Week 14 - Torrey Pines Time Trial

Another big day for the Scott & BR contestants with an immunity challenge pre-ride and Adam Beck winning a free pass this week as 2 of us 8 remaining will be eliminated from the contest. We will hear later this week on XX1090 who the "Fab Five" remaining contestants joining Adam will be during the Scott & BR morning show. Adam correctly named all 7 cities where we will be staying along the QMDC route in October.

Today's organized ride was a short one but important for many. It was a Time Trial effort up Torrey Pines which for many was a repeat of their first ride 14 weeks ago. For those of us on the Scott & BR Cycling team, it was a first for us and a great deal of fun. We are building more camaraderie as each week rolls on which is just fantastic.

It was a HUGE day for me personally as it was my first ride back on the road since the big accident coming down Palomar Mtn. I have to say the 'test' was passed with flying colors as I didn't have any issues with the right shoulder at all. Lot's of upcoming fundraising events to check out and support. Next up is Brian Brillo's "Acoustic night" this Wednesday, Sep 2nd 7-9p in Rancho Penasquitos. Click here for details. More events coming soon - Check the blog frequently for more info.!

Big Day - Survived the Cut AND Got Doctor's Nod

I was rapt with anticipation yesterday morning awaiting the announcement of the ELITE 8 contestants on the Scott & BR xx1090 Cycling Team. This is getting real ... and I have to admit I DO want it so I can represent the XX1090 and CAF as the contest winner. We'll see as everyone that was in the top 10 is deserving. I am personally grateful and am sure I have gained some GREAT FRIENDS along the way.

And the GOOD NEWS kept coming. Met with my Ortho Surgeon and the xrays look fantastic. Props to my surgeon, quoting him after looking at my Xrays, "Your body is laying down some great bone here." He's released me 2 weeks ahead of the original aggressive schedule to start riding with both arms so VERY SOON I'll be on the road. My dream of completing the QMDC is completely back in play. YES!!!

Now I just need your continued support; donate to CAF on my behalf by clicking HERE!

Homework Completed!

Completed my Homework; honest, off the cuff, and straight from the heart! Here it is....

The first Sunday I didn’t have a clue what to expect. By the end of that first ride I made the decision that I had to be riding down the coast in October. Each week has brought more gifts: helping less experienced riders, riding with challenged athletes like Scout, and legends like John Howard. The radio guys make it incredibly fun and the contest being so random makes it perfect because it doesn’t feel like we’re against each other. My dream is to win the contest and share my funds to help others all while building some lifelong relationships.

Look forward to seeing everyone out there on the road soon!

Recovery continues; Nine Lives???

Time for Gear replacement from the crash so I decided if I was going to have to get a new helmet it had to have meaning. So I opted for the CATLIKE Whisper Plus since it appears I have nine lives on the bike. Check out the photo here.


Also recovery continues well with staples now removed and more time in the saddle albeit still on the trainer. More to come shortly with my 100 word or less essay to be posted this Friday right here on the Blog!!!

Homework? Challenges Off the Bike???

So here we are with 10 finalists about to go down to 8 and Pat Thomas (Congrats Pat) with immunity for the next cut down.

This is wild; it all started with a 56 word or less essay to get into a radio contest and now this.

Your assignment (Due Friday 10am sharp) is to submit yet another paragraph. 100 words or less based on your experience with the ride/contest thus far. We are more than half way through our 20 week training program and I would like to hear your thoughts on being a part of the XX1090 contest and the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. We are all motivated and inspired by different aspects of this competition and I’m curious to hear what you have to say.

All of you who have supported me have got me this far so I'm interested in what you think about this so feel free to comment as I contemplate how I should respond with for my homework.

And of course wish me well as I continue in my recovery from my own 'challenge' of the recent crash and surgery.

Thrill of Live Radio! What a Great Morning!

What a fun time this morning being live on the Radio on XX1090 during the Scott & BR show. Nerves flowing just not knowing how things are going to go or what questions are going to be asked and then having the guys, Scott & BR, just make it so easy on all of us with the interviews.

Have to admit that while it was all new and different, it was a very cool experience. Thanks to all of you who listened in to the show live on 1090 am and on the internet. I appreciated the encouraging text msgs, emails, and calls afterward. If you didn't get a chance to hear us you can check out the Scott & BR podcasts of my interview by clicking HERE and I'm on at roughly 6:30am.

For those who are wondering my rehab is going well with daily work and now 6 consecutive days back on the bike (on the trainer) with the staples coming out early next week. I look forward to being out this Sunday with the riders in support.

Next week the group will be trimmed down two more to 8 total participants. Please continue to support XX1090 and CAF as they work to make this event the best ever. As always, your support is appreciated with a tax deductible donation by clicking here.

Live Radio Broadcast this Thursday 8/13!!!

Missed the QMDC Week 11 Kitchen Creek Ride this week as only 2 weeks removed from the now infamous crash at the end of the Mt Palomar ride. Good news is I've been riding as part of rehab both on the trainer on my bike as well as doing some spinning already. Ended up only off the bike completely for 11 days. I heard great things about the climbing clinic last Saturday too. The wide range of abilities taking part of the QMDC 620mi 7 day ride is truly amazing and the coaching has been top notch throughout! It's really been a priviledge and yet there is still time to sign up if you have the urge so click here and find out more now!

This week things get REALLY exciting though as we go LIVE on the radio show this Thursday, August 13th between 6a and 9a. Things will be moving fast now as we are about to quickly go from 10 to 9 of us as the final countdown gets serious with someone getting eliminated each week. Check out the Scott and BR Show everyday but especially this Thursday LIVE on the internet via streaming video or on the radio on XX1090 between 6a and 9am.

As always I have to say if you haven't already get involved and support the Challenged Athletes Foundation through this amazing event. Click here to support me and CAF in this endeavor!

Rehab Begun! Xrays confirmed successful surgery!

Three days post surgery and first day on the bike (trainer) per doctor's orders. Aggressive but safe rehab planned to get me back the right way. I have the same brand implant as Lance Armstrong you see here in the Xray; supposed to be the strongest and best there is! The shoulder is topped off for now as you can see by 28 staples clearly shown in the Xray; they will be there for another 10 days until removal but the surgery was deemed a great success.




Many thanks to those who have called and dropped notes via my facebook as well for my speedy recovery. I feel great about the progress now that the surgery is done and I am able to get to the hard work now of active recovery.

Keep supporting Scott and BR and CAF thru the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge and get on board with your tax deductible donation!

Keep riding and keep smiling!

Survived to the Final 10! And on the Road to Recovery!

I was glued to the radio recovering from shoulder surgery this morning at the Hospital. As you can see here in the pic ... ready to get back to riding shortly with 28 new staples covering screws and a plate repair of the collarbone. Getting wonderful treatment from a great surgeon who has worked on olympians in the past. I will be back soon.

Congratulations to my fellow final 10 contestants in the QMDC Scott and BR Contest!

Efrain Arvizu
Adam Beck
Brian Brillo
Alex Hamlow
Rob Lindbloom
Rob Millum
Joy Muehlenbein
Patrick Thomas
Mark VanDierndonck
Joseph Weickgenant

I look forward to being out there with you all shortly. Alex