- I wanted to raise $5k and made it as far as $3600, which is awesome, just not what I was aiming for.

- I had physical challenges that kept me off of the bike for about 160 of 560 miles.
* My handlebars weren’t set in their ideal ergonomic state and that made my hands, especially my right one, really painful to ride with (and for some time after).
* The padding in my shorts was irritating my skin in a way that made sitting on the seat something painful enough to draw tears.
* The good news about these issues is that they are totally avoidable in the future and they did not keep me off the bike for any more miles than they did – yay!

Now it’s been just over two weeks since we left LA and quads are back to normal, sitting on my bike seat is very comfortable, my hands are pain free, and I’m rested.

Here are my favorite moments in list, and somewhat chronological, form.

Day one

- rest stop one – discovering those wonderful peanut butter and jelly graham cracker sandwiches that I’d had once before when I volunteered for ALC.

- Emily’s cookie monster outfit made a lot of people smile.

- climbing the 92, getting to the top and being handed strawberries, and then riding down the beautiful, smooth curve into Half Moon Bay. Here’s a fun little map showing when I was most excited.

- this little house in the woods made me really happy. so did all that green.

- Mom, this photo was taken for you. lighthouse in the fog.

Day two (celebrating 32 years of life)

- Emily made a little sign for my butt, Justin gave me a princess pinata that I tied to my do-rag and Shannon took this photo.

- Then, Greg gave me a ride to the SAG bus for the first time “only cuz it’s your birthday!”. I think it was wind that dissuaded me from continuing – cross winds are a BITCH!
The SAG bus, however, was Divalicious!

see the little TV (click for larger view)? They had The Supremes playing for us – very sweet.

Day three

- my favorite part of the ride was conquering The Quad Buster. Mostly because the downhill after was the most joyful exertion I’ve had in a long time. I had a few miles of superfast “onyourleft onyourleft” and then on the smooth flat after, from somewhere, I found a sprint and I raced (safely!) past a row of eight riders. Just as I settled in to a nice open road I hear “BOOS! You were riding REALLY FAST!” coming from behind me. Shannon caught up to me after waiting for our friends while I hit the downhill first. that made my day because he’s much faster than me.

- entering central california – dry dry dry, but oh so photogenic.

- i broke the rules by taking this while riding but i’m SO pleased with the result (and i didn’t get busted, or hurt)

- rest stop “dia de los muertos” where I told everyone in front of the camera to “pretend your dead” before I realized the rest stop theme.

Day four

- this day started out with pain in my hands so great that i was crying by 10 miles. i mistakenly thought that if i waited for the SAG bus at rest stop 1, i’d be driven to lunch to get taped/mended/magically cured and then ride the rest of the way to camp. what i didn’t realize is that once on the SAG bus, you’re going to camp. so, this was a sad day for me, tho, it was good to rest my hand.

- in that first 10 miles, Josh asked me what my goal for the day was and I laughed as I said, “honestly? to get to rest stop 1.” He commended me for my realistic perspective and then congratulated me when we got there.

- i took this from the bus after deciding i wanted a photo of the fog AND a cyclist.

- synchronistically, i spotted Emily in her big bird costume from the bus TWICE, without knowing where on the route she was. that made the bus ride a little bit more bearable.

- once at camp, it was so windy that putting up the tents was a two person job. Silas and his recumbant had made it to camp even before the SAG bus so he helped me put up all three of the remaining tents for our team. that made me feel good. then we took pictures of the people sliding down the oil and water slip and slide that was created on the grassy knoll across the campground.

Day five Red Dress Day
- our gear roadies looked (especially) awesome this day

- favorite portrait

- favorite landscape

Day six Rained Out
Here’s the story: This day included a small one lane bridge that the CHP had to close from other traffic so that our 2150 riders could pass safely. They agreed to close it during a specific time window – I believe it was between 9 and 1. The previous night, we slept thru some serious rain and even got rained on at breakfast but by the time we were ready to roll (our group, not the riders waiting to go out right at 6:30 am) the rain was gone and the sun was coming out.
However, this was not the case on the big hill covered in soaking wet riders with flat tires.
Those riders were given two options: turn around and go back to camp or wait here (in the cold and rain) for the SAG bus. Half of the riders went back to camp to wait with the rest of us for three to five hours for a bus ride to Ventura.

- We got in line for the bus about four buses back and I think I heard that it took 20 buses or so to get everyone to the campsite in Ventura, so we were lucky to be in the front. We got to Ventura around 2 or 2:30, laid our soggy clothes out to dry in the warm SoCal sun and I quickly hopped into the ocean.
The warm, salty ocean that I got to swim in for about 30 minutes of heaven before I got hungry for dinner.

- the candlelight vigil on the beach that night was really special. very solemn and so very quiet, except for the sounds of sniffles here and there. seeing this got my tears flowing. I fought with myself about taking a photo and finally decided that i’d appreciate having the image after the fact, and I do.

Day seven
- i finally got to paint a rainbow on my face (while wearing my SF Bike Coalition SF Bike Map Jersey no less!)

- best Jamba Juice stop ever (Greggy got one with peanut butter and banana that will be my next choice, for sure – highly recommended!) This was just a few blocks before closing ceremonies and we got to cheer on the few hundred riders that were behind us (read: not many!).

Shanny, me, Justin, Greg, Silas (Emily had to leave the morning of Day 6 to get back to SF for a family wedding, and somehow I lost Josh just a mile or so before this spot – we missed them both!)

Well folks, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed this little recap. I can definitnely see myself doing this ride again someday, perhaps 2011, perhaps even sooner!

To all of my sponsors – thank you so very much for helping to provide education and service to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as help people with HIV/AIDS live happier, healthier lives.

I’m still upset that this weekend warrior trying to go somewhere special on his bike wasn’t allowed because of Caltrain’s ridiculous bike policy. But I’m grateful for his generous attitude and sweet demeanor. I hope someone gifts him with something extra super special today.

My coach, riding buddy, partner and best friend, Shanny Bannanny Sis Boom Bammy aka Shannon Shalako. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t feel as prepared as I do for this crazy seven day ride from SF to LA!

realistic energy chew, no?

Justine Bateman Veber, Jetson, Juicy, or Justin Case, whatever you call him, he’s my happy maker when I need it. He started out without a bike and is now a HAWD COAH cyclist, riding about 100 miles a week by riding home (SF Mission District) from work (Millbrae or Redwood City) a few times a week.

helmets are the best hair stylers

This is Emily.

She gets two pictures because she’s
super fun/silly

AND
super hot

Also, she’s got enough energy to be at least two, if not three teammates. We heart her for doing this ride for the 8th time and showing us the ropes.

This is our beloved roadie Greg. He’s definitely the wind beneath our wings. He loves orange and cute illustrations of monsters and anthropomorphized animals and inanimate objects. He said “I’m not going to bike but I’ll drive!” and thus the PIKLWGN is driving sweep so Greggie will be sweeping us off our wheels (and taking us to the hotel – KIDDING!)

sweet perfection in the tub

Here you’ll find, on the left, Jimmy Kitty. He’s our bestest cheerleader who’s going to meet us in LA when we cannot walk anymore and take us to a fancy hotel and put us in the salt water pool. We heart Jimmy Kitty for being such a fluffernutter.
On the right is our animal loving, soon to be vet friend Eric. He’s not going to be on the medical team (snicker) but will be roadie-ing at the ALC Store. He’s the one who will avert his eyes when we five finger discount bandanas (KIDDING! we’ll totally buy them! [if they're cute!])

close up and serious
[Eric's not usually that serious, but sometimes he can be a little judgemental]

Seven days later, Team Project Roadway had our first all team (minus roadie) training ride together.

We rode a 85 miles from San Francisco to Pt Reyes and back.

Here’s our path (you can click and drag as well as zoom in and out right here!):

View Larger Map

That’s as long as our first day to Santa Cruz – I did it – but barely.
If it weren’t for my freaking awesome teammates’ support, I would have taken the bus home from Fairfax on the way back. Emily gave me Advil to kill the pain in my back (new riding position) and my butt (new saddle – apparently they need to be “broken in”) and after our pit stop, Justin told me that I’m “not allowed” to take the bus and that they’ll ride whatever pace I need. Because of the sweetness in that sentiment, I didn’t remind them that they’d essentially already been doing that every time they stopped to wait for me to catch up. By then the Advil had kicked in and I felt okay, if not actually excited, to go ahead and ride all the way home.

And I did! We all did!

I felt really slow the whole way; it seemed that I was always catching up to my teammates while they awaited my arrival. But they were all smiles.

PHEW! This stuff is hard! But so rewarding.

:Begin bike nerd details:

Now I’m focusing on working my core as that’s the key to my new (and more athletically accurate) riding position: Curved back, all weight in the legs, hands & arms are only there for balance, not weight support.

I’ve got new handlebars coming in the mail to allow my hands to be aligned with my acromion so as to help with that “non weight supporting” ideal. Apparently, the bar is pretty rare because it’s so narrow (like my shoulders, surprisingly) so we had to get a new stem that not only put me 2 inches farther out (Lorri thought I needed more reach, ironically, as that’s what I’ve been bugging Shan to reduce, but her explanation along with her other adjustments make a lot of sense to me as far as what “comfort” should feel like on a road bike, compared to my 10 years on a mountain/hybrid) but also will accommodate the new oversize bar.

Shannon’s already installed my new, “no float” cleats to help keep my legs focused in the same plane, rather than getting to move a few degrees here or there. I’d had a little problem with my left leg and Lorri thought this type of cleat would be a good way to train my legs to operate correctly. And I’ve not had a problem with using cleats and don’t think that this change will be hard to get used to.

:End of bike nerd details:

Now I just need to finish up getting the necessary gear – jerseys and shorts mostly. Gosh, I hope I still like riding after ALC8 – I’d hate to have all of this gear and nothing to do with it!

Aiming to do another 60 mile ride as well as a couple of 25 mile rides this week and next to finish up with the training part of this wild ride.

OH – and, if you’ve got a few $$ to spare – I could really use another $1700 to get to my $5k goal http://tofighthiv.org/goto/adrienecrimson
Every bit helps!
Thanks so much for all of your support – however you offer it!

For Shannon’s birthday last week, we went to Santa Cruz to see his step mom and go for a long training ride thru a new area.
We decided we’d go thru Watsonville and discovered that our route took us straight thru the ripe strawberry fields. OMG – YUM! It smelled amazing.

We took a break at a roadside stand to hydrate and have a snack – the snack was a quart of organic strawberries that were probably only a few days from the field. YaUm!

The ride was 61 miles total and even tho I cried for about a mile near the end, I made it. I wasn’t in a lot of pain – just some strain that was gone the next morning.

Next step is getting a proper bike fitting so I can eliminate that strain on my wrists and left leg. Will let you know how that one goes.

I still need a bit of help with my fundraising – I’d LOVE to get to $5k so I can ride around in a special jersey that shows that I inspired people to donate $5k to help eliminate HIV/AIDS in our lifetime.

Regarding the leg – I had an amazing session with my massage school teacher Marty. He’s a rolfer, massage therapist and cranial sacral therapist. Oh, and, he also helps people with money. He’s a super mellow city guy who rides a fixie (with a front break) and totally understands my biking needs.
A week after my 90 minute session, my pain has been reduced to about 90% of what it was.

So, that’s the leg thing.

I’ve also been focusing a lot on our fundraiser that’s TOMORROW NIGHT! It’s taken a lot of planning, organizing and hitting the pavement putting up posters and giving out flyers. It’s been a great time. I’m so excited to put on my special cowgirl costume – complete with red cowgirl boots and a red, pigtail wig.

We need to raise $3012 to get everyone to their minimum needed to do the ride – I’m really hoping we can get to that number – think good thoughts for us, huh?

The event will have raffles and a silent auction. Those of you not coming to the event will have to dream wistfully of gigantic feather pillows with amazing fabric, cases of wine, a bed and breakfast stay, shopping, dining and spa-ing gift cards, home-made leather tote bags as big as paper shopping bags, jewelry, photos, and the list goes on.

Did I mention wine? We have three cases and a magnum to raise money with…

I’m hoping to get up early enough to ride to work tomorrow morning – as if I don’t have enough to do already! I’ll keep you posted!

We woke up around 10 and said “let’s bike to Fairfax!” and we did!

Training has been hard for the last couple of weeks because it’s been raining a lot on my days off. While I don’t mind riding in the rain, it’s really hard to decide to do it when it’s also really cold, my apartment is cozy and I have anatomy homework to do. Our Sunday training rides with other ALC8 riders (and friends) has been canceled two Sundays in a row now due to really bad weather (windy, cold, pouring rain).

We left around noonish after having Shanny’s special steel cut oats, peanut butter and prunes (usually we use raisins but we were out – raisins are definitely better). I discovered today that my warm up is riding from our place at 16th and Valencia to Golden Gate Bridge along this path.

The last little bit of Arguello before it enters into the Presidio (the long street in the middle heading into the big green area) is the nastiest little hill. It’s soo steep but thankfully it’s only two blocks long – I still end up at the top totally winded and needing a bit of a rest.

The Golden Gate Bridge crossing is my least favorite – sadly – as it should be super sweet. Yes, the view is outstanding and incredibly special but by the time we get past all the tourists walking, tourists on bikes, tourists standing in the middle of the walkway taking pictures and not hearing the cyclists approaching from behind yelling “on your left!”, I’m annoyed, to say the least. But, then we get the fabulous downhill into Sausalito. That hill is dessert before dinner – tho, it’s also work after play when the ride is reversed – phew!

The stand out items from today’s ride are:
1. We got to Fairfax in just over 2 hours – much better than the 3 hours it took last time.
2. I rode up White’s Hill without much trouble – but was definitely at the last of my energy before lunch.
3. The coffee “prize” I gave myself at Fairfax Coffee Roastery (no online presence could be found! how odd!). Their coffee is all roasted right there and they have a lot of organic options. I got a 16 oz americano and added honey and soy (and a splash of half n’ half) and it was a great treat – except that I could only finish half of it (I know, I know, blaspheme but it was time to go!)
4. We made it home in six hours total – which is what we did last time WITHOUT White’s Hill AND the lunch/coffee break we took in the sun. Yay!

With hope, my next post will be sooner – here’s to good weather on my days off!!

Wanna help me reach my goal?

Wanna help me reach my goal?

Wanna help me reach my goal?

Sadly, we haven’t been doing many of those as it’s very cold (for riding bike) and that much harder to get out the door…

Here’s hoping the weather picks up on my days off so I can ride my little Sweetie!

Wanna help me reach my goal?