April; the rest of the story. (Why I am not a writer, Continued.)

Training wise, there is not much to share... I rode....... As the Who once said; "for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles. Oh yea!....." Mostly Following my standard San Vicente to Ocean, then on to either Marina del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo or Palos Verdes, depending on how many miles I am looking to log.  Kinda the same ol' thing. Not That I'm not digging the miles; I am. It's just that the routine is becoming, well routine.

My recovery  days, on the other hand, were anything but routine, as the wife and I went to Palo Alto, to visit Josh.  Really one of the best weekends we have had together in ages. We Left L.A. bright and early; arriving in Palo Alto by 12:30p. First thing we did is drop in to see this quarters housing, otherwise known as  "The Dojo".  It's a four  bedroom 70's ranch style home, on about 2 acres and backing up to The Dish, which is about 2500 acres of open space. Pretty impressive digs for a set of Stanford Juniors. We visited for about an hour, and then went on to check into Dinah's, our hotel. When we opened the door to our room......  Jackpot! Wow, what a fantastic little jewel of a place we found. The room was huge, and very well appointed. Big flat screen, (Not the we ever turned it on.)  nicely situated bar/sink/kitchenette area, big dining table and a nice big comfy reading chair. The best surprise came when we open up the drapes covering the double sliding doors.... we were greeted with a well executed oriental themed tropical oasis, complete with bamboo, ferns, and all manner of tropical plants.  Not to mention the huge koi swimming around. Really such a nice surprise, we were stunned that no one ever told us about this place. Second best thing is it's attached to an old school Trader Vic's!  Cocktails and pupus anyone?

That evening we took Josh out to dinner at a nice little spot Neysa found right near campus. It was so great just to have him to ourselves even if it was only for a little while. After that we..........

Hmmmm...... Maybe just a little too much information.....

I'll try again.

Neys and I went up to visit Josh. His living situation is great, and we had a really great time seeing him and hanging around several parts of the bay area.

Here are some pics.

The Stanford Steps

Burghers of Calais -  Detail

Burghers of Calais - Detail

View from the Hoover Tower

At the Dutch Goose

At the Dutch Goose with Neys and the boys

Flower shop Berkeley

Cheesy Rolls from the Cheese Board

Well, it is Berkeley

Don't hate me because I don't care for musicals 

It's a yiddish thing.......

Roasted bone marrow at Wayfare Tavern

The Lad  - Poolside at Dinahs

Montalvo - Sculpture detail

Montalvo - Sculpture detail

Montalvo - Nest made of newspapers 

Montalvo - Fountain detail

Ok thats it....... April is in the books

This is why I'm not a writer

Last post was April 2nd. Do you think I've been off my bike and not training for a month? Not a chance. The truth is I've been training like mad but just not posting. Training is easy, writing every day or so, is hard. I would not call it writer's block, I'd just call it penman's procrastination.

I'll try to fill in the highlights of Aprils training. Still averaging over 200 miles per week, and still keeping up with my yoga practice twice a week, if I can.

Firstly I have not only hit my fundraising goal, I have now exceeded it by over $1100.00!!! Pretty amazing. I am so thankful to all of those who have made my fundraising such a success. I need to give huge props to my dear friend Craig Grossmueller. who stepped up with a huge donation to the cause. Also Danny M. who's contribution was mind boggling. Really quite stunned at his generosity. Paul Dektor, Paul & Lea Culberg, Gail Reisman, Katya Culberg, John Dilmore. My Friend Richard Weiner. stepped up and put me over my goal with a follow up donation, after being one of the first to step up! Sharon Felder, Anne Madden, Maureen O'Connel, Myrna Palma, Christine Huynh & Troy Walker, Kevin & Anne McClusky and June Schwartz. All came through big time and I love all you guys!

I rode in another ALC training ride on the 14th of April. We rode down to San Pedro and back. Some good hills going over Palos Verdes. I started the ride with about six riders and we set a pretty good pace. Slower than I'd prefer because when your on an official ALC ride you HAVE to obey every traffic law. (After all, we are representing a charitable foundation and it would not look good for us to act like scofflaws!) That means a complete stop at every stop sign, red light, crosswalk if there is a pedestrian in it. You must unclip and touch the ground with one foot. That really slows you down in town. Even after you get really quick at the "unclip toe tap stop." I hung with that group until the second rest stop, in Redondo, and then pedaled out with one other rider from there. We traded post positions on and off until we hit one of the long climbs on which I put too much of a distance for him to catch up. (Nichols makes you strong!) I was way out in front for the rest of the first half, until I became unsure of the route, so I waited about 10 minutes for another rider to come along. He was not sure either, so we waited together until a third and fourth guy showed up. Thankfully one of them knew the route. So I headed out again in a group of four. That did not last too long, and once again I found myself out in front with just one other rider. We pulled in to the halfway stop for lunch together.

After a quick bite, I set out for home with the same rider I left the second stop with and we made pretty good time heading home. Once I hit El Porto, I put the hammer down a bit and pulled away pretty fast. I was kinda like one of those horses we used to rent as kids in Griffith Park, who really made a beeline back to the barn once they turned around. I got back to our starting point about 35 minutes ahead of the next rider. I must say though, my knees were a little achey, which was a bit disturbing. The pain dissipated as I went through a few stretching routines, but still, I iced and took some Advil once I got home just to be safe. The ALC ride was officially 77 Miles, but as I rode to the starting point and back, I added 10 miles to the day for a total 87 miles.

Being still a little worried about my knees, I decided to skip Nichols that Sunday.

Lets see...... Oh Yea, I had a birthday.

I'll finish out the month in my next post........ Palo Alto, Stanford, Berkeley and San Francisco.... Pics galore!

Post Century Post

Hey, what d you do the day after you kill your first century? Why you go ride the Nichols canyon ride with the LaGrange group of course!


It was a pretty casual pace as we pulled out this morning. Brisk would be a kind term to describe the temperature. I was actually quite curious to see how much I had left in my legs after yesterday and my plan was to just stay completely in my comfort zone. Strangely enough, my comfort zone seemed to put me up with the top 25. (A place I'm am truly not accustomed to.) We hit the hill, and the field spread out as it usually does, but for a change I was actually passing more than I was being passed. (Another anomaly.) If you have ridden Nichols, you know it is a rather relentless incline, with just one little bit of relief just before the wall. I was kind of surprised as I hit that slight downhill how strong I was feeling, so I hammered that section as hard as I could. I must be getting much more confidence in my cornering because I was leaning hard into those turns, knee out, head down, white knuckle shit!

The rest of the ride was me pretty much trying to keep the pack in sight, although I did pass a few more riders on the way. At one point, on one of the hills, someone actually put his hand on my back and pushed me a bit to help me keep up my pace. I have no idea why, or who it was for that matter, but I thought to myself what a strange thing to do. You might think it was a bit insulting, but I thought it was actually quite kind and well ment.

I pulled into Skirball, where the pack was waiting, but much less than usual, which put me in the top 15 maybe? certainly top 20.

Had enough for the day? Fuck that! Rested at Pete's for a bit, and then hit Roscomere with Chris before heading home. Hey whats one more four mile climb before noon?

Training continues, so does fundraising......... Please donate

You know the chant...... It's easy to donate, just click on the link below!

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440

ALC11: David Stone - AIDS/LifeCycle | 7-Day 545 Mile Cycling Event to Support HIV/AIDS Services

www.tofighthiv.org

ALC11

A First and a Second......

Today was a day of  a first and a second. Firstly my first century. As anyone who reads this knows, I have been training pretty hard for the past two months, getting myself ready for the AIDS/LifeCycle ride in June. I am averaging around 225 per week, with one day off, usually Saturday. Not this Saturday. This Saturday was a day to ride my first century.

The ride is called the Paul Hulse Century, and is put on by Positive Pedalers, a group dedicated to AIDS/HIV support. We met today in Valencia, out near Magic Mountain. Someone mentioned 200 riders had shown up, but the crowd looked smaller to me. (Hey, what do I know.) As this was my first century, I was a bit nervous, and not sure what to expect. We pulled out as a group, but quickly spread out. I took the wheel of a pack at the front, because I figured I'd go as hard as I could for as long as could, and drafting was going to help me in the long run. Funny enough though, that pack spread out, and I found myself behind two other riders, with one rider behind me at the front, and we really began to pull away. Our pace was hovering around 20+, perhaps even a bit faster. Then out leader dropped his water bottle, going over a bump, so he dropped back to pick it up. that left me with two other riders at the front. We all stopped at the first rest stop. (banana, cliff bar, and a piss.) When I got out of the restroom, one of the guys had left, so I rode out with the other. We kept our 20+pace, with me pulling the way. About half way to the next pit stop, the guy who dropped his bottle, came up, said good morning, and past me like I was riding a cruiser, down the bike path, on a crowded, sunny, Sunday afternoon. Hey, it's not a race...... But my head said, "Still in third!"

Oh, and did I mention that it began to rain. At least it was freezing cold, so I had my choice of the elements to quietly curse. I won't drag this out, but I skipped the second pit stop, still pulling the fourth guy from the morning, and we pulled into the halfway point at around 2.5 Hrs. The guy who passed me like I was standing still was already out, but the guy who left earlier from the first pit stop was still there... Confused yet? Anyway, I pulled out with him, after a quick Sammy and refilling my bottles. I had his wheel for 90% of the return ride as every time I moved in front to pull, he would pass me about 5 minutes later. (Fine with me, he was about 6' 4" 225 Lbs if I had to guess.)

Just about 5 miles out the sun came out, letting me take off my windbreaker, and allowed me to pull into the finish, flying my LaGrage colors! We pulled in to the parking lot together. (Tied for second?) It's not a race, I know.

Not bad for a 57 year old guy, riding an entry level Scatante R330, in a second hand kit, on his first century. 

Thanks for listening!

103 miles, 5 Hrs, 26 min. 

If you think that’s something, try living with AIDS/HIV day in and day out, that's impressive........ Please help out with a donation

It's easy to donate, just click on the link below. 

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440

ALC11: David Stone - AIDS/LifeCycle | 7-Day 545 Mile Cycling Event to Support HIV/AIDS Services

www.tofighthiv.org

ALC11

Early on Early Back

I got a nice early (For me.) start this morning. On the road by 8:00. Headed down to El porto, via Ocean, Main, Venice Way, Mildred, Washington, pacific, Via Marina/Admiralty Way/Fiji, Bike Path and back. 42 miles 2HRS 30 MIN. Averaging a little over 17 mph. Porto was looking pretty good this morning with what looked to be some head high sets, just a tiny bit of texture on the water and not to many people out. Having surfed Malibu yesterday, I was kinda aching for a quick little go-out, but alas, no board, just bike.

On the way home hitched on to the wheels of two guys from the circuit, I knew this, as they were talking about some races they had done. Drafted them until one of them told me to go in front. "Hey dude, you can just go in front!" Guess he thought I was invading his "Bike Space", maybe I was... I am still learning the "rules of the road" I guess.  Although I don't give a shit who drafts me or for how long. Anyway I thought to myself "Fuck that guy" and smoked them both. Gave me incentive to up my pace and my final time.

Couple of people to thank,

Kirby Kotler,  Bill Coker and Tony McNeal...... Came through BIG TIME!!!

Thanks guys!

Here's the link to may donation page...... Jump on in, the waters fine!

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440



Here's some picks from the morning.......

Quick 33

Got a late start today as the sun was hiding behind last nights rain clouds and the ground was still wet from last nights rain. Headed about around 2:00 with the afternoon sun warming my back, and drying the road before me. Still pretty cold out there so kept my arms and legs on for the whole ride.  did my typical SV to Ocean to Washington/Marina ending up at Playa Del Rey. and back. I have my first century scheduled for Saturday, so I want to keep my legs warm, yet not worn.

Big thanks to:
Fred & Gail Goldring
Scott Goldman
Wendy Donovan
Ariel Rubin
Stephen Redman

Today's donation heroes!

Donation Link
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440


Today's pic.

Rain Rain Ride Rain

Weather report,  Saturday night, 85% chance of rain in the Los Angeles area. Should roll in around 8:00am...  Me,  "Well I'll see what it looks like in the morning. Check with a few of the LaGrange folks, see what they are thinking."

Sunday morning weather report, 75% chance of rain in the Los Angeles area, should start around 9:00am. Me, "Well thats better than last night, just a little moisture on the ground."  Chris says, "Lower the tire pressure to 95PSI, and lets ride!"  Me,  "I'm down."

Streets wet, but no sign of rain. Still, dirty street water rooster-tailing up all over me and everything else. Just spent two hours cleaning the bike yesterday, but fuck it, it's the Nichols ride. I always start my week with the Nichols ride.

Small crew, we head out around 8:00, seem to be ahead of the rain. Up Santa Monica Blvd, and across Fairfax, we get to the climb. Pretty much my best climb yet, not with the front pack, but a bit ahead of the second pack, with two riders in between me and the first pack. I can keep those two in sight, but the front pack is gone by the time I get to the top. Not sure of my time but I'm pretty happy with my effort.

I get passed by one rider around Coldwater, but still have the two riders be tween me and the front pack in sight. I then get caught by the front of the second pack, but manage to pull away on the next hill. We all get  stopped by the red light at Beverly Glen. I jump the light a bit and pull away from the second pack again. I really want to keep the small pack of three in sight as my motivation.

Oh, and somewhere between Coldwater, and Benidict, it starts to rain...... By the time I'm passed Beverly Glen, it's pouring. I cant decide which is worse, not seeing because my glasses are spotted with rain, or not seeing because the rain is stinging my unprotected eyes. I stick with the glasses. The rain makes the lines in the road as well as any manhole cover treacherous. The steel plates are really something to watch our for as they become super slick.

Down Sepulveda, 35MPH or so, my clothes soaking up as much water as a sponge. I can feel myself getting heavier by the minute. Skipped Pete's and just left the ride at Montana. Got home soaking wet, but pretty happy with the effort.

Hey it's Sunday, a great day to donate!!!!

Here's the link.
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440

Heres a photo, just because!