Kathan Griffis's AIDS/LifeCycle Blog

The Road to Downieville!

Fri, 23 May 2008 06:44:00 PST

I did a 65-mile ride to Downieville and back yesterday, with Ronnie and Christopher. This is Highway 49 all the way. Some steep climbing until you hit the north fork of the Yuba, then it's a relatively flat 12 miles or so along that beautiful river into the tiny mountain hamlet of Downieville. Chris and Ronnie took it easy, for my sake, and that was very kind. I had TWO flat tires on the way up, so this really slowed us down. We had lunch, and then I sent the boys on their way home. They were both in a hurry to be home by 5, and I WASN'T! I do much better riding on my own, than feeling the stress of trying to keep up. I took a nice leisurely ride home, stopping for pictures and rest breaks. Even so, I think I was only about 40 minutes behind them in the end.

There was a little bit of hectic traffic, as there was some road work up the hill. So, huge double trailers passing me on the downhill, with all their noise and diesel fumes, and the wind screaming in my ears. As I crossed the North Fork and started heading up hill, there was a strange transition to no sounds at all, just my heavy breathing, the rushing river below, the songs of birds, and a three-mile climb in front of me.

Only one more serious training ride this weekend, and then spending next week doing my final fundraising push, and getting myself (and Katie) psyched to ride!

It's awfully hot for May...

Sun, 18 May 2008 11:35:00 PST

On Thursday it was "Ride Your Bike to Work" Day. Since my friend Cyndra and I are "job-free", we decided to ride up to Ruby's plant sale. This was pretty much a straight uphill grind for about 15 miles. Which would've been fine but for the fact that it was 100 degrees and we headed out from Mother Truckers at 3 pm! Man, it was HOT. Hydrated a lot and took occasional pit stops. Made me realize how lucky we were on last year's AIDS ride that the temps were cooler. In fact, I seem to remember dealing with the cool temps more than the hot. Cyndra and I rode at a pretty even pace, so that was really nice for me to have someone that I was really riding WITH! Of course the downhill was SWEET! We didn't leave till around 6.

Last night was my fundraiser and it was a huge success! Everyone had a fantastic time and feeling the support was amazing! The band just rocked the house, and then the Haute Trash show brought it down! It was surely one of the best audiences we've had in a while. All the dresses in the show were red, in honor of the ride. We had about 16 outfits and a dozen models. HUGE thanks to them: Cirrus, Karina, Robin, Katie, Aria, Racheel, Jordana, Judy, Nicole, Felicia, Ronnie, Cyndra, Jose and Ruby! A super fun night for me, as all three of my kids were there! Katie came down from Oregon. I don't have an exact figure on what we raised yet, we are going to get a cut of the bar sales as well. We definitely raised over $1000. Katie and I will both need to continue fundraising, and in the end, we will divide it up between us as needed.

The heat continues and it's hard to get out and ride, but I hope to later this evening.

Down to the Wire

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:02:00 PST

Wow, I can't believe that the ride is just around the corner now! I am frankly freaked out at both my lack of training, AND my lack of funds! It's been a really rough year. I'm only just over half way to my goal and I'm facing the fact that I might have to "self-pledge" if I don't meet my minimum. NOT a fun prospect, but I'd hate to give it all up at this point. Well, I will see how much my fundraiser and raffle bring in this weekend, and go from there. The fundraiser is for both Katie and I. She's coming down from Bend to take part in the festivities. We've got some great red dresses lined up for our "Red Dress Fashion Show"!

I'm kept WAY too busy with all this fundraising and it's hard to find the time to ride. I think the longest ride I've done this training season is 70 miles! Yikes! Well, I try not to concern myself with that part of it. It's really great to feel the support from all my friends for the fundraiser. I love you all!

I've signed up to do the "gabcast" again this year. You will see it displayed here on my homepage, and when I'm on the ride, I can call in and give a voice report, which you can open and listen to! Pretty cool! I really enjoyed doing this last year, and folks say they looked forward to hearing about how the days are going. It's a good way for me to remember what each day was all about. The days all begin to just meld together when you're out on a 7-day bike ride!

Final Weeks...

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:20:00 PST

Getting down to the wire here and trying to stay out of panic mode! I caught a nasty cold, and trying to recuperate from that has kept me off my bike for over a week, but I'm about ready to jump back on and get with it! Just got a minor tune up today, so the rig is ready. This has been a really trying year, between the fund raising and lack of riding time. But I feel like I'll be strong enough to do the ride. Katie and I joke with each other that we can always ride the sag wagon! But we hope it won't come to that!!

Finding the Time to Ride

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:35:00 PST

Same old blues, with trying to find the time to ride lately. Been really really busy, and now I've been sick for a few days and feel like I really need to just take it easy at the moment. Just one more month to get in all the training rides I can! I did manage to get down to a group ride a couple weekends ago, it was out of Folsom. We rode to Auburn, and Cool, and then down Salmon Falls Road back into Folsom. It was overall an enjoyable ride, but I have to say: that stretch of Highway 49 between Auburn and Cool -- definately NOT Cool!! It may have been the most scared I've ever been on my bike. Not only is there no shoulder for most of the way, there are places where the highway is actually crumbling away. We were told to not be afraid to take the lane in those places, but that's not very reasonable, when you are pedaling uphill at 5 mph and there are angry trucks behind you. It was hateful.

Once we got onto Salmon Falls, it was a comparative paradise! This really is a beautiful ride, with a nice mix of up and down, and some stunning views of the high sierra. It was a fun group, with about eight of us. I've become bored with all the rides I can do from home, and the cost of fossil fuel has gotten so ridiculous that I hate to have to DRIVE somewhere to ride, but I guess I'm going to have to do one or the other!

107 Miles Last Weekend!

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:46:00 PST

It was two solid days of riding this past weekend. On Saturday, a group of six of us rode out of Grass Valley, up Banner Mountain then down through Lake of the Pines. Then the grueling climb up Wolf Road and McCourtney. It was a total of 5000 feet of climbing in 50 miles! Yes, it's true that I cried on this route last year, but I made it through unscathed this time!

Sunday we went down to Sacramento for a 57-mile ride. Though I was kind of sore, I was relieved that this ride featured only 1500 feet of elevation gain. It was mostly on the American River Trail, though we left it in Folsom, and rode up into El Dorado Hills for the climbing segment. Through neighborhoods of obnoxiously huge homes. (Strange how these neighborhoods seem uninhabited. You never see anyone out in the yard...what's up with that??) There were about a dozen folks on this ride, and I met some wonderful new riders. Found my pace somewhere in the middle of the pack. Weather was great, and it just looks like more of the same.

To say that I am struggling in my fundraising would be a massive understatement! I've got to do something, and QUICK! I am going to try to plan a fundraiser of some sort for May. And I'm doing a raffle. I'll surely keep everyone updated on my fundraising efforts.

Riding in the City by the Bay

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:01:00 PST

Our ride in Sacramento on Saturday was essentially rained out. After leaving at 6 am to get there, it was more than just a mist that was falling when Ronnie and Paul and I reached the Nimbus Dam. Somehow, riding 60 miles in the rain was unappealing, so Ronnie and I decided to just head on down to the city and hope for better weather and the chance to RIDE! Midday in San Francisco was kind of grey and dreary, but we hopped on our bikes and did some fun pedalling around the city. From Fort Mason, down through the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, then down the coast a bit. A loop around Lake Merced and back (stopping at yard sales along the way!) allowed us to clock 30 miles. The afternoon turned sunny and warm, and that warmth carried through to Sunday.

Sunday's ride met at the County Fair building near GG Park. There were over 200 riders on this loop through Tiburon! This was the ride that I got lost on last year, so I was determined not to let THAT happen again! I managed to stay with group this time, and I actually paid attention to the route sheet (novel idea!). I am encouraged by the fact that the hills are like nothing to me. The mile and half climb over Camino Alto pales in comparison to our foothills! Probably the most intense climbing on this ride comes when you leave Sausalito and head back for the Golden Gate bridge. The ride was delightful and so was the company.

After the ride was the ALC Expo. Lots of great deals and great information, and just camaraderie in general. I got an excellent massage on my sore neck and shoulders, and, FOR ONCE, I had to wait for Ronnie to get back (he was the "sweep" on the last leg of the ride). I am inspired to keep up the intense riding.

Sunny Southern California

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:05:00 PST

I've just spent several days down in the Ojai area. The weather's sunny and warm, near 80 degrees, and bringing my bike was the best idea yet! First day here, I went for a ride with my friend, Dale. We rode up to a summit on Highway 150, which provided a stunning view of the lush and green Ojai valley. A nice steady climb and then a thrilling downhill rush. The heavy scent of orange blossoms in the air is intoxicating! There are bike trails everywhere here, as always, this makes me wish I lived in a more bike-friendly area!

Next day, I rode solo on the Ventura River bike trail, down to Ventura, about 15 miles. This was an amazing trail, the scenery ran the gamut: from woodsy green riverside, trumpet vines and tall eucalyptus trees, to gnarly industrial yards, oil rigs and chain link fences. Rode along the beach for a while before heading back up. The uphill wasn't too bad. I got a flat though, stopping to take a photo, I ran over a thorn. I was feeling pretty good about my tire-changing skills, and thought I would time myself. I managed it very quickly, but then as I was packing up my tools, I realized that I had put the faulty tube back on the bike! So much for a quick change!

I'm heading home tomorrow, so I can get back in time to head out for a weekend of riding: Saturday in Sacramento, and Sunday in San Francisco. It's also the ALC Expo, so I'm looking forward to that.

Miles and miles and miles...

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:48:00 PST

I got in a lot of riding this week, over a hundred miles, but I'm not sure it's ENOUGH! I rode to town and back three times! It IS a lot, pulling these hills. Sometimes I think that I like riding by myself better than with a group. My "alpha dog" nature is to be out in front, and when I'm riding with riders who are younger and stronger than me, that is not the case! I get more easily discouraged when people have to wait up for me, though of course everyone is really nice about it.

Pulling Bitney Springs hill on Thursday just about did me in! On the other hand, taking highway 49 home from Nevada City has become pretty painless. A super sweet 6 mile downhill, and you are pretty much going as fast as the cars, so traffic is not really an issue like I once thought it was. Then the uphill section is very managable. Anyways, I hang in there and I usually finish pretty strong. I feel like all I can do is ride MORE! And that's in the plans! Next weekend, I'm going to do a 65 and a 44, back to back. (Sacramento and San Francisco). AND, I am road tripping to southern California this week, and will take my bike along for some serious riding adventures. Tune in for reports on all that.

I got my bike tuned up, and it's feeling great, almost $200 later! It's all good, I like spending money on my bike. It's very reliable, and very inspiring! As is the fantastic weather we've been having.

Flat Frenzy

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:23:00 PST

The weather's been perfect for riding! Go out with a light windbreaker and usually come home without it. On Sunday, Paul and I took on the Moonshine Road loop. I hit a pot hole pretty hard and got a flat, about a third of the way up. I was without a spare, so I borrowed Paul's, he broke the stem off in trying to help pump it up with my cheezy little road pump! So I had to repair mine. There were two good sized holes, like fang marks. I tried two patches and they didn't hold. I am too impatient to let the glue dry properly! So Paul gave it a try, and it held through the rest of the ride. I think this was the longest ride (25 miles) that I have been on since November. That's sad.

Today I got home early in the afternoon and Ronnie and I rode to Bridgeport. Just in case that wasn't enough hill climbing, we took Birchville for some additional torture. No, I exaggerate, it's not that bad. And I realize that I don't need to be just RIDING every day, I need to be PUSHING MYSELF. Ronnie's good for that. So I was going to pump up that back tire before leaving and the freakin' stem breaks off! Arrrggghhh! Then the spare that I thought was good had a hole in it! I was about to call Ronnie and cancel, but I patched it with my little "New Belgium Fat Tire" repair kit and it worked like a charm. Okay, I guess I need to break down and buy some new tubes! The bike is also needing a tune up, so I think I'll take it in on Wednesday, and move over to mountain biking for a few days!

Riding in Santa Cruz

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:57:00 PST

My trip to the bay area was fun, it felt like a mini vacation when we headed down to Santa Cruz to visit friends. I was glad I had brought my bike. Though I never got in a ride in the city, I DID get out in Santa Cruz. The weather was perfect, and it's the off season. (Unfortunately, this meant the roller coaster was closed on weekdays!) We went out to West Cliff Drive, and I rode my bike while my friends walked. For me it was mostly an exercise in managing crowds and practicing bicycle courtesy, lots of walkers, runners, baby strollers, etc. I truly enjoyed the ride along the ocean. I went out and back to Natural Bridges a couple of times.

We stopped in at the Ugly Mug in Soquel. This is one of my favorite coffee houses of all time, as they are huge supporters of the AIDS ride. Every year, they give all of the LifeCycle riders free coffee drinks and smoothies, not to mention throwing a huge early morning dance party!

My bike needs a tune up pretty badly, the rear wheel is not true. We are now down to just 3 months to train before the ride. Yikes! I need to be getting out as much as possible now, and for longer rides. The weather has been relatively cooperative. This morning is cold and frosty, but I'm sure it will warm up enough for a ride today!

Climate Change

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:47:00 PST

I got home from sunny Mexico to face a 35 degree night, shivering in my capris and thin little sweatshirt as I waited for the shuttle bus at the airport! My body was in shock for about 24 hours. Fortunately, the weather turned nice and it's been warm and sunny ever since, and I'm back to biking!

My first day out, I rode down to Bridgeport and met some friends for a very strenuous 5-mile river canyon hike. Then cranked back up that hill. It was a tough one, took me almost an hour to do the 7-mile climb. But I felt quite victorious, as my friends had been trying to convince me to put the bike in the car! (Whatever!)

I went last night to an ALC "meet & greet" in downtown Sacramento. There were 40 or 50 people there, mostly "newbies". I went just to meet some new riders, and to contribute to the discussion as an "experienced" rider. I enjoyed the evening. Events like that always serve to give me a morale boost. I am really struggling with my fund raising. I don't know why it is so much harder the second time around.

I am going down to San Francisco next week on a Haute Trash mission. We are exhibiting several gowns (made from those dreaded plastic shopping bags) in the windows at the SF Department of the Environment. (Learn more about Haute Trash by visiting the link listed above.) I would really love to hook into an ALC ride while I'm there, if the timing works out. I am envious that there are so many rides every weekend in the bay area. Hopefully last night's meeting will lead to more organized rides in the Sacramento valley.

Hola from the Yucatan!

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:13:00 PST

Hola amigos, from sunny Puerto Morelos Mexico on the Caribbean sea! I'm having a fantastic vacation in the Yucatan - enjoying the sun and the sea. I've rented a bike, and believe me when I say it is a total piece of crap! I got the only one there that had a seat that would easily raise. It appears to have once been a regular 27-speed mountain bike, but they have rigged it to stay in one gear, which has the thing totally cross-chained! But fortunately you don't need much more than that to get around! It has a nice big basket for shopping! The terrain is all flat, and it's just several blocks in to town. And even late in the evening when there's a great sea breeze, it's warm enough to be pedaling around in a tank top. Just heavenly.

So other than the biking, I am cross training with lots of walking and swimming. I went snorkeling for the first time and really loved it. I hope to go out again. The reef here off Puerto Morelos is one of the best in the world. Toured the Botanical Gardens one day, and that was lots of hot and sweaty hiking and climbing in the jungle. N-i-i-i-ice...

Went inland to visit the ruins at Ek Balam (Star Jaquar). These were some of the nicest ruins I have seen, but still largely un-excavated, as the government cannot afford it. Too bad! I climbed the pyramid, challenging my fear of heights and winning out! The view looking back on the rest of the ruins was spectacular. There was also the most lovely cenote there. We rented bikes and rode out to it. Stayed in a fabulously deserted Italian inn in the tiny impoverished pueblo of Ek Balam. Only 3 and half more days here, and it's back to training (in the cold) like I should be! Hasta la vista!

Just More Snow

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:24:00 PST

We've been getting more snow than we've had in quite a few years, and it's been friendly enough. I got picked for jury duty on a trial that is lasting 4 or 5 days, so I have just had to face up to driving in and out of town every day in the weather. Not my favorite thing to do. Ah, yes, just 10 days until I leave the cold behind and head for Mexico! The Caribbean, the Mayan Riviera, the Yucatan Peninsula. I plan on renting a bike right away and having it the whole time.

Katie's got her home page up, check it out at www.aidslifecycle.org/2429.

Riding in the Snow!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:13:00 PST

The day was deceiving. After predictions that we weren't going to see the sun for a week, it made a surprise appearance today and I thought I'd better take advantage. (Riding in the living room is pretty boring and I was ready for some open road!) As soon as I stepped outside, though, I realized it was pretty frigid, I am guessing high thirties. But I bundled up and went anyway, and as soon as I got huffing and puffing up the first hill, I was warm enough. Except when the snow would fall off the passing vehicles and hit me in the face! Then about half way into it, it started to snow. Not very serious, and it was dry. But still, it can really sting at 35 miles an hour (that's the DOWN hill). I had to just keep my head down and let my visor do the work of keeping the snow out of my face. It was very exhilarating and I'm so happy that now I don't have to spin indoors today! But I will admit that the indoor spin has the advantage of getting to wear shorts and tank top and be warm! AND you don't have to wear a helmet. (At least SO FAR it hasn't been necessary!)

Yoga and Spinning

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:30:00 PST

I had to repair my flat before I could ride yesterday. I'm a big fan of patching tires, as opposed to throwing them away, so sometimes my tubes will have several patches on them! I WILL buy new tubes for the ride, but in the meantime, I do my part to recycle and create less waste. So I cut TWO MINUTES off my time on the counter-clockwise loop yesterday. Working on my core strength is really helping, I can feel it, and draw on that strength when I'm out there on the road.

I went to my friend Lucille's yoga class last night for the first time in probably a year, and it was awesome. I am committing to the once-a-week class, and getting back into doing it more on my own. It felt really really good! The weather's been nice enough to ride in the afternoon and not freeze. I greatly appreciate that, because now I know how boring it is to spin in the living room! Hope to get out on a longish ride this weekend. Next week I am going down to Columbia to visit my friend Eve for a few days, and I plan on taking along the mountain bike. There are nice mountainous trails very near her house.

American River Trail

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:58:00 PST

On Sunday, Ron and I drove down to Folsom to take a ride on the American River Trail. This is an incredibly beautiful two-lane paved trail along the American River, mostly all flat. So I got a little bit of a fix for some flat miles! We just did a small portion of it, but I want to go back and do the whole 64 miles, which is from Folsom to Discovery Park in Sacramento, and back. It was a lovely day for it, a little bit of a nip in the air, but very manageable.

Today was another beautiful day and I got out after work and did my standard 7-mile loop, but in reverse. Whoa, we're really mixing it up! I'm bored with rides I can do from home. I want to get into Nevada City and Grass Valley and ride more. With a group would be nice. Meanwhile, there is spinning and yoga in the living room!

Feelin' the love for my mountain bike!

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:43:00 PST

Today the sun shone for the first time in what seems like a week or more. A real cause for celebration, in the form of a bike ride! I decided to get on my mountain bike and do a little trail riding. Well, it actually takes a whole lot of pavement riding to get in a little bit of trail. But once I was out in the woods on the single track, it all came back to me - why I started riding a bike in the first place. Racing over hills and dips, mud splattering my face and everywhere else. Not a soul around, just the sounds and the deep rich smells of the earth. No, I don't really miss the road...

I got the trainer set up and I've used it three times. It's great. I just put together a killer play list and crank up the music and spin! Yeah, it does get a little boring. After the third day in a row, I knew I wasn't going to get on it again until after I got out on the actual road! I'm just thankful the sun peeked out today.

I need to come up with some strategies for fund raising, I am finding that part a lot harder this year. I think, in general, it's harder to get people to donate again for a second year in a row. I am thinking of trying to get some business sponsors. I've got a ways to go here!

Spin Between Storms

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 07:52:00 PST

The weather's taking us by storm and it's awesome. Mother Nature rules! I'm riding whenever it's even remotely feasible. Snow, wind, rain, falling trees, power outages...they've all been a part of the past several days.

I got out today even though it was pretty cold. It was calm and I just did my 7 mile loop, so I'm not out long enough to freeze, and it's a good huff back up to home. LOTS of fallen debris on the shoulders, so I was glad to turn off 49 and onto the back roads, which were also quite strewn with nature's storm debris. I'm going to stop looking at that loop as being too short, it's fine for the winter, and I just try to improve on my time and speed each time. Although I have to admit that I feel a little bit "bike geeky" when I find myself saying "Hmm...I shaved 16 seconds off my time today!" (Which I DID, by the way...)

I was driving home from Chico early this morning, and witnessed some of the storm damage to old heritage orchards. A good percentage of the giant trees had toppled, and already were being turned into stacks of cord wood. Overhead, flocks of sandhill cranes cast their silhouette against the morning sky.

Our power came back on today after 2+ days, and my phone too. But we're not really sure that this storm is over! Well, tomorrow I get to set up the trainer in my living room, and my training life changes! I'm kind of excited. Ciao!

Bridgeport Agony

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:55:00 PST

Some day I will learn my lesson about Bridgeport. It's a great training ride for me to go down and back. But to expect myself to climb that brutal 7-mile ascent after a significantly longer ride is a mistake.

Last Friday, Ronnie and I were determined to ride, despite the cold. We waited till noon, as the weather predictions said it was going to warm up to 50. But after we headed out, it just seemed to get colder! I was glad I had my new Smartwool neck gaiter, I pulled it up over my face on the freezing downhill stints and it worked like a charm.

We aborted our original plans to do about 40 miles, and just rode to Lake Wildwood, had lunch at a deli, and pedalled home. I was really suffering on the hill coming back. I heard myself saying in my head "If someone stopped and asked me if I wanted a ride, I think today I would actually say YES!" Spin spin spin, you're almost to the top of the river canyon. Then, lo and behold, here comes an old friend who turns around to ask me if I want to throw my bike in the back of her pick up. And guess what? I said no! I don't know what came over me, but I just felt like I had to finish out the ride. 28 miles and the last 7 were agonizing!

Ronnie's going to loan me his trainer while he's in India for 7 weeks, so on those really cold days, I'll do my spinning in the living room, with some good rock and roll, like I don't get to enjoy out on the road!

Chilly Bones!

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:49:00 PST

Okay, I know it's not as cold as training on the east coast, or in the midwest, but STILL....it's a little bit cold for bike riding!

I came down with a flu just after my last ride, and it was a week before I got out again (yesterday). It was cold and wet out, but not actually raining, so I bundled up and headed out. I was planning on taking a 25 mile ride, but once I got out there, I realized that I hadn't dressed warmly enough. I had on two wool long-sleeved jerseys and a base layer, but I should have worn a windbreaker as well. I felt cold and damp, so I curtailed my ride to just 10 miles. Figured I didn't need to be stupid, just to get in the extra miles!

I'm a little bit concerned about my training miles, though, after looking at last year's training log and realizing that I had ridden twice as many miles by this time last year! So I need to start getting in some longer rides. I have the time, but the weather needs to cooperate to some degree! Today looks promising, I see blue skies!!

BACK IN THE SADDLE....

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:39:00 PST

Ronnie and I took Katie on her first training ride to Bridgeport and back on Monday. She did really well, considering she was on my mountain bike (the suspension will kill you!) It really is a monumental climb, and I was glad to be able to tell her that there is NOTHING that severe on the AIDS ride. This is excellent training grounds, but she'll be moving back to Bend in a week, so her training is going to be COLD.

Fortunately, we have this awesome friend Carter, who has been racing for many years, and he took us into his garage yesterday and gifted both of us with an armload of gear: shorts, bibs, jerseys. Katie also got a helmet, and a vintage neon jersey with matching pink Bolle shades! After a trip to the bike shop to buy new shoes, she's pretty much set -- and in style! Tomorrow we'll go down to San Francisco and pick up her bike. Exciting! I hope we'll get her fitted and get to take some rides before she leaves.

So after all my slack time of not riding, I'm ready to attack any hill in the bio-region. Bring it on! I've got to boost my mileage, because to date, I have ridden fewer miles than last year's training season. So, the morning is brisk and cold, but I've got my amazing new gear to keep me warm. Time to spin!!

Greetings from Pocatello!

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:15:00 PST

I'm here in Pocatello, on the last leg of a 10-day road trip with Katie. We've been through Oregon, Washington, Montana, and now Idaho. It's been an amazing time with fantastic friends. Taking the train to Whitefish Montana was certainly a highlight. It was a beautiful ride along the Columbia river. It was 5 below when we got there! I did not bring my bike, so I am almost feeling a bit of panic about how long it's been since I've been on it! I promise to get serious once I get back home!

Biggest news about the ride is: Katie is going to do the ride with me this year! I am so thrilled to have my daughter along for the adventure! Our good friend, Andrew in the city is GIVING her a really nice TREK touring bike. She has just moved back to Bend, though, so training in all the snow will be a challenge for her. But I'm sure she can pull it off! I'll let you know when she has a number, and a home page of her own!

Well, it's one more day in Pocatello, and then a ten hour drive home tomorrow. I'll be glad to be back!

Gettin' in the Wind...

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:41:00 PST

I'm pleased to say that I rode four days this week! Even though it only totalled about 60 miles, it felt really good to be out on the road. It gets dark so early though. One day I left at 4:30 and barely got in a 7 mile loop before it was too dark. This morning I did my first ALC training ride with four of us total, the Lemond Loop around Nevada City. The ride felt really mellow and I feel the difference going into this training season from last year. I want to train a little differently this time, and get in more flat miles. I am not worried about myself getting up any hill on the AIDS ride. I need longer hours in the saddle. But, of course, not to say that I will give up riding hills, by any means!

I've got a really busy stretch coming up, with going to Seattle for 5 days for a Haute Trash show, Thanksgiving, and then an extended Idaho/Montana road trip with Katie, for my 49th birthday! I should take a bike on that trip, but don't know if I will.

Meanwhile, it started to rain today. I want to look at getting a trainer, so I can spin in the living room in foul weather. For now, I spin on the roads between cloudbursts. Get in the wind.

Hooray for Cool Weather!

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:09:00 PST

Unlike many of my fellow riders, I love riding in the cool, even COLD weather! Yes, it's time to break out those tights and warm gloves, windbreakers and ear warmers, and get back in the training groove! I'm pumped!

My daughter Katie went for a ride with me on Saturday, she rode my mountain bike. We just did a little 10 mile loop, but it was fun. Funny how it only takes a few times out on the bike, and I am feeling like a cyclist again. Well, I knew it wasn't going to go away...

Ronnie and I signed up for a ride next weekend down in Calaveras County, called Mr. Frog's Wild Ride. It is 65 miles (a metric century), with 7000 feet of climbing. I'm ready for the challenge, but certainly hope to get in a few shorter rides during this week to prepare.

Summer softball league just finished with a tournament this weekend. We played 3 games on Saturday, and one on Sunday. Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief that softball was over for another year, I was asked to play "fall ball", so it looks like the season will go a bit longer, with games on Thursday nights. More fun.

First Ride of the Training Season...

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:10:00 PST

I always swore I wouldn't be one of those people who only ride in training for a big ride. But I admit I have taken most of the summer off from riding, so I'm sort of starting from scratch again, but it will be much easier this time. I got out the pump and pumped up the tires on the road bike and got out for my first 10 and half mile ride the other day. It was great to be back on the bike, but 10 felt like 40 used to! The weather's perfect for riding, it's just a matter of finding the time. I want to train MORE than I did last year, even though I felt quite adequately prepared for ALC6. I want to be even more so this year. And I've got a two week jump on my training. So I'm off and riding!

Ready to Get Back on the Bike!

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:59:00 PST

Well, it's been a very busy and hot summer! I'm not much for riding in the heat, so I must confess that I haven't done a lot of riding since the ALC 6 in June. But I am not intimidated about the training this time. Turns out I was incredibly prepared last time! All this training in the foothills surely paid off. There wasn't a single hill on the AIDS ride that could compare to my bi-weekly training ride to Bridgeport and back. "Quadbuster"?? Please!

The last month has been particularly intense, as my daughter Aria got married the first weekend, and the next was our huge annual production of our "Haute Trash" fashion show, an event that was months in the making! I showcased a dress that I had made for Red Dress Day, created from all the red trash that I found along the roadsides in my training rides!

Now that all THAT is behind me, and cooler weather is on it's way, I'm excited about getting back into the groove of riding! I'll confess that my road bike's had a flat for over a month. Well, I HAVE been on the mountain bike a few times.

I had to miss the ALC Thank You BBQ. I wanted to go and ride the Tiburon Loop, but I turned my ankle last week, and it's still pretty sore. Not to mention that I'm still recuperating from the whirlwind of activity! But soon I'll be gearing up my fundraising efforts. If you are reading this, how about being my very first donor?!!