Saw a lot of people on the train and at the start, rode with Mel, David, Linh, Jeffrey, Pete, Keith, Dzung, Greg, Russell, Chuck and Mark. Took it easy because of the knee (grade 1 strain). Had up and downs as usual on the long rides, ate every 20 miles instead of every 25 which seemed to help. Good course, great views, lots of colors, orange California poppies, yellow mustard, purple, blue and pink wildflowers, ice plants and others I do not know. Not a lot of hard climbing, plenty of places to get water and food, it is an easy road but you do have a slow down on the bike paths, sketchy descent into Gaviota with the wind from the NW. Trusty Garmin 310xt had to be recharged twice but didn't shut down itself like the 500. Should have broken down the course in 200k increments. Had about 1 hr of sleep, 24 min nap @ Jones's house and at Redondo Beach under a tree I was so tired the planes didn't wake me up. Almost hit a raccoon going downhill rd in Ventura at night. Saw the shape and the eyes reflecting the light from the bike lamp, hit the brakes and went shhhiii..., the rear wheel skidded slightly but I think the raccoon heard me or the rear tire skid and went back into the bushes. So we scared each other. I think I got about 5ft to the animal, close call! Smelled the ocean spray, strawberries, the cilantro and the farmland. Heard the frogs and the birds. Saw a hawk catch and carry a squirrel or a mouse. Saw the crows, vultures, pelicans, pigeons, sea gulls and hawks enjoying the windy days! Saw the shipping containers and LA waterfront. The kitesurfers were out in force in Long Beach, it was pretty cool to see some 20 kites of different colors in the sky. Saw the moonlight reflecting off the Ocean in Ventura 1 front flat in Ventura. A square piece of metal was found, but I checked it thoroughly just in case it was something else. Pump was a little dirty, had to take it apart and clean it, grit gets in it. Took me a little longer but David and Linh helped. Talked to a guy from France riding from Vancouver, Canada to Costa Rica in 6 months lugging all his camping gear. Weird what you keep track of when your tired. Saw 5 tennis balls, one wrench, three dead dear, one skunk, one dead raccoon, one dead possum, bungee cords, golf balls, one semi trailer truck driveshaft joint on top of a storm drain grate. How did the truck get going again? Got honked in Laguna Beach, again. Someone yelled out near the CSU of Channel Islands but since they were going so fast could not make it out. The majority of the drivers were good. Good 40 hrs! Wildflower photo by Mel Cutler CA-1 on the way to Lompoc