Brian Batchelor's
I'm Riding to End AIDSFrom June 1-7, 2008, I'm bicycling in AIDS/LifeCycle. It's a 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to make a world of difference in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. Help me support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation by giving what you can. We'll keep riding until AIDS and HIV are a thing of the past.
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Brian's latest blog entry:
Sunday, Jun 8, 2008 
Me at ALC6 Closing
Brian's Goal: $2,500.00
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HIV/AIDS Fact of the DayProvided by AIDS/LifeCycle For every rider and roadie on AIDS/LifeCycle this year, there are 375 people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. |
Brian's LinksSan Francisco AIDS Foundation
My ALC2 Ride Diary
My ALC 6 Ride Diary
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Brian's BlogSunday, June 8, 20086:43 PM8 June 2008 - 354 Days until Day ZeroI'm back. Still processing. But it is not too soon to restart the countdown until next year's ride. Just watch the ride videos. How can you not? Thanks Brent for doing Bike Parking, even on feet that were horribly blistered. Congratulations, Victorianna! "Rocket" Rod, it was great to meet you by chance (some os the best things on the Ride are by chance). Joe Solmonese...you surprised me. I hope the jury is back soon with a verdict of "we'll do the ride again next year". Jake, it was great meeting you. How far you've come in the past several months. And last (and you KNOW not least)... Jeff: There could not be a sweeter man. Last year, I was running into you at the pits because I was slow. THIS year, I ran into you because I wasn't. Thanks for spending the time with me. I feel confident that we'll run into each other again. For now, it's back to the "real" world, but I take a bit of our perfect "bubble" with me. I'm renewed and recharged for another year. Until ALC8.....as Capt. Jean=Luc Picard says (and I do before heading off on a ride): "Engage!" ALC8: "Make it so." Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, May 26, 20085:39 AM26 May 2008 - Five Days until Day Zero
I took my final pre-ride jaunt yesterday. The bike is in the shop for its tune-up and to install some much lighter rims. GEE! What a difference those make! If I do better on Skyline, Quadbuster, and the Evil Twins than I did last year, I will not know how much of it is because of the wheels and how much is because I've prepared better this time. That is purely academic. Now it's just a matter of checking off things on my list. Batteries, camp towels, wash sleeping bag, catch up on housekeeping that I've blamed training for not having time to keep up with, yadda, yadda, yadda.... I've got an intense three days of work ahead. The timing is bad because my brain seems to be shutting down all non-Ride-related functions. Some would probably have said that already happened a LONG time ago. Each ride is different with very common threads. For first-timers (Roadies and Riders alike) I can only offer this preview: you will experience the range of emotion from frustration to elation, from sadness to joy. There may be times when you'll want to quit and times when you cannot imagine doing ANYTHING other than this. On the other three rides I've done, there has been what I would call a defining moment of the ride. It might be just a supporter standing by the side of the road saying "Thank you" as you pass by. It might happen when you read the notes that the schoolkids will write to you. Or it might even happen at the Closing Ceremonies when somebody you did not expect to be there is there to cheer you in. It could be the littlest thing. Watch for it. It comes at the most unexpected time. Finally, some people have a depression after the ride. It can hit hard, particularly if you're not expecting it. I think we all handle the end of the Ride in our own way. Yes, there will be tears in my eyes when Lorrie L. Jean finally declares AIDS LifeCycle 7 to be closed (there are tears now, just thinking about it). They will not last long. I prefer to abide by the following: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. The training is over. Packing has begun. The anticipation is building. ALC 7 is about to happen. I am ready.... See you there.
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, May 20, 20089:25 AM20 May 2008 - 11 Days until Day ZeroThree-Day weekend of riding, due to our 9/80 work schedule. I did not get to ride the ride I had planned to on Friday, but it was still very good. I rode with my Bike Club on Saturday, after adding some extra warm-up miles to ride with the group that goes a little faster, a little farther, and climb more hills than I usually do during our Saturday Breakfast Ride. I had no problem keeping up with the 15 - 18 mph pace (frequently faster) and the hills were far less difficult than I remember them being in the past. Hmm....either the hills ARE easier or I have gotten better. Then got in another quick 24 miles of some climbing and some headwinds on Sunday. Monday was supposed to be a ride to work day, but I got about halfway to work and remembered that I had left my lock at home. So....I headed home, showered, and drove the car to work. I only got 13 miles yesterday. I remember days when THAT would have been an acheivement. Now, it's a day that I got really lazy. I was going to make up for the mileage deficit last night, but took it easy. After the rest, I rode into work today. It's just over 15 miles from home to the office and mostly uphill, but it felt SO good! And while a 14 mph average might not be much to write home about, it IS predominately a climb to work and there are lots of traffic stops, which I've been practicing obeying. AND I was not pushing it! It is going to be so tough staying off the bike the week before the Ride, but I am sure that when we climb Skyline on June 1, I will be glad that I saved up my energy. I'm going to be able to get in a couple more rides to work, another breakfast ride with the Club, and an easy ride on Sunday, before I take the bike to the shop for its pre-ride tune-up. I think I'm going to get misty even as I'm riding on Sunday. I certainly will when I hand my bike over to the mechanics. But, now I should focus a little more on getting my stuff together to make the trip. I WILL be ready! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, May 17, 20085:31 PM17 May 2008 - 14 Days until Day ZeroI did not get in as many miles as I had hoped this past week. I got in a fast ride on Sunday, after talking myself OUT of taking the day off. I'm glad it did; the ride was GREAT! Weather moved into the area, so I tried training in the living room, but I just could not get into it. So, I took a couple days off. It turns out that I needed them! I got back on the road on Friday, but did not think I was doing all that well. When I got home I found out that I had ridden a half a mile an hour FASTER than last Sunday's ride! Today's ride was even better. More climbing, longer distance and just as fast! One can always be more prepared, but I'm pleased with where my training has brought me. I have one more week of road training, but more weather is supposed to move in at the end of the week. Until then, there will be heat (upper 90's), headwinds (15 - 20 mph), and hills. What could be better?! Unfortunately, I did get some bad news though. The Chicken Lady has had a stroke and is recovering. The Ride will not be the same without Ken. Two weeks from tonight, I'll be carb-loading and trying to get some sleep through the excitement and anticipation. I WILL be ready. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, May 10, 200811:44 AM10 May 2008 - 21 Days until Day ZeroIt seems that I have a "Breakthrough" ride now each time I get on the bike! As "St. Martha" Stewart would say, "It's a GOOD thing!" Today, I only needed 29 miles to reach my goal of 170 miles for the week. I rode the 5.6 miles to where the Bike Club meets and my thighs were feeling the wear of training every day for the past three weeks. I told myself that I should really take Sunday off and forget about trying to get in 200 next week. That little negative voice in my head also told me that I should just ride with the slower group, get the miles I wanted to acheive my goal and ride home. Fortunately, I ignored that little voice. Instead, I chose to ride with a faster group that rides farther and climbs more hills. I had an amazing ride! The training, both indoors and outdoors is really paying off. The last time I rode with this group, there were a couple hills I had trouble with. This time around, they were practically a cinch! What a JOY! I was even pleased with my speed as I rode into an 18 mph headwind up a gradual incline for a couple miles. I've grown used to this particular strectch of road being kind of a "wind tunnel" and not in the good way. Headwinds and hills ARE the best coaches. Now, while I would prefer that the headwind not be there, I don't shake my fist at it in frustration anymore. It is what it is....and it's actually HELPING me. So, when I got home, I totalled up my mileage for the week and came up with 179.86 miles. Dang! I should just ride up and down my driveway a couple times to get that last bit, but a number is just a number and I'm very happy with that one. I'll still shoot for 200 this coming week, then I'll taper down and gain energy for The Ride. I've even toyed with the idea of just going out and riding another 20 this afternoon, just to get the 200 THIS week. It still might, but there are TONS of things to attend to at home. Three weeks from today will be Day Zero, Orientation Day. There are several people that I really anxious to see again or for the first. Brent Gannetta in Bike Parking; Glen Rutter, My tentmate from last year; Jeff Smith, who I feel like I know really well at this point, and though our paths have crossed MANY times I have yet to officially meet him; Joe Solmonese (I'll believe it when I see it); and Victorianna Dunn, first-time rider - I cannot begin to tell you what is in store for you! I'm already playing the Opening Ceremony in my head: Lorrie L. Jean's trademark greeting to the Riders and Crew. I KNOW I will have to hold back tears when she declares the Ride officially open. There certainly will be tears when she declares it to be closed, but we've got FOUR weeks until THAT day! I WILL be READY! I AM READY! I will be READIER! Tailwinds! Brian Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, May 7, 200811:04 AM7 May 2008 - 25 Days until Ride OutRainy weather and the threat of severe storms has kept me indoors for most of the week, but I'm still looking to be able to acheive my goal of riding 170 miles this week. When Life hands you lemons, make lemonade...so I've been getting in some interval training in my living room. It's not NEARLY as fun as being on the road, but on the other hand, I can watch TV at the same time! Fortunately, the weather is going to clear tomorrow and be nice through the weekend. Yay! But my river crossing will most assuredly be flooded. That will force me to add about 6 miles to my round-trip from my house to work. Not entirely a bad thing.... I think I'm going to get my 170 miles in this week with relative ease. Who would'a thought it?! I'm now looking to get in 200 miles next week. I should be able to try for that since I get next Friday off. Then it will be time to taper down in anticipation of The Ride. I will be ready...
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, May 4, 20088:39 AM4 May 2008 - 28 Days until Ride Out!Last week's training was productive. A couple days of strong headwinds did not weaken me like they would have last year. I was pleased with that. I got in just over 153 miles for the week, which is farther than I have ever trained in a week. My pulse is lowering on my most heinous hills, which are really not much compared to Quadbuster and the Evil Twins, with headwinds in my face and the climb, it definitely helps! It's going to be a challenge to get in my goal of 170 miles this week. We're expecting rain and severe storms, so I'll have to work on the trainer more and try to get in more miles on the road during the good weather days, including today. Last year, I would have wished more MORE time to train. I could still use it, but I am SO EXCITED this time around. This time is going to be more like a reunion, now that I know more of the riders and crew. Last year, I was more concerned with being able to get every mile, which is fine, and I'm going to go for the same goal this year, but it is less important than the individual (and frequently quite private) reasons that each rider and crew member has for participating. This time around, I'll be a little more focused on that, which I've pretty much kept to myself, with only a couple exceptions... Four weeks from today, we'll be on our way. I WILL be ready! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, April 28, 20083:52 AM28 April 2008 - 33 Days Until Day ZeroI did not get in as many miles as I would have liked this weekend, but I'm still very happy about where I stand. A group of us rode out to climb a hill that I've been eyeing for YEARS! I see it almost every day on the days that I drive the car home. I figured I might be able to make it up a couple times then we could ride back home. When we got there, we found the hill was not easy, but it was also not the challenge that I thought it was going to be. So, we climbed it three times. I was ready to ride a LOT farther Saturday, but I had left things to do for the weekend. Sunday threatened rain for most of the day, The forecast said that it would clear in the afternoon, but by the time it did, I had found other ways to exercise. I rode my trainer in the living room as hard as I think I have EVER ridden it! I've got a traning DVD with intervals which is as good at getting the heart pumping as climbing hills! The big news is that I've got my diary from last year's ride in a useable condition. I'm letting a couple very special people see it first before I let my other friends and supporters see it. There will be a link on my ALC7 webpage in a couple days. I feel like I'm almost ready right now. I weigh a little less than I did last year. My heart rate is better when I'm climbing hills than last year, and I am training more than I did last year. It's odd, last year, I trained more out of fear, because I knew what could happen. Now, it's a joy to train....because I know what can happen. I WILL be ready..... Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, April 22, 20088:16 AM22 April 2008 -39 Days until Day ZeroRode to work this morning. I now wish I had bought my Garmin speedometer earlier. It's fun to see where I have been and how I was doing during the various parts of my training rides. PLUS! It has a backlight so I can read it in the dark during my rides to work, which is the bulk of my training now. The touchy-feeliness of the Ride has already begun. I've been trading Ride Stories with Jeff Smith who is riding again after crewing for five years! Just after my last communication with Jeff this morning, I opened an e-mail from a co-worker who's brother-in-law died of AIDS fourteen years ago. I'll be carrying a ribbon from the memorial service to remember Steven by. Robert and his wife made a donation to the ride five years ago which I gave to the first person I met who needed it. I don't remember her name, but I have her picture in my online diary from ALC2. Between yesterday and today, the memories of my previous three rides and eight or nine crew experiences are flooding back. It's difficult to really relate to them unless you've been there, so I've flooded Jeff with mine, but I love hearing about his as well. There will be at least 2500 different stories riding with us. In addition to Jeff's return to the bike, it's Brent "Mikey" Gannetta's return to crewing! I'm so proud of Mikey and I look forward to seeing him in Bike Parking. Now that I think about it, I was in Bike Parking in Los Angeles when I called him last year to let him know that I had finished every mile. He then wanted to know EXACTLY where that was, which I thought was strange. It was not really, because he and his boyfriend had driven all the way down from San Francisco to see me ride in! Now, he's crewing! Every time I get on the bike, I feel better and better about The Ride. Now, the "pressure" is off since I have ridden the whole thing. It's like Lorrie L. Jean says though: "It's not about making every mile. It's about making every mile you can." (though I hope it's every mile). I'm looking to get in about 125 miles this week, though it's possible that I might get in more, depending on what the weather does. I'll already be halfway there by the time I ride home at lunch today. I WILL be ready. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, April 20, 20083:41 AM20 April 2008 - 41 Days Until Day ZeroOnly six weeks until the ride, which means there are only five weeks left to train. The training is going very well, though it's a little tough to be REALLY ready for this ride by training in Fort Worth. What we would call "hilly" here would be considered a "rather flat" day in California. I exaggerate only slightly. We do have some climbing but nothing like Quadbuster, the Evil Twins, and Pain Pass. Three weeks ago, I rode in a charity ride, west of Fort Worth, which did have some climbing. I was VERY pleased with my ablity. Yesterday, I rode with the faster group with my bike club. They not only ride faster, but they climb more. Their route did not exhaust me the way they usually do. I'm beginning to feel pretty good about my chances of not being sagged this year. I'm pretty proud of the fact that I made it from San Francisco to L.A. under my own power (though I did have to walk about a quarter mile up the hill to Vandeburg AFB). The next five weeks will be more and more intense as I ride the bike to work every chance I get and take longer weekend rides. The springtime weather works against me, but I tell people that they don't have a "special ride" for those people who did not train because it was rainy. I can hardly wait to see what THIS ride has in store. It will be my fourth "long" ride, after two California Rides and one Twin Cities to Chicago Ride. It's strange to think that what started of as being a "Life Goal", is now what I do for my summer vacations. I cannot think of any place else I would rather be for that week. 41 days until Day Zero. I WILL be ready... Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, March 12, 20088:50 AM80 Days Until Day ZeroI have not kept a blog this year like I did last year, but that does not mean I have not been training, though I should have been training more. My training is ramping up in the last two and a half months and I am sure I'll be ready. This will be my fourth LONG ride, and my third LifeCycle, so I know what I'm up against. I also know that it is hard to imagine doing anything else for my summer vacation. I will be ready.... Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb |
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