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DAY 23
Our final assault

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ROUTE: Venice Beach to Costa Mesa DISTANCE: 50 Miles WINDS: NW 5-10
WEATHER: Hazy and mild TERRAIN: Flat, hilly in the middle, flat at end...oh yeah, one last pop to motel TOTAL CLIMBING: 1025 Feet

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.  Karen 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.  I was able to get to the shoreline in several spots and enjoyed watching the riders meander along the path.  The morning haze didn't obscure the views...just a nice start to the day.

Our route started out on a beautiful bike path after a couple miles of city streets.  I had to find my way through a maze of side streets in the van to get down to the shoreline to see the riders go by.  Last year 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 haze 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 with surfers and swimmers in the background 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.  I enjoy savoring the last few miles of the trip...I don't get to do that on any of our other rides...and this is the last ride of the season for our crew. 

Everyone finally got in by 3:00 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 when we 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 spending a weekend to unwind before taking the equipment to the office.  It's been a long season...but we still have about 11 days of driving before it's all officially over.

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 have one more entry in the "Wrap Up" section tomorrow...but for now, I'll say, "Good night, see you tomorrow."

HAPPENINGS ON THE ROAD

Where is everyone...I thought this was a beach!!!

On your left baby!
I SWEAR I HEARD THAT

"Marjorie, what are you going to do after the ride."
"I've got to go home and start fulfilling the 100,000 promises I made to God for getting me up all those hills."

"David, what are you going to do after the ride."
"I now have a great relationship with my mobile phone company since I talked to them so much...they've offered me a job in customer relations."

"Every time I see a tree, I think Mike is around taking a photo."
"Every time I see a tree, I think FACILITIES!!!"

 

Marjorie was awarded the progress map...great job kiddo.  When she received the map she said, "I couldn't have done it without my bike."

David felt so strong today that he decided to carry his luggage on his bike.

"UGH, it's been a long ride...I'm so tired."
"Pull yourself together man...stand up tall and be proud to provide air...the riders are coming."

The last rendezvous...can't believe it's all over.  "Mike, can we have RAP tonight?"

"Just watch me Larry...I'm going to put that whole tandem in this lil box...now let's see, the pedals go here, the seats go there...the stoker goes there."

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