The Jen Moore's
A time to reflect...Ok...so it's time for me to close out this blog...at least for now my ALC 7 experience is complete. Today Brendan declared our ride the first training ride of ALC 8!!! OMG! Here we go again! I can hardly believe it is over and feel like I've been living in denial all week. I really have had time to sit and contemplate all that happened on the ride. And a lot did! I'll do my best to give you a taste of 7 days and 6 nights of ALC life! Back up to the day before orientation. I drove up with friends to SF. It was a very nice ride up the 101, we were actually able to preview some of the territority that we were about to traverse. That night we met up with other Team UTAC members for a baseball game! Giants vs Padres! And it was Until There Is A Cure night! That was awesome! It was cold but a lot of fun! Back to the hotel for a few hours of sleep before the long orientation day! Day 0 will live in infamy! What a day! We did our best to gather up team mates and friends. We watched the safety video, checked in, got our bracelets and tent chips. I got my new Pos Supporter Jersey that I proudly wear! Like all well laid plans things didn't go as planned and the day stretched on and on. Next year I'll be sure to stop and eat lunch when time allows! After getting back to the hotel my beloved Aaron picked me up for a night of peace and quiet! Fast forward to 4 am and we're up and heading to the Cow Palace! The ride! OMG...it's time! Look! its Team UTAC!!! The first time we're all in our new kits! It was fun to pick each other out of the crowd, gather for pre ride pics, touch base. We watched opening ceremonies...we cried. What were we about to do? Time to head to bike parking....there are our bikes, numbered, lined up in rows. Pull out the bikes, pack on the water bottles...time to go. Scuttle out to the parking lot and begin to pick up pace with the crowd. Our team is close and the need for some of us to stay together was there. We did our best Just a few miles out of start a rider lay on the ground crying out in pain. Normally I would stop, but there are 2500 cyclists now, this isn't our little training ride. I pass as the support vehicles are being called. Heading south west for the rest of the day...over Pacifica which was once my home. South to Santa Cruz. Two flat tires??? I've had good tire luck so far and this was frustraiting! The second time I had to sweep in the van 4 miles to get a new tube. No flats since!!! Day one ends with dinner in a breezy open dining tent and a feeling of accomplishment! The next morning is the day of our century ride. 109 miles or so. We rise excruciating early. Trying to learn the rythm and pace of camp life on the ride. Rise, dress, eat, wash, pack, ride. Or something like that. We were out by 7 am I think. Some of us move faster than others...just a fact of life. Leaving Santa Cruz was slow and meandering...I really didn't mind much other than being in big packs makes me nervous as some riders can be unpredictable. We stopped at The Ugly Mug for free cofee and smoothies! That was fun and just a preview of the rest stop fun to be had! Powered up we ride out to lunch. Along the way we see an amazing site! A female rider atop a 4 foot high unicycle!!! This thing was huge with a big fat tire! She was high in the air, had handle bars, breaks and shin gaurds! What a site! I also had my first glimpse of a rider I'd get to know better throughout the day. We ride on to lunch. We ride to eat. We ride to hit the pit stops, eat bananas, oranges and peanut butter cracker sandwiches. We arrive at lunch to join friends from L.A. and the newest friend I saw on the road joins us. We eat. I'm asked to do an interview on camera?! Say wha? I hug a dear friends before she leaves for the sag bus. It takes humility, courage, and maturity to admit you need to get on the bus. I was so proud of her! Off to do the interview...I cry of course. I talk about Caleb and all that he has meant to our team. The only part that makes it is my crying...just my luck! A hug and we head out. We leave the social scene which is lunch...on the road again. We ride through the countryside head south east now. Some beautiful scenes, pics are taken here and there. Hey it's my name on a real estate sign! Many riders ask if I've seen it later that day! That was great! Look! It's Mom and Dad! ALC heroes who park along the route cheering riders on and giving out surprises like chocolate covered coffee beans! Yay! We ride on...pits here and there. Speeding up and slowing down...head winds, evil cross winds. We make good time. One of the best days was also one of the hardest emotionally. I felt so good to make it in to camp that day. My fastest century I'm sure. Shower, dress, eat, the wind is bitterly cold. I head to my tent to try to stay warm. Day three...some days feel like the just blend together. Was this the day of Quadbuster? I think so! I really need to keep a daily journal next year. I'm riding with the girls today! We leave out of camp best we can and head to pit one. The road is deceptively flat. The grade is low but you can feel it. We stop, we fuel up, we get ready to roll. Today is a day everyone looks forward to. Some will ride this hill over and over again, some will walk it, some like me will ride it once and be grateful. I head out and stop at the one little unnoficial stop along the way. More water...is it hot or am I just that nervous? A lot of riders on the hill and that does scare me a bit. Everyone goes at different paces. I'm not the slowest any longer and I can't just comfortably find my place on the right and spin up the hill. I'm an "on your lefter" now. It feels good to be stronger yet not so great to pass others who seem distressed to hear yet another rider pass by. I do my best...breathe, pedal, pump...thinking of our Mureau mantra of "take this bitch down!"...I hear a familiar voice from the side of the road. Go Jen!!! Oh god...he's taking my pic! I've looked forward to this moment, yet dreaded it at the same time. I'm really doing it, then the moment is gone. I see our beloved Ginger Brewlay! Waving us up the hill like the godess she is! I did it! I'm at the top! I park my bike and walk down a bit to cheer on my mates! Here's one, and another...pushing a rider up the hill feels great! We're here! We did it! We head out. High on our accomplishment, sore from already long days. Hungry for more. We ride into Bradley. Hot, sunny, windy...BBQ!!! An awesome aspect to ALC is that we are able to give back to the small communities we roll through. We gladly pay for hamburgers, hot dogs, buttons the kids made...whatever we can do to help. We gather up with old and new friends for a brief respite. We witness a fellow rider recieve devistating news of her brothers passing. Its a phone call we all dread. Your not here, they're gone. Come home. She did. Day four...the Evil Twins is the challenge for the day. I think there are more than twins?! The hills are challenging...but completely doable. I'm feeling good for my 38 years! I'm a new rider who was lucky enough to ride with great training groups. My Team Ventura and Team UTAC training has served me well. Thank goodness for downhills! We roll and roll and roll...sometimes we're together sometime appart. Today is artichoke day. Instead of stopping at the traditional stop we roll up to a cute little spot before the crowd. It's warm, we sit in regular chairs and dine on steamed artichokes, one of my personal faves! Sure I'll eat your half too! Everyone should have a veteran rider who is willing to go a little slower, enjoy the sites, take you to the secret stops! I feel so lucky! I'm happy! We roll on...We climb, we go fast, we stretch. We're not in a hurry. There's a sense of wanting to get into camp at a decent time but it's not the holy grail some seem to hold. Day five!!! Who can forget RED DRESS DAY!!! I'm still searching through the thousands of pics for me in my costume. I was a pirate wench for the day. We saw everything from bikinis clad boys and lifegaurds, milk maids, bier garten girls, Dinah Shore tennis team, Bling one and two, Candy Canes, santas, lingerie, skirts, tutus of every size and shape...and those that who didn't feel the urge to let their inner drag queen out. That's OK! We rocked and rolled all day. The songs and jokes were randy. The route was short! Yay! They don't tell you there are some good (read challenging) climbs this day! You're all caught up in the fun of the red dresses! And we had fun for sure!!! We climbe the red ribbon hill...it doubles back and when you stop at the top and look back down you see the inspiration for the day. It was awesome! We roll...I forgot my water bottle on the hill. I'm getting tired and dehydrated. OH there's a choice...1 mile to lunch or 6 to camp...I'm on my own at the moment and I decide to roll to camp. I needed some alone time. I grabbed some food in one of the service tents. Have an early shower, lay out on a bench and enjoy the sun. We take our team pics. We look funny! All wind blown and sunned. We head to dinner. Day six...is it really? Could this be coming to a close already? I can't believe I'm still riding pretty strong. It takes time for me to get going out of stops but the movement is still there. I feel good and lucky to be alive. I've been sad, happy, depressed, angry, elated, and loved this week. You're never alone on ALC rides...training or otherwise. I've been luck to give and recieve support from team mates, random folks, roadies and people on the side of the road. I bump into a friend on the road, I hear her tale of visiting the med tent, dehydration...the cyclists enemy. We're riding to lunch, I look back, look forward...omg here comes the ground! Crash! Everything stops, its hot, I hurt, I messed up. Please say we both didn't crash. I'm an idiot...the things that run through your head when you fall. It's humiliating. It hurts. Please let me up, please don't call 911. Nothing is broken but my pride. That was stupid...agreed...yes it was. I get in the sweep van. I go to medical, shook up and tired. There it is...yea you are 38 remember?! Ice my back and bandage my knee...a break on a cot. My team takes care of me...what a concept?! My bike gets some much needed TLC...and so do I. I check out of med, eat lunch and slowly ride in. This was a hard day. The aches and pain make themselves known. I'm alone on familiar territory and its bittersweet. We roll through Carpenteria, the 101, Rincon parkway...I've ridden here many times now. I get separated again and am missing familiar faces. I ride onto the beach path and lose my composure. I'm nearly home, I hurt. I need a hug in a bad way. I park my bike and walk out to a huge surprise. My Uncle is standing there! What? I nearly pass out from emotional exhaustion! We get our gear, set up the tent and he heads out. I'm depleted. I barley make it to dinner thanks to pizza that was brought to me. I hear the announcements, we gather for a 3000+ candlit vigil. Its an emotional time. To think it's been 27 years of HIV/AIDS. I leave my messages in the sand for those that have passed. For those that continue to fight. For those I have yet to meet. We cry. We extinguish our fire in the lapping ocean. It's not that cold, but, again to my lonley tent after checking in with friends. I don't bother to set up the matress. I feel unworthy of creature comforts. I want to sleep in the sand. Day seven? Really? It's been that long and that quick? We're already home so the course is known. Its comforting to my pained body. We're taking our time. Crusing down the coast. Held up at a road closure, more and more pictures. I'm grateful for the cameras capturing moments I'll likely not remember. I ride with my constant companion. I'm blessed. We make to How's in Trancas canyon...this is our hood baby! We have yummy coffee drinks, snacks, snap yet more pics! Gather our energies and friends. Sirens, trucks, red...you know it isn't good. Another cyclists hits the ground and is out. So close. My heart sinks for them. That could have been me so suck it up and don't complain. We roll to Peets just outside the VA...this had to be one of the best times of the week. A line of Team UTAC members showing thier love, dedication, and enthusiasm for the ride, riders and roadies passing by. We wait, we gather everyone of us. We roll...we're a presence on the ride. All of us ride in 3 abreast into the VA...friends, family, strangers. We're home! I can hardly believe it. A familiar voice calls out from the crowd. Two little faces have been waiting to see me. Its almost more than I can bare. I hope that HIV will be a thing of the past when they are of age. They hug...we hug, we take pictures! I am grateful for this moment in time. Closing ceremonies come and go...I'm tired. I'm ready for a real shower, a meal, sleep. I make it home I don't know how. Driving is surreal. My senses are hightened from 7 days of riding outdoors. I make it home to those two little faces. And today I ride with a brand new rider. A lunch roadie turned rider. I'll be able to share my experiences with her and many others this year. I've already registered for ALC 8! I love cycling, I love my Team. We've got big things on the horizon and I don't want to miss a second of it. I know I've missed moments and people in this blogg. Its impossible for me to write it all down. I met people from all around the world, every shape, size, gender, and motivation. Some do it to memorialize those gone, some do it for the personal challenge, some do it because the mission is real. HIV/AIDS should be a thing of the past. For many, like my beloved friends, our Caleb...it is not. It is real. Please let the last rides be on the horizon so that the cure can be real. So that we can ride to support the cure, UNTIL every last person with HIV/AIDS is cured. I'll ride. Through aches, pains, personal sacrifice and fun. I'll ride.
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The Jen's latest blog entry:
Saturday, May 24, 2008 
The Ride Doesn't End Until AIDS Does!!!
The Jen's Goal: $3,000.00
Current Total: $2,606.34 |
The Jen's LinksSan Francisco AIDS Foundation
Support Caleb Gover!!!
Until There Is A Cure!
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The Jen's BlogSaturday, May 24, 20084:54 PMCatching up and getting ready...I first sent out and email and posted a blog elsewhere *8* months ago about this journey to ALC. The time is nearly here! This time next Saturday I'll be in S.F. with Aaron and Wade checking my bag, setting out my gear for the next morning...contemplating what I'm about to do. Next Sunday I'll set off from The Cow Palace along with 2,500 other cyclists and 500+ support volunteers! I wouldn't have made it with out you. No matter who YOU are, if you are reading this you've likely had some hand in my journey. From the friends, family and co-workers who generously donated in my name, along with listening to my adventures and reading countless blogs and email updates. To the new family I've acquired, my team mates of Team UTAC, and all the ALC riders and staff. What an amazing outpouring of support, kindness and generosity of spirit. This isn't a race, it's not really about the ride. It's about letting people know that AIDS is still a reality. It's about raising real money for real people. I'm so very grateful for all that I've experienced thus far, both highs and lows! So starting June 1st think of me. Think of all of us as we trek down from SF to L.A. Think of 27 years of HIV/AIDS. Think of Caleb. Think about joining me next year! On a bike, serving breakfast, loading trucks, handing out snacks, massaging sore bodies. You too can be a part of Aids/Lifecycle 8. It's nearly time to start the cycle over again. But first...be safe, be well, and thank you. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, April 29, 20088:30 AMI would cycle 100 miles...Then 100 more...just to honor you! I did it! I still can hardly believe it. Mentally it hasn't quite kicked in yet. Physically...oh yeah! My legs are sore today! We departed Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica early Saturday morning and steadily made our way up the coast to Malibu, Oxnard, Ventura and eventually Santa Barbara. We made brief stops at the pits and lunch along the way. I got to ride intermitently with some of my friends, Erin, Brian, Gina, Eric, Team OC (oh no!), but mostly and thankfully my pal Valerie. I felt my hill skills were coming along quite well on Saturday. I was able to climb some of them not so much faster, but not having to drop way down into the granny gear. That made me feel good. We were challenged by hot cross winds, cramping, dizzyness, nearly being hit, heckling, etc. You know what...we just keep going. It's what we do.
After a quick shower and some clean clothes we headed out to Mexican food in SB...I have to say that was damn tasty! I was sooo hungry and the company was great. Never a dull moment with Team UTAC around that's for sure! A brief walk back to the hotel and we hit the sack. Some great laughs and out we were!
Sunday morning we headed down for breakfast on the go and dropped off our gear. Leaving late at 8am the sun was up and the air was warm! Val and I did our best to leave of with the front group. It didn't take long for them to pull ahead though. That's ok. It takes me a few miles to warm up and the body wasn't cooperating. We started to fly down the coast, stopping at every pit along the way for water. The temperatures rose, the wind flew. Worst weekend ever the veterans told us...oh my! We took it slow. Sure it would have been nice to be in hours earlier. My philosophy is that what is important is that I ride every mile, that I'm safe, that I'm healthy. I also don't like to leave anyone behind. If a friend or stranger is hurt or having challenges...I'm going to stop, slow down, do what it takes to get them what they need. I'm at my best when I'm helping others. It's what I love to do, it feels good to me. After a long 66 miles we ate lunch and popsicles! Our teammate and dear friend Eric took us home by staying with us all the way from Malibu to Santa Monica. This was my leg of the ride to need support. My lunch didn't settle at all. All the power gel this and elctrolyte that felt like it was up in my chest. My pace was slowing. The traffic was ugly. I had to stop at one point just to collect myself. When I'm tired I start to think of all the people I love and miss...it was overwhelming. A big hug and words of support from Eric and we were on our way. Riding into Santa Monica felt good...seeing people I love at the end cheering, applauding, honking horns and hugging us was so worth the pain and anxiety I had just went through. I had a good emotional release after that. It's two days later and I'm just starting to realize all that happened over the weekend. I, me, myself peddaled my bike 200 miles...that is a miracle! And yes the big ride is going to be longer and harder...but I'm ready. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb 8:28 AMButtons Of Hope!!Hey Everyone, Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, April 6, 20081:53 PMBeautiful PCH!!!Hey everyone, Thanks for everyone’s continued love and support!
P.S. I'm hosting a fund raising Massage A Thon on May 9th in Encino~ stay tuned for details! You don't want to miss it! ;) Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, April 1, 20084:32 PMCaleb...Hey friends! It's time for me to write more about Caleb. I had the oppurtunity this past Sunday to ride 30 miles in Caleb's honor. That was fun...and easy. What was amazing was what came next. Myself, other members of Team UTAC, friends of ours, and other Caleb supporters gathered at the Beverly Hills home of Chris Spencer. We all got cleaned up and waited anxiously for three very special guests. Sylvia, Dick and Caleb. As they arrived Dick and Sylvia exited the car with Caleb in arms. Caleb isn't your typical 3 year old. He's HIV+ and has Cerebral Palsy. He look *tiny* in Sylvia's arms. It was obvious that Caleb had been sleeping. I was overcome with emotion. This child is beyond beautiful. His spirit shines so brightly it is almost too much to bear at times. We all welcomed them with open arms and "high fives" from shy, soft spoken Caleb. After a bit of time for the family to settle in we all gathered around while Brian Hodes told the story of how Caleb became a part of our lives. Then Chris Spencer was able to present a check for $10,000 to Caleb's parents to help with his medical and living expenses. It was an amazing moment. If you haven't read the Poz article this month you might not know that Dick, Caleb's father has cancer and is only expected to live another 18 months. Caleb's own life expectancy is 4 more years. The family was also presented little pins that were cyclists with angel wings. One for each! After tears were shed, hands clapped and more high fives and pictures were taken. Then the *real* party started!!! Valerie, Erin, Brendan, and I jumped in the pool with Caleb! It was an amazing two hours! We passed Caleb around as he "swam" and played "shark" pretending to take chomps out of us! It was great! He was determined to play with the other children in the pool and tried pushing off me into the water on his own many times! The boy has spunk!!! I can't express how deeply touched I was to be in his presence, to bask in his loving aura. This child is doing more for awareness of HIV than he'll ever know. He shines like a million suns! Eventually we were able to convince him it was time to get out, after three other cyclists gave in! :) All dried and warm the family proceeded back out to the driveway to the awaiting car. Again...overcome with emotion yet better able to maintain. Now I wait. I wait to ride, to see Caleb again. He, Sylvia and Dick will be out the weekend the ride finishes in L.A. with the Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric AIDS Foundation. I ride for you Caleb...for my friends Aaron and Wade. I ride for those who can not. For those who need the services of the SFAF. I ride Until There is A Cure, and then I'll ride to support The Cure. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, March 25, 20088:28 PMTraining Ride Leaders!!!Where would a newbie ALC rider be with out our fantastic TRLs??? I'd be lost and ill prepared that is for sure! A few months ago I had no clue weather I'd be able to complete 50 miles...let alone 3 times now. Or 75 miles! Who knew? They knew! They, them, those people. Those crazy TRLs! Each has a story to tell, each has unique experience, each has more compassion, love and kindness hard wired into them then most people I know! They organize us, keep us safe, feed, watered, and moving. Yeah moving! Moving up hills! No matter how fast or slow. Moving through traffic! Yikes! They work harder than any other cyclist I know. They slow down on hills people!!! They wait, they are patient, they push...push us to do our best. Better than we would ever imagine. They inspire, they make us laugh, they are the story tellers, the guides, the leaders. They don't do it for money baby! They do it for the love! The satisfaction of seeing us grow, develop and succeed! And for this I love each and everyone of them dearly! I wouldn't be where I am today without you ladies and gentlemen! xoxoxoxoxoxoooooo to eternity! Have you hugged a TRL today???
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, March 16, 20088:22 PMLife is...like a topographic map...that's all for today. Much love, jen Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, March 9, 20088:44 AMWhat a feeling!Yay! I had an uneventful ride! Haha! If you've been following my training ride bloggs you'd noticed a pattern of mishaps! Well no longer my friends! I've gotten my bike "fitted" and some new pedals/shoes. I rode so well yesterday I could hardly believe myself! It wasn't as challenging a ride as I've been on lately, but still! All that energy I've been putting into the bike actually had some effect. I wasn't last! Woot! In fact I came in not too long after the first crowd! Lunch at Hamburger Mary's after was awesome! My other challenge! Fundraising is still going slowly. I know that it will happen, I know I'll be on that ride! It is a challenge for me right now. I am going to change up my game plan a bit and write some letters to local businesses. I've tapped all my friends and family! I'm sure you guys are tired of the emails by now! ;) Oh oh oh!!! Caleb's coming to California!!! I can hardly wait to meet this little love! I'll be riding in the Paul Hulse Century ride on the 29th (that's a 100 miles people!!!). And the next day going for an easy 30 mile ride before a luncheon in Caleb's honor. If you haven't please visit www.supportcalebglover.com Take it easy...off to the gym! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, March 2, 20085:53 PMNever a dull moment!That's how my rides go! Yeah! So Friday I finally got my bike fit done. It took quite some time but the bike feels so much better! My "lbs" Ragatz in Santa Paula is so great, Tony Ragazt fixed me up good and not for much dough. So Saturday morning came...I headed out to Siera Madre just East of Pasadena for a training ride with the Chain Gang. Much to my dismay it was cold and wet. I had inadvertantly left my gloves and arm warmers at home and had yet to buy any wet weather gear. So I emptied my wallet on some cheap gloves, arm warmers and a vest. We suited up and off we went. About 15 minutes into the ride my right pedal slowly started to slide then come completely off the spindle. At this point the entire group sans 4 people had passed me up. I thought I was going to end up walking back to the shop and go home alone. Luckily TRL Doreen rode back with me, meanwhile said peddle dissapeared into a grate somewhere on the way back. We slowly rode back, Chris the owner put a pedal on and off we went. We cut across to the Rose Bowl and up Lido--oh my! It was a great climb! I did the whole thing and only stopped once for a sip of water. I made all the hills this time! While we caught up with some of our friends we definitely ended up in caboose-land as usual! I know I could have done much better than I did...the weather, peddle, getting behind kinda messed with my head. I also had a lot of other stuff going on in my head. Its such a good time to clear my mind and organize my thoughts. This ride was kind of sketchy at times due to a lot of starts and stops and traffic. Either way we made it back and in the light rain no less. I dont' think it ever warmed up over 55 degrees...completely soaked by the time we got in. It took me all night to get warm again...then up at 3 am to work at the Marathon. I'm tired!!! Still looking to raise some more money for the ride..a little less than $2,000! I know it will happen, I've got to pound the pavement and write some more letters!!!
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Friday, February 29, 200812:22 PMGratitude...I'm so thankful for those who have donated so far. You're contribution will not only support me on the ride, but, more importantly support those who live day to day with HIV/AIDS. So today I say Thank You to Mark, My Parents, Katie, Shelley, and Shaun. You all rock my world! And thank to those who have sent messages of support! It's always such a surprise and a boost to receive those! Much love!!! Jen Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, February 24, 200810:11 PMRain rain go away! Or...Please just rain Monday through Friday! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, February 17, 20082:38 PMCalabassas!Wow! What a great ride! Another 50 miles down! This ride really was harder than the last. More rolling hills than the Ojai ride. Even the last 5 miles kicked my bum! I did walk up the last little hill which would have been completely doable if I had one ounce of energy left! On the fudraising front...still going a bit slow. I'm so grateful for those that have donated so far. I still have some ideas to inspire people. Still working on my letters, crafty ideas...and just plain sticking my hand out! I wonder if people understand that EVERY dollar counts! $1-infinity. If I had a dollar for every page view here I'd have over $1000 by now! I doubt its my gorgeous face that keeps you coming back! Much love! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, February 13, 20088:47 AMMy First Half-Century!No I'm not 50 years old yet! I'm still working on fundraising. It is kind of frrustrating at the same time it is so gratifying to see that number inch up. I'm not able to put money in there myself at this time. I'm still scrounging up money for gear-shorts, jerseys, socks, camping stuff, et. I'm going to post something on my car/car window since I sit in L.A. traffic nearly every day someone is bound to write down my rider number (1898 by the way) and donate! Every dollar counts! Every message of support keeps me modivated! Please share the link above with all your friends and family. You don't have to ride one little mile or climb one quad busting hill! I'll do the work! You help me reach my fundraising goal! Become a sponsor and I'll ride with a jersey dedicated to you, a friend, or your business! Peace!!! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, January 13, 200810:43 AMTEAM VENTURA!!!Hello All! Well I went on my second training ride with Team Ventura yesterday! This team loves begginers and I highly recomend riding with them if you have a chance! This week was a repeat of the last ride I went on with them. However! I was able to make the longer (45) mile route this time! The ride is called "The Double Gobernador" because we traverse Gobernador canyon on our approach and retreat from Carpenteria. My first ride I had been sick and really in no shape to be riding. I barely made it up one hill and opted for the shorter/quicker route. This time inspired by my two fellow begginers I rode out the longer ride. Not without challenges of course! Something is up with my cleats/shoes. Both cleats at different times came unscrewed from the shoes and stuck in my pedals. The ride back was frustraiting and painful to say the least. But I did it! That's the most climing I've done and I know I'll do it even better next time. As is our "Habbit" we had burgers at The Habbit in Ventura after. Boy do those burgers taste good after that ride! Our next ride will be on my birthday 1/27 Ventura to Ojai! I can hardly wait! Next weekend is the L.A. kickoff party! I'm so excited to go and meet more cyclist! On another note...fundraising is not going as easily as I had hoped. I had some great ideas that wont come to fruition. However I am planning a fundraising party! Come party with me! $10 at the door...perhaps a silent auction, some gouremt snacks, music, ect. I'm also seeking other bodworkers to put together a "massage-a-thon" in the L.A. area. So lots of ideas...we'll see! I look forward to hearing from YOU! Be well! jen Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, January 2, 200810:55 AMGood Advice and Inspiration!A good friend of mine spent his winter break in OC., usually he's habitating in Berkeley, CA. I was able to drag Mark out of the house for a ride last week! Now Mark is a very experience cyclist, tri athlete, cyclo-cross rider. I myself am an infant in the whole cycling game. So riding with Mark is intimidating to say the least. Not that he is! So we drove out to the coast on a typically brisk and overcast morning. We rode from just north of Dana Point up to Huntington Beach area and back. Its a nice ride with rolling elevations. A bit challenging but overall a really nice ride! A bit of advice that Mark gave me was to continue to ride with cyclist who are more experienced. I'll definitely be doing that with Team Ventura! An an inspiration! Mark and I stopped for our Venti Chai Lattes. After a bit of a respite and cooling down our muscles and warming up our insides we prepared to set off. A thing about Mark that I admire is that he reuses or returns his coffee sleeves after use. I had seen this before and it had made an impact on me but I hadn't given it too much thought just yet. Then yesterday I was trying to come up with some new and creative fundraising ideas. Some plans I had proposed at work had fallen through so it's time to get back to the drawing board. What did I come up with???! Reusable coffee sleeves! Now its not new or unique. I did find some very crafty ladies out there selling very cute, very well put together hand made knitted and fleece sleeves. So what to do? I put together a nifty little pattern for fleece sleeves with ribbon ties at the ends. I'm going to sew these up this week and send them out to my friends and family with a letter about AIDS/LifeCycle. I'll also be distributing them around town and taking "orders" with 100% of the proceeds going into my ALC donations page. I am posting this hoping that someone will be inspired to use a simple idea to make a little "change" to help make a big change. If you want to use this idea...that's great too! If your cup is looking to snuggle into one of these soft, warm, cozy sleeves please click the donate button at the top right corner of the page and deposit $20 (or more). The money goes directly to ALC. Once your donation comes through I'll send a pair of sleeves to you! Donate more and I'll send some for your friends too! Spread the word! Thank you so much~
Happy New Year!
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, December 23, 20077:22 PMFirst Group Training Ride!Yay! I went on my first official training ride yesterday! I rode with Team Ventura, what a great group! I am so lucky to be able to ride with these cyclist! When they say they love beginners they aren't kidding! They were so great, helping with encouragement, advice, and pure love of riding! These are experienced ALC riders and it shows! We set out from Ventura around 8:30 am and rode steadily north to Carpenteria and back. I took one real hill...it kicked my butt. I feel like I spent December fighting off and eventually succumbing to a myriad of cold virus. I wasn't as prepared as I would like to have been...but I made it! Thank goodness for Casey and Richard our training ride leaders. They learned me good on my gears and the "head game" of long distance cycling. It is a beautiful ride that I hope to take a few certain people on. Our break at Coffee Bean in Carpenteria was great! Lunch at The Habbit tasted so good after those 35 miles! :) I feel like my bike and I are starting to really get to know each other now. I now know I truly need a new bike seat...I'm looking at the Terry Firefly. Hopefully next month! Well...that's about it. Next month I start spin classes at my local gym...that should help cause baby it's cold outside! I hope everyone is well and having a great holiday season! Come ride with me! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Friday, October 12, 20075:19 PMGetting started!Hello all! Thank you so much for stopping by my page! If you do not already know me here's a little bit about me and why I'm doing the Ride! First off I'm "The Jen" as students at NHI (National Holistic Institute http://www.nhi.edu) know me! ;) I am a massage therapist and instructor at NHI in Encino, CA. Through high school I loved getting out on the weekends and riding as far and as fast as I could. Not that I could keep up with the veteran road riders! I loved the wind in my face and the feeling of real freedom! Since then I hate to say that my mileage has been a little low. Other things have taken my time over the years. All good and all for the best! Rewind to about 10 years ago I first heard of this AIDS ride down the coast. At that time I was living in the Bay Area working as a cook and had set a goal that "someday" I would do the ride! Well one thing I've learned since then is that "someday" never really comes! In order to do a thing one has to set a SMART goal! It has to be Specific-Measurable-Attainable-Realistic-Timely and for me at that time participating in the ride was not a SMART goal. Now I am friends with a wonderful person who has ridden the ride 2x in the past! We work together at NHI and will be training and fund raising together! Not only that, students are starting to become interested and one has already registered and bought his bike! His friends are also getting on board! Yay! So here I am! I've registered, emailed the powers that be at work about my intentions, informed friends and family. Set my goals and made my commitments! Now I am seeking an either donated or used bike in my budget, gear, setting out on my fund raising adventures! I will be hosting a "massage-athon" after the first of the year. Instead of gifts I'll be asking friends and family to donate! The Why you might ask? As many see it and so do I AIDS is a pandemic. It is color blind, non-racist, non-gender biased, crosses all political and social boundaries. It is a thing that can be fought with technology. Technology takes money! Money is something I can help gather. I am doing this for friends who have been taken, are HIV+, the many men and women who are infected each day all over the world. I am doing this to educate anyone I can about HIV/AIDS and what we can all do to fight against this disease. I am doing this for my children, for the future. Thanks for reading my ramblings. Rest assured there will be more! And don't forget to click on the donate button "early and often!" Jen Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb |
jen
No real training this weekend. Rode up to Balcom Canyon to watch the cyclists of the Tour of California come through. That was fun and quite exciting! No rides today so I worked on fund raising materials. Made some cool looking "business cards" with my rider number and info. I also made a peelable sticker for my car window...that was a bust as the black lettering blends in too well with the tinted windows! Back to the drawing board! I hope YOU had a fabulous weekend! I'm off for some cookies and milk! Ssshh! 
Better calorie intake next time and I think I'll be good. I met some awesome training ride leaders this weekend! Brian, Brendan, Alan, and Mark. They gave me even more wonderful advice. At times I feel a bit overwhelmed and of course everyone has a different take on how you should do things in the moment. I wish I could absorb all that advice and try to peddle as quickly as I can! Either way the love and support keeps me going. The inpriation of these cyclist, those living with HIV/AIDS, those who need our help. They keep my cycling. What do I have to complain about? Being tired and having a sore ass? So the riding continues each weekend. I'm also going to go for short rides Tues/Thurs. 
I rode my first 50 (actually 52) miles all in a row this past Sunday! I'm scheduling training rides every weekend now. It wasn't easy! We started out in Ventura and rode East towards Santa Paula then North over Ojai Summit. That hill is a biggie and seriously kicked my butt! I did it though, and not without the amazing support of Team Ventura training ride leaders! I can only hope (at this time) to be able to coach someone through 1900 feet of climbing some day! After a quick break in beautiful downtown Ojai we were off to Lake Casitas then curved back down into Ventura. It was such a great feeling to finish this ride and know that I rode every mile even if I had to stop here and there. My training ride leaders have really educated me on how to maintain my heart rate and energy levels. I think I'll only get better from here. This Saturday I'll be doing another half-century, this time with the group in Calabassas. In March I'll be doing a "Double Century" from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara and back over two days! Woot! I know this is the trial I need to get through to have the confidence to do the entire AIDS ride. |
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