Michael decided he was feeling better and decided to try riding today. His leg was INCREDIBLY PURPLE.... I mean INCREDIBLY! (you'll see the photo below) So we left Lompoc and decided that we would ride easily and as long as he could, and then I'd SAG with him! WOOHOO! I'd get to finally SAG for the first time in 4 years. I was sooo looking forward to it. Well, of course we rode along at a good clip with Michael pretty much dropping me for the first 10 miles or so, and every time we'd get to a rest stop, I'd ask him how he was feeling and he'd say "Fine!". We climbed out of the Santa Ynez Valley and onto hwy 1, which to me-although its beautiful because it's along the coast, it's a pretty boring ride. No major climbs, sort of rolling hills and lots of ocean along the right side. We rode and rode and pretty soon we were coming up on Santa Barbara. Michael, Chris and I stopped to take photos.
We eventually made our way to Paradise Pit for real ice cream and it was then I realized that there was to be no sagging, as Michael was feeling too good and was gonna ride all the way in to camp.
Oh well, I set my sights on Rest Stop 4 and couldn't wait to see what Rowdy, Cami and the gang had in store.
Turns out they had re-done the Playboy Mansion, right there on the beach, with Hef and everyone!
The Boys had fun hanging out with all the Playboy bunnies, and we watched as everyone rode in and posed for pictures.
Soon we were off again, riding into camp to get ready for the Candlelight Vigil after dinner.
In the meantime, Michael's bruise had become somewhat of a spectacle. It was soo purple and so big- pretty much covered this thigh, that people came from all around camp to look at it!
Below you'll see their reactions
Yes, that purple is the bruise on Michael leg.But here's an even better one.
Ok enough of the gory stuff.That evening is the annual Candlelight Vigil we do on the beach at Ventura. All participants (that would be about 2300 people) are given a candle to light and we take them out on the beach. It is just our way of remembering those who we've lost to AIDS, and our silent statement of sadness. There is no "agenda", we just walk out on the beach holding our candles.
It's a pretty emotional time, and a good way to bring us back to remembering why we've spent the last 6 days riding, a good way to spend our last night of the ride.
