Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2 (2003)

Day by Day Coverage: Day 2 - Santa Cruz to King City

High Fives & Tailwinds

AIDS/LifeCycle participants packed up their tents in the damp morning to begin the longest day of the ride -- 103 miles. The route took Cyclists through downtown Santa Cruz, where they were greeted with friendly honks and a line of schoolchildren holding out their hands for high-fives.

After the marshes and twin smokestacks of Moss Landing, the route wound through some of the state's most beautiful farmland. First there were strawberry fields (seemingly) forever, then artichokes. Near Castroville, a stand selling "french fried artichoke hearts" lured dozens of Cyclists.

In the second half of the route, the sun blazed over vineyards that stretched for miles. La Mission de Soledad created a touching memorial, allowing participants to write messages on a white cloth in honor of people they've lost to AIDS.

Underneath a stunning green bridge spanning a creek, participants in various states of undress dove into a natural swimming hole. And at the top of a hill nearby, an adult “girl scout” (wearing badges indicating skill in some of the more, shall we say, sinful arts) handed out homemade cookies. At Rest Stop 4, the Roadies dressed as cops and handed out “citations.”

With tailwinds providing an incredible boost in the last leg of the route, Cyclists took in views that stretched far into the valley below. For many, today was their longest single-day ride, and they basked in it.

-- Jeff Brock, AIDS/LifeCycle Webmaster & Cyclist #5410
Reporting from King City

Check out today's photos!

Read today's journal entries from:

• Danelle
• Darrel
• Diane
• Roland
• Tien