Today we finally get the see the Pacific again after navigating the Gaviota Pass. Tailwinds pushed us most of the day to Santa Barbara where the city puts on an ice cream social called ‘Paradise Pit.’ We ran into a ton of friends we don’t get to see often.
Waiting to leave Lompoc camp
Our friend Rob started the amazing Team Cretins, a group of seriously disturbed cyclists who mostly ride ALC on fixed-gear bikes. With one gear, he's usually faster than we are and we never get to see him on the road. This was a truly special meet up.
Our Tramp friends Scott and Steve from LA
We met Tim several ALCs ago when we pulled him through some serious headwinds to Paso Robles. Love catching up with our ALC friends!
Eddie and Randall from a lifetime ago in OC. I had no idea they were riding ALC again until days before we left for San Francisco
Lining up to head down the Gaviota Pass. Cyclists are released in small groups because the pass is very steep and dangerous.
Heading down the Gaviota Pass
Awesome bridge in Gaviota
We made it to Santa Barbara
Every year, the Santa Barbara Chamber hosts the "Paradise Pit" with as much ice cream, toppings, and fresh fruit we can eat. The ride is so much more than fundraising, it's also about bringing our cheer and love to the communities we ride through..and many love us right back.
Puppies!
Every year, we get a pic on the seawall at Rest Stop 4, but this year the rest stop was moved inland. We stopped for a pic anyway.
The final stretch into Ventura
These huge 18 mo and 9 mo old Lab puppies will be trained as assistance dogs. Being in camp acclimates them to people, noise, and lots of distractions.
