DAY SEVEN: VENTURA TO LOS ANGELES! WOOOO HOOOOO!

We're almost there! Today our trip south will take us through Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme (pronounced Why-Knee-Me) and Malibu. Is that Mel Gibson I spy?! Or Barbie in her pink Corvette?!

We will see the military planes on display as you ride past the Naval Air Station on our way to Highway 1 also known as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Once on PCH it's a straight shot down the coastline for about 20 miles. We will enjoy the southern California sights of surfers and beach goers as we pedal through Malibu on our way toward LA. We will complete our journey with a turn away from the coast and nice pedal through Santa Monica on our way to the Closing Ceremonies site.

Highlight of the day: The streets are peppered along the route on Day 7 with friends, family and well-wishers!

The other UNSPOKEN Highlight of the Day: TONIGHT WE GET TO SLEEP IN REAL BEDS! IN WEST HOLLYWOOD!

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 61.5 miles

DAY SIX: LOMPOC TO VENTURA!

Day Six begins on one of the prettiest roads on the entire route... You know, when it's not RAINING. Last year, the Day Six route was closed by the California Highway Patrol due to heavy rain, which caused a number of automobile accidents in the early morning.

But none of that this year! We hope.

We will pedal through vast expansive ranch lands with wildflower covered hills on both sides! As we ride toward the coast through the gorgeous Gaviota Pass we will be on US101. After lunch we will pass through the heart of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria and on into Ventura where we camp at San Buenaventura State Beach.

Highlight of the day: Day Six is the best day for dolphin sightings! Tonight is also the annual candlelight vigil on the beach in Ventura. More on that later!

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 85.5 miles

DAY FIVE: SANTA MARIA TO LOMPOC! RED DRESS DAY!

Day Five begins with a beautiful and scenic ride through the farmlands of Santa Maria. At the edge of town, we will enter one of Santa Barbara County's prettiest wine country roads. The scenery will be classic Central California with sprawling vineyards and ancient oak trees making the few challenging climbs along the way well worth the effort.

Lunch is located in the quaint tourist town of Solvang - a town founded by Danish immigrants. The authentic Danish architecture, thatched roofs, traditional windmills give the town an old world feel, making it a very popular cycling destination. Departing Solvang, we will pedal through Buellton, home of the world famous Pea Soup Andersen's and head into Lompoc on more beautiful and scenic wine country roads.

Highlight of the day: It's RED DRESS DAY!!!

(Just a note: This is the day that I ended up in the Emergency Room on ALC 7! Last year, no problems, but I'm hoping to avoid a repeat performance!)

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 67.7 miles... while wearing dresses.

DAY FOUR: PASO ROBLES TO SANTA MARIA!

The route on Day 4 has a little bit of everything - a feast for the eyes with stunning vistas and ocean views that give way to sprawling fields of farmland and even some quaint seaside towns. The route will wind along some remote and seldom-traveled roads as well as some congested town streets. Before lunch we will conquer the infamous Evil Twins. The Evil Twins are no fun! The name comes from the fact that once you reach the first summit, you have to ride back downhill a bit before riding UPHILL again to the second summit.

The views from the top of that second sister hill are nothing short of spectacular! The hills beyond the second hill seem to ripple and roll out toward the ocean just a few short miles away. From there we will ride back out to the coast and through the city of Pismo Beach and on into Preisker Park in the beautiful Central California city of Santa Maria. BUT... Not before stopping in the coastal town of Cayucos at the base of the mountain for Cheeseburgers with Dr. Vince and Team Dilly Dally!

Highlight of the day: Half Way to LA!!

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 97.7 miles

DAY THREE: KING CITY TO PASO ROBLES

TODAY IS THE QUADBUSTER! Sounds awful, huh?

Don't let the name scare you, though. Quadbuster is only a small part of the route on Day Three. We will pedal on VERY remote roads passing only a few small quaint stores, mostly later in the day. On ALC 7 we rode past the most expensive gas in the United States - no kidding - at $5.09 for Regular Unleaded!

Rest Stop 4 is at Mission San Miguel, one of California's 21 historic Missions. This is where I bought the crucifix for the Anglican rosary I created for last year's AIDS/LifeCycle event. The day ends as we ride into Paso Robles where we camp at the Mid State Fairgrounds. We dine inside the fairgrounds dining hall - what a treat! Indoor facilities! Highlight of the day: Lunch on Day Three is in the small town of Bradley where the local school hosts a BBQ to raise money for their field trip program. I'll gladly donate some money to the kids this year, but I'll bypass the burger line again this year to get back on the road I think.

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 66.7 miles

The view from DAY TWO: SANTA CRUZ TO KING CITY!

This is what the better part of Day Two ought to look like... I took this photo on ALC 7 -- Just before Scott C. wiped out and broke his shoulder. Scott is back on the ride this year. No more napping in ditches, buddy.

Beautiful, no?

Day Two is going to be 107.6 miles this year! This is a long mileage day with relatively flat terrain that will take us through the Salinas Valley, also known as Steinbeck Country (good thing I've read The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, no?). The lushness of vineyards, strawberry and artichoke fields stretch as far as the eye can see in all directions. There are usually excellent tailwinds (except for one horrible spot where the tailwinds become CROSSWINDS!) along the roller coaster road (literally! Rolling hills with strong tailwinds pushing us home) that takes us into King City at the end of the day. Highlight of the day: Mission Soledad, the Water Stop location on Day 2 is one of the most historic and special destinations on the ride.

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 107.6 miles

WELCOME TO DAY ONE! SAN FRANCISCO TO SANTA CRUZ!

Our AIDS/LifeCycle adventure begins as we ride out of the Cow Palace grounds in San Francisco immediately following Opening Ceremonies. The route on Day One offers some of the best scenery and cycling roads that San Mateo County has to offer. The stunning coastal views from hilltops to the ocean are truly Northern California at its best! Tailwinds prevail as we pedal along scenic CA Hwy 1 on our way to Harvey West Park in the City of Santa Cruz. Highlight of the day: The lunch stop on Day One offers a spectacular and breathtaking view of the ocean.

Day One offered three very moving experiences for me on ALC 7 and 8: The opening ceremonies, the crowds along the streets with memorials to family and friends lost to AIDS, and the beautiful views along the Pacific (pictured above).

TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 79.4 miles