Santa Barbara Trip Recap

I'm back in Fort Collins now. It was sort of weird to be here the first few days. We got back Monday afternoon. I really cannot describe the trip with words. It was probably the best time I've ever had. I got to know people on the team a lot better. We had lots of good rides followed by relaxing on the beach. It was pretty much perfect. I don't know what I would change about it. Rather than boring you with words, I'm going to post pictures (because that's what I like to do). But first of all, here's some stats for the week:

Number of days I spent riding: 8
Number of days we were in Santa Barbara: 9
Number of people on the trip: 18 by the time it was all said and done (a few arrived a couple days later)
Number of hours ridden: 29.27
Number of miles ridden: 450.58
Number of calories burned: 13,788
Number of times I rode in something other than bibs and a jersey: 1 (I started out with arm warmers on but they came off 10 minutes into the ride)
Average temperature: I'm guessing 73
Number of clouds we saw in the sky: 0
Number of flats I had: 0
Number of times we got pulled over as a group: 1
Total elevation gain: no idea, but I'm guessing near 50,000 feet
Best ride: 120miles, 6 hours 40 minutes, 7,000+ feet of elevation gain. Epic ride, awesome views, and great people to spend it with.
Number of times I was in a bikini: 1 (and it was hilarious)
Number of dolphins I saw: 4
Number of sea otters I saw: 2

Ok picture time!!

Group photo with the two best hosts (Sierra and Anna) from UCSB.

We did lots of climbing.

And lots of time playing frisbee on the beach (it was only 3 blocks from where we were staying).

Miles and miles of vineyards.

Caley and Erick concentrating hard on the waves.

Funny picture.
Massive. Tasty. Best burger ever.

This was one of the climbs - Gibraltar. A fire (named the Tea Fire) took place in November 2008. The road was still closed (sort of) and there was a lot of work being done in the area. It was eerie riding up through it.

More of the burned area.

Cheese(y)!
We did lots of cooking, good food! Here is Sierra (the main host) making banana chocolate chip pancakes.

Not sure how many brownies we ate. That seemed to be the main dessert dish.

My awesome tan lines. That's what 30hours of riding in the sun will get you.

Part of the group chowing down on those previously mentioned delicious burgers.

I'm smiling, but really I'm thinking crap this hill is steep.

Wow that's a lot of blue. But a cool picture.

Ok that's all I have for now. I wish I was still in Santa Barbara. Ok maybe not right now because it's raining there. But if you ever get a chance to go there, do. It's an amazing place. I hope you enjoyed my pictures! I'll post another update later. I've got lots of things to talk about!
-A