Well, I managed to get cleared to ride today and what a day it was! Of all the days on the ride, I think this has always been my favorite one. It’s has such beautiful scenery–from the hills outside Lompoc along the coast down through Santa Barbara to the beach in Ventura–this ride provides some of the most beautiful country in California. I was so excited to get cleared by Medical to participate. I would have hated to miss this day.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, the weather was cold, foggy, misty, and wet–not my favorite riding conditions. I was concerned that today was going to be more of the same, but it wasn’t. I left Lompoc with slightly overcast skies that cleared with in the hour as I climbed toward the Gaviota Pass. By the time I hit Rest Stop 1, it was a beautiful morning. Even better, I couldn’t believe how strong I felt today on the bike. I climbed that hill at an average of 18-20 mph. Nothing bothered me.

Coming down the Pacific side of the Gaviota Pass, we hit the PCH and it glorious! The coast was absolutely beautiful. While being held at Rest Stop 2 (we had to wait for the CHP to close down a lane for us), I hung out along the coast and watched as pelicans dove in to the waters for breakfast and the dolphins frolicked in the waves. Yes, I know, it sounds idyllic…it is!

Anyhow, the rest of the ride was much of the same. I found myself just chilling on this ride as I rolled by the coast. I met up with a couple of the other Cal Team riders and we enjoyed hanging out as we rode.

This day always hold a somewhat bittersweet place for me. Being the last night together in camp, it’s always time to reflect a bit about the experience overall. The biggest impact that this ride usually has on me is the overwhelming sense of community that develops. Something amazing happens when a group of people experience a challenging event together. If the conditions are right, they begin to pull-together and you see the best in them. You see people being concerned for each other. 

As I right this, there was an older gentleman from Oakland sitting next to me. We struck up a conversation when he asked about what happened to my head. I began recounting the whole story of how I got my stitches. He stopped and asked if I was taking to camp in a white van. Now, I had no idea what kind of vehicle I was in given my condition, but he told me that he recognized me. He was sitting behind me in that van. He was there because he was part of a hit and run. He said he had been thinking of me and wondered if I was okay. He was genuinely happy to see I was doing well and that I was riding.

This little interaction typifies the overall experience of the ride. It’s the idea that with a very little effort you can make a meaningful change. Showing a little concern and helping others get through little (and big) challenges can make real changes. This is the one thing I always try to hang on to as I move back into the real world.

Now, I might be just a little tired and this could all just be me waxing poetic about the ride, but the idea still remains. My goal is to take away just a little more of the kindness that I found on the ride and be just a bit more flexible in life. If you’ve read this far (a) you’re awesome and (b) I invite you to stop me if you don’t see me doing this and give me a little nudge. 

Oh, and by the way, my eye is getting way better. There’s no pain and I look like I just got a great makeover by MAC makeup!