Closing Ceremonies

Every day we'd ride into camp with people lining the streets cheering us. But I never expected what I saw, especially on the last day.  Hundreds, if not thousands, on the side of the road with signs..shouting, waiving and hi fiving as we road in.  Never, have I been so overwhelmed with such love and appreciation.

Riding in...545 miles in seven days...the experience of a lifetime!

And not one flat tire...priceless!

Never have I experienced the love and support from total strangers.  Every time I struggled, physically and/or emotionally, there was someone there.  Be it a friend, a member of my team or a complete and total stranger...to coach me up a hill, to make me laugh when I wanted to cry (James :0), to give me a hug when I need one.  Thanks to each and every one of you.  And to the Crazy 88s...thank you for taking me under your wings and showing me what it means to make a difference.

Hey Vandel...go Broncos!

Little did I know that my sister Lynnette and Peter had been in cahoots.  Lynnette flew down to LA from Idaho (who da ho?  I da ho) to surprise me...and what a surprise it was. And to add some more adjatives: she is the most amazing, inspiring, supportive, fantastic, beautiful and thoughtful Soul Sister in the whole wide world...thanks Lynnie.  I love you.

Note* I was not punched...just the result of too much sodium and too much crying.

 

 We did it Hairy Cow, we did it! EFI!

 ALC 10 raised more than 13 million dollars this year, a national record for the foundation with The Crazy's as the top team fundraisers of over 344K.  Big shout out to James who had a big part in that on his first ride...we're no longer virgins anymore Honey. See you next year...yes, I signed up again.

A special thank you to each and every one of my sponsors who helped donate to this cause.  This has been the hardest, most painful thing I have ever done in my life as well as the most rewarding. 

We really CAN make a difference. 

Cheers to all of you.

Love, Light and 

Aloha,

Patti

Day Seven

Hairy Cow is exhausted;  I tell him "We must go on, we're almost there.  We can do this Hairy Cow!"

We continue down the coast through Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Malibu.  I lived in Ca for over 40 years and I have never seen this part of the state.  Had I known how beautiful it was, I would have gone to college down here. In SB we ran across the...well, you just have to see for yourself:

Far Out!

No, I'm not cold.

Really?

Day Six

Note the sea of tents in the background, all 1200 of them..."camp".

Back to the coast via Hwy 101... 44.8 mph, a personal record.  What a rush!  The dolphins reminded me of home :)...but..."I want my mommy".  If Peter asks again..."$&^%^*%$#". 88+ miles, ugh!

There was a candlelight vigil of 3K+ on the beach in Ventura.  Never before has so much been said without a word spoken.  I will NEVER forget this night. We are ALL connected...we are ALL family.

Day Five-Red Dress Day

Apparently, back in the day, someone said to dress in red on day five. Seriously, you ask how many gay men to dress in red...they surely must have meant wear a red dress:

Our Team : The Crazy 88s.

Why Crazy 88s you ask?  They are the assign squad ninjas from the Kill Bill movie. There are actually only 62 of us, but we are working to getting 88. New members welcome with your Time Trial Times ;0

Ginger Burle-the drag queen who waits at the top of every day's big hill. When you see her, you know you are really at the top and it's not a "false summit".  We'll miss you Honey.

False summit! WTH is a false summit? Never heard of them til ALC. 

Are you fricking kidding me?

No, they're not.

Rest Stops-God Bless Rest Stop 4

Each rest stop where we eat, drink and pee, has a different theme that takes way the pain.

Marnie...close your mouth.

   You too Peter!