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!

Strong Legs, Lazy Fingers

I have been quite remiss about posting here lately, not for a lack of training, just for a lack of literary inspiration. That and I've just not been shooting any picks on my recent rides. Suffice to say that I have been training rigorously, riding streets mostly familiar, with a few variations. Still maintaining 200 plus miles every six days, then taking one day off before starting the routine again. If your interested in seeing where my wheels have gone, I sometimes post my routes via Map My Ride on my Facebook page.

Now guilt drives me back to the keyboard. One of the fundamental reasons for this was to acknowledge all of the generosity of the people who have helped me by contributing to the AIDS Ride. So I should be doing that every time I get a donation, but like I said....Lazy. Very, very appreciative, but lazy.

So here are the latest donation heros!
Lance Anderson
Miki Warner
Julie & Ed Sachse
Tom Myrick
Lisa Alden

All heros!  Thanks guys!

Oh, and here is the link to my donation page..
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440


Or check out my Facebook page or Twitter.....

6 Days 190+ miles.. Adventures and misadventures in Santa Barbara

It has been six days since I last posted here. Things just got away from me, then I went away, but now I'm back. So, lets see, where was I? I left off on 6/7 having done a redux of my original griffith Park ride.

Now to business. Big thank you to Barbara Goldman, Ramona Martinez and Melissa Bachrach, for the generous donations!

Please join them in supporting this great cause!!  It's so simple, just click on this link!

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

Thursday, 6/8 I did a standard beach ride, 45 miles, and Friday was a Ride Yoga Ride day (25 miles). I have mentioned before how helpful the yoga is in my training regimen. Stretching out all the muscles that I am somewhat overworking by riding every day. Once again, I want to recommend Brian Kest's Power Yoga in Santa Monica. I can't say enough about what a great atmosphere is cultivated in the studios. I always leave exhausted, but wishing the class was longer. I was toying with the idea of doing my first century ride on Saturday. There was one scheduled up in Solvang, but as the evening grew longer, the thought of driving up to Santa Barbara, or Buellton just seemed a bit daunting on a Friday night. I'll just have to catch the next one.

So On Saturday, A friend of mine who has a house in Santa Barbara invited me up for the weekend. Excited about the prospects for a change of scenery, I passed on the Nichols ride, and high tailed it up to Monticito. I pulled in around 10:30am, donned my kit, and headed out along route 192 north, making my way to Isla Vista. Riding in Santa Barbara is just fantastic! Less cars, more beauty, friendlier people. The round trip was about 50 miles give or take. There was a nice fast downhill on the way out, that I decided to skip on the way back, thinking I'll hammer that uphill tomorrow...... (Best Intentions!)

Sunday I head out to do the right thing, and climb the downhill I flew down on saturday. I retrace the rout I took home, and found the hill that I came down from about 8 miles into the ride. It's a bit colder than Saturday, so I've got my arm and leg warmers on, as well as my windbreaker. As I start up the hill, it is looking fairly familiar. but, I was traveling down it at a much much faster pace. The road is a rough as I remember it and certainly steep. I pass a couple of riders, as well as get passed by a few. so I'm confident that this is a road well traveled. I climb on and on, and on... It's longer than I pictured it to be, but again, I was going fast downhill, so pretty tough to compare. I climb on, grinding and grinding, ever upward, and never ending it seems. 5 miles into the climb, I stop for a cliff bar and some water, also to take off he windbreaker. Then, back to it. The road worsens, and the grade gets steeper. Fuck! I remember the road being bad, but not this bad! Grind on. Finally I arrive at an intersection. Nothing looks familiar, but hey, I know this is the road I came down yesterday, so I just must not have been paying to much attention. The intersection heads to the right, nicely paved, and I see a sign that reads "Santa Barbara - 7 miles". Great! on my way home, and I know I've done the climb. I give myself an attaboy, and head down the road to the right. Now I'm riding along a ridge, that transects the Santa Barbara Mountains. It's lovely, breathtaking actually, but totally, completely and utterly unfamiliar. This I would have remembered. The views are spectacular, and I'm up in the broken clouds, which intermittently blow across the road like wisps of smoke. I'm heading downhill for the most part, and thankful that, although I know I'm on a new road, the sign did say Santa Barbara - 7 miles! As I come around a bend, I see it! Not what I wanted to see. What I see, is a dead end. Really???? A dead end???, I check my odometer, seven miles from the intersection. Well nothing for it, except to turn around and just retrace my steps to get home. Great, another seven mile climb, just to get back to that sign. Which I now realize was directing traffic down the road of my original climb. Oops!  At least this is a gentile climb, not the bitch that the first one was. Finally I'm heading back down the hill. The road is so bad, that I can't get any faster than 17 or 18 MPH and, it getting really cold. Needless to say I get to the bottom, see where I went wrong, and return via West Mountain Rd. (52 miles) I get back to the house just as my host is leaving. He offers me the house for another day if I want to stay, which I of course accept. Quick shower, and I'm off to La Super Rica, my favorite Mexican restaurant. Eight tacos and a Tecate later,  bed never looked so good!

Monday I woke up late, and did a quick adios to SB 33. Hot springs to the coast road, to Santa Monica Rd. to the 192, and back.

All I can say is , "What a great fucking weekend!"

3/6/12 & 3/7/12

So Tuesday was another "ride,yoga,ride" day. Tuesday yoga is with Jerome at Brian Kest's Power yoga and if I have not mentioned it before, it is an amazing class. I always leave there wrung out and soaking wet. Yoga is a very important counter balance to the power workout of cycling, especially hill climbing. The deep stretching and the involvement of so many other muscle groups brings the body back to a centered  balanced space.

Wednesday, was Griffith Park revisited. Back to griffith Park, but instead of heading up to the Observatory, I went the opposite way and ended up going over to the valley side, past the zoo, and and the golf courses, before heading back down Los Felez. To see the whole route check this web-page  -

Griffith Park Redux, a ride mapped on 03/08/2012 in Los Angeles, CA | Bike Map | MapMyRIDE


All in all about 42 miles

Now to the Thanks and acknowledgments....... Huge huge thank you going out to Sara Cyl-Champlin, who got me over the halfway mark with her super generous donation. Another huge shout out to my good friend Vince Arcaro, owner of Darklight Pictures, who came through gangbusters. Another big thank you to Sydney Lipsky, who also come through big time for the cause.

Long day, long ride, big meal, I'm out!

Dont forget to go to my donation homepage, and donate to end AIDS!
http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/AIDSLIFECYCLE11/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=2501102&pg=personal&fr_id=1440

Oh, a few snaps from the days ride..............

The hollywood sign... Waayyy in the BG

30 to do 30

I had a sign that told me to do quick afternoon 30. San Vicente, Bel air Bay Club, Venice and return. My "go to" ride when I just want or need get some miles in.

Here's that sign.

Big thank you to Columbine Culberg for her incredibly generous donation today!

Here is the link to my donation page....... Jump on aboard!

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

Training Day 3/4/12 Did I say fifty?

8:30, headed out with the LaGrange club, of which I am now an official dues paying member of, to do the Nichols Canyon ride. Small turnout for such a stellar morning, and the pace up Santa Monica Boulevard was uncharacteristically civil. I did the climb with my customary huffing and puffing, albeit in better time than usual for me.  Ditto for the Mullholland section.  As I pulled into Skerball, where the quicks wait for the stragglers, I asked my friend and biking mentor Chris London how far back of the pack I was, he told me, "Two maybe three minutes." Pretty sure he was being kind. Yep so it's all downhill from here! Sepulveda at 9:30 or so on a sunday morning is basically empty, so we take an entire lane, on a good day I'll hit 40MPH, and I'm one of the slower riders. Pretty fucking exhilarating.

Ahh Petes. It's the end of the ride and were the peloton realxes, pees, drinks coffee and discusses who fell, who got a flat, who broke away when. All things I'd like to avoid, or will just never accomplish. It's also where I look for a rider or two who is going on somewhere else to extend my ride. Alas, no takers today, so I set off on my own. Ballona creek bridge and back should be an even fifty..... Fifty is what I committed to yesterday, so fifty is what I'm gonna do. Except that I was so enthralled with the sunshine and warmth of the day, that I just kept going.  "Just a little bit further."  Was the mantra of the moment. I came to my senses about five miles past the bridge, which made my fifty into a sixty. Did I say fifty? obviously I intended to say sixty.  Here are a few snaps from the day.

Here is a link to my donation page.  Please donate to support this really great cause. the money raised will go directly to help those afflicted with this terrible disease live better more comfortable lives.

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

Here's something you don't see everyday.

Awww.....

Poor mans, or actually, rich folks Venice

This Guy!

Training Day 3/3/12 Mental Readiness

145 miles the week ending 2/11..... 165 miles the week ending 2/18..... 201 miles the week ending 2/25... And 178 mile the week ending3 /3.......

So today I thought I would switch up the routine a bit. I decided to concentrate on my head. Oh yes, make no mistake, I worked my ass off today, training my mental readiness, my motivation, my resolution, my mettle. I turned inward, and studied the backs of my eyelids, all while basking in the warm Southern California sun. The first hour was a bit of a struggle but as I got deeper and deeper into the routine of pushing thoughts up and down, it definitely began to get easier and easier to to keep the grinding up. Eventually though, I had to take a break from the rigorous routine I had set for myself. So I donned my wetsuit and paddled out into some frigid 57 degree water to catch a few tiny, (Oh and I do mean tiny!) waves at my traditional spot. An hour or so later, truly refreshed from my cold water experience I returned to the grueling training routine I had set up for the day.

So once again, please help me out with a donation to support The Lifecycle Aids Ride. With me working this hard, it's the least you can do!



Here is the link  -

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

Big thank you going out to Richard Weiner, he came through in a really big way! (As he always does!)

BTW planning on doing over 50 tomorrow.

3/2/12 Ride, yoga, ride day

Started my morning on the foam roller. If any of you have not used one of these things yet, I highly recommend one. They give you the most amazing massage and get your muscles ready for whatever workout your going to do by increasing the blood flow to the muscles, loosening your connective tissues, and heck, it just feels great. I think the thing comes with instructions, but I received a bit of instruction on it from a trainer named David (Last name coming) who I met when I tried out the Spectrum Club. It also feels great after a workout.

Then onto the bike and rode to my Yoga class. I take yoga at Brian Krest's Power Yoga; a fantastic donation based yoga experience. I'll usually take two classes a week if I can, one from a Yogi named Jerome on Tuesday mornings. Jerome's class is quite advanced, and way above my abilities, but I like pushing myself,  and regardless of my skill level I feel totally welcome and comfortable there.  The other Yogi I study with is Toni, this class is closer to my level although still a bit beyond my reach. Still as with Jerome's class really a truly accepting and welcoming environment for students of any level. Today class with Toni was a real sweat-fest and I left there pretty wrung out, so instead of extending my ride as I usually do, I just rode home.

If your in a yoga mood, I Brian's programs are amazing and I'm sure regardless of your skill level you will have an amazing session.

Big shout out to Bobbie Sheets for her generous donation today!

If you want to donate, here is the link to my fundraising page:

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

On the road to the Aids Ride

Last week I signed up for the Lifecycle Aids ride. I'm in pretty good shape, (For a 56 year old.) and I thought by committing to this ride, I could raise some money to help in this really deserving cause. So in early June, I'll be heading up to San Francisco and begin a 545 mile bike ride back down to Los Angeles.  The journey will take seven days, and I'll be riding with over 2000 other riders. The riders will vary from "Elite" to complete novices. I fall somewhere in between those two categories. Regardless of your riding skill level, riding  over 75 miles per day on average is going to take a bit of training. Thats where this blog will begin. With my training. It will also give me an opportunity to give thanks and acknowledge all of the people who will be helping me on this adventure. From those who are giving generously to my fundraising goal, to those who are just giving me moral support, and everyone in between.

If you would like to help me reach my goal, please hit the link below, and donate whatever you can.

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

Thanks!

A few shots from the first three days.

Training Starts

So day one was Sunday 2/26/12  (  http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/71369554  )  Did the Nichols Canyon ride with the LaGrange group, then went on with two of the riders to Griffith Park, before heading home. All in all 55 miles. Nichols Canyon is a good climb, and the Mullholland return has a few nice hills as well.

Day two, I did the Nichols ride solo, with an additional run down San Vicente, for a total of 30 miles.

Day three I did the Nichols ride solo again, but went east on Mullholand, to Highland, to Franklin up to Griffith park, and up to the Observatory. A 36 mile route.  I took a couple of snaps from the top of Mullholand, above the Hollywood Bowl and one of the Observatory, I'll try to figure out how to post them and get them up here soon.

Which brings me to todays ride. A little flat run to Playa Del Rey and beyond, then back, for a total of 32 miles.  Took a few snaps today as well.

Now I'd Like to thanks all my donors, who have helped me make a dent in my fundraising goal. I set my bar pretty high, so I am extremely grateful to everyone who stepped up with really their generous donations. Huge shout out to my Brother in law, and his wife, Greg and lucy. Michael Manson, and the Shapiro Family came in big. Brad Austin, The Presant family, Mark Segal, The Denny Bakers, Rob Feng, and Rick Albert, Gave generously. So did Ben Gaffin, (The first to step up!) The entire Burke clan; Aaron, Beverly, Dan, Sue, Alan and Deena, Harold Harris, Matt Warner, Mike DeNacola, Maura McCoy, Russel Sher and The Roffe family.  A huge thank you to all of you!!!

If your reading this and it inspires you to donate just click on the link below!

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

Thanks for checking this out, and I'll try to keep up to date with this blog as best as I can.