of Venice Beach...lots of craziness going on there too.

All in all it was an early finish today.  (New Bike) We are having our final dinner tonight and will do our final day tomorrow.  Can't believe this ride is coming to a close and this time next week we'll be in Alabama trying to detox from a long summer of bike tours.  But first, we'll try to focus one more day and get 'em all in safely tomorrow.  (For Tom) I'll try to wrap it all up then...see you tomorrow.

PS:  Nice to see the J-Birds, Jill and Judy, who live in the area and came out to ride with me into town.  Also, Ken from Fast 07 who rode with Karen to the first SAG.  Always good to see alumni...take care folks.