Leaving on a Jet Plane...

I'm  packed! I'm a little worried because it doesn't feel like I am taking anything that I would normally take on a trip....but then again, this is not a normal trip. The apartment is clean and ready for my return. My flight is tomorrow at 4:30 so I will leave shortly after getting home from work at 2pm. 

READY OR NOT.... here I come!

For those who have asked:
I will be sending nightly updates via Facebook for anyone who has access to that media. If you want to follow the ride and get daily updates from the AIDS Lifecycle perspective, visit the “Experience the Event” site at http://experience.aidslifecycle.org/. I look forward to updating you with pictures and stories upon my return.

Leave the drama for your mamma

So, I had my first (and hopefully only) meltdown last night. I went to drop off my bike at the Hollywood Presbyterian Church after work only to discover it was scheduled for the night before and that day until noon. The logistics of getting my bike to SFO pushed me over the edge, along with exhaustion, sickness and stress that have been looming all week. I cried. I mean....I cried like I have not cried for a long time. I think the tears just needed to come out so I could move on.  Unfortunately, they mostly came out at my Bishop who was trying to give me a blessing inbetween sobs, and at Shannon who was frantically looking up alternative shipping options while I wallowed in self-pity. 

After eliminating the options of shipping it via FedEx ($700+ for overnight) and buying a box and taking it on the plane ($150+ logistical nightmare), I decided to 1. call McCollister's in the morning and BEG them to take my bike, or 2. call a friend and make them drive up with me to SFO and then bring my car back here.

One restless night later, I woke up much more optimistic. It is amazing the perspective that comes with a little sleep. Long story short...I called McCollister's and ended up driving out past Ontario to drop off my bike. Trust me, I am not complaining. I didn't have to spend any more money on it and the bike will be there on orientation day with everyone elses, so I am all set. Whew! Let's hope that is the only hiccup this trip.

A Bandanna Message

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

It's time to wake up. It's time to ride my bike. It's 4:30 am, and I have to get out of my warm bed and go out into the cold air. As I feel the first sign of sweat running down my face into my eyes, down my legs, and onto my bike,

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

I've gone about 50 miles, my muscles are burning, the heat from the sun is intense, my face is on fire, and I can't push myself into another gear, I think to myself,

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

When each hill gets longer, harder, steeper to climb, and i feel I can't make it over another hill, I say to myself,

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

When I've just had it for the day, 65 miles have passed, I've stopped to fix another flat tire, I am tired, hungry, and I don't know why I've committed to this ride, I think to myself,

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

When it's cold, windy, and it starts to rain, and I bitch about how dirty my bike will get, DAMN! I've fallen (new clipless pedals), now my new jersey is dirty as well. When is this day going to end? And then that thought pops into my head again,

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

My hands and feet are numb, my legs feel like Jello-O. My back and neck burn with the aches and pains of being on my saddle too long, this rash is uncomfortable, and now I think I am going to go crazy. What am I going to do? I've lost my focus...and then that thought occurs to me,

I can't imagine...what it must feel like to have AIDS.

I've ridden 75 miles, I have 25 more miles to go, and I don't know if I can make it. Each breath and pedal stroke that I take gets harder and harder, my body says no, I can pedal no longer, but a thought crosses my mind....

I know deep down in my heart that there is this inner strength that flows through my body. It comes from my family, it comes from my friends, and it comes from the Men, Women and Children who are living and dying from AIDS related diseases. 

The reality is clear, I can see now, there are No Hills, No Hot Sun, No Wind, No Cold Rain, No Burning Muscles, No Body Aches or Pains that will hold me back from keeping the Faith and Commitment to myself and others. I will continue to ride mile after mile, I will continue to ride hill after hill.

For I do not know what it must feel like... to have AIDS.

Source: this was written by Doreen, one of the veteran riders who has been doing the AIDS Lifecycle or the past 17 years. She put it on a bandanna and she sells it as a fundraising tool. I bought one from her because the message resonated with me. This ride is going to be HARD, but there is purpose behind it, and if I can remember that, I will be fine.

Last "official" training ride

Today I got up and did my last official training ride with the "Chain Gang" at Griffith Park. We took it pretty easy and did just a 24 mile ride and then they presented a packing demonstration. This was my first ride in two weeks after being sick. It sort of hurt my lungs and sinus and I felt the lack of riding.  However, a couple of things I realized about myself on this ride:

• I need at least 10 miles to get warmed up and for my muscles to relax and get into the groove of the ride.
• I am SLOW. I really am slow, so I am going to have to watch my time on the ride. I am be no means the slowest, but neither am I in the lead. I am securely in the middle.
• I do much better when I am behind someone so I can match my cadence to theirs. I don't like to be in the lead.
• I am horrible at navigating and using those vague route maps. Refer to the insight above...I do much better when behind someone.
• My brain holds me back more than my body. I freak out when I see hills, but when I let go and just keep pedaling I do okay.
• I have adopted the mantra "ENJOY THE SCENERY" which is advice from Ryan. I have a tendency to watch the road instead of looking up, and that is no way to see California.

This was a good ride, although it made me feel fully unprepared. It was the last time I will be on the bike with other ALC riders until next Sunday. It was good to be with friends. It was incredibly sunny and hot that day. I got a bit sunburned which is good as the tan lines from my shorts evened out a bit.

The packing demonstration was especially helpful and we had some good laughs as veterans talked about their past experiences. The most shocking moment (to me) was when he advised us NOT to bring underwear. LOL. Said it takes up too much room and we need to allow ourselves to "air out". It is a great group of people I will be traveling with. Although I never feel quite ready, it is time for the training to end and the ride to begin.

Two Weeks

I got sick. Great timing, right? I didn't ride for two weeks. Ugh! Great timing...

The Burbank "B"

I am writing this a couple of weeks after the fact, but wanted to document the experience nonetheless.

On Saturday, Ryan and rode from the apartment up the LA River to Burbank. Once there we started up the hill towards our destination...the ultimate canyon road.  Ryan had been there once before and assured me it was beautiful and worth the ride.

Please note: I am wearing my new ladies shorts for the first time in this picture. Yes, i have a HORRIBLE tan line, and I assume I will have many more before this ride is over.

I made him stop sooo many more times than he wanted to as it was all uphill from that point on, but we finally got half way there and saw an amazing LDS Church. It was Spanish-style architecture and beautiful. Just down the street there was a monument tht explained it use to be a country club, but was bought by the Church when a new one was erected. This is a picture of the archway up the remainder of the canyon. I agreed with Ryan that it was a beautiful entrance to HELL which was to be the remainder of the ride. 

The next few miles were part of a peaceful, switchback canyon road. It really felt like another world. The homes were all very unique and eclectic (especially the one dubbed the "crayon house" due to the colors of the shingles) and with the foliage, it felt a lot like Utah. It was really beautiful.

Please note: it took me about as long to get up this canyon as it had to do the entirety of the rest of the ride. I swear, Ryan's patience was really tested on this particular ride. I AM SLOW! lol. I am sooo, slow... I think at one point I threated his life if we ultimately hit the Burbank "B" on the mountian, which was not too far away.

Here is a picture of me at the end. My nostrils are flared from lack of oxygen. Ryan says it was the anger...either way...I finally hit The End of the road.   

This is one route I am going to have to try again. It was beautiful, challenging, 35 miles and 1144 calories burned. A really great day!

Packing

With the ride 2 weeks from today...my thoughts have turned to packing. For anyone interested in what we take for 7 days of riding and 6 nights of camping...this is a great visual website breaking it down.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5022375_YU9bf#301504149_e3tWy

70 lbs for everything I need...my new motto: SIMPLIFY!

Solana Beach Ride

My first Century ride (turned out to be 91 miles actually)...

We had to be in Irvine which is 45 minutes away from downtown LA at 6am. It was an early, early morning after a really, really late night. So, a little Sugarland was appropriate to help wake us up as we drove to the meeting point (“his dark eyes dared me with danger, and sparks flied like flame to a paper…”). Once there we scrambled to listen to the safety speech, sign in, use the restroom and get on the road before the 91 mile route closed. It was COLD! I didn't feel it so much until we started cycling, at which point my muscles tightened up and let me know they were not quite ready to be moving.

We started out passing the strawberry fields which smelled amazing...and then the climb began. Over the next 20 miles or so we continued on an upward trajectory. I was pretty slow. In fact at one point I saw a snail on the road and thought "well cindee, if he can do it...so can you." Even though my time sucked, I continued to ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery. This is a picture Ryan took of me (yes, I am in the very back) as we climbed the hill.

The hills and mountains reminded me so much of home (Utah). It was really incredible to smell the crisp clean air, have the morning sun in my eyes and just be on my bike. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard and I was slow, but it was well worth the climb. Here is a picture of a Christmas tree farm we saw along the road. First time I’ve seen one. The baby trees were so adorable. 

We were almost to (what I thought was) the top when we reached the first rest stop at mile 25. It was sort of a biker hang-out. Both cyclists and motorcyclist rest before continuing on the route. I may have to go back to buy some leather gear when I become a biker chic. We were right at 9am at this point and had to keep going or we weren’t going to make it to the next stop in time.

Side note: Ryan’s knee started hurting at around mile 15. We aren’t sure why, but he was a real trooper to push through it like he did. I would have never made these hills on a bum knee. Major kudos t him.

Then we encountered the hill of all hills. If you remember Hawthorne and how much I hated that…this one beats it, hands down. It wasn’t that it was long, but the incline was hellish. I really struggled up the hill having to stop multiple times. Here is a picture of me struggling to the top.

However, the climb was all worth it. Ryan told me his favorite part was just after the hill…and I heartily agree. The downhill switchbacks through the tree tunnel were amazing. I would do it all over again just for that moment. It was breathtaking.

We continued on the route until we got to mile 50 for the second pit stop. Ryan and I got to talk a lot along the way and just enjoy being outside together. The only down point was that the SAG crew was right behind us most of the way. I felt a little pressured to go faster than I was ready to, but one way or the other we made it down the mountain and towards the cost. This is a picture somewhere along this stretch.

From the second pit stop to lunch was 9 miles. They were a long 9 miles as my energy was pretty zapped at this point. I was looking forward to some food and time to sit down and recover. That didn’t exactly happen. We encountered a surfing competition; we rode through mils of residential areas and ultimately followed a parking lot near the water towards our destination. When we got there only one peanut butter and jelly sandwich remained. Myself and another guy were the only ones left who hadn’t eaten. Me being the martyr I am (or overly generous as Ryan would say) gave up the sandwich and settled for a power bar and banana. I was not looking forward to the next 17 miles through Camp Pendleton, but onward we went.


Camp Pendleton was totally uneventful, and I’m not even sure if it is habituated. I expected some great eye candy scenery with men running in formation or uniforms or something. Nada. We saw nothing along this stretch and I would have been happy to skip it. SAG was again right on my tail so I was getting pretty annoyed at this point. I know the time constraint was just due to the need to make our return train, but I was bugged beyond belief. Ryan felt it too so I wasn’t the only unreasonable one.


When we got to the next pit stop, everyone was gone and ahead of us. I was completely worn out and Ryan’s knee was really a constant pain now. It was 2:30 and we had until 3:30 to get the bikes in. One hour to go 13 miles…we decided to give it our best shot. We hydrated and hit the road for the final stretch. We got to mile 80 before we had to call SAG to pick us up. Time had run out. I’m not going to lie…I was pretty bummed out that we hadn’t finished. However, I felt a lot better when Ryan explained that had I been on the actual ride I would have had 3 more hours to complete the last 11 miles for the day. I know I could have done that, so it was a timing thing not a physical thing that kept us from completing the route.


After we dropped our bike at the truck, we headed to Pizza Port to get our lunch. It felt good to change clothes and wash my face. Made all the difference actually… We got our lunch and went to the train station to eat and pick up our tickets. It felt so good to sit down and just chat for a bit before heading home. Ahhh, Solana beach…

Without going into detail (because this blog is already hecka long) we had an eventful train ride home, surrounded by California crazies, and then made it back to LA at around 7pm. It was a long day, but I had such a great time. I really loved sharing it with Ryan, being outside, and realizing that I can complete that monumental task with very little recovery time the next day.

I did get sunburned (again) with 3rd degree burns that blistered and are still peeling (HELLO CINDEE, MEET SUNSCREEN), but otherwise was fine. I need to figure out the best way to keep my energy up during the ride (HELLO CINDEE, MEET BREAKFAST) and push through some lingering mental barriers, but it was a great experience! PEACE!

P.S.did you notice my new $10 jersey? There is a cute frog on the back...sorta dorky, but colorful. ha!

The Denver Principles

I read another interesting aritcle on the early day of HIV/AIDS and the people who have actively helped to bring about change. I have included a small portion of that article written by By Mark S. King here, as it impressed me.

It was 1983. Just a year prior, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome became the fearful nameplate for the murderer of gay friends and lovers. The virus that caused it, HIV, had only been identified a few months earlier. Amidst this atmosphere of unremitting grief and fear, a group of activists met in Denver as part of a gay and lesbian health conference. Among them, a dozen men with AIDS. They were about to do something that would change our response to AIDS -- and health care in general -- forever.

As the conference drew to a close, the activists asked to address the attendees. Rather than having a report presented about the state of the AIDS crisis, they wanted to speak for themselves. If the word "empowerment" hadn't yet been a part of the health care lexicon, it was about to be.

The group took turns reading a document to the conference they had just created themselves, during hours sitting in a hospitality suite of the hotel. It was their Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence rolled into one. It would be known as The Denver Principles, and it began like this:

"We condemn attempts to label us as 'victims,' which implies defeat, and we are only occasionally 'patients,' which implies passivity, helplessness, and dependence upon the care of others. We are 'people with AIDS.'"

A full copy of The Denver Priciples can be found here: http://www.actupny.org/documents/Denver.html

In the 27 years since these principles were first introduced, many of these principles have become common practices, and they have provided a foundation for progress in treating people with HIV/AIDS with respect and humanity. We have come so far, but there is still much to do….

Divine Design

The other night I was feeling pretty anxious about the ride, and mentioned to a couple friends "we'll see how the century ride goes this weekend...if it is bad I may have to break my leg so I don't have to go on the actual ride."  Now, I DIDN'T ACTUALLY MEAN IT (for all of you donors -- I would never let you down like that), but that is how I was feeling at the moment; really, really anxious and not really looking forward to going.

The next day upon getting to work, a lady named Caroline popped her head in and said "hey, I heard you were doing the AIDSLifecycle ride...I'm going too as a roadie."  We spend the next hour talking about it and swaping insights. Turns out she rode last year as a cyclist and this year is going to be a volunteer roadie as part of the Water Stop crew. That just happens to be where I was last year so I had some tips for her as well. It is like our ALC lives swapped. Crazy!

After that discussion I was so infused with excitement. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO NOW!! It may sound strange to some, but I really think there is some divine design in that conversation. It came at the right moment, from the right person, and had just the right effect on me. Bring on the ride!!

INSPIRED THOUGHT

"Let us give publicity to HIV/AIDS and not hide it, because [that is] the only way to make it appear like a normal illness…" "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." ~Nelson Mandela

The Route

Curious about the ALC9 route...?
Here are some hard numbers for you:

• San Francisco to Santa Cruz: 79.4 miles
• Santa Cruz to King City: 107.6 miles (vineyards, strawberry and artichoke fields)
• King City to Paso Robels: 66.7 miles (Quadbuster hill)
• Paso Robels to Santa Maria: 97.7 miles (Evil Twins hills / Pismo beach / half-way mark)
• Santa Maria to Lompoc: 67.7 miles (Solvang / Red Dress Day)
• Lompoc to Ventura: 85.5 miles (Santa Barbara / best bet for dolphin sightings)
• Ventura to Los Angeles: 61.5 miles

Ventura was the highlight for me last year when we held the candle light vigil on the beach. Many people from LA drive up and meet for the night to honor those living with the disease and those who have passed on.

Exciting!

IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE...

Every Friday morning at work we hold something called "Roll Friday" where different groups bring breakfast for everyone. About 60 people participate each week. As I was considering what to bring for my turn, I had a flash of inspiration...

I decided to create a donation jar where people could contribute their spare change. In the middle of May I will turn in everything in the jar and pay it forward towards the cause. No one contributed yet, but there was a lot of talk about what it was and why...SUCCESS! While money is an exciting prospect, I think the awareness factor is just as exciting for me.

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.

I am secretly hoping we fill the jar to the rim in the next few weeks...

Day on the Ride

Today was the official "Day on the Ride" where everyone gets a chance to experience what an actual day on the road will be like along with rest stops, large hills, and a full day of riding. Overall I give the ride a THUMBS UP!

We started out really early with Ryan and I hitting the road at 6:20 am. We met up with the group of around 300 riders at Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica at about 7:00. After listening the safety speach and signing in, we hit the road around 7:30ish. I was number 366 (not that it matters).

It was COLD!!! The fog rolled in as we rolled out and even the steady pace didn't do much to cut the wind chill. Luckily I had my arm warmers that Mom and Dad had got me for my birthday. They were wonderful and I am sure I will use them often on the ride. The first 20 miles to the first rest stop were pretty uneventful. The route was one I had done numerous times before and there were a lot of stop signs and stop lights, but a nice warm-up nonetheless.

Then we went on for the next 10 miles -- all uphill! We were in Palos Verdes (home of the dreaded Hawthorne hill of which I have nightmares) and the climb was pretty steady. When I say steady, I mean it was HARD! I had to stop a number of times along the way, but I didn't walk any of it. Ryan was Superman and road up faster than I could ever consider...seriously, this hill was killer...and I was impressed. When I reached the second rest stop, he was all smiles and rested. I on the other hand was pissy. :) It was really nice to have a familiar face there when I rode in though, and I was thankful that he gave me all the time I needed to take a breather.  However, we had much more road ahead so we continued on.

Side note: as I was going up the hill I had a lot of thoughts, but the one that seemed to stick with me the most was something I read the week before which said "Make each pedal stroke you accomplish a success and please remember what got you to this point: your desire to accomplish something you might not have done before, your compassion, and your dedication to help end the human suffering caused by HIV and AIDS."  That is the thought that really got me through.

The next stop was 10 miles further, this time inland. I seemed to get slower and slower as the day progressed, but kept going. Seems to be my mantra...slow but steady. Finally as we crested yet another hill we saw the ocean before us and lunch was waiting in the park overlooking the coast. I was exhausted at this point and really emotional. It took me a few minutes to shake it off and enjoy the lunch, company and view. Once I relaxed it was great to catch up with Ryan and just talk to someone about what I was feeling.  Again, so glad he was there.  Then we took pictures as we psyched up for the remaining 35 miles back to Helen's....

We hit the road again at about 1:00 pm for the final stretch of the ride. We went 10 more miles to the next stop through San Pedro (near Long Beach) and back through a town called Rolling Hills. I had never heard of it before, but it was quaint and charming. There were a lot of equestrian farms along the route and it was very green and clean. I liked it a lot and probably never would have seen it if I hadn't been on this ride. 

At this point I hurt. My neck was on fire and my inner legs were so chapped every pedal was painful. Day on the ride, huh?....thinking of 5 more days just like that terrified me...and we weren't even done yet...and I wasn't the only one. There were many people that felt the same way. However, we had come so far and there was only one choice - to keep going. It was at this point that I rolled down my arm warmers (finally warmed up) and they pooled around my wrists for the duration of the ride.

The last stretch was 25 miles back down through Palos Verdes, along Rodondo Beach, through Manhattan Beach, Venice and ultimately Santa Monica. I am not sure why, but the ride back always seems much longer than the ride out. We finally arrived back at Helen's at 5:00 pm.  I WAS EXHAUSTED, but really happy. For those who weren't counting that is a 75 mile round trip which took approximately 8.5 hours. Mission Accomplished!

In terms of lasting effects: As I got back to the car I noticed that my arms were really hot. Oh, yes...we had forgotten sunscreen and the California sun was merciless. I now have an incredibly ugly burn line where my sleeves were at and where the cuff of the arm warmers were at my wrists. UGH! HATE TAN LINES!! :)  Lesson learned. I also had sore shoulders and couldn't use the restroom for 8 hours without cringing in pain. I will be using butt butter the next ride. Ryan hurt his knee and will be nursing that back to health with a lot of relaxation and stretching. I can't imagine how much harder that would have made the ride back. Kudos for completing it my friend.

Overall this was a really good day. My Dad said it well when he said "It is amazing what the body can do when the mind will let it."  That is the truth of the ride for me. My legs are willing, when my head will get out of the way and just enjoy it for what it is...a day in the great outdoors.

Six days like this in a row only 45 days away...Wish me luck!

Malibu

Saturday I woke up and went for a 30 mile bike ride up to Malibu and back with the Bike Attack group. It was called the "Day before the Day On the Ride, ride" and it was just that...a flat mellow ride along the PHC there and back.  The day was really cold and grey. While there were surfers aplenty, the ocean and the sky seemed to meld together into one massive greyness.  It was beautiful in a very muted sort of way. 

When we arrived at the rest stop before turning around, I was stopped by Lisa (one of the training ride leaders) and he told me that I was pacing at a 17. I think that is okay as average is 10-12 mph. It was really, really flat...but it was nice to hear that I was doing alright.

On the way back I snapped a few random pictures.  One is of the Getty Villa (I have still never visited that although it is on my list of things to do here in LA) and the other is the cross roads of "Pacific Ocean". Pretty funny.  And yes, random.

I also saw Michael on the ride who I think is extremely handsome and a stellar person. He always greets me with a hug and a kiss and it does wonders for my riding. :)  I look forward to seeing him daily on the ride.

Fellow Cyclist

Dear Friends,

I just read the personal story of one of my fellow cyclists, and I was filled with such emotion I thought I would share it with you.

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR?px=1273921&fr_id=1220&pg=personal

I don't know Brenden personally , but his desire to ride has such depth and meaning in the fight against HIV/AIDS that it really moved me. While my experiences are vastly different, our purpose is one in the same. I will definitely be among physical and emotional giants during this ride and I am looking forward to hearing more of their stories.

No contribution to this cause is insignificant.  Let's fight this disease together!

Love,
Cindee

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Thanks to the generosity of many family and friends, together we have raised $1,220 thus far to help eradicate HIV/AIDS.

YAY! YAY! YAY!

However, that is not nearly enough...so I challenge any of you reading this blog to help me raise $1,500 (only $280 more) by April 15th. Will you help?

www.tofighthiv.org/goto/cinsation

Canyon Road

Saturday I went to a training ride with the "Bike Attack" group out of Santa Monica. The morning started out a little rocky as I was late and the group I rode with thought I was a random stranger leaching onto them. After I explained that I was with AIDS Lifecycle and not just a cycling stalker, they were much more welcoming, althought I was labelled as "unofficial" for the duration of the ride.

The trip went really well. I can't explain exactly where we went, but we saw some amazing multi-million dollar homes (one with a Statue of Liberty on the front lawn -- strange!)and ultimately climed Benedict Canyon Road.

This hill was long with lots and lots of switchbacks. Ride leader Amy was great at letting me go at my own pace while being encouraging. She kept pointing to the top of the highest mountain and saying "see? we're almost there". LOL! Right... But, eventually I made it to the top and it felt really good. Then we rode down past the Getty Center and back to familar territory. It was a good day.

The 35 mile trip was fantastic and just what I needed!

I don't know if I can do this....

...but I WILL!

Great Idea

On the day HIV is eradicated, WHAT WILL YOU DO?

I get weekly email newsletters from a website called The Body, which I joined to stay abreast of the latest in what is happening in the world of HIV. The other day I read a blog that made me take pause...  It was titled "On the day HIV is eradicated, what will you do?" 

Below is the full blog if you are interested:
http://www.thebody.com/content/art55884.html?ic=700100

In the blog, the writer recounted an experience where people in attendance at a Town Hall meeting at the LGBT center in San Francisco, were asked to imagine where they would be when they first heard the news that HIV can be eradicated. And then, what would you do? It is an interesting scenario that I have pondered over the past few days...

I have a feeling that I will cry uncontrollablly joyful tears of relief -- no matter where I am.

This disease was first diagnosed in the 1980's (my lifetime) and with continued research there is the real potential to find a cure (again, within my lifetime). So, I pass along the question for your consideration...where will you be and what will you do when they find a cure to HIV?

TOGETHER we can make a difference!!

A Dip in the LA River...

...actually, it turned out to be the Rio Hondo River. But let me start at the beginning...

Yesterday morning I ventured out on a ride along the LA River to Long Beach and back. What should have been a simple, flat, quick 30-ish mile ride turned into a four hour event full of drama. 

With the help from Shannon I found the start of the LA river in the City of Commerce just southwest of downtown. I started out and quickly discovered that Ryan was right...it was flat and mostly concrete.  However, I was really enjoying being outside and riding for a long stretch of open bikeway minus the cars and pedestrians.  There was very few people out, and I got into a rhythm as I enjoyed the graffitti and occassional wildlife (i.e. snails, lizzards, seagulls and random squirrels). 

It was 10:40am and the goal was to get to the Queen Mary before the noon horn sounded. Mission Accomplished!

After some leisure time enjoying the sailboats and fresh sea air, I started to head back to to my car. It wasn't until I hit a dead end (which wasn't there when I headed the opposite direction) that I understood that I had somehow gotten lost on a single path bike lane. So, the option was to turn around and try to figure out where I went wrong.....or cross the river and try to keep going. 

Now, I am a smart girl, but apparently I am lacking some basic common sense. I chose to cross the river. Not only cross, but I chose to RIDE across the river. DOUBLE WHAMMY!  But in all fairness...it doesn't look THAT bad, does it?

Once I hit the inch or so of water/slime my back tire started started coming up to meet the front trie and I was on a full fledged sideward slide down the river. I tried to unclip, but only ended up unsettling the balance and falling on my left side with the bike on top of me...yes, still sliding down the river. I finally found my footing and waded to the other side soaking wet, covered in slime, blood and bruises and worried only about my phone, camera and bike (all thankfully okay). I then walked up the other side of the slope and once at the top...I began to laugh. There was  no one around to witness my death defying feat, but I can tell you it was just like a slow motion scene on America's Funniest Videos. CLASSIC fall/slide! I laughed and laughed until my stomach hurt.

Once I stopped laughing I started looking around to figure out which way to ride. It was a strange feeling to realize that both directions looked exactly the same. Exactly the same!! Pretty creepy.

So, I finally called Ryan and he offered to give me directions. Apparently the river had forked and I was on the Rio Hondo side heading the Montobello. I had to backtrack about 5 miles, cross the river again (this time on a bridge) and then keep going the remaining distance to the car.  In all the 30-ish mile round trip turned into about 42-ish. I didn't mind being outside or in the saddle....but being wet and riding is no fun. I hope to never do that again.

Long Beach turned into a long day, but I had a good time and i am looking forward to the next ride! :)

Here are a couple random pics shot along the way. One is of the Goodyear Blimp and the other is a random crane sitting peacefully enjoying the day.

Once U ride, U have 2 ride...Once U have 2 ride, U tell others!

Story People Life Cycle: There is a special bike that's not very good at listening to excuses, so it takes you exactly where you really want to go & if you kick & scream it makes you pedal harder & go up steeper hills until you're too out of breath to complain & after awhile, if you're lucky, you start... to see that it doesn't really matter if you laugh or cry, because it just wants to ride like the wind.

~Thanks for the inspiration KT!

Still want to DONATE?

I had some amazing response to my request for fundraising support. I have the greatest friends and family in the world!! THANK YOU for your generous donatations which have brought me to 12% of my goal.

For those of you who haven't donated yet, and who would still like to be a part of this, you still can!

Follow this link to my page and it will talk you through the details:

www.tofighthiv.org/goto/cinsation

Spin, Spin, Spin

I've added a spin class to my training schedule on Tuesday nights along with my daily 10 miles at the gym.  I went for the first time this week, and although the instructor really went pretty easy on us...I sweat like no other! I mean...soaking wet!! Gross, but true. :)  I am hoping this helps me build some endurance. According to The ALC Monthly Spin newsletter, my next step is to add in some mid-week rides. I think I'll wait until the time changes so I am not riding in the dark.  SPIN, SPIN, SPIN!

Something to Think About

In Los Angeles...
An estimated 1,700 people will become infected with HIV this year.

In California...
Approximately 86,120 have died of AIDS since the epidemic began in 1981.
151,000 currently live with HIV/AIDS.

In the United States...
Every 9 ½ minutes, someone is infected with HIV.

In the World….
More than 50% of those living with HIV are women, and women’s share of the infection is increasing in several countries.

Data Sources:
Joint United Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); California Department of Public Health; San Francisco Department of Public Health; Los Angeles Department of Public Health; California HIV/AIDS Research Program; the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; and Buchacz, et al (2005).

A Wake Up Call

I rode 57 miles on Saturday from Santa Monica to Palos Verdes and back. It was not graceful, it was not fast and it was not easy. However, the day was AMAZING!!!

The rain clouds cleared from the downpour the night prior and it was a beautiful Southern California day. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend it than on my bike out in the sunshine. The ride out was great and I felt really good. We were along the coast most of the way and it seemed everyone had the same idea we did...be outside!  The ocean was an incredible blue color, really deep sapphire, and the air was crisp. 

And then...we hit Hawthorne...the most giant, long, crazy, hard hill that I have encountered thus far. I mean it put Griffith Park and Elysian Park hills to shame. IT WAS HUGE! I wish I would have taken a picture from the top to show you what a giant of a mountain this was, but I was too tired when I reached the top to do much of anything. I really didn't think I was going to make it, but there was no alternative...up was the only way to go. Ryan was great at letting me, even encouraging me, to take my time, and one of the ride leaders named Wayne rode with me for a bit and tried to offer me some advice to "think of a song, a rap, a chant, a just get into a rhythm."  I had to stop a number of times, and I am not to proud to tell you that I cried (just once), but eventually I reached the zenith. It was a happy moment for sure.

We started back to Santa Monica at that point and as any of you hikers, bikers or runners know...sometimes down is harder and scarier than going up. My shoulders got really tense and sore as I held the bike stead and applied the breaks and two days later I am still feeling it.  On the plus side, my triceps are much tighter too.

The ride back was long. That is all I will say because I have blocked most of it from my memory. IT WAS LONG and I was so very glad to be home. We rode 57 miles, in 7 hours that day. I am convinced Ryan, Ulisses and many of the others could have done it in half the time, but when all was said and done, I did it!!  Even now it feels like a dream. 
When we got home I couldn't eat anything and noticed that my body started to go into shock with bouts of chills and fever. This was my fault. I did not hydrate or eat as I should have, and I definitely learned that I need to take care of my body before, during and after a ride. The ALC folks would say "drink before your thirsty, eat before your hungry, and pee before you pee your pants." :) Good advice all around.

Ya know, this was the hardest ride I have completed thus far. It was physically straining, but maybe even more telling to me...it was mentally and emotionally straining. I always wondered what people thought about on these long rides, and truthfully I am sure it is as varied as the people riding. I asked Ryan and his response really stuck with me. He said "when I ride I am just so happy to be on my bike, I think of work and people and my life...but mostly I just have fun." That was not the case with me. I had some interesting thoughts about removing "more" from the dictionary, the fact that we live in a world of logos (and very bad ones for the most part), and I sang Sugarlands "Fly Away" over and over and over...but my thoughts were mostly negative.  This is something I am going to work on next weekend. I am going to seek beauty and fun instead of dwelling on the Hawthorne hills. The rides (and life) are too short to dwell on the uphills.

This ride was a wake up call for me, and I can't wait to see what next week's ride will bring.

1ST CALL FOR FUNDING SUPPORT!!

Dear Friends,
I know that there are many worthy causes that you support and conversely, the economic climate has us all tightening our belts. I considered funding the ride myself, but then I decided it was important to give you the chance to support me in this endeavor. Fighting HIV/AIDS is something I am passionate about and I hope that, even if you don’t agree with the charity or only have a small donation to give, you will consider supporting me in this ride.

With your help, my fundraising efforts will enable the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to develop management programs and offer continued leadership to prevent new HIV infections. This year the AIDS funding in California was cut drastically by the government so every donation, no matter how big or small, will help.

The AIDS crisis is not over!
All cyclists are required to raise $3,000 by May 15th to participate in the ride; my goal is to raise $5,000.

To support me with your financial contribution, please follow the link below: www.tofighthiv.org/goto/cinsation

I greatly appreciate your consideration, and your donation. With your help we can make a difference!

Thank You!
Cindee

Doubts

So it has been awhile since I've had an update.  And truth be told...I haven't been riding at all.  Between the rain and moving apartments, I just didn't have it in me to get into the saddle and ride. During this downtime I've been thinking...maybe I should just do it another year.  The thought of raising $2,810 ($190 already secure) in the next couple of months terrifies me, and I have yet to ride more than 30 miles or do a back-to-back ride.  Ugh!! :)

All these doubts circling and dancing in my head for weeks and weeks, and then.....I just made up my mind a couple days ago.... I AM DOING THIS!  I am doing this reader!! I may have to do it alone, and I may have to pay the fundraising minimum myself (let's hope not) but I am doing this.  I refuse to chalk this up to all talk and no action.

Last night I started my 10 miles per day on the bike at the gym, signed up for a 55 mile Palos Verde training ride on Saturday (yikes!) and wrote my first fundraising letter.  I also clocked the distance to and from work (4.5 miles each way) and as the weather continues to cooperate, I am going to ride to work 2-3x a week.

I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't just sign up for this for the athletic challenge (although it surely is). I did it as a committment for myself to help raise awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS. It is time for me to put the doubt behind and move forward.  You will be hearing a lot from me in the upcoming weeks and months asking for money and providing information about this disease.  Please help however you can.

THE AIDS CRISIS IS NOT OVER and the state of California especially needs your help as funding was cut this year.  Together I know we can make a difference. I'm counting on it.

Solo Trip

Today I ventured out on my first solo ride. It was a beautiful day in sunny Los Angeles, and the plan was to ride from my apartment to Pasadena to see the Tournament of Roses parade floats which are on display through the weekend.  After researching the 30.8 mile round trip route online, I ventured out at 9:30 am with a few butterflies but determined to face whatever the ride would bring.  Little did I know that five hours and two flat tires later I would be a much wiser rider.

Things I am proud of:

• Climbed the monster hill at Colorado street one slow pedal at a time
• Changed two flat tires on my own without blood, sweat or tears (just lots of grease and dirt)
• Rode 99% of the way with major traffic, especially in Old Town Pasadena (not smart) with no fear, except for the giant bridge which I crossed at superhuman speed
• Didn't flip off the man in the red truck that yelled at me for "parking" in his spot which was a red zone. serioulsy? parking? i wasn't going THAT slow.
• Multiple left hand turns, yes...even used my hand signals

Things I am NOT proud of:

• I got lost and never did make it to the parade floats
• Secretly hoped someone would come rescue me so I didn't have to replace the tires myself (maybe one day I will realize my own resourcefullness at the begining of a problem and not at the end)
• I didn't have a bike lock so I didn't go to the bathroom the whole ride - doh!
• Didn't take ANY pictures. Ugh!

I really enjoyed this ride in spite of the challenges.  The day was ideal for being outside, and I noticed that once my legs warmed up I was able to ride much more consistently than I have in the past. That's got to be a good sign, right?  At the start of each ride I find myself wondering...what the hell am I doing??  I am never going to be able to do this ride. But at the end of each ride, I think "dang I'm tired...but I love this." Today was no exception.

And even though I didn't reach my final destination, it is still freaking cool to say "I rode my bike to Pasadena today!"