On The Road Again

Great news! My doctor has told me that I can start riding my bike again. I am not 100% but I would say that I am at about 90%. I'm still working to get better. Yay!! See you on the road.

This past weekend I got the opportunity to work with Wolf Adventures, www.wolfadventures.org, helping belay Middle School students up an adventurous climbing wall. The students were amazing, sweet and very well behaved. I was familiar with a lot of the schools that had attended and even saw students from my old Middle School, Sutter! I got to belay them (holding the rope that they are attached to as they climbed) all day long. The students were there as part of a reward program. It was a wonderful experience and the staff was great!

Coming Soon..."Gearing Up" blog site

I am currently developing a new blog site that focuses on people new to cycling or just looking for some sweet cycling tips, techniques, equipement and products to help improve their performance. Stay tuned for the launch date.

2 New Blog Sites I've Created & Launched- Blog Buddies & Cyclovations

Blog Buddies- Visit some of my fellow bloggers sites and read what they have to say..... Enjoy! (http://myblogbuddies.blogspot.com/)

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Cyclovations- Having trouble motivating yourself to go cycling? Hit a wall? Don't want to work out? Cyclovations is a site developed to help cyclists get motivated. Re-kindle that fire and enthusiasm to get back on that saddle and peddle on. (http://cyclovations.blogspot.com/)

Check them out.

Jog Around Lake Balboa

Wow, I can’t believe that this time last year I had just climbed Mt Whitney and had never heard of the organization AIDS Lifecycle or about the ride itself. Incredible how time flies and how things can happen so fast.

As many of you know my family has had many loses this year. Two of my great uncles past away in January and just a couple weeks ago one of my great aunts passed away as well. Thankfully they lived full lives and died of natural causes. Also, my friend Emily died in June while I was on the ride. With all of this I have been thinking about life and the gifts that it holds.

Last night I went for a jog with my friend Rachel around Lake Balboa. For those of you who don’t know, Lake Balboa is a man made lake that has a 1.3 mile walking path around it. I often go there kayaking as well. It is only 15 minutes from my house and a very nice escape from city life. At Lake Balboa one often forgets that they are still in the city. As we jogged around the lake it was as if we were jogging around the world. There were many different languages and accents, let alone Rachel’s British accent (she is visiting from the UK) heard. There were people doing many different activities, from fishing, flying a kite, walking their dog, cycling, in-line skating, eating, cuddling, young kids playing, chasing and feeding the ducks. It was nature and human kind at its best. It is amazing how a smile can be contagious. The weather was gorgeous. I’m also reminded of how valuable my friends and family are. A huge thank you to Rachel, the girl has an incredibly busy schedule and was able to take time out to spend with me. Thanks Rach!

This summer, I hurt my shoulders and neck which are affecting my back and so can’t ride my road bike (the position I need to be in on a road back puts strain on my neck and shoulders). I am doing my best to take it easy and cross train in the meantime.

This Saturday there was a neighborhood cycling ride that went through the San Fernando Valley and I couldn’t ride in it. I was there in the morning and ran into a fellow ALCer (always a pleasure to see one—its true it is like seeing family). I wanted to cry when the cyclists were herded and released with a police escort and I wasn’t riding with them….through my own neighborhood. Ahh!!….I was quickly humbled. I am seeing a doctor (chiropractor), Dr. Bob. I love him!! Oh my goodness…he is so good. Hopefully with his talent and the cooperation of my body I will be well again and back on a road bike.

In the meantime I am living through the stories of my fellow cyclists and now my family. My uncle Jeff informed me that my Aunt Maria got a road bike and has been riding all over Carson City and the Lake Tahoe area. I am so proud. Go Aunt Maria!! Her spinning class just got back from a cycling tour in Italy. Wow!! OK, that is not on my list of things to do before I die. Also, huge props to my cousin Jon who has been cycling before many of us were very serious about it. Jon has been an inspiration and was in Canada for a cycling competition. He has been competing for years. In a couple weeks my friend from the ride Katie Barth will have completed her 3rd triathlon this summer. Go Katie! That is all for now. I hope that everyone is well.

New Blog- Yummy Recipes!

Check out my new blog site entitled Yummy Recipes (click title above to view). I'll keep a link to this new blog on this page under "Links" (right side of this page). I hope you enjoy!

Lake Balboa

Well after having a few months off from riding, making some minor changes to my bike, and getting educated on bike maintenance. I re-established the relationship between my booty and my saddle. I rode 16 miles around one of the bike paths by Lake Balboa. It felt good. I had to stop because the park was closing and it was going to get dark. I felt like such a muffin. I thought with it being fall, it would be cooler, so I was baking in my cycling tights.

I got a new saddle and yes, I got my booty measured to ensure it was the right size for me. I also got a new chain and my first tune-up without a mechanic. So, I wanted to stay close to home incase there were any problems. Just a couple saddle adjustments and I was good to go.

I had really missed riding. It is great to be back in the saddle again…

Stretching with Phase IV

I have always been taught that stretching is one of the most important parts of my workout program and I love to stretch. So, today I took the Phase IV interactive Stretch Clinic in Santa Monica, CA. Phase IV is a Scientific Training and Performance Center. The clinic was lead by Kent Moody, a Physical Therapist & Director of Clinical Quality Assurance. Kent too has been an athlete (an avid runner for nearly 40 years), so it was perfect learning from someone who has applied his own teaching to his training. It was nice to see such a variety of stretches that help many different types of athletes, from runners, cyclists, swimmers, etc. Now I have even more stretches to incorporate into my workouts.

*(please note illustrations above are not from the class)

Here are the Benefits of Stretching (from the class handout):

1. Stretching prevents injury: Stretching prepares muscles for workouts. Everyday activities, (i.e. sitting at your desk, driving, and standing) leave your muscles tight and susceptible to injury. Stretching before each and every workout prevents injury to tight muscles.

2. Stretching improves performance: By increasing range of motion of bones around a joint, stretching improves the biomechanics of your body. Muscles stretched to 110% of their resting length will contract more powerfully and allow you to perform better.

3. Stretching aids in the recovery process: Muscles are left short and tight after a workout and if left to recover in that state will become permanently shortened. Stretching muscles after workouts “wrings” out the waste products and allows muscles to recover in a lengthened postion.

Future Rides...

I hope to do more rides this year. Whether they are local, out of state or out of the country I am looking for people who would like to join me. I think it would be so cool to ride though out not just my own state, but my own country and even through parts of the world. So, if you want do a ride or know someone who wants to as well. PLEASE let me know.

I might do the Bay to Bay MS150 Ride in October '06. I believe that it is from Huntington Beach to San Diego, but I am having a little trouble finding people who will commit to doing the ride. Stay tuned to see if I ride...

Cross Training

Chris R. and I have a sport exchange thing happening. I am getting him into cycling and he is getting me into rock climbing/ bouldering. I have incorporated bouldering into my weekly workout program and hope to join him for rock climbing excursions as well. (btw: that is not me in the photo--I wish it were though)

Speaking of working out, I did stop training and riding for about a month or two, but started back into it this week (I currently have a 2 week trial pass to Ballys and have been going every day). I was going to be working out with someone, but they just decided that they will be moving out of California the end of September. So it will be up to me to stay disciplined on my own. I hope to start riding my bike again on the weekends mid-September, beginning October. Fingers crossed.

I am also considering entering the Santa Clarita 5K in November again. Last year I had gotten within a mile from the start and the car I was traveling in got a flat tire and I missed the run. The year before I had a business trip. So, I might try and do it again this year. Maybe the third times a charm.

Since I love cycling so much I did take a “Comprehensive Bike Maintenance” class at REI a couple weeks ago. It was a huge learning experience and hopefully I can now make more adjustments to my bike on my own.

Top 5 Questions Asked When I Got Back From The Ride

Q#5: Are you going to ride again next year?
A: I would love to do the ride again, and would do it in a heartbeat. However, I haven’t registered yet and am currently uncertain what the future holds for me in other aspects of my life. But I am going to train and prepare as if I were going to ride in ALC6.

Q#4 Did you ride all 585 miles?
A:No, I got sick on day 3 and missed about 50 miles and missed Quadbuster (a huge hill). I am still heartbroken about it.

Q#3: What was the scenery like?
A: We rode through farmlands, wine country, freeways, cities & towns, along the coast. It was breath taking.

Q#2 Did you meet anyone special on the ride? Are you dating anyone from the ride?
Aa: I met a lot of special and amazing people, but even with the riders being about 50% gay and 50% straight, I didn’t find anyone special (Although a couple did steal my heart, but not in that way). Besides that is not the reason why I joined ALC5 and decided to ride. I did however find that my passion for the cause grew tremendously.

Ab: I am not currently dating or seeing anyone in that way from the ride. I am young, free and single and am not in any big hurry to date again. It’ll happen when it happens and I’ll let you know when they find me. :)

Q#1. Did you have fun?
A: Yes, I had one of the best times of my life. It was so incredible. Words cannot describe my experience. You have to register and do the ride to find out what I mean (click here to register). :)

I’m Ba-ack—With a new look too!

Wow! I can’t believe that I rode in ALC5 only 3 months ago. It seems like last year. I had family visiting today and they jogged my memories about the ride. My how I miss it. I laughed and nearly cried looking over my past blogs. Funny how at one time when I chipped that bone in my foot, I didn’t think I was going to be able to ride. Thanks to all of you who supported me during that time, especially Julie and Mariann (I miss working out with you guys), Mike E, Chris R and Jaclyn.

Also a HUGE thank you to all of you who supported me both financially and emotionally before, during and after the ride. Thank you also for the emails, flowers, phone calls, cards, etc that you sent me congratulating me on my ride. You all are so awesome!

I’ve spent the summer hanging with friends doing things that I hadn’t gotten a chance to do. I spent my birthday in Monterey and enjoyed riding my bike around the Bay. The summer was also filled with jet skiing, mini reunions with fellow cyclists and occasional visits to the ALC office to visit the amazing ALC staff. I did ride with Team Ventura a few times and even had the pleasure of having my friend and co-worker Chris R join me in my training.

It has been an emotional summer, dealing with the highs of the ride and then the sadness of it being over. It is very true, you change and grow as a person on this ride. I also miss the camaraderie of my fellow cyclists. One of the things I miss most aside from riding, is my tent mate Tsufit. I miss our late night talks and giggling right before lights out. She is such a sweetheart. She is still safe living in Israel. My thoughts have been with her and her family amidst the war going on there. Thank you to those who never met her, but yet still ask how she is doing.

I Did It!

Yup! I made it! I am alive and well. I arrived at the VA Center in Brentwood at approach 1:15pm on Saturday. The views through Ventura and along the Malibu Coast were breath taking. We had lunch at the Malibu Lagoon. It was so cool to be in familiar territory. We were all so excited, but also very sad that it was almost over. I got to ride in with a few of the people that I had trained with Scott, Katie and Steven. It was so incredible. We couldn't believe that it was the last day. It was very surely. We made it up all the hills and even those that we didn't expect. The crowds lines up along the streets as we got closer to the VA Center really pushed us up those last couple of hills.

Closing ceremonies was awesome. The emotions didn't hit me until Chris Cole bid farewell and said that he hoped to see us all next year. The 4 of us just started to cry. It was very sad to realize that this journey we had just done was over. I felt very empty, but yet full of stories and a new knowledge.

As I was riding I was trying to put into words my experience. It was very difficult. The best way I can describe it was being in the Rose Parade for seven days. It was an incredible high. There were school children out cheering us on. People holding up signs as we go by saying things like, "You are my hero", "Because of you I'm alive" and "You've changed my life". School children handing us letters calling us hero's and role models. It was very overwhelming feeling, but a good humbling feeling too. I felt as if I hadn't really done anything, but raise money and got a bike. Towns came out to greet us. I have formed bonds with people and had amazing conversations with people, whom I do not know if they will be alive to see them next year. This experience was definitely a life changing experience and one that I will never forget. I already miss my fellow cyclists and the staff. The most amazing staff I've ever met. Wow!! Words cannot express my compassion and how thankful I am to them all.

The candle light vigil on Friday was very moving. It was incredible to see so many people who affected by someone with Aids.

Many people have asked me if I am going to do the ride again next year. The answer is I would do it in a heartbeat if I could get the time off. I am already experiencing separation anxiety from my fellow cyclists. I miss the giggling of my tent mate Tsufit, the staff cheering us on as we ride in each day, the voice and a hug from my Cycle Buddy- Kerry each night, Sheri (my own personal space heater)-- That girl can radiate!, Andy's (tent neighbor) sweet voice greeting us good morning, Scott's humor--he could make even the worst situation funny, Steven's smile and oh, my god, that boy smelled so good all the time, Katie's smile and the challenge to keep up with her on the route (that girl is like lightening). Kim singing to us and telling us riddles up the hills. Heather and her finding her inner gerbil. I must admit though, I have enjoyed my nice long showers and flushing toilets.

I want to thank everyone for your support both during my training an during the ride. I thought of many of you while riding.Thank you also, for following my little journey. It has been fun and I hope that you enjoyed coming along for the ride. I could not have done it with out you. Thank you again.

I hope to have some pictures for you soon so please check back in a couple days.....

Day 6

The view coming down the coast from camp Lompoc to camp Ventura was gorgeous. Most of the 84 miles were along route 101 that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean. D was very excited to be in Ventura, finally a beach she recognizes.
Our phone call was very short because of all the things on the agenda for the Night 6 in Ventura's silent candlelight procession on the beach.
Tomorrow's ride will be 61 miles and will end at the Wadsworth Theatre Grounds, Lot #7, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca 90025. Closing ceremonies will begin at 4 pm and last about 1 hour. If you are planning to go there will be special parking in lots #6 and #2 and the parking fee will be $7.00 per vehicle.
Deanne's Dad and I will be there to welcome the group to L.A.
Hopefully the next blog on this site will be from Lady D herself.
It's been fun.
D' Mom.

Day 5

Today's ride was 45 miles. There were a lot of hills. One hill had a 2 mile climb. Hills are not Deanne's favorite part of the ride. When I asked how she was doing she said "I'm still alive". That was nice to hear.
Today was the traditional "red dress day" where, as you can imagine, everyone tries to wear some sort of red outfit. I hear that there were some pretty funny get ups.
Tonight's camp is set up in Lompoc where they had a talent show and some guest speakers. The lights out curfew at 9:30 pm makes for a lot of last minute scrambling but everyone is glad to turn in since they have to get up around 4:00 am every day. Tents need to be broken down and luggage needs to be packed and ready to be loaded up for the trip to the next camp site.
The ride consists of somewhere around 1,800 bikers and about 450 roadies. Thats a lot of people, tents, and equipment to coordinate. Sounds like the ALC staff and orginizeers know what they are doing. All the roadies have several jobs. Tsufit, Deanne's tent mate, helps man road stop #2 each day. D says that Tsufit wears a different costume each day. It's all part of the fun attitude everyone seems to have.
I'm sure Deanne will have lots more to share when she gets home on Saturday.
Tomorrow night is a candle light vigil on the beach, in Ventura, to honor those that have died or are suffering from this dreadful disease. It is a very moving and solmen event.
Well, as for tonight, that's all folks.
D's mom

Day 4

Deanne and her friends celebrated crossing the half way point, from San Francisco to LA , at 9:30 this morning. They still had about 56.5 miles to go making the total for today 99 miles. Haven't heard from her since 9:30 am so can't give any more up dates for today. She probably was a little tired after being so sick yesterday. Today's camp should be in Santa Maria. The temperature was supposed to be pretty warm this afternoon.
Until tomorrow...
D's mom.

Day 3

Up early and had breakfast at 4:45 am. Left camp at 6:30 am. Rode 19 miles to the first rest stop, after being sick several times. D got a ride to the medic tent to find out that she, along with several other people, had food poisoning. She spent the entire day in the medic tent (2- I V bags) with lots of other people, many of whom also ate the fruit salad. Deanne was released from the medic tent at 3:30 pm and was glad that she didn't have to go to the hospital like some of the others. She was very grateful to the nurses who were so attentive, especially Marie, one of RNs that was on duty all day. D ate dinner and says she feels fine. She has to be checked out tomorrow morning before she can continue the ride but is anxious to get back on the course.
Hope tomorrw is a better day.
D's mom.

Day 2

Today was a very long day having left the camp (in Santa Cruz) at 7:30 am. The 106 miles, while quite beautiful, were difficult because of several hills and very windy conditions. Deanne managed to stop and have the traditional fried artichokes and visit the cookie person. These vendors set up along the route and as I said it is the tradition.
Deanne was riding with a women that was having difficulties because of a bad leg so they were somewhat behind most of the group. When her friend finally decided to catch a ride back to camp Deanne had to hustle to get to the camp in King City. She rode her bike into camp at
6:50 pm. 7:00 pm is the cut off point where they come looking for you. Thank goodness for her tent mate (Tsufit) who had the tent setup and even went with Deanne to dinner to keep her company while she ate.
Although D's knees are giving her a lot of pain, so far they have been taking turns being sore. Thank goodness for Advil.
9:30 is lights out, hopefully D's pain won't keep her awake too long. The weather was a little cool tonight.
Until tomorrow...

D's mom.

Day 1

Saturday was check in day and bike drop off at the Cow Palace and was a very hectic day.
Not having heard from Deanne yesterday,Saturday, we were getting a little worried, but felt much better after her call tonight.
ALCS Opening Ceremonies check in time was at 5:30 this morning (Sunday). Deanne fell asleep early last night and didn't have a chance to set her alarm. She woke at 5:15 am and had to scramble to get everything together and walk the 2 blocks to the Cow Palace (w/an enormous suitcase in tow) arriving at 5:33 am...well done D.
There were a lot of press, cameras, TV crews and oh ya, a lot of bike riders when the ride began at 6:30 am.
The 1st day's ride was 79 miles and ended in Santa Cruz where a very organized camp had been set up. After showers, a delicious dinner, and a quick birthday party for one of the riders it was lights out at 9:30 pm.
D's having a great time and making new friends. The temperature was already climbing as they rode just a few miles out of San Francisco. They were hoping the heat would hold off until they got further down the coast.
Tomorrow's ride will be 105 miles.
That's all for tonight.
D's mom

Arrived in San Francisco

Arrived in San Francisco about 4:30 p.m. thanks to the fantastic driving of Beth. Beth, Chris and I traveled in a van with 4 bikes and gear.
Was glad to see so many friends from team Long Beach and team Ventura.
Was pleasantly surprised to find my neighbors at the motel are none other than "Mom" and "Dad" from team Ventura.
Left the San Fernando Valley this morning where the temperature was promising to be near 100 and arrived in San Francisco to a cool 68 and overcast. Not clear enough for even a picture of the Cow Palace that is near my motel, Maybe tomorrow.

D's mom.