The Ride In....

We are starting day 7 on a beautiful morning in ventura. Highly charged, but everyone is excited for the short 60 miles along pacific coast highway.
Be back soon!

Could be worse...

I admit it..this is a better part of the ride. Santa Barbara!

Past the Crash...

I made it!

Day 5!

Write, when I'm on the bike, this week seems to drag. I quickly realize how fast this is all going by when I write about our fifth day in the ride.

Things are going really well. Yesterday was my least favorite of the trip, being almost 100 miles of not that great scenery after the first 20. We pushed through, and made it to a great day 5. We traveled from santa maria to lompoc via vandenburg AFB. It's our most hilly day overall, but also shortest. Through vineyards, farm fields, and some nasty uphills.

And here we go, wearing some red too...

Days 2 & 3

Hello everyone!

I checked the posts yesterday, and sorry for some confusion. There seems to be posts loaded out of order, so here's the run down...

Day 2 was supposed to be our longest day, riding 109 miles. After rest stop one, it began misting, then raining.

Then really raining.

We got into rest stop 2, about 40 miles into the day, we were soaked after riding in the rain for close to 4 hours.

They closed the route and we were herded into a local church to wait for buses for transport. Pizza and coffee were donated by the local community, and the church administrator just smiled and said, "well, it's what Jesus would have done." Another example of the community we create.

Today was Day 3 and the infamous Quadbuster - our steepest hill and abou 1.5 miles at it's steepest point. Then bradley for lunch and now camp to dry our wet clothes.

Thank you all again for the love and support!

Days 2 & 3

Hello everyone!

I checked the posts yesterday, and sorry for some confusion. There seems to be posts loaded out of order, so here's the run down...

Day 2 was supposed to be our longest day, riding 109 miles. After rest stop one, it began misting, then raining.

Then really raining.

We got into rest stop 2, about 40 miles into the day, we were soaked after riding in the rain for close to 4 hours.

They closed the route and we were herded into a local church to wait for buses for transport. Pizza and coffee were donated by the local community, and the church administrator just smiled and said, "well, it's what Jesus would have done." Another example of the community we create.

Today was Day 3 and the infamous Quadbuster - our steepest hill and abou 1.5 miles at it's steepest point. Then bradley for lunch and now camp to dry our wet clothes.

Thank you all again for the love and support!

Day 2 Dry Out...

Leaving santa cruz..

Yeah, it could be worse, lol!

Team DC!

Sort of...

Team DC,

Sort of...

Day 2 Rain Out

So we're at a church, after the route closed sure to heavy rains. Icky. ICKY!

At church...

Well, it started pouring. So much so, we had to stop riding mid day. The local church opened for us to stay warm and dry.

:(

It's raining, and we're still riding.

Coffee!

Day 2 begins!

One hundred nine miles today through california  farm and vineyard country. Supp osedly flat, but not as much as one would like.

Feeling strong, and sporting Team DC with Tyler Termeer and Jonah Merchant!

Day 1

And 3:30 got here just a bit too fast...

Day 0...

...is complete. I'm all checked in, and received a beautiful homemade card from Kaity.

This year is a little different in attitude. It seems there are more veteran riders...the energy is happy, not overly anxious, and very  open and loving.

It is great to see everyone, even those in Medical who remember me, but I don't them. Seems I made an impression though.

I received my $5k jersey, and my ALC11 jersey, along with my name in the Top 50 out-of-state fundraisers.

Time to reconsolidate my luggage with my new swag, head for food and an early bedtime. Shuttle bus leaves at 430am!

Much love, Tim

Thank you!

Looks like ALC is recognizing the top 50 from outside the California region, and I made it!

Thank you all again for your support.

A Quick Tour Downtown..

I'm sitting in Boudin's, trying to eat my sourdough sammich with some tact and dignity. It's not working.

My hands are grimy from assembling the bike, and the quick touristy tour through Fisherman's Wharf have me excited to be in SF.

Seeing Ghiradelli Square, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard St, and even a friend that I met on my first ride...all have me waiting like a kid at Christmas. I'm missing all my ALC friends but I know I will get to see most of them tomorrow.

Until then, it's back to my Peet's coffee and the remains of my sourdough. Day 0 in the morning..

Arrived...

I'll be seeing you tomorrow.

The luggage pyramid...

And, we're off!

Very Last Long Training Ride...

I'm as ready as I'll ever be...

2 Weeks to Go, and Things Not to Miss...

Hello Everyone,

 

We are less than two weeks away from riding!

 

Here are some things that allow everyone to keep up with the ride from home:

 

1. I will be updating pics and writing from the road.  You can check out everything at http://timothymalt.blogspot.com.

2. The AIDS Lifecycle website will be updating from the road as well.  Go to www.aidslifecycle.com, and click "Experience the Ride".  Pics and videos will be posted each day.

 

Here are some helpful hints for first time riders, and those considering in future years:

 

1. Never miss Rest Stop 4.  EVER.
2. Wear and reapply sunblock.  It sucks, but you just have to.
3. Day 1 - there will be strawberries handed out.  Eat them, as they will be the most delicious berries you've ever experienced.
4. Day 2 - there is a bridge that crosses a river after the water stop.  Jump in the river.
5. Day 3 - Wait in line at Bradley for the cheeseburgers.  It helps the school, and they are also the best burgers ever.
6. Day 4 - This is a tough day, but push through the crosswinds.  They turn into tailwinds.
7. Day 5 - Wear red.
8. Day 6 - Stop for ice cream, but do not go back for seconds.  You still have a lot of mileage to cover.
9. Day 7 - Enjoy everything.  The dolphins, the army base, the ride along the beach, and the welcome to LA party.

And lastly...

 

    10. Take everything in.  You will be happy, sad, cranky, joyful, tearful, sore and smiling.

 

Many thanks to everyone who has already donated.  If you haven't and you want to help, go to http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/timothymaltjr.  If you are writing a check, there is a form on that site, but mail the check to me.  It's past the deadline, and I will take it with me to California.

 

Many thanks!

 

-Tim

 

--

Timothy M. Alt, Jr.

http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/timothymaltjr