What Have I Been Up To?

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. My free time has been very limited these days. If I am not riding, I am scouting out a route, creating a route slip, riding the route to double check the directions and mileage, and then writing and posting it to the ALC website.

I am also attending my first SFVBC (San Fernando Valley Bicycling Club) meeting tonight. I’ve seen them riding around town on the weekends and have visited their web site numerous time. I am very excited to finally meet with them.

Here is what I have been doing for training:
I have been spending a lot of time riding from Porter Ranch to Simi Valley via Santa Susana Pass (29 miles) and have led 2 groups on this route. I have also been scouting and riding a route from Lake Balboa to the Santa Monica Pier as well. I hope to lead a group through there next weekend and possible the weekend after. It is an absolutely amazingly beautiful ride. I’ll fill you all in on more info soon….

Get with the V Baby Team Valley!!

Well, we did it! Team Valley had there first ride today! There were 9 people total including Beth Parks (who came out all the way from Oxnard) who helped TRL (Training Ride Leader) with me. We had the best weather and a great group of people. We did a quick 10 mile beginner ride figure 8 around Lake Balboa. Beth did a quick little bike basics workshop afterwards for a few who stayed. We will be doing the same ride next week. Check out the new Team Valley blog site I created:
www.alc-team-valley.blogspot.com

Back to Back Bike Attack

OMG! Bike Attack did this awesome ride on Saturday, February 10th. It was from Santa Monica to the Valley (SFV) via Sepulveda. Sepulveda is approximately a 3.5 mile climb. It was awesome. Being a person from the Valley, it was so nice to actually have an ALC training ride make a quick visit here. This ride had been the first official ALC training ride I had been on since last November. It was a great feeling! I had been cross-training at the gym during the week on my lunch break and cycling around the neighborhood. Surprisingly it was a very easy ride for me.

Riding with Santa Monica Bike Attack is like coming home to me. I rode with them a few times last year and did one of my mentor TRL rides with David. My cycling buddy Heather is now one of the TRLs there too. It is fun to watch her helping out everyone. Amy a TRL was SF who has moved to LA is a very pleasant and valued addition to the Santa Monica Bike Attack group as well. I rode with them yesterday in unseasonably warm weather. The views are simply gorgeous and we had a great time.

It's Official I'm Riding in ALC 6

I just registered for ALC 6 and in order to be able to ride, I need to raise $2,500. Please visit my ALC6 Web Site to make a donation today. Thank you. http://www.aidslifecycle.org/3103

Italian Cross Training

As some of you know, I just got back from spending 2 weeks in Italy. I had a blast and was able to get in plenty of exercise as well. I started out in Rome and roamed up and down the narrow streets, seeing the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Coliseum, and much of Eternal City. I spent a lot of time at the Vatican. St. Peter’s Square is quite large and I had the opportunity to climb 320 steps up to the top of the Coupa to see The Sistine Chapel. I saw the tombs of the Popes and the Chapel as well. Rome by night is amazing. The weather was gorgeous throughout the whole trip.

Many of the cities main transportation was via bicycle. I wish that I had mine, but mine would definitely stick out as there bicycles were quite a bit older than mine and were many different shapes and sizes.














The leaning Tower of Pisa is truly leaning. Climbing up to the top was a bit of a challenge as well. You definitely feel the towe leanning. But what a feeling when you reach the top and see the city from above. The stairways get smaller and smaller as you get to the top of the 293rd step.

Milan was crazy busy and cold. Florence was beautiful and we often found ourselves crisscrossing a lot of the same streets to get from one place to another. It was so beautiful and we wanted to see as much as we can with all the cobble stones. I know I left plenty of foot leather in that city. Lake Maggiore was absolutely breath taking. We hiked around the lake and spent a lot of time staring at the heavenly view of the Swiss Alps (photo is of Claudia, my roomate, and I with the Swiss Alps behind us). A day trip into Lugano, Switzerland granted me the opportunity to see several cycling teams training. Many of the pods flew by us as they were on a very fast pace.

In Verona I saw the homes of Romeo & Juliet and yes the infamous balcony. We trekked up and down the streets on this ancient city. But my favorite city had to be in Venice. OMG!!! It was very magical. We had the opportunity to see it both at night and in the day. The many little islands, canals and shops, kept our curiosity peaked the whole time. Around every corner was something different. It was a gorgeous city, not very crowded this time of year and the weather was very kind to us. It is like being at Disneyland. Everything is big, amazing and elaborate. Very colorful and it didn’t seem real. We didn’t want to get off of the gondola ride.

Assisi, is a medieval castle on the side of a mountain top. We climbed the roads of this very small town that had a Abbey and cute little nuns roaming the streets. It had a very story book feel. Many of the cobblestone roads were very steep and I wondered how the elderly got around.

Pompeii had us in awe. Mt Vesuvius had erupted and wipped out this whole community. Archeologists had uncovered a lot of the city and as we walked the excavated streets it was very clear how advanced the Romans were for their time. It was also very devastating to see all the damage that the volcano had caused.


Sorrento and Capri had breath tasking views along their coasts. We took a chair lift up to the top of Ana Capri and were amazing by the beauty that laid before us. Lots of steps and climbing as well.

Napoli (Naples) held both beauty and poverty. Saw where the first pizza was made and saw castles a midst some very poor communities.

I ate a lot (won’t be having Italian for a while), got a good workout walking the streets of every city we came too. My 23 travel mates plus the driver and tour director were from all over the world. It was fun to hear everyone’s stories. But I am glad to be home and can’t wait to get back on my bike and ride through beautiful Southern California.

Fall Certification

This fall I hit the books again. I earned a Personal Training Certification (I can now legally train people and earn money, yay!), ALC Training Ride Leader Certification and First Aid/ Adult CPR/ AED Certification as well. So we shall see what the future holds for me with my education.

Up and Over 35+ Miles

On Saturday, I rode from my house up and over Santa Susanna Pass (A mountainous road that connects the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley) to my friend’s house in Simi (a little over 35 miles). She kindly filled my water bottles, visited with me for a bit, gave me a piece of gum and wished me luck on my venture home. I was feeling very strong. First time in a while, I’ve been under the weather lately. It was a really good feeling. However, Sunday I wasn’t feeling very well, so instead of riding the Griffith Park Loop I helped out with Training Ride by cheering them on and sign in and out participants. I even caught a nice workshop on bike fitting before the ride. It was fun to meet new cyclists and see familiar faces.

Riding/ Volunteering in Santa Monica

I continued riding this weekend. I rode with Santa Monica Bike Attack to the VA Center and back for about a 23 mile ride with lots of turns and a couple small hills. I couldn't believe that it was 8 am on a November morning and I had not even a sweater on. The high for the day I think was 86 degrees. Beautiful day! (above left to right: me, Vince, Heather & James)

Sunday I volunteered at the Cannondale/ Helen's Cycle workshop and training ride in Santa Monica. I wasn't feeling well that day so I didn't ride, but it was a blast to watch the riders go out and come in and I hung out at the ALC booth. I learned some new stretches at the stretching clinic. It was another warm, but warm day. I enjoyed chatting with Vince, James & Heather.

I have to mention another interesing product that was introduced to us by a fellow cyclist Stephanie was definately a conversation piece. She was introducing a product calle "P-Mate". It is used to assist women with using the restroom outdoors without discomfort and overexposure. Check it out Steph's web site at www.dontsquat.com. It definately caught some attention. Below is Stephanie modeling the product.

Photo Op

Here is a photo from the ride (ALC5 June 2006), and no those are not my unmentionables hanging from the clothing line. I had just come back from the showers and am being rushing off to dinner by my friends.

Back to Where it All Began

Well, I completed my first back to back ride since The Big Ride in June. After completing 25 miles on Saturday in Griffith Park, I completed another 22 on Sunday riding with Team Ventura. Team Ventura is such a great group of people. It was a beautiful morning. It got surprisingly warm, dry and windy on the way back. It had been a while since I had been in headwinds, so it was good practice for me. At our mid point we stopped off at the Santa Paula Airport restaurant that overlooked the airfield. They were also having an open house and had a couple Military jeeps and such out on display. I rode with Casey Keller most of the day. I learned a lot from him. He serenaded on the way back from Santa Paula singing old TV show theme songs. After the ride we all went to lunch to celebrate Mom & Dad’s 46th Wedding Anniversary. Casey’s wife Vicky was very sweet and brought a cake and balloons for Mom & Dad and all of us to enjoy! Yummy!! This ride is very sentimental to me. It was my first full fledge training ride with the ALC this past February. It was great riding it again.

Back in Gear

I’m back in gear riding more consistently now. Check out some rides I have recently done:

On Saturday, October 21, 2006, I rode with Santa Monica Bike Attack for their first ride of the ALC 6 season. It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather. The 25 mile ride gave me the opportunity to try out a pair of aero bars, which Beth Parks was so kind to let me borrow. It was an exciting ride filled with new faces.

On Saturday, October 28, 2006, I participated in the ALC official Training Ride Kick-Off at Griffith Park. It was an amazing day. Over 300 riders showed up for this event with all different levels of riding. There were three routes to choose from: The 12 mile, 24 mile and the 35/40 mile. I opted for the 24 mile and spent time with Jeff Rabin a Training Ride Leader. He was giving me lots of tips throughout the route.















On Saturday, November 04, 2006, it was back to Griffith Park for me to ride with the Chain Gang as they threw in a hill to their 24 mile ride. There were lots of new faces for me to see. I got to meet lots of great people including some first time riders. I got to spend some time with Tony Zamudio. I learned a lot from him. I loved watching him and seeing how he related to people. He was a blast to ride with. The hill was only a mile, but it was a reminder for me that I had been off from riding for some time, so I have noted that I need to start adding hills back into my training program.

Tomorrow I am planning on riding with Team Ventura from Fillmore to Santa Paula through the gorgeous orange groves. Yay!!

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/)

and


















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...