20 Weeks with CAF

Friday, Oct 30th - I've been back from our ride down the coast for over a week now. It's about time to update this blog.

What an experience! I'm not sure I can justify with my piddly use of the English language what this whole ordeal was like. 7 days on the road with like minded people with huge smiles plastered across their faces is hard to explain. Each sunrise brought with it a new city and different perspective of the California coast. Here, let me try and provide you my view of it.

The first 3 days started out damp as we drove our bikes into thick fog usually subsiding around 10 AM. Fog horns where blowing as we left San Francisco our first day. I just put my sunglasses on my helmet after 5 minutes for the first 3 hours in the saddle on days like that. I just couldn't make out the road well enough with rain drops on the lenses and with 1 inch of rubber between me and slippery roads...I need to see whats coming.

The rest of the mornings were usually a nice ride into cool weather. Each day seemed to raise the temperature 2 or 3 degrees. By the end, we didn't need any arm or knee warms at all. It was a good thing I packed those mittens.

I connected with several challenged athletes, Chris Self and Josh Sharpe, but to call them challenged is a misconception. Each lives a very accomplished life. Chris is missing his leg below the knee. He struggled with our California hills but day after day I saw him get stronger. He's still in the Military, Army Special Forces (Be all you can Be) after 24 years and is going for 30. He's getting deployed again in a few months. Hasn't he done enough for king and country? (that's him adjusting his prosthetic leg along with Mark and Andy two other challenged athletes)

Josh has no use of his legs below the waist and tackles the road with a hand cycle. Over the years he's completed many events including one recently in Alaska. From what I could gather he rode (on and off road) with a hand cycle, rafted, and paddled during this adventure event. I had the privilege to be his guide on two different days. He can cruise at 15 to 18 MPH and I can't even catch him on the down hills. That low profile is the key to his speed.

Each night we stayed at a fantastic hotel except in Big Sur. There we were in a really nice lodge. That night I shared a room with 3 other guys and one was the photographer. He had the light on in our open area most of the night where 3 of use slept. Good thing I brought those Hollywood blinders and ear plugs. The other nights I was rooming with Mike (The Colonel) Hower, a retired Marine. Oh, I'm sorry, once a Marine, always a Marine. Great guy and one of the other Mikes in Group 3. Doc Mike is the last Ride Leader and doctor for our event.

The added responsibilities of a Ride Leader made me a pretty worn out puppy by the end of each day. I tried to hit the bed as soon as possible which normally was 8:30 or 9:00 PM. Each morning I was up at 5:30 AM to attend to luggage. Part of our Ride Leader responsibilities was to load up the luggage trucks. That's about 300 pieces to lift and stack. Before I turned a pedal I had already burned a half a days worth of calories.

Almost every day I had an opportunity to assist someone with a flat and then draft them back to their group or regrouping point. Nothing like pushing the wind. Don't get me wrong, I was glad to do it and actually liked being able to help others.

There were a lot of great stories and far too many to even try and mention here. But it was 20 weeks of pure joy and 1 week of fun down the coast. Will I do it again...possibly, most likely, yep. First I need to check with my better half and see what our plans are for next year.

Thanks for your support.

San Francisco

Friday, Oct 16th - A few of us flew in yesterday to assist with getting some things set up. This morning we got up early and went for a short ride around the city to take in the sites. It was a bit foggy but still something to see. It kind of felt like riding threw Disneyland. It's such a different city than San Diego.


Kevin, John, Jim and myself headed down to the stadium first which isn't far from our hotel here in Fisherman's Wharf. John and Kevin had their Church of Cycling jersey's on which seem to draw attention from some tourists in the area. AT&T park is right down on the water almost.

As we rode the street cars were sounding, cars whizzing by and Kevin said, "why aren't these people at work". From there we headed over to the famous Lombard St. There is a steep section before you get the curves at the top. This section tops out at 25%. I hadn't planned on that.

Next we headed over to the Golden Gate Bridge and rode across. There was fog horn blowing and just as we came to the center of the bridge the fog started to lift. Once we got to the other side we could see that the fog was still rolling around but was starting to dissipate. Man what a site though. It was such a great way to start the day.

As we headed back we stopped at a few more points to grab some shots of each other. We have a long week ahead of us and know it will be have challenges and yet be rewarding.

Upon our return I met Rachel Cowan who has been training inside for the last several months on her stationary trainer. Her new hand cycle bike had just arrived and they were frantically making adjustments for her so she could perform a test ride before leaving tomorrow. Her spirits where high and I could see the excitement on her face.

It's going to be quite an experience and I'm looking forward to it.

Final Ride...Now San Francisco

Sunday, Oct 11th - What a great ride this past weekend. You could feel the energy in the air as a huge crowd gathered for our final preparation before heading up to San Francisco next Friday. Mari was on hand with her little dog who often gets to go along. He's a cute little guy with a huge personality. Mari tries to bring him out to meet with the group a lot.


Fred took a moment to provide some inspiration. He talked about what happen to him and how in an instant his life changed when he was hit by a car and lost his legs. Then he talked about how later in an instant he was perceived as a disabled person when he was loaded up on a plane to go see his mother in Florida. And then a year later, when he was heading to a triathlon how he was now perceived as an athlete because of what we do at CAF. In an instant things can change.


We sometimes forget what this is all about and get caught up in our own lives but after Fred's talk it all came back. It's not just a ride or raising money...it's really about affecting someone elses world. I've ridden by Fred many times and thought it's got to be a lonely road ahead for him. He doesn't have a huge group to ride with or someone to provide a draft. But when I see him at the end there is always a huge smile on his face. Life is about over coming obstacles and CAF provides a vehicle to help.


I snapped a picture of Adam at the end of our ride. He had helmet hair not an uncommon occurrence when you have lots of locks. He's still riding the high of being selected as the winner of the XX1090 radio contest. I think I saw all of the final 7 at the ride this weekend. They looked very happy and excited about what's a head.

Next Saturday, Oct 17th, we start our final leg of the journey. It's been a different and yet wonderful experience for me.

Radio Contest and Time to Ride

Thursday, Oct 8th - Yesterday the final element of the XX1090 radio contest took place with the announcement of the winner. The final 7 contestants were invited into the radio station and showed up at the side door as requested at 6:30 AM. The only missing member was Rob Millum who was on trip up the coast with his family.

Scott and BR were interviewing a lady who had shot an alligator with a bow and arrow as we all sat in the room they broadcast from. Quite humorous. I think this helped to lighted the tension Alex, Joy and Adam where feeling. It soon turned to the CAF, QMDC and the radio contest though. I was first up provided some comments about the radio contestants, the funds they have raised and what they have done to promote this whole thing. Key note is that over $50,000 was raised by these guys. They deserve a lot of praise for that.

The final winner was pulled out of envelopes provided by the judges and Scott

announced Adam Beck as the person with that honor. Adam was speechless which I remember very well. Actually Scott keyed up my sobbing voice from last year. Yep, I'm a guy who cries. Adam had some wetness in his eyes as well.

Adam was very deserving of this reward. He has truly shown that he cares about CAF, other people and put a lot of heart and soul into this whole ordeal. I've known Adam a few years now and because of that wanted to stay totally neutral in any association to the radio contest as last years winner. Information I provided was dished out to the entire group to ensure they all had a fair chance at success and in reality they all did succeed. The final 7 will ride down the coast because Scott and BR kicked in an additional $10K for a grand total of $20K for CAF. Add that to the over $50K the radio contestants have raised and the final seven ride.

Tonight we hand out the gear bag for all the participants at the Trek store. It's exciting because next week we drop off our bikes and then fly to San Francisco just prior to leaving on Saturday, Oct 17th.

I feel very proud to be associated with this group. Something inside of me feels at peace with the fact that CAF and all the people working on the QMDC are doing something for others. But it couldn't be accomplished without all the donations and help from others. So with that I say thank you for your support and assistance. Together we can accomplish many, many things.

It's time to ride.

Final Long Ride

Sunday, Oct 4th - This week was the final long ride we have before our adventure from San Francisco to San Diego. We did a 92 mile route up and into Fallbrook, CA from Solana Beach. We put in a lot of climbing on this ride. Well over 5500 feet with some spots tipping up to 14% grade.

I rode with Group 3 again which has been where I've been needed the most. We started with at least 30 people but by the end it was down to 23 or so. Those that dropped off had other family plans for the day and couldn't make the entire ride.

Most of the remaining radio people made the ride. Adam, Alex, Brian, Rob, Rob, Joe, Pat (he brought a friend Mike), and Mark. Pictured here is myself and Brian. Just to the right of Brian is Walt another regular participant.

This week the final winner of the radio contest will be announced but in my mind they are all winners. The group as a whole has raised over $50,000 for CAF. They've shown what team work is all about and banded together helping each other. They have also gone above and beyond to promote CAF, QMDC and XX1090. Looks like at least 7 will make the ride. There are no losers in this group.

Our Ride Leader event was a huge success. Close to 100 people showed, the food from the Taco Guy and O'Brothers was out of this world and Erin from Jer's was on hand providing chocolate samples. The Silent Auction brought in a lot. Many items went for well over what we estimated they would go for. All said and done the event gained us $10,000. After expenses we think it's closer to $8K but we're still awaiting the answer on that.

This year has been a totally different experience for me and I am thankful for it. Coordinating the radio aspects has challenged and taught me a lot of lessons. I spent the first 5 or 6 weeks focused on that. I then moved more into the Ride Leader roll which I was more comfortable with. All my time with other organizations including Trek has provided some valuable skills in that respect.

One more ride and then down the coast. It's been a journey and it ain't over yet.