Today began the same way any other day would have. We got up early, dressed and loaded the vehicle. But we didn't start riding right away nor did we drive to a starting point nearby. Instead we drove 74 miles from our spot at the Wigwam Motel down to the Santa Monica Pier for a meeting with the executive director and Sergeant of the Santa Monica Police. We discussed the logistics of where and when I will meet up with my escort tomorrow and the parking plans for the vehicles as well as what the other riders will do after they separate from me.
While we were there the officer told us about a friend who had sadly lost his battle with PTSD and taken his own life earlier this year. He asked if there was a way I could ride for him the way I have for others along my journey. I don't have any blank bib numbers but there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to honor his friend. When I meet up with him in the morning I will be having him sign his friend's name on my jersey so it will be with me when I cross the finish line. It will be another added layer of emotion but one that I can't imagine not being able to give someone who is helping me so much.
After the meeting ended we made our way back to the starting point at Wigwam Motel, had a quick lunch and I began my ride around the time I normally would have been completing my day. It was warmer and the marine layer from the ocean had already burned off so it made it slightly less comfortable to ride but with only 45 miles to complete today I pushed on with very short breaks. We knew we had several things to accomplish when we got checked in so I kept that as my focus. We did go out to a favorite spot for dinner to celebrate the finishing of another successful day then as soon as we got back to the hotel we got to work. We had to unload the rest of the gear from the car, get our laundry together and washed, switch the treads on a friend's bike and then meet with him and two others who were kind and supportive enough to drive down from Las Vegas to join me for my last day.
We are getting to bed later than we would like but we have met with everyone taking part in the festivities tomorrow and gotten all the chores done we needed to in order to be ready. It was a short ride but a very long day and tomorrow is sure to run the full spectrum of emotions. I am excited to share it with everyone.
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