Day 7 - The Ride of my Life is over and what an experience!

The last day (Day 7) of the 2010 Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Golden State Challenge, I rode with 3 gentlemen who were maintaining an excellent pace from the starting point in Ventura to the staging area where we were to meet and proceed to the Santa Monica Pier.  I was dealing with a cold from Day 5 of the ride and these guys kept me motivated and moving forward.

It was a pleasure to ride with them.  I'm sad I didn't get a picture with them, but I'm sure I'll find their handsome mugs in the photos taken by the Scan-Van and hopefully, I'll see them again at a future R2R Challenge.   Marlo, Kenneth and Mark, you rock!  Oops, I almost forgot, Anthony (not my friend from Alameda) joined us nearer to the end of the ride.  You rock too, Anthony!

For the most part, the weather was great.  I know at least Camille, Jason and I encountered rain approximately 10 miles or so before the end of the route on Day 3 (Carmel to San Simeon -- the grueling Big Sur climb) and everyone rode in the rain the next morning.  That is probably what brought on my cold since I wasn't wearing appropriate rain gear. 

I recall getting up in the middle of the night before the Day 6 ride (Solvang to Ventura) to check the heater.  I was certain it was on.  It wasn't.  I suspect I warmed the room with a pretty good fever and I'm quite certain I broke that fever on one of the climbs later that day.  It was the only time on the ride I really perspired and I was sweating profusely.   

Statistics from my odometer for the last day of the ride:
Day 7 - Miles for the Ventura to the Santa Monica Pier ride:  59.87; Average speed: 14; Max speed:  31.9; Time on the bike for the ride:  4 hours and 15 minutes.

The reception by the city of Santa Monica and at the Santa Monica Pier was heartwarming.  It was just awesome!  If you're on Facebook, you can connect with the Ride 2 Recovery and you'll see tons of pictures taken on this ride.  You can also go here.

The Ride 2 Recovery Golden State Challenge was the ride of my life.  It meant a lot for me to participate in this rehabilitation and fundraising ride for personal reasons, but my motivation and inspiration on this ride were America's injured military and veteran participants; those serving today and those who have served; and those who have paid the ultimate price. 

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) changed my military career and I couldn't serve.  It meant a lot to me to have the privilege and honor to ride with America's combat veterans.  They made the commitment to serve our country, took the oath and they answered the call.  America owes our combat veterans a debt of gratitude for their selfless service. 

The song titled, Do I make you proud by Taylor Hicks keeps popping in my head and that's because I've been playing a You Tube tribute to our troops with that song in the background.  It is very, very unlikely anyone would ask me that question, but at the risk of sounding cliché, if our combat veterans were to ask me, do I make you proud or a reporter were to ask me does our military make you proud, my answer would be:  Yes, you/they make me proud!

I am honored to have met those who are serving now and those who have served in the past, i.e, Vietnam and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I thank you for your service.  Not that I've ever not been proud to be an American, but I thank you for confirming why I am very proud to be an American. 

Always,

Debi
AKA Deborah Palmer

P.S.  I'll be thanking the people who sponsored me and worked with me to make sure that I could finish this ride and not be a burden to the R2R and I'll share what this ride meant to me personally in a future blog.  

This last week was about our combat veterans!  I support our troops!  God bless America and God bless our military and their families!

Day 5 Solvang and Day 6 Ventura

I woke up at 2:15 AM yesterday and around 11:00 PM tonight and luckily yesterday I could go back to sleep and I suspect I will be able to go back to sleep again before morning..  A cold has been waking me and my roommate the last two days.  When I wake up, I go on my computer to reread and edit my previous posts because I am writing them after an exhausting ride and I'm more prone to error.  There were a lot and every time I read them I find more.

I noticed when I turned my computer on and went to my blog to begin this post yesterday evening I even forgot to post yesterday's blog about the Pismo ride. Oops.

I didn't provide information from my odometer the first day because I didn't think about adding it and I accidentally deleted my bike odometer on Day 4, but Day 5 and 6 are:

Day 5 - Miles for the Pismo to Solvang ride:  67.67; Average speed: 13.0; Max speed:  34.7; Time on the bike for the ride:  Grrrrr.  I lost it while trying to find it on the odometer.  My fingers are clumsy.  I do know it was 5 hours and something.

Day 6 - Miles for the Salvang to Ventura ride:  71.93; Average speed 12.2; Max speed:  29.9; Time on the bike for the ride:  5 hours and 53 minutes.

NOTE:  On my odometer, any slow downs when riding in a group and the climbs that are always much slower are factored in the average speed.  There were many times that I got up to 20 mph on the flats thanks to something I learned from an interview with Pete Penseyres about interval training from a book published by Bicycling Magazine.  I'm so tired I can't remember the name of it and I'm too tired to do a search.  I didn't learn about interval training until September so I have a long way to go, but that month definitely made a difference.I blogged about his brother, Jim  Penseyres, in my pre-ride blog.

Tomorrow, we're off to the Santa Monica Pier for the last day of the ride.   I have to complete this ride.  But, I have to tell you, I feel like road kill.  Day 6 was a struggle with this cold.  John Wordin keeps telling us the terrain is pretty flat except for specific spots.  I have to remind  myself there is a difference between normal flats and California flats.  His definition of flat and mine are not the same, but he's a strong rider and I'm not.

If John is ever up in the San Francisco Bay Area with his bike he should take a ride in Alameda with Anthony, Barbara and I so we can show him what a true flat ride is in our wonderful city.

I have an urge to plug Bike Alameda (BA).  BA is Alameda's cycling advocacy organization.  I contribute having a great city to cycle in to BA.  I also contribute to them the fact I gained more confidence on my bike after taking the classes they (and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition) offer.  These classes are especially helpful and educational for the novice cyclist  -- like me.  To find organizations like that in your community get connected to the League of American Bicyclists.

I never knew you could cycle on Highway 1.  What an experience.  Kinda' scary.  It was very comforting to know that we had the coolest people, the American Legion Riders, watching our back the entire route.  American Legion Riders are combat veterans, predominately Vietnam, or they are related to a combat veteran.

The Ride 2 Recovery Golden State Challenge was on the Nightly News with Brian Williams. Go here and find the clips titled, "Veterans ride to recovery" and "For military, cycling's not for the bike."  Check out those smiles!  That's why I'm riding and one of many reasons I want to continue to support this awesome program.

The Ride 2 Recovery is a great way to help our military in their rehabilitation from physical and mental injuries while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.   John explains why cycling is so beneficial in their recovery really well in the video.

Until next time, I'm still TREKkin' with America's finest.

Always,

Debi

AKA Deborah Palmer

Day 4 Pismo

Ah, a much easier ride today.  Although, I couldn't seem to get my legs warmed up because of the rain.  I'm pretty darn sore.

When I called one of my favorite local bike shops prior to leaving, I asked if they had any rain gear and I was told it hadn't come in yet and not to worry it wasn't going to rain.  Yeah, right.  I should have fallen back on my military training and made sure I had it with me anyway.  I should have taken the time to contact my other favorite store.  I was struck by stupid and I'm paying for it.  But, hey I was going to ride whether I'm wet or not.  If our wounded warriors could handle the weather and living conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, this noncombat vet can handle getting a little wet on this ride.

Lesson learned:  Having your rain gear with you is like wearing a bike helmet.  It's better to be wearing a helmet and not need it than need it and not be wearing one.  Being without rain gear doesn't make cycling not doable, but I'd sure be more comfortable.  You can ride a bike without a helmet, too; but it's much safer (and smarter) to ride with a helmet.  Yep, I learned the helmet lesson the hard way -- literally.  Asphalt doesn't give.

My legs didn't get warm until after lunch, but it was definitely more of a recovery ride after yesterday's grueling ride from Carmel to San Simeon.  I'm still basking in the glory of my accomplishment.  I am set on riding every mile of this ride.  God willing.

We had a great dinner and I can't remember who hosted it, but the city of Pismo had the red carpet out for the Ride 2 Recovery.  There was a very touching moment when John Wordin asked two Vietnam veterans to come forward and they presented them with the Ride 2 Recovery coin -- I think.  I'm having a brain burp.  Both men lost limbs in Vietnam and we gave them the standing ovation they deserved.  You could see that they were a bit uncomfortable getting this type of attention, but it was so richly deserved.  These guys are real role models for our wounded warriors.  I was fighting back the tears because it was so emotional for me.  It's rare that I feel true emotion other than anger since my brain injury, but this was a very, very special moment on this ride.

I was told at breakfast that someone had blogged about me on a R2R Facebook page so I got my computer out and read it.  That was another almost brought to tears moment.  I realized the blog is being written by Jason, the gentleman (US Army Signal Corps officer) who basically rode with Camille and I to the end of the route on yesterday's challenging ride from Carmel via Highway 1 and Big Sur to San Simeon.  Camille is a very nice young female soldier that I had the pleasure to get to know some while riding to the finish line.  OK, it's not a race, but ya' know what I mean.  It touched me deeply when I read:  "I'd take a bike ride with Debbie Palmer over Maria Menounos any day of the week."  Maria Menounos is a young, very pretty and petite NBC reporter.  That was quite a compliment.

Off to Solvang tomorrow on Day 5 of this amazing ride.

Until next time.  I'm still TREKkin' with some pretty awesome and special people.

Always,

Debi

AKA Deborah Palmer

Day 3 - I survived the ride to San Simeon!

What a beautiful and a very long and hard ride from Carmel to San Simeon, but, I made it! :-)  Approximately the last 10 miles of the ride was in the rain.

I woke up about 2:15 this morning and I'm hoping to go back to sleep.  I had to take my second All Day Strong Aleve.  My muscles hurt!  Talk about some awesome hills and descents.  Of course, I'm not a fast descender and there were a lot of winding descents.  

I just pulled my odometer off my bike:
Miles for the Carmel to San Simeon ride: 95.37; Average speed 11.6; Max speed:  30.3; Time on the bike for the ride:  8 hours and 11 minutes. 

Two of my friends from Alameda are participating in the R2R, one is riding and the other volunteered to drive their vehicle and be a part of the SAG Team.  I told Anthony I ended up riding in the rain and that people asked me if I wanted a ride the rest of the way and he said something like, there was no way anyone was going to pry Debi off that bike this close to the end.  I told him they'd have to send John Wordin to get me off. ;-)  I'd probably fight him tooth and nail.  I want so bad to finish every day's ride.

The person who stayed with me from the time he road up on me was Jason.  Often times stronger riders will give you a push on the back to help increase your momentum. Jason is an officer in the Signal Corps and stationed at Fort Knox, KY.  Once he came on me he pretty much stayed with me.  He often stopped to check on riders and then he'd catch up with me again.  He knew how much I wanted to finish this ride.  What a motivator.  What a leader and what a great guy.   I will never forget this young man.

I met some other strong riders who helped relieve Jason.  I met David, a veteran and San Jose firefighter, another David, Gary and Stephen, an R2R mechanic.  They helped me, too.  Jason, both Davids, Gary and Stephen were instrumental in helping me get up the hills.  I am very grateful for their support.

My primary motivation to finish this entire ride is knowing I'm riding for the men and women who are serving today and many who have sustained life changing injuries.  This has been quite a challenge for those who have never been on a bike, but it is a great component of their rehabilitation and many of them are looking forward to the next ride. 

I'm also riding for those who paid the ultimate price.  There were a lot of  times ascending the hills I would ask God to help me complete this ride because I really need to complete this ride for our military who can't.

The song, The Climb by Miley Cyrus ran through my head over and over, too.  

                              . . . Ain't about how fast I get there,

                              Ain't about what's waiting on the other side 

                             It's the climb . . .

I'm tired from all that TREKkin' so I need to try to get some more sleep.  I'll get about 30 minutes of sleep before my alarm goes off and then we'll be headed to Pismo.

God bless America and God bless our military and their families.

Until next time.

Always,

Debi

AKA Deborah Palmer

Day 1 to Santa Cruz and Day 2 to Carmel

We made it to Santa Cruz last night.  It was somewhere between 70 - 73 miles.  It took me approximately 6 hours and 10 minutes.  What a ride, what an experience!  I met a gentleman who gave me awesome tricks on preserving energy on the climbs.  I will need that for our 92 mile ride to San Simeon.

Today, we rode 63 miles to Carmel.   I rode the entire way both days without SAGing (cycling term) meaning needing to be picked up because your bike has had a mechanical problem; you've been injured; you just can't ride any further safely due to fatigue; or because of physical pain that could result in a serious injury.

The opportunity to meet the men and women serving today has made any pain I feel bearable.  The support the American Legion, Ride 2 Recovery (R2R), USO and many local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)s are providing the participants is phenomenal.  There are businesses like Otis Spunkmeyer and Hansen's Natural supporting this awe-inspiring rehabilitation and fundraising ride, also.  I can't remember all of R2R's partners so be sure to visit R2R's "new" website.

Clint Eastwood who resides in the Carmel area wasn't available this year, but he informed his friend who is a Legionnaire (member of the American Legion) he would be available for the Ride 2 Recovery next year.  Nonetheless, America's most important stars were there -- the men and women serving our country today.

I'm exhausted and elated because I haven't SAGed, yet.  I've texted my Trainer every night to tell him how I'm doing.  I have a lot to write about, but I need some sleep.

Night, night.

Tomorrow, I'll be TREKkin' again with a lot of wonderful people.

Always,

Debi

AKA Deborah Palmer

We're off . . . the Golden State Challenge has begun

Pre-ride post .  .  .

The 2008 and 2009 Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Golden State Challenges started at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, but we'll depart from the Holiday Inn near the San Francisco International Airport this year.  There's a lot of construction around the hospital and that may be the reason, but don't quote me.

I received a call about 20 minutes before I was leaving to go to register and attend the pre-ride meeting and kickoff dinner.  They had rooms for all the participants.  We could go there and not have to get up as early the day of the ride.  My two friends, one participating in the ride and the other volunteering, wanted to take advantage of being there the night before so we wouldn't have to rush back to Alameda after dinner and get up so early.  In less than an hour I packed.  First thing, in my luggage was my computer.  I needed to get to this blog because I hadn't finished it and it was automatically set up to publish.  

I should have printed my packing list before I put my computer in my luggage. Anyway, I left without some very important undergarments and my pajamas.  Well, at least I didn't forget my bike.  My friends would have noticed that I'm sure.  When we get to Santa Cruz I definitely need to find a store.

The majority of the participants on this ride are new to this ride and/or cycling.  I learned my roommate is cycling for the first time in 5 years.  I also noticed I'll have the wimpiest bike on the ride.  ;-) My dream bike is now the TREK Madone. 

Oh, by the way, I had the honor of meeting Jim  Penseyres.  Today is his birthday and we sang Happy Birthday to him and another person involved with the American Legion.  Jim is very involved with the Ride 2 Recovery; he's a Vietnam Veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.  He lost part of his leg to a landmine in Vietnam.  What an awesome role model for the men and women living with disabilities from combat in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jim and his brother Pete Penseyres, set the Race Across AMerica (RAAM) record for the four-person Human Powered Vehicle.  That record still stands. 

I'll try to comment on how the ride is going was when I get to Santa Cruz, but no promises.  Until you hear from me again, you know I'm honored to be TREKkin' Highway 1 to Los Angeles with the men and women serving this great nation and the men and women who are supporting them in this awesome rehabilitation and fundraising ride.

Always,

Debi

AKA Deborah Palmer