Day 6: A Day At The Beach

It’s starting to hit riders and roadies that this is our last overnight together. We seem to live in this alternate universe, apart from the real world like gypsies who are constantly traveling, speaking their own language and making a home for themselves along the way. We set up and uproot, set up and uproot, and it’s a routine we surprisingly have gotten used to.

When we pulled our trucks into Ventura’s camp site right next to the beach, I was trying to come to terms with the fact that we were nearing the last leg of the ride.

Part of me is looking forward to the end, like when I woke up this morning from a deep sleep and for a moment, I didn’t know where I was. Then, I heard a port-o-potty’s door slam and realized I was in a truck and about to hear the alarm go off at 4 a.m. so I could begin another long day of physical labor. I’d forgotten for a moment that THIS is my life now.

But that life is soon coming to an end, and I can bid farewell to feeling around for my flashlight in the dark, searching for my contact I dropped somewhere in the outside communal sink, putting on the same grimy clothes, holding my breath in the port-o-potties, standing in line for meals, and judging everyone by the weight of their luggage.

After we unloaded all of the bags, the Gear and Tent team took a trip to In-N-Out. It was a close walk from the state park where we were staying to the burger joint, but I felt uneasy about crossing the border of the park. As I walked with my teammate, Alicia, she said she was feeling separation anxiety from her bags at Truck B. We realized that this was the farthest away we’ve strayed from the luggage. “Should we call them?” she asked. “Should we write them a letter?” I fretted.

We have adopted others’ bags as our own – and without them, now where do we stand? I was having a total identity crisis, and then we entered a crowded In-N-Out. It seemed a little too early to face the real world again. I thought, I’m not ready for this just yet.

I know after the ride, I’m going to have moments where I’ll have this inside joke that I won’t be able to share with anyone around me. Like how if someone gave me a bag to hold, I’d automatically want to chuck it into a large vehicle. I know I’m going to be this robot trying to re-program itself, having these skills of loading and unloading things, but no place to use them.

Plus, how will I feel the next time I see a Budget moving truck? It’s become more than just a mode of transportation for me; it’s turned into my office, my bed, my shelter from the sun and wind. I wonder if the next time I see a truck, I’ll have an urge to a) unload it  b) sleep in it  c) shower in it (shower mobiles!)  d) run for the love of God away from it!

At Ventura, I sat on the beach and watched the cyclists who came in early take a refreshing dip in the ocean. It’s nice here, and we’ve all helped to set up a nice little world here. It’s grown into a tight-knit community.

One highlight of this ride is that people here are so open and honest about who they are and why they’re here. With people wearing T-shirts proclaiming that they are HIV positive, it’s hard not to
sense their vulnerability and appreciate their level of honesty. If they can express who they are out in the open, how can we be anything else but true to ourselves and others as well?

This week has been grueling, hilarious, dirty, emotional and revealing. It’s a combination of so many things. I think I see why so many people keep coming back year after year.

Comments

[Shirl Scott]

Aloha Erin,

Good On Ya' Another day of hard work, from the heart!

Yea, You and the roadies certainly WILL have some seperation anxiety when this is over, Heck "I" will... and I just track you on the net! Yea it will be hard, but soooo worth it!!!!

Mahalo Sweetie!

Shirl

[Jaime Merrifield]

Erin, Thanks so much for your great effort blogging, so glad I could read about the ride from a Roadie's perspective, enjoy your last day and thank you again Jaime Merrifield

[Jeremy Biane]

You've had some really nice blogs, and it's been great getting to know some of the characters around camp, but this one's my favorite.
What a great experience. I'm a bit jealous...but mostly proud.

[Jaime Merrifield]

Thanks so much Erin for the blogging, let me know what you do when you see your first Budget truck in the real world!!!! :-))
love, Jaime PS See you next year!

[Stephanie]

Erin,

I've read your blog entries for the week and wanted to thank you for all of your hard work as a roadie and for taking the time to keep a blog. It was a wonderful way to share ALC with those of us not on the ride. Thank you and congratulations on finishing the ride!!