What's It All About

Sunday, September 27th - We were suppose to ride into the eastern part of San Diego but with the weather report predicting 92 degree heat in that region the powers to be decided a coastal ride was in order up to the edge of Dana Point. I love this ride. The groups can stay together fairly well, no one gets lost, and it's a fast ride for 85 miles.


Within the first 10 miles or so two people hooked onto our group that were not a part of CAF. One was George Niotta who is raising funds for the YMCA by trying to ride 3000 miles in 30 days. His web page is http://www.ridefortheymca.com/. I was amazed by his story and encouraged to see others doing something on a bike to help benefit others.


The other person, I believe his name was Jeff, was riding for his son to raise funds for Hemoglobin disorders. He had just finished a 500 mile ride from San Fran to LA with about 20 other people. Another great story of passion and love.


What's it all about...it's about doing something for others. There are times when we all get caught up in our lives and focus on just what's in front of us. But if we pick our head up and look out the window we see a big world out there that we can have an effect on.


For me it's kind of spiritual. Helping others is the touch that brings us together. Cycling is my way of helping.


We're holding our fund raising event this Thursday, Oct 1st, in support of CAF and QMDC. There will be fantastic food and drink, a silent auction, 50/50 drawing, opportunity drawing and raffle. You can purchase tickets by clicking on the link on this page in the upper left hand corner.


Hope to see you there.

Thursday, Sept 24th - It took me a few more days to find time to update my blog. After the ride this past weekend my wife and I invited a ton of people over to the house to help me celebrate my 50th birthday. What a special day that was. We had a great time connecting back up with so many friends. My brother even flew in from Ohio to be at the event. Many, many thanks to all that attended.

The ride this past weekend wasn't long, 40 miles, but it did have a lot of climbing, over 3200 feet. It's called the Great Western and is located in the Rancho San Diego area. It starts out flat for the first 8 or so miles and then, you climb and climb and climb. The last 12 miles are fast down hill. We had great weather again, not too hot. It can be a brutal route if it's over 90.

There were 5 contestants in the XX1090 radio contest. Today was the announcement of the remaining 3 people. It was suppose to be yesterday but Scott and BR ran out of time after announcing that Joy was still in it. After today it is now Joy, Alex and Adam.

I really feel for these guys and know what it's like to be sitting there hoping that you are still in. Rob Millum really nailed it though with his words that at first it was the contest but it soon became more about CAF and raising funds. Rob is going even though he is out of the contest. He has already raised the $10K. Brian is working hard and I am confident that he can do it. In total the radio contests, which started with 30 people, have raised over $30,000 between them all. THAT IS IMPRESSIVE.

Events - Joy and Adam have an event tomorrow night at the La Jolla Brew House, Adam has a poke ride the following day and don't forget the Ride Leaders event coming up next week, Oct 1st (See posting at the top left of the blog)

200 miles

Saturday and Sunday, Sept 12-13 - This last weekend was the big test as we headed up to Redondo Beach on a 104 mile ride with plans to return the following day. For many of the participants this was the farthest they have ever ridden before and a new mile stone. I applaud those people. First time riding a 100 miles and then doing it again the next day...not easy.

The route took us North mostly up the 101 or Pacific Coast Highway. I love this ride because it has so much diversity in it. We have the coast ride in San Diego, then into Camp Pendleton. We go by the San Clemente Park and Nuclear Plant and then do some roller hills in the neighborhood which leads out to the ocean.

At the bottom of San Clemente we hit the 101 and ride north with the ocean on our left. There's a nice bike path there that's straight and most of the time fast. The road tips up at the end and we climb up into Dana Point. Laguna Beach, Seal Beach, Long Beach and Huntington Beach are the next towns. In Long Beach we go by the ship yards which again is such a change of scenery. Kind of raugh neighborhood but people are nice there. Lots of waves from folks.

Eventually we get to the base of our last few miles which is mostly up hill to Palos Verde Estates. We stopped at the 7/11 to take on some more fluids. It's mile 87 or so and people are feeling it. Fred, hand cyclists with no legs, rolls in just as we are about to get going. He asks someone to run in and get him some items. Try and put yourself in his chair. What's it like to ride 100 miles entirely on your own using your arms? The man has a lot of will power.

The climb up and threw Palos Verde was beautiful. Last year we made a right into Redondo Beach but this year we made a left and climb some more with the Ocean now on our right. Stunning homes up there. Spectacular views.

We spent the night at this little place, Terranea Resort. Brand new place with spectacular views all the way around. CAF does it right every time.

Prior to leaving that morning we had our immunity challenged for the XX1090 contestants. The test was to name all the Ride Leaders. Most did well but Joy was again the winner. Wed they will be in the studio this week with Scott and BR getting interviewed and the announcement of another person eliminated. Adam added some items to the Immunity Pump. That thing is crazy looking.

Our ride back to San Diego was a bit faster. Saturday we were on the road for just over 9 hours. There were a lot of flats. The return ride was 8 hours. Everyone did great but a few where feeling the effects. Can't stress enough the need to eat and drink lots on the road. Lots of lessons learned.

Just 4 more weeks and then we ride from San Francisco to San Diego. Can't wait...should be a good time.

PS: The Ride Leaders and myself are hosting our event on Oct 1st. Tickets are $40 for one or $70 for two. Children are welcome. Food, fun, silent auction, raffle, 50/50, and opportunity drawing. Great stuff. There is a link on left hand side of this blog.

Reflection and Ride of Beauty, Elfin Forest

Sunday, Sept 6th - Over the years I can't even count the number of times I have worked on programs with different organizations. LLS at least 13, Trek Century Training Program 7 or more, CAF into my second event and so on. The one thing I've learned is I can never compare it to the last experience. What I mean is that each is unique and will always have it's own special...feeling.


Last year this experience was filled with wonder for me. The XX1090 contest forced me to step out of my comfort zone and try some new things. At the same time I pushed my riding experience and weekly would hang with Group 2 at a pace of 18 to 22 MPH on average. This was after riding the day before with Trek. I was easily putting in 250 mile weeks for almost 3 months straight. I learned to blog, put on a huge fund raising event and raised a lot of awareness for CAF. Even if I hadn't won the contest I walked away a better person for the experience.


As I look at the contests who are in this years XX1090 Scott and BR contest I really hope that they too, with each step, savore the experience. If the words I read in their blogs, the comments they are making and the expressions on their faces is any indication then I think they are enjoying the ride.


Everyone wants to win but in reality it's not about winning, it's about helpings someone else. I was explaining this to another rider this weekend that one of the most memorable experiences I had last year was on the last day of the ride as we headed into La Jolla. We had come to the base of Torrey Pines which is a mile plus climb at 5 to 6 percent grade. Anthony Smith, a Challenged Athlete who had just started riding a few months prior, was starting up it. He weighs in at around 235, has half an arm, and can hardly use his right leg due to an IED. Because he can barely use one side of his body it was an extraordinarily hard climb for him but several of us took turns providing assistance by riding next to him and putting one hand on his back. I started to cry, as I am now, from that experience. That is the essence of what I hope inspires this years contestants and all the participants in QMDC.


OK, back to the present. This week we had the final 6 select a water bottle out of a bag. One of the bottles contained Immunity. Joy picked the right bottle...but it wasn't over. Her task was to give it to someone else. Adam Beck, last weeks winner, was the person she passed it to. Here is a picture of Adams additions to the Immunity Pump from the previous week. Adam is a testicular cancer survivor, like myself, and has to supplement his system with testosterone. Hence the Hulk theme carrying the XX1090 and CAF flags. Very creative. Scott Kaplan was on hand this week and enjoyed the new touches.


We had an easy ride into Elfin Forest. This is a beautiful route and since they have re-paved the street it's smooth as a babies bottom. I heard so many riders say 40 miles, 2500 feet of climbing... No problem. That was easy. 7 weeks ago they we're coming back in after a ride like that almost crying. See what a little training does.


Lots of events coming up. Check out the contestants sites and blogs on XX1090 for details, locations, and costs. Our Ride Leader event Rendezvous in the Ranch date has changed to Oct 1st. Great food, drink and fantastic items in our Silent Auction, Raffle, 50/50 and Opportunity Drawing. Details at the top on the left. Hope to see you there.