ALC Day 5: Santa Maria to Lompopc

Lying alone in my tent, I can hear the shower trucks drone in the distance and human voices whispering their goodnights. Today was "Dress is Red/Wear a Red Dress" Day, and the red line we made on the riding up through the hills was a simple inspiring image that stayed with me all day. Red costumes ranged from subtle to outrageous and every rider added to our shared color. It was designed to be a celebratory, fun day and that it was from the early morning dress up, the roll out of Santa Maria, the fans that came out to cheer us on along the city streets, the wacky rest stops, the hilarious jokes during the after dinner program to the acts during the Variety Show on the stage of the Big Tent that I just walked back from.

Before lunch, I had to pull over during a low blood sugar spell and immediately a Queen came over and gave me some food and a plastic chili pepper necklace to wear. Later, I rode behind one woman pushing another with a hand as they ascended a big hill, both dressed in Red costumes. There were 2 others who pulled branches off a tree to sweep glass off the road for us, there were local folks who handed us great tasting strawberries which we took from their hands and gave thanks as we rolled on by. There is always someone here to get your back. Someone you don't even know, and probably won't see again. Someone who is crazy and real like you. Someone who inspires you to be the one for the next one of us that needs help.