Hard to believe it's over...

Well, the bike is covered, the gear is washed and the memories of a most incredible week linger.

I still can't believe that we did it.

Now, I know, it would be easy to say, "I" did it....but there was a real sense of "we" all along...even on the toughest climbs and the longest days.

Quite honestly, at the start of the ride, having never ridden even 2 days in a row, I couldn't even conceive how it would be possible that I could do 7 long, grueling days. I knew that I could do it, as lots of people do it every year...I just didn't see how it could be possible, knowing how some long TRAINING days would wipe me out and I'd crash on the couch for 4 hours after.

But I learned a lot in a week.

One thing, is that the body is pretty much the greatest machine on the planet. They say we use only a fraction of our brain...as my body bounced back each day and my muscles kept giving me strength day after day, I realized that we only use a fraction of the true capability of our bodies.

By Wed/Thurs, I truly woke up ready to go each morning, and I started to feel as though it was certainly do-able. Riding in on Saturday to the amazing group of friends in LA gave me such an adrenaline rush, we went for drinks/dinner and then more drinks until, around 11:00, I finally said, 'What the hell am I still doing up?"

The memories and experiences of these 7 days would certainly fill this blog, so I won't even try to retell all that happened. But the '30 foot view' of the whole experience is that, even with everyone assuring me how incredible the event would be, it surprised me in the most unlikely ways. I found that the most obviously sentimental parts of it didn't get to me like the simple things that would creep up on me and blow me sideways until I had to hide my sobbing from those around me.

The simple kindness of the ladies who set up a table of coffee and doughnuts roadside to show us support, the number of straight allies who joined the fight and rode just as hard, the roadies who got up earlier and worked harder with never a complaint, but only a hug of support... (I could go on and on and on).

It's simply one of the rare opportunities to witness the best in humanity in a 7 day stretch, all while challenging yourself in a way you never thought possible.

You become a different person for that week. You're in a zone. It's all about the ride. Eating enough, drinking enough, getting to bed early enough...you truly feel like you have the priorities of an olympiad. Now, maybe, now, knowing that I CAN do it, that I CAN ride every single mile and I CAN make it to the top of every single hill without stopping or walking, maybe knowing that, my next ride, I won't have blinders on so much... but I think you almost have to maintain that focus for the week.

I chatted with one of my training buddies last night, Laura, and I was embarrassed to admit that it took me until Thursday to unpack and wash the gear. I've taken the week very easy, so I couldn't blame being busy, or just being lazy, as I really couldn't wait to put everything away clean and fresh...but there was something psychological about it... once I washed everything, it was truly over.

She was cracking up because she revealed that she went through the same thing and finally washed everything yesterday.

I completely see how people do this ride over and over, year after year. It's a rare experience unlike anything else. I would encourage EVERYONE to experience it. You really feel alive on so many levels.

I am honored to have had the support and love along the way from those friends and family out there. Although I did this ride alone, I never felt lonely. You were with me every sweaty mile.

Thank you!

Time to fly. Time to ride.

I can't believe it's time to go.

After 6 months of training and $16,000 worth of fundraising, I leave in just a few hours for San Francisco, where, despite record breaking rains expected, we'll all begin our journey back by bike.

I can't wait. I'm excited, and scared, and anxious. Having never ridden in the rain before, the uncertainty is making me wonder if I prepared enough.

Deep down, I know I did.

This past week of bringing UNCHAINED to the stage didn't give me much time to think about anything else..which, in a way, was a good thing.

Now, having just found out, I am the 15th top fundraiser in Southern California, I could't be more excited and ready.

The show, by the way, turned out so so much better than I even hoped. People wondered how I had so many beautiful talented people in my life that would give of themselves so freely. I marveled at it myself. I am a lucky man. The show touched a lot of lives and I am still getting phone calls about how inspiring each performance was. We raised $1,500. I look forward with hopes that UNCHAINED becomes an annual event for AIDS/Lifecycle.

So, it's time to go.

Thank you to everyone who's cheered me on. I am thrilled, and I can't wait to see what's next.

Let's Put on a Show!

Ok. I clearly don't have enough to stress about riding 545 miles in just 20 days.

I decided that it would be a crime against the arts, not to take advantage of the fact I am surrounded by such amazing talent. I decided that I MUST put on a show. So, Unchained - A benefit in song was born.

And the ball is rolling. After considering several venues and juggling schedules, I finally met up with the place where it seems it's meant to be. Don, the House Manager at The Coast Playhouse was terrific from the beginning. He appreciated what it is I'm trying to do, and said he really, really wanted it to happen there. That made two of us, as I think it's the perfect spot for a night of music, right in the heart of West Hollywood.

My friends are giving of their time and talent, and I think it's gonna be an amazing launch to an amazing experience (the ride itself..oh yeah! I almost forgot about the ride).

No, I have been fitting in training when I'm not dealing with show stuff. Having conquered the biggest hills around, and a couple of Century Rides, I am confident that the ride is not outside of my reach anymore. It will be tough, but not impossible. I think I have some good endurance and strength built up. (but yet, I still train as much as I can until the starting line.)

I am excited but a little stressed about the show, but confident it will all come together and be a night we remember for a long time.

I've hit $10,000?

Is that even possible?

I remember when I was first guided by James Ray to bite the bullet and join the ride and in discussing my goal, I wanted to shoot low. I said $3,000 would be plenty. He said, "Aim for $5,000". In my mind, I would get my last dollar on the day of the ride.

I've been blown away ever since.

When that $5,000 goal was hit on January 31 at 3:15 PM (yes, I remember it well), I couldn't believe it. I bumped it up to $8,000, and that didn't take long to surpass.

Now, having blown by $10 Grand this week, I am still in shock.

Thank you to everyone who has chipped in, big and small. Support is support, no matter the dollar amount, and it looks the same on my jersey.

I am thrilled and excited to keep pressing on.

My terrific Cyclist Rep, Lisa made me a great video of congratulations, which I know took great effort and time to put together. I love it.

Your support makes me train harder.

Thank you all!

Less than 100

Man, how times flies.

I can't believe that it's less than 100 days until the ride.

My first century ride in Palm Springs a few weeks ago was everything I thought it would be, but I learned a lot as well. I was as exhausted as expected, but I encountered a few things that I am glad to embrace at this stage before the big ride.

Overall, I came to the realization that we can accomplish far more than we think we can. We truly don't know what we are capable of, until we challenge ourselves. If you had told me a year ago that I would be pedaling 100 miles in a day, I would have thought you were crazy. And, as I crossed the finish line, it didn't seem like that big of a challenge.

I got some serious leg cramps on the ride. I hadn't ever gotten them while riding before. I didn't know if you pull over and stretch, or what you do, but luckily my buddy Albert was beside me, and he said you just pedal through them. I did, and they went away.

The sharp stabbing pain I got in my right foot, I learned, was from my shoe being too tight. Good to know.

More than anything, I realized it was an achievement in the journey to get to the big ride. It felt great.

It also makes me realize how much more training I need to do before June 5th. 1 day of intense riding is something...but 7 days in a row... wow.

Big Day

I accomplished something big today....and it feels good.

When I did the 'La Tuna' ride a few weeks ago, (my first group ride), I heard that, if I could do the La Tuna hill, and the Garbage Truck Hill in Griffith Park, then I have what it takes to do the ride.

I've been intimidated ever since.

But today was the day. I had conquered the Tuna, so now I was up at 5:30 to take out the trash.

It was really, really cold. I wasn't dressed for it (shorts, fingerless riding gloves), but I figured, either I, or the air would warm up enough that it wouldn't bother me once I got going.

I was wrong. It was cold, and it stayed pretty cold.

As well, when I woke up and saw how dark it was...that part of me that talks me out of doing things I don't want to do, was pretty loud. "You can't go out there..it's cold and too dark...YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A LIGHT". So, I thought, I can't go out there, I don't even have a light.". I stepped out onto the patio and back inside 2 or 3 times before I said, 'Screw you, I'm goin".

The ride was awesome. 5 miles, and 'The Hill' was about half of that. It seemed to keep getting steeper and steeper, and I thought to myself at one point, How slow can I go before I fall over sideways?

But I didn't fall over...and I didn't stop. When I reached the summit, the riders there could sense my elation and asked if this was my first trip up. They were very congratulatory and said that they didn't make it up without stopping their first time.

(maybe they were just being nice).

Still...it felt good. So much so, that I decided to take on an even bigger challenge tomorrow.

(Announcement to come on my facebook wall)

It's now 5:00 and I am tired. My body got a good workout. It feels good.

Big Wheels Keep on Turnin'

So....

I did my first group training ride 2 weeks ago, and it was really excellent.

When I first arrived, the Lead Rider, Doreen point-blank asked me, "Are you here for the ride, and, where are your glasses"? I was like.. "Ummm. My what?" Not realizing that was a requirement.

I should have known better. She explained how easy it was to get debris in your eyes. I kinda scoffed, (on the inside) thinking she was being a little too over protective.

The ride was great. 42 miles, great group of about 15 of us...everyone working hard. One really big hill, 'La Tuna', people spoke of as if it was legendary. That made me nervous. It was a 5 mile climb. A few said that if I can do this, I'll have no problem on the ride (which made me a little more nervous).

I learned so much that day. How to signal, how to make sense of the gears, how to call out to my fellow riders when there's a car approaching or such. We even learned how to change a tire when one rider got a flat.

We finished the day, and I felt like we had bonded.

I drove home and though, "Man, I should be more tired than I am." It felt great. At least then...

2 days later, my left eye was hurting so badly, I couldn't keep it open..it felt like there was a stick in there.

I thought at first maybe it was pink-eye. I went to the Opthamologist the next day and he looked close and asked me if I work on cars or in a position where I am drilling things. I said no. He said, 'You have something lodged in your cornea."

He used what looked like an exacto knife (It wasn't) to get it out.

It's a week later, and it still hurts.

$80 in co-pays later, I have learned my lesson and will never ride without my new glasses again.

It was still a great ride though...