June 13, 2007

  • Saturday, June 9 - Day 7

    Day 7 is my second favorite day on the ride.  You start off riding through agricultural areas of Ventura and Oxnard but then you hit PCH and follow it all the way through Malibu into Santa Monica.  I got up and out early and had lots of fun.  Here I am at pit 1.  I'm gonna miss those guys:

    Here I am at a beach I stopped by after pit 2.  Southern California is very beautiful.

    I got in at 10:20 (rider #7 which is pretty much meaningless because tons of fast riders started later or stopped in Santa Monica).  I almost got hit by a car at an intersection right at the end that wasn't marked well becasue the traffic guards hadn't showed yet but was still TOTALLY MY FAULT.  And I will be much more careful next year.  But my heartfelt apologies go out to the smartly dressed older lady in the black vintage VW bug and my thanks that she's kept her brakes so well. 

    I got a yellow shirt this year and then changed into shorts and walking shoes that I'd brought in my camelback. Jeff's plane wasn't due entil 11:30 and he's kind of directionally challenged so I thought I'd leave my bike at the close and walk from close in Santa Monica to my hotel in West Hollywood.  I went through Westwood, UCLA, Beverly Hills and finally into West Hollywood.  Here are some fountains in Beverely Hills.  Gorgeous!

    And their city hall:

    And some random urn.  I think it's an allegory for undocumented Mexican labor supporting the lifestyle here.

    I guessed right on my route and with a little help from Nathan over the phone was able to find the hotel right after Jeff had gotten in.  We went and ate and then headed back to the VA so I could get my bag and turn in my bike for shipment back to San Francisc.  Then I headed back to the hotel.  Ate another meal.  And went to bed early.