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...

Happy New Year!

Man, it's hard to believe that the holidays are well behind us now. It seems like just yesterday we were making travel plans and hearing the shopping reminders of how many more days we had till Christmas.

I had a great 2 weeks catching up with family, friends, and friends I hadn't seen in years. It was the perfect way to start the year. I also got to tag on a trip to NYC to spend with those I love. With that though, came lots of holiday food, and not a bike for miles.

So, it's time to get back and get serious.

I have a couple of rides that I video'd snips of, that I need to post, but I'll do that a little out of order.

I did my first good, long ride of 2011 last Saturday. I found my way to the nearest entry spot of the LA River (My friend, Vickie said, "I don't even think of rivers in LA"). Well, for those equally confused...think of the big concrete canal that they raced cars in, in the movie Grease. That's the LA River. And in some spots, it actually looks like a river (Not in the picture I'm posting though).

But still, the path along the river is nice (maybe not enough hills) and makes for an interesting ride.

I did 31 miles total, and the only really tough part was getting there via Los Feliz Blvd. (suicide).

Also, I am still learning how to get comfortable with the clip pedals. I almost killed myself a couple of times when I stopped and didn't unclip, almost falling sideways (once into traffic). Ahhhhh the excitement of being new at something. What's worse, at one intersection when I looked like I was wrestling with my bike, I got a nice bloody knock to the shin, and I had to sit there for the light once I regained my composure. I assumed those stopped for the light got a kick out of my ridiculousness, as I sure would have been laughing had the crazy shoe been on the other foot. There's nothing like the look of someone falling sideways clamped to their bike as their body goes into physical panic.

I can't wait to get better at this.

A culmination of ideas past

Back in 2007, when I did the AIDSWALK in Fort Lauderdale, I wanted to honor those who helped me in some symbolic way on the day of the walk (I am a very ceremonious type of guy). Printing the name of each person on my shirt who helped me along the way was a great way to have my team right there with me.

I decided that it would be a good idea to recreate for this experience. I'll be on the lookout for a blank jersey (do they make those?) and begin adding the names of each contributor.

I hope that I'll fill every inch before it's time to ride.

Catching up to do...

Wow..time is flying by. Especially this time of year.

I have a post to catch up on revolving around my training adventures from last week. I'll update soon.

Generosity is still flowing, and I am still a very grateful man.

Thanks everyone for your donations, and especially for the encouragement. I'm having a blast so far, and it's only barely begun...

Live from San Francisco...

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I feel like everything BUT a Cyclist.

("I'm a Cyclist" is my favorite running joke btw). Last night we were in the Castro and about 200 people on bikes rolled by and I stood on the street calling out, 'I'm a Cyclist". My friends laughed. The cyclists didn't.

I feel, after the drive up here, I should spend every waking moment training for what will be an intense 7 days. "What am I thinking" kept running through my head.

I know that I will do it, but the reality of riding a bike from San Francisco to LA is starting to really sink in (especially after the 7 hour drive). I have a lot of work to do.

I would really like to bike over the Golden Gate Bridge this weekend. Just a nice little symbolic gesture that would be really cool, especially since I have never been over it to begin with.

When we pulled into SF, the exit we took to Tony and Cody's place had a sign that read, "Cow Palace" with an arrow pointing left. I believe that is where the ride begins. it was cool to be there by accident.

First Training Weekend

It's Sunday night after my first weekend as a Cyclist. (I'm a Cyclist!)

I knew I wanted to train a bit, and so I, despite the rain, set out to bike to the Observatory. If you know LA, you know that it sits at the top of a windy mountain road. (But then again, I guess most Observatories do...)

2.5 miles up, and 2.5 miles down.

It was great. I had to take a couple of breaks, and I didn't let the rain stop me. It was actually a bit refreshing. When I arrived at the top, it started pouring and my real only worry that my iPhone was going to get ruined.

I certainly don't have the gear yet. Remember the 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players' on SNL? I realized, I am the 'Not Ready for Spandex Rider'. Maybe after a few more rides and a few less donuts.

The ride was good, and I logged 5 miles to my count so far. I decided to denote my milage in my Facebook picture. It can be a reminder, something for people to ask me about, and a way to feel even more accountable. I made it look like an interstate sign with the color scheme of the ALC.

I went to a Bike 101 clinic at iMartin on Beverly on Saturday. It was a cool store, and I was the only one who showed, so a guy named Matt spent some time explaining to me what to look for in a bike purchase.

Albert's loaner bike he offered would be too small for me, and I went today to look at Mike's and he had everything from his ride last year. I called it the Showcase Showdown...and the price was right, so I am gonna make the leap and buy it all from him. Seems pretty far, but about 3 times as much as I planned to spend on this event. (I just had no idea how much I would need).

I put in 7 miles today, riding up through Griffith Park and back. It felt good, and I wasn't as tired. I can 'up it' pretty quickly.

I've gotten $340. in donations so far. Not a bad start. I look forward to drumming up more support. I have a lot of people who are saying they are planning to sponsor me, but I guess that June seems so far away.

I feel good though. Some good training, and I have a bike. (or WILL have one soon).

The Day After...

Ya know...

I've been thinking.

I am not so sure I am up for this. Sure, yesterday it seemed like a great idea... people cheering and I hadn't even done anything yet. As a matter of fact, I was sitting in the same seat I was in the day before...no where NEAR a bike.

Hell, I don't even HAVE a bike yet...so..big deal....I'll just let the fanfare die down... no one will notice.

(kidding)

No, the momentum ball is certainly rolling. I have people contacting me with ideas of where to get a bike, friends offering to loan me jerseys... bike riding buddies...all of it... it's amazing.

I just got a call to my VM a few minutes ago... this really nice sounding woman named Lisa called to welcome me.

"I am your new cyclist representative."

I have a representative!!!! :)

She told me of a bike buying clinic. I'll be there this Saturday.

This one decision to be a part of this is turning into a pretty huge thing. It certainly seems like a family. One that I am honored to be a part of.

The End of 200 Day

What a great day.

It's midnight at the end of the 200th day away from the ALC. My teasers and '200 video' made their facebook splash, and people said some really great things. (and I am $245 into the game now!)

If I raise that amount for the next 199 days, I'll rake in $49,000! :)

The gracious James Ray of the ALC featured my video on the ALC wall and asked me if I'd be interested in being profiled in the December newsletter. I am really honored. The video was just something fun I put together, and iMovie made it look slicker than it really was.

All day I was brainstorming some creative ways to raise funds for this. I'd love to inspire people rather than harass them to contribute to this great cause that I myself have been so inspired by.

I feel like we're all inundated by so many charities and causes. I am just as guilty at thinking, "Wow...ANOTHER one?" when I see a form letter asking for donations.

I wanna be sensitive to that and make people want to contribute instead of feel obligated to.

One comment on the ALC wall today meant a lot to me. A guy named Jay said, "and again all I can say is AMAZING! (I still have money to raise and want to donate to Mark for that great presentation...love it!)"

Pretty sweet, huh?

200: It begins.

Today's the day.

In 200 days, I'll be joining an inspired group of riders from San Francisco to LA in my very first Aids/Lifecycle ride. Realizing that it's only 200 days away, I created a couple of teaser ads and a little video to announce my participation. What better way to begin, than to be a bit over the top...

Not to be overly self-indulgent with this blog, but I thought that documenting my progress might be interesting, (if only for myself), since I will be joining this ride from scratch. (Having never pedaled anywhere close to this distance, and not even having an adequate bike at this point).

Why am I doing it?

Though not personally affected by HIV/AIDS, I am very aware that the crisis isn't over. Despite the fact that many with HIV still lead healthy, productive lives, I dream of a cure in my lifetime. I have contempt for the fact that drug companies profit greatly while a cure is slow to be discovered, but since I can't do anything about that, I decided to take on this challenge, to hopefully shed a little more light in my life towards disease awareness and prevention.

A goal of $5,000 seems a bit lofty for my first time out, but I like a challenge, and it will give me a hefty goal to shoot for.

The second and main reason is for the adventure itself. The sense of triumph and accomplishment and the removal of one more thing off my 'bucket list'.

I am ready for the adventure. I can't wait.

To sponsor, visit: www.tofighthiv.org/goto/markrowe