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DAY 23
What A Finish

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ROUTE: Venice Beach to Newport Beach CA DISTANCE: 50 Miles WINDS: Tailwinds to finish...5-10
WEATHER: Foggy start, cool and overcast, high 65. TERRAIN: One pop up about 400 feet then flat to the motel...except for one tiny winy hill at the end. TOTAL CLIMBING: 1018 Feet...mostly in the middle of the day

DAILY REPORT: 

Today was the last get up, last luggage load, last SAG stop, the last pedal stroke.  It's really hard to see such a great ride come to an end, but all good things end...that's why we plan on other good things to do...like this ride again next year. 

We had an early breakfast but no one was in a big hurry to get on the road...this was the last day, it should be savored.  Spirits were high as we completed morning scurry for the last time.  Karne was her usual jovial self as the luggage covered her as she methodically stacked each bag in its special place.  Actually, that's what she'd have you believe...every bag fits neatly in a row and stacked like brickwork belying the scrutiny of a construction supervisor.  But with such a small group, she pretty much just stacks them anyway they come in, but a couple bags have a special place because of size.  Nevertheless, all the bags were in and everyone was on the road by 8:15.  My plan was to get out early before anyone got on the road and position myself to take some photos of the riders as they came along the beach.  That was a good plan, but as soon as the riders neared the beach, they found themselves in a pretty dense fog for a few miles.  Plus, because of the activities at departure, everyone was in a wad as they pedaled out of town and they all came by me at once.  One snap and they were gone...in and out of the fog so fast I could hardly focus...so much for a bunch of nice photos of riders on the beach.

Our route started out on a beautiful bike path after a couple miles of city streets.  The vans had to find our way through a maze of side streets to get down to the shoreline to see the riders go by.  Last year I was in the van and every time I'd try to get to the beach, I'd run into a fee parking area or a dead end a block from the shoreline.  Fees were in the neighborhood of $10 just to get in...I didn't need a photo that badly.  But today I was able to find a spot or two close to the path so after I parked, it was just a short hike to get to the path.  The riders finally popped out of the fog before getting completely off the beach...glad they got to see it.  The path ran along a deep sandy beach and was not crowded like yesterday since today was Monday and it was early.  The only traffic was a few joggers and commuters on their way to work.

The riders meandered along the crooked path for several miles before popping out onto the street in Hermosa Beach.  From there it was pretty much urban riding until they reentered a bike path at Seal Beach to Costa Mesa.  Some of the narrow streets in Long Beach were much easier to negotiate on a bike than it was for me in the van...but that's what it's all about...riding a bike.

I think it really didn't sink in until they were ready to depart the SAG today that the ride's end was fast approaching.  It took awhile for everyone to finally saddle up and get rolling for the last leg of our great ride down the coast.  I was staying back with the last riders and by the time we got to the SAG, everyone else had just left.  I was going to ride my bike the final 16 miles and sweep the front riders to the motel and Karen was going to take over van duties.  As I was putting on my shoes, it started to rain!  RAIN!!!  It hasn't rained the whole ride!  The front riders said they just had a few sprinkles, but at the SAG, we got soaked.  It only lasted about 5 minutes but the road was pretty wet for a mile or so when I started to ride.  The delay pretty much put me out of the window to catch anyone before the motel so my ride was pretty much solo...no riders did I see nor did I see many locals with the overcast weather...the beaches were pretty empty.

Everyone finally got in by 2:00 and me and the crew spent the next couple hours packing the vans for the trip back to NH, boxing bikes, and saying our good byes for the final time.  It will be strange in the morning.  We'll wake up and wonder where everyone is...then it will dawn on us that our summer is over...our routine will be different until next season when we go back on the road for another summer of adventure on our bikes.  But now, we'll rest.  Not looking forward to the long drive east, but we're planning on driving to Alabama on our way to NH and spend a week to unwind before taking the equipment to the office.  We have a couple days of research to do on the way home, but we're about ready to put a cap on our cycling year.

I hope you enjoyed following us down the coast...we sure enjoyed riding it and sharing our adventures with you.  I hope you'll continue to follow our rides next season and our escapades in the future.  Better yet, come ride with us yourself.  I'll try to wrap up our ride in the FINALE section tomorrow...but for now, I'll say, "See you next time."

 
HEARD DURING THE DAY:

"You guys can hammer if you want, but I feel more like a rake today."

"This morning I accidentally put sunscreen on my butt instead of A&D Lotion."
"Well, that mistake isn't as bad as Ben Gay on your shammy instead of Bag Balm."

"I'm going to get Karen a dictionary so she can see the real definition of rollers."

"My favorite saying is: "Nothing in Moderation."

"You know, 10 years ago you couldn't get a group this age to do a ride like this."
"Well, this group wasn't this old 10 years ago."

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing in excess!"

"I read the material about this ride and said to myself, this couldn't be that hard...but it was.  But no matter how hard it was, it was worth it."

"Every time I saw a tree, I would think Mike was behind it taking a photo."

So many shoes...so few feet.

 OBSERVATIONS:  A Poem, By Team Flamingo

We began in Astoria...we rode out with zest
For an adventure that's called...ABB's ride the west

Our leader is Mike...with a blog on the net
If your shot with his camera...it's on the web you can bet

Barbara's a lawmaker...when at the SAG you do land
If you leave on your gloves...she will smack your hand

Our hats off to Karen...the routes such a thrill
At first climbing bugged us...now we scoff at a hill

Ron, he's our point man...he hammers like lead
What we see the most of...is the back of his head

Rick is a fast one...he never would doze
We're starting a collection...to buy him warm clothes

We have pedaling brothers...strong Tom and fit Cy
As the bee stings would have it...they see eye to eye

Bill's ever so helpful...if  you're suffering sore asses
But if you can't see well...he'll get you a deal on some glasses

Our surprise at the state line...pulled an act like Houdini
At California Paul promises...local natives in bikinis

Rachel's a Brit...full of spark and good cheer
She will change England's drink...from tea to root beer

For command of our language...Boaz needs not a cure
He's mastered the dialect...when he says the word "sure"

We have a sharp rider...with a big custom bike
If you need some advice...you'll look up to Mike

Marie is a keepa...has a smile each day
In spite of the fact...Dan tries to lead her astray

Janette's gone every mile...with no whining or tears
And we are a bit jealous...that she has extra gears

And so Team Flamingo...would both like to state
Thanks to all our new friends...this ride has been GREAT!

SCENES OF THE DAY

Are you guys ready to work for the last time on this ride?
Yes!  We are ready...No you're not!
 

Now you can go to work...you have your helmet secure.
 

We finally saw bikinis today!!!  But they were in a store window...does that count?
 

Yep, they all "Ride Like A Girl," and that's pretty darn good.

The last luggage load.
 

On your left.

Our last day...sigh.

The last SAG...and the first rain!
 

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