I took this picture while sitting on the floor waiting for opening ceremonies to get started.Dan's AIDS/Lifecycle 6 Pictures
Day One (Sunday 6/3/2007) - San Francisco to Santa Cruz96.4 Miles
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The day started very early for me at 3:15 am. I arrived at Cow Palace at 5:00 am which in my opinion, was about a half an hour too early. My 50 lb. back pack was given to my gear truck. Since my tent assignment was L-31, my gear would be transported to the campsites in the "L" gear truck. Opening ceremonies would start at 6:00 am with a promised rollout at 6:30. In reality, I think I was rolling at 6:45. Getting 2,300 riders moving is not an easy task. We would travel 96 miles from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. This day would be the hilliest day of the ride at 5200' of vertical climbing.
I took this picture while sitting on the floor waiting for opening ceremonies to get started.
My dear friend and co-worker, Karen who volunteered to serve riders breakfast before the ride. It was inspiring seeing her give up her day to help with the effort. Her day started at 4:30 am! I had a few friends do this. This meant so much to me!
Me and the infamous "Chicken Lady" who has been doing the ride longer than me!
My friends Kas on the left and Nicole on the right. I'm sorry to say, I don't remember the person's name in the middle.
Opening ceremonies.
Bike parking. Remember the picture from the Day 0? My bike was parked all the way in the back.
Finally, outside, inching our way to the start of the line.
Rolling! We all wore red and white helmet covers until the first rest stop.
Out on San Francisco streets. We did not ride single file until about five miles out.
Out on Highway One. It was a cold ride, but that was a good thing when riding a bike all those miles. We only experienced very warm temperatures a few times on the ride.
Nicole, me and Kas at Rest Stop One.
More of Rest Stop One
Alfie passing me on his fixed gear bike. I had just passed him and we were playing a bit of cat and mouse. He is clearly the stronger rider!
Me at the Water stop on the San Mateo Reservoir.
Taiko drumming on Highway92 at the top. Instead of heading down to Half Moon Bay, we would turn left at Skyline and climb for five or six miles more. Nothing steep, but consistent. It was a leg burner!
Me trying my hand at the Taiko drum.
Ginger Brule who would be supporting us the entire ride.
The left turn heading up Skyline. It would be torturous for some. I enjoyed it because I like to climb.
"The Climb"
I stopped to take this shot. You can see Highway 92 which I had just climbed.
More of the climb up Skyline headed towards Rest Stop 2.
Me and my friend Beth who was a "roadie" as part of the Rest Stop Two crew. She has ridden the ride quite a few times as well.
Lunch at San Gregorio Beach.
A sample of lunch. The food on the ride would be excellent as usual. Like my sock?
Alfie and Lisa walking to lunch. I was leaving.
My friend and co-worker Bob Jensen, one of the charter members of Team PMS from San Jose. Bob is a long time rider as well. Nine years I believe.
A shot of me and my ride, my steel single speed/fixed gear Lemond Fillmore. Best $650 bike I've ever ridden.
The climb after lunch. I nice way to digest your food!
The payoff! The belly dancer at the top of the climb.
A shot of my cycling computer close to my maximum speed (20 mph) on a flat road. I could only go so fast with one gear. I excelled at climbing which is really what I wanted to do. The use of one gear defiantly makes you stronger! I was able to go faster on descents because I could coast and let my body's weight provide momentum while descending.
Pigeon Point lighthouse. I look forward to riding by this beautiful scene every year.
I stopped to take another cyclists picture, so he returned the favor.
We would see people cheering us on like this for the next seven days. Another inspiring moment.
The beauty of the coast. I would stop many times for these special "Kodak" moments. Or should I call them special "Sony" moments?
Notice the dots. They are Para-sails for surfers. And then wind was at our backs. Not that it was helping me much due to my gearing limitation.
Me in the witches hat at Rest Stop Three. The Wizard of Oz, of course was the theme.
This picture is for my co-worker and friend, Anthony. Airplanes, Anthony, airplanes!
The "Pie" stop. Team Pie paid for enough pie to feed 2300 riders.
Me fueling up with cherry pie and vanilla ice cream!
Riders in front of me entering Santa Cruz, our first camp site.
This card was given to me by my co-worker's daughter Megan which I laminated. This is how I found my tent at night when I would need to use the potty. There was a sea of tents and one needs to be creative to make their new home identifiable. Thanks Megan!!!!