So quite a week since the crash last Sunday. I must reiterate what an awesome group of people that are my fellow participants, the ride leaders, SAG support, and CAF staff. Everyone has been incredibly caring and supportive and gone way beyond expectations and there's no way I can publicly thanks all of group enough.
Next step for me is surgery Tuesday morning which will allow me to get back on the bike more quickly and keep the QMDC ride alive for me as a participant and I suppose, as someone who will be overcoming quite the challenge to just recover in time to complete the ride. In addition, I am not backing down from the contest as well and have no plans to drop away. This is just an even greater opportunity to share more about CAF and QMDC throughout the recovery and interactions with the medical community. As it is I have already got my Orthopaedic Surgeon interested in the ride (he happens to dabble in triathlon).
I will be back riding with the group ASAP and will do what support I can in the interim coordinating some joint fundraising opportunities. Thanks for all the great support!
Keep Riding and Keep Smiling!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Week 9: Palomar - up went fine, down ... read on
Palomar is a great climb, no question. The length, the switchbacks, the gradient changes, and the scenery all make for an amazing climb. Going up is truly epic and it was today. It was also great added pleasure to ride on to the observatory and back before the long descent back to Rincon.
Did I say long ... not so long for me as I didn't quite make the ride down in the standard fashion. That's right, the last 2/3 were by way of ambulance heading to Palomar Med Ctr. The true blessing were my fellow Challenged Athlete Foundation QMDC riders. They were fantastic across the board in helping me and protecting me while awaiting emergency services; I want to thank each and every one of you personally so bear with my while I gather the details. (I was a little fuzzy at the time)
What happened? A simple front tube blowout at 35 or so mph on the descent ended my ride with a big bang (literally) straight down bouncing, rolling, and skidding along the asphalt. The prize, a broken collarbone and AC Shoulder separation, bruised all over and quite a good bunch of road rash. It could have been so much worse; I honestly believe angels were watching over me today out there.
I will miss the group on the road for a few weeks but will be back shortly and certainly will be ready for the October finale down the coast. Thanks again for all the support with my bike, car, ride, etc.....
Keep smiling and keep riding!!!
Did I say long ... not so long for me as I didn't quite make the ride down in the standard fashion. That's right, the last 2/3 were by way of ambulance heading to Palomar Med Ctr. The true blessing were my fellow Challenged Athlete Foundation QMDC riders. They were fantastic across the board in helping me and protecting me while awaiting emergency services; I want to thank each and every one of you personally so bear with my while I gather the details. (I was a little fuzzy at the time)
What happened? A simple front tube blowout at 35 or so mph on the descent ended my ride with a big bang (literally) straight down bouncing, rolling, and skidding along the asphalt. The prize, a broken collarbone and AC Shoulder separation, bruised all over and quite a good bunch of road rash. It could have been so much worse; I honestly believe angels were watching over me today out there.
I will miss the group on the road for a few weeks but will be back shortly and certainly will be ready for the October finale down the coast. Thanks again for all the support with my bike, car, ride, etc.....
Keep smiling and keep riding!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Casual spin but reminded to be safe and attentive always!
Went out for a quick 33 mi spin yesterday afternoon (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/9402127) after an active rest Monday with just a swim and core workout at the gym. It provided a great reminder to be ever vigilant on the road and to ALWAYS pay attention to your surroundings.
I rode up to a busy intersection on Palomar as the light was changing green for me, but as I slowed to a near stop before pushing on a car pushed through the yellow/red and was t-boned by a car jumping the green light. Ugly crash and although it didn't appear too bad for the drivers at least one took a ride in the ambulance.
About 20 minutes later I rode up on a rider who had just gone down on Coast Hwy near La Costa. Flat on his back with road rash and shaken up, not a place anyone wants to be. So clearly a reminder how blessed we are to live in a phenomenal location where we can enjoy the roads on our bikes, but also how important it is to be attentive and thankful for that gift.
Stay Safe and Keep Training!!!
I rode up to a busy intersection on Palomar as the light was changing green for me, but as I slowed to a near stop before pushing on a car pushed through the yellow/red and was t-boned by a car jumping the green light. Ugly crash and although it didn't appear too bad for the drivers at least one took a ride in the ambulance.
About 20 minutes later I rode up on a rider who had just gone down on Coast Hwy near La Costa. Flat on his back with road rash and shaken up, not a place anyone wants to be. So clearly a reminder how blessed we are to live in a phenomenal location where we can enjoy the roads on our bikes, but also how important it is to be attentive and thankful for that gift.
Stay Safe and Keep Training!!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
My Review of Beljum Budder Chamois Cream and Skin Lubricant - 8oz Tube
In the world of endurance sports, friction is a four letter word. Friction can cause enormous discomfort & injury and can seriously affect your performance. Beljum Budder provides maximum protection from chafing and other friction related problems. Used by some of the biggest names in endurance...
Best Chamois Cream --- at any price
Clyde Oceanside, CA 7/20/2009
Pros: Not Greasy, Moisturizes Well, Long Lasting, Little goes a long way
Best Uses: Cycling
Thicker than others (like Chamois Butt'r) so it stays in place where you want it, but don't figure on spreading it around with your fingers.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Week 8 Training Ride: San Clemente Out 'n Back
What a great day on the road, with guest CAF sponsored riders Travis and Scout (Check out her story at http://www.challengedathletes.org/athletes_stories/ScoutBassett.htm) and even a John Howard sighting at the SAG stop on the way out to the turnaround in San Clemente.
Riding with the combined Group 1&2 made for a great experience being able to cruise with new people on the road. It's truly a privilege to be riding with such great people and a big HOORAH!!! to the ride leaders as they are simply fantastic keeping the group in check and coaching all along the way. A special thanks to them!!!!
So another 86 miles in the books and another step in our efforts... Next eliminations in a couple weeks and I can't wait to see how Joy gets creative decorating the pump as the first immunity winner. I can't close without another hero award to the SAG support. It was a hot day out there and being able to count on cold water, much needed nutrition, and smiling faces was a true blessing!
Next week we are going to be climbing Palomar .... Keep it safe in training this week!!!!
Riding with the combined Group 1&2 made for a great experience being able to cruise with new people on the road. It's truly a privilege to be riding with such great people and a big HOORAH!!! to the ride leaders as they are simply fantastic keeping the group in check and coaching all along the way. A special thanks to them!!!!
So another 86 miles in the books and another step in our efforts... Next eliminations in a couple weeks and I can't wait to see how Joy gets creative decorating the pump as the first immunity winner. I can't close without another hero award to the SAG support. It was a hot day out there and being able to count on cold water, much needed nutrition, and smiling faces was a true blessing!
Next week we are going to be climbing Palomar .... Keep it safe in training this week!!!!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Quality Time in the Saddle
There's something great about an early morning ride, hitting the road before the sun has quite risen and heading east so you can watch it peek over the horizon. Don't know about you but I get out early often as the other parts of life seem to get in the way otherwise.
A beautiful morning it was out in the San Elijo Hills as I cruised the back roads of Vista, San Marcos, and over Twin Oaks into San Elijo. Met up with a guy at the bottom of Rancho Sante Fe after he had done Del Dios early and we just chatted about our morning experience. It's a bond we share with fellow cyclists, not about wattage or elevation gain, but about the view from the saddle.
Even better I got to chat up CAF and QMDC and turns out he has a friend that did the ride last year.... encouraged him to check it out so we'll see. Anyway, a cool 51 miles in the books before 8:30a with some great climbing and conversation. Can't wait until tomorrow's long cruise from Del Mar to San Clemente and back. Look forward to seeing the group and hope to see some of those eliminated in the cutdown still riding and raising funds! More tomorrow!
A beautiful morning it was out in the San Elijo Hills as I cruised the back roads of Vista, San Marcos, and over Twin Oaks into San Elijo. Met up with a guy at the bottom of Rancho Sante Fe after he had done Del Dios early and we just chatted about our morning experience. It's a bond we share with fellow cyclists, not about wattage or elevation gain, but about the view from the saddle.
Even better I got to chat up CAF and QMDC and turns out he has a friend that did the ride last year.... encouraged him to check it out so we'll see. Anyway, a cool 51 miles in the books before 8:30a with some great climbing and conversation. Can't wait until tomorrow's long cruise from Del Mar to San Clemente and back. Look forward to seeing the group and hope to see some of those eliminated in the cutdown still riding and raising funds! More tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What a Day!
It's been quite a day. Last evening I went out for a quick spin for 30 miles to get out some nervous energy knowing this morning was the announcement of the first cutdown to 15 contestants in the challenge....It didn't work.
I knew I had a plane flight departing at 6:20a and would miss the announcement and wouldn't find out until this afternoon when I arrived in Milwaukee via Chicago. That didn't help either....
On the plane I reflected that even if I was cut from the contest I would have already won. I fully hope to build lasting relationships through this journey and thanks to my fellow TEAMMATES in the challenge who have been so great to me so far.
I am fortunate to have been chosen to make it through the first cut down to 15 riders AND more importantly I've learned more and more about what an incredible organization CAF really is and for that I am truly grateful. Check them out if you haven't yet seen all they do http://www.challengedathletes.org/.
I'm going to sleep well tonight ... many blessings to you!
I knew I had a plane flight departing at 6:20a and would miss the announcement and wouldn't find out until this afternoon when I arrived in Milwaukee via Chicago. That didn't help either....
On the plane I reflected that even if I was cut from the contest I would have already won. I fully hope to build lasting relationships through this journey and thanks to my fellow TEAMMATES in the challenge who have been so great to me so far.
I am fortunate to have been chosen to make it through the first cut down to 15 riders AND more importantly I've learned more and more about what an incredible organization CAF really is and for that I am truly grateful. Check them out if you haven't yet seen all they do http://www.challengedathletes.org/.
I'm going to sleep well tonight ... many blessings to you!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Week 7 Training Ride - Del Dios
Every week these QMDC 2009 training rides get more enjoyable as we get to know each other out there. It's an incredible mix of people committed to support the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and each other.
Today's route was 67 mi with about 4900 ft of climbing per the Garmin. I rolled with Group 2 and we had a great day with some good paceline work thru Escondido and into Bonsall. A couple flats out on the road in the group but no one was left behind or on their own. The Sag support is just awesome as well!
That's the best part of all this, people caring about people and enjoying the gift of just being able to be out there on the bike and knowing that supporting CAF helps fullfil dreams of those who have the will and desire to be active but need special support.
Tuesday the 14th is coming quick and will be the first cutdown day from the 24 of us radio riders currently down to 15, one of which will have earned immunity. Tune in to Scott and BR Tuesday Morning between 6:15a and 7a if you want to find out!!! I know I do!!!
Today's route was 67 mi with about 4900 ft of climbing per the Garmin. I rolled with Group 2 and we had a great day with some good paceline work thru Escondido and into Bonsall. A couple flats out on the road in the group but no one was left behind or on their own. The Sag support is just awesome as well!
That's the best part of all this, people caring about people and enjoying the gift of just being able to be out there on the bike and knowing that supporting CAF helps fullfil dreams of those who have the will and desire to be active but need special support.
Tuesday the 14th is coming quick and will be the first cutdown day from the 24 of us radio riders currently down to 15, one of which will have earned immunity. Tune in to Scott and BR Tuesday Morning between 6:15a and 7a if you want to find out!!! I know I do!!!
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