One week until AIDS/LifeCycle 2012, bring it.

I know I haven’t posted about riding lately. It’s hard to imagine the confidence I have grown.  Not only have I done “day-on-the-ride”, an emulation of a day of AIDS/Life Cycle, but I’ve also done my first century, a ride from SF to SJC, a ride throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and done half of Mount Hamilton. 

If you talked to me a year ago, the idea of doing 5,000 feet of climbing would have been outside of my physical capability. But because of this great group of people, the south bay blaze, and their enthusiasm, I feel more ready than I could have imagined for June. I am already looking forward to a summer full of hill climbing and pushing myself to the next level. I know theres more out there.

Not only am I ready, but I’m so glad I can help this great cause. I’ve fundraised almost $5,400 and am sure I’ll hit $7,500. It’s great that not only can I push my limits, but I can help those that need it most. 

This is life. This is life outside of college. This is what it is meant to be.

Outdoor Miles to Date: ~1300
Fundraising to Date: $5360 ( 71% of goal) 

I broke $5,000 in fundraising. June is so close! 15 days until the ride.

I’m afraid to do the math on how much I’ve spent on biking…

7 Jerseys, 7 Bibs, 7 pairs of socks, bike computer, suit case, tubes, etc. It never ends. This is what I have left that I need for June:

I’m going to break 1,000 miles before June. Maybe even 1,500. It’s amazing that I can now ride about 75 miles in one ride. It’s exhausting, but I make it to the end. That’s the important part. 

Last weekend I went on my first ride over 50 miles, 70 miles in fact. It was a gorgeous ride across the Dumbarton bridge and into Niles Canyon. I think the best part of the ride was that I really got to know Suse along the way. We just chugged along at our own pace. While we were tired at the end, we still completed the entire ride with an average speed of 14.5 MPH! By the end we were very tired, but we just kept going. The mood was definitely bright and cheery. It was good to actually get in a major ride. It’s been hard to ride between Vegas, being sick, and SLO. Always something to do. I never stop doing.

route sheet: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/901289

This weekend we did 72 miles down to Andersen Dam. Within the first ten miles, I had a flat. My tires are definitely past their life span and I will be going down to Sports Basement on Tuesday to get new tires (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/racetyres/gatorskin/gatorskin_en.html — gator skins to stop the flats!). Thankfully, April was there to help me out and we got to chat as we rode along after. We didn’t get back until 4:30pm— an hour later than the week before. The worst part of the ride was the entire way back we were getting blown back in the wind. Additionally, I missed the dam as the route sheet was not too great. It seems to be a common occurrence.

route sheet: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1071878

Outdoor Miles to Date: 720
Fundraising to Date: $4250 ( 57% of goal - I increased my goal!!)

The weather has markedly improved. I’m not sure where that rain came from, but I hope it does not come back!!

Last night we did 20 miles after work. It was great weather outside and we surfed up foothill expwy to Alpine and back.

This Friday I’ll be biking at Liquid Therapy as a fundraiser. I’m really hoping someone will pass me a Long Island as I bike! I mean, my birthday was Thursday afterall.

Outdoor Miles to Date: 578
Fundraising to Date: $3805 ( 76% of goal)