So, if it wasn't clear before in previous posts (if you get passed the gooey emotional stuff) LifeCycle is RIDICULOUSLY FUN. Sure there's dancing in the streets and organized fun events along the way, but for me the fun happens when everyone get Bike Brained. That is what happens when you become so used to riding a bicycle all day, and focusing on EAT, BIKE, PEE, BIKE, EAT, PEE, BIKE, PEE, BIKE, EAT, that all other brain functions stop.
Our amazing roadie and support staff crew have everything clearly labeled in camp with big arrows because frankly, we're like a bunch of really dumb cows wandering through pastures. This morning I got out of my tent in the dark and realized I had NO IDEA where I was. People share their "bike brain" stories and we all sort of nod, add to it and laugh the hardest we have in a while. Its hilarious. Also, this is when everyone gets tired and starts to show their real personality, people get comfortable with each other and boundries get broken down. We start connecting.
I'd love to sit here and explain in detail all the hilarious things that has happened, and tell you exactly why my gut hurts from laughing so much, but its all "you had to be there" humor. All I can say is that this morning I met up with James and Jen Diamond at our first rest stop and my face hurt from laughing so much. Its that summer camp high that I totally live for.
Plus things get totally strange, like today The Viagra Guy was back. There's this guy who dresses up on the side of the road in a big foam rubber blue pill suit with a sign that says "U R My Viagra." I'm assuming this is a cheer for the riders. He was there yesterday, and again today. I asked him and he is neither a rider nor a roadie. Strange. So I just accept it and move on. Emotions change on a dime here, and thats just what happens. One minute you could be clawing up a hill slowly, with tears in your eyes, and then the next minute a guy in a dress hands you candy and then the world tastes delicous.
Its our last night in camp and emotions are high. I experienced this today personally. Tonight after I'm done blogging, we will head off to a candle light vigil down on the beach. Its a moment to reflect and to grieve, and to be unified. I was thinking about it today, and while going up a hill in Santa Barbara I just burst out in to tears. Crying and peddling for at least two milies. Thinking about Chris.
Chris was a kid in my high school, who was bussed in from another school district. I didn't know him very well, and he wasn't in school a lot, he sort of came and went. Some people knew him, but there was talk that he was just "sick a lot."
Chris was a hemopheliac who got a blood transfusion early in his life and the blood was infected with HIV. By the time he was in high school he had AIDS. No one really knew the real story until he died, and even then, it wasn't very clear. When the time came for his funeral, many students, even students who didn't know him went, which at the time, I didn't understand. I did not go, because at the time, I thought, well...I didn't know him. But I understand now why people wanted to show their support to his friends and family.
There is an image in our yearbook of Chris smiling and just being a kid, waving with a ball cap on. This image filled my head all day long, every second of the day, through every mile.
Tonight, I'll light my candle for that kid in a ballcap, smiling and waving, that I never got the chance to know.
We'll be in Los Angeles tomorrow. Sleep well and goodnight from Ventura, CA.
-Gary
Days Remaining: 1
Miles to Los Angeles: 60
Legs: Don't matter.
**Its that summer camp high that I totally live for**
Oh, god... I *ache* for that. I haven't had that since, well, summer camp.
Man, I'm jealous.
Posted by: Dave | June 10, 2006 at 01:11 PM