Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2 (2003)

Day by Day Coverage: Day 4 - Paso Robles to Santa Maria

Halfway to L.A.

Today Cyclists completed their second Century of the ride – 100.3 miles. To get there, we had to slay the Evil Twins, two back-to-back hills (with a Rest Stop nestled in between).

Phrases like “Riders rock” and “Celebrate life” were chalked onto the road before the first Twin. After the second Twin, riders were treated to the official “Halfway to L.A.” point. It’s situated at the top of a hill, with a view deep into the valley (although there were clouds today). Because this is a can’t-miss photo op, Cyclists endured a long line in the cold to get their pictures taken on top of a big boulder. Many of them lifted their bike over their head in exultation – but some had never suspended their bike in mid-air before. (“Damn, my bike is so heavy!” exclaimed one wobbling Cyclist.)

The downhill after the halfway point was better than any roller coaster. Straight in some points, gently curving in others, and with commanding views left and right, the stretch allowed some Cyclists to top 40mph.

The prize for culinary creativity goes to Rest Stop 1 for its delicacy “Rider sushi,” red fruit rollups wrapped around Nutri-Grain bars and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Creative-theme kudos go to Rest Stop 2, with its “Queen” focus – Britain’s Queen Mother, the Queen of Sheba, and a Dairy Queen, accompanied (of course) by the sound of Queen’s greatest hits CD. Down the road, at a water stop in Pismo Beach, a representative from the Pismo Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau brought local postcards that Cyclists could fill out, which she would then stamp and mail.

Barns dotted the landscape in the first part of the route. In the maritime town of Cayucos, some Cyclists sampled astounding fish & chips. Others took a refreshing stop at the Avila Hot Springs (and probably wished they could camp there for the night). Flat stretches of farmland took the travelers through Guadalupe, and groups of cheering kids on the corners of Santa Maria greeted some of the Cyclists.

Midway through the evening’s announcements, around 8:20pm, the final Cyclists made it into camp. As soon as they arrived, the huge tent full of participants stood up and cheered -- for more than two minutes.

-- Jeff Brock, AIDS/LifeCycle Webmaster & Cyclist #5410
Reporting from Santa Maria

Check out today's photos!

Read today's journal entries from:

• Danelle
• Darrel
• Roland
• Tien