Help me help our combat veterans through a program dedicated to helping injured veterans

In May of 2009, I met John Wordin, Executive Director and Founder of the Fitness Challenge Foundation and Ride 2 Recovery (R2R); he was the guest speaker at the Bay Area Brain Injury Task Force (BABIT) Resource Fair.  

At the time, I was struggling with severe depression after losing my best Buddy, my companion dog of 10 years and 8 months. I was gaining weight since I no longer had him to motivate me to get out and walk and my knees ached and one was in need of surgery.

John shared how cycling is helping our combat veterans in their recovery and how he lost the weight he gained playing football in college by cycling.  He invited us to participate in the R2R Golden State Challenge.  A quick blurb about the program follows, if you are reading my blog for the first time and haven't heard of the Ride 2 Recovery.

The R2R Program features cycling as the core activity because it has been found to be helpful in rehabilitation.  Cycling facilitates the recovery process and is an activity most patients with mental and physical disabilities can participate in. The Program includes Spinning® Recovery Labs and outdoor cycling located at military and Veterans Affairs (VA) locations.

I decided the Golden State Challenge would be a fundraising ride I’d like to participate in because it would benefit America’s combat veterans and it would motivate me to exercise for a good cause.

Our military, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, are returning home with life-changing injuries.  Many of these brave men and women are fighting a new fight.  They are fighting for their physical and mental health.  You and I can help them in that fight through the Ride 2 Recovery (R2R), a nonprofit program created to help injured veterans.

I’m a brain injury survivor and a noncombat veteran.  Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  My personal understanding of TBI is my motivation to raise funds for this program and it means a lot to me to help those serving today.

I benefited from this program after John learned I was veteran who had a brain injury when I raised funds and rode my TREK hybrid in October 2010 on the Golden State Challenge (GSC).  In November R2R found a sponsor for my transportation to the Florida Challenge and R2R loaned me a road bike so I wouldn’t have to pay to ship mine.  Wayne Stetina, an employee of Shimano, one of R2R’s sponsors, taught me how to ride on clipless pedals.  At the last dinner, R2R donated that bike to me. 

I was surprised because I’m not a combat veteran, but John told me: 

Ride 2 Recovery helps all injured veterans, not just combat veterans.  Ride 2 Recovery doesn't care how a veteran is hurt, only that we can help them in their rehabilitation.

Cycling has been good medicine for me; it has helped me deal better with stress and depression since my brain injury, and I sleep better.  From my personal experience with the Ride 2 Recovery and the smiles I’ve seen on our combat veterans, this program is making a difference.  

Our combat veterans are my heroes.  Despite what one might think of any war, we should always support the men and women who made the commitment, took the oath and answered the call of our country.   We are blessed there are men and women willing to serve today.  I’m certain the children of this country turning 18 would be participating in mandatory conscription, also referred to as compulsory military service or the draft, if there weren’t those willing to serve.

A lot of those serving in the all-volunteer military have been deployed several  times. I can only imagine how stressful it is being in harms way 24 hours a day for 7 days a week. Many of the deployments have been for at least a year. Many of the injured veterans on the R2R Rides are combat veterans from the wars in Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan.   Many are dealing with physical challenges, including loss of limb(s), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or TBI.

I’m raising funds for this program.  My immediate goal is to raise $1.00 for each person who died as a result of 9/11 ($2,998).  My long-term goal is to raise $15,000 between now and the end of December 2012.  The funds I raise contribute to the cost of helmets, recumbent bikes, hand cycles, road bikes and specialized equipment to modify bikes to accommodate injuries.

On the 10^th anniversary of September 11th, injured veterans, first responders and supporters are participating in the 9/11 American Challenge.  This fundraising and rehabilitation ride is approximately 530 miles.  The ride starts near Ground Zero on Sept 11^th. Riders will then cycle from New Jersey to Shanksville, PA and back to the Pentagon where the ride will end on the 18^th.

If you believe in helping heal America's combat veterans as much as I do, please consider a donation and help me spread the word about this awe-inspiring program. 

One way you and your family, friends and coworkers can help is by making a donation of any size individually or collectively (passing the hat).

To donate online, go here.  Enter DEBORAH PALMER as the rider you are sponsoring so that I can track how much money I’m raising for the program and I can send you a personal thank you. 

Or, mail a check or money order to:  Ride 2 Recovery, 23679 Calabasas Rd, #420, Calabasas, CA 91302.  Please add Deborah Palmer to the memo section of your check or money order to ensure I’m credited for the donation and I can continue to track the amount of money I'm raising.

I acknowledge those who donate here unless they request anonymity.  Three of the donors to the Golden State Challenge didn’t receive a personal thank you card because I didn’t have an address for them, but they were all thanked by E-mail and in this blog.

You and your family, friends and coworkers can also help by spreading the word about the Ride 2 Recovery.  In addition to the funds needed to support injured veterans, I want to help raise awareness.  There may be other veterans who could benefit from Ride 2 Recovery and especially Reserve and National Guard personnel who were deployed and returned home and haven’t learned of this program because they are no longer on active duty.

Those who like to bike may be interested in participating.  For information about Challenges, Cyclefests and Spinning Nation events, go to the R2R website and select “Event Info.”  

For those of us living in Northern California:

1.   The Golden State Challenge starts in San Francisco on Sunday, October 2^nd and ends on the 8^th.  You can also sign up for one day rides along the 7 day route.  The first day ends in Santa Cruz (approximately 75 miles). Scroll down to Register Now!  ONE DAY RIDE

2.   The Stockton Cyclefest is Saturday, October 15^th.

3.   The next Spinning Nation event is on Veterans Day, November 12, 2011.

It would be nice to see more local (SF/Bay Area)  teams coming out on the one day events wearing their team kits.  I’d especially like to see the Grizzly Peak Cyclists come out and ride wearing their beautiful Grizzly Peak Century jerseys.  That’s the jersey I want to earn and every day I ride I am training for their century next year.  I had to eat humble pie last year.  Long story.  :-(

Hum, I wonder what team has the strongest and fastest hill climbers.  Could the best climbers be members of Team Alameda, Grizzly Peak Cyclists, Alameda Velo, or the Oakland Yellowjackets? Or, is it another team I haven’t mentioned  in the SF/Bay Area?  

Obviously, this chunky butt won't be at the front riding to see who was the first person to arrive at the finish at the end of the ride ;-), but I bet someone at the front of the ride or a support vehicle driver would let me know which jersey came in first.  If I were to place a bet . . . I’d bet on the Grizzly Peak Cyclists. ;-)  

OK, I hope you know I'm just messing with my home town's two cycling clubs, Team Alameda and Alameda Velo.  I am quite aware that all three clubs have a lot of experienced and strong climbers, but I've only seen the Grizzly Peak Cyclists climb.  And, they climbed right past me on the Grizzly Peak Century Prep Rides. ;-)

Really, if I were to pick out an individual it would be Flash, AKA James Gordon, on Team Alameda and one of my favorite bloggers, because of his experience and power to weight.  He's a lean biking machine! He mentored me on my first climb over 1,000 feet.  Everyone else on that ride was way ahead of us.  A cyclist who can manage to ride with someone new to climbing and slow has got to be a strong rider.

Anyway, this isn't a race.  It's an opportunity to ride your bike for a very worthy cause, enjoy the scenery, meet other cyclists and mingle with Team Ride 2 Recovery and the awesome supporters and sponsors of this program. 

R2R participants (supporters and injured veterans) are sharing about their participation in other fundraising events on Facebook and some of them are even competing.  How cool is that? 

I wanted to participate in the Wheels for Meals Ride last year, but I was on the 2010 Golden State Challenge.  The Wheels for Meals Ride was my very first fundraising ride in 2009.  I participated because it is a worthy cause and I used it as a venue to train for the Golden State Challenge.

It was a beautiful ride with lots of nice people. I enjoyed the warm, fuzzy feelings I experienced after the ride and now I’m addicted to riding for the causes I’m passionate about.

This year the Wheels for Meals Ride is on Saturday, October 22^nd, so I can participate!  Yeah!  I’ll be registering on the Wheels for Meals site the first of October.  I hope that makes me cool, too! ;-)  And, I hope those of you who like to bike, who are over 50 or have aging family members in the SF/Bay Area will participate and/or donate also. 

Please share this post and the information about the R2R Events with your friends, family, and colleagues, and especially those who like to bike?  I'm personally riding for the warm fuzzies I get from furthering the cause of helping America’s combat vets.  At the same time, I get to do what I enjoy and that is riding my precious bike.

Please tell any veterans, active military, and reserve and National Guard personnel you know about the Ride 2 Recovery. I've met a few retired military and other veterans on this ride. My homie, Anthony, from Alameda is a cyclist and veteran and has participated in these events since 2008. :-) If you are active military, retired or a veteran, you really should participate in one or all of the rides you can.  If you are proud of your service or are serving today, I'm quite positive you will be glad you did.  

I’m working on my active duty and retired Coast Guard cycling buddies and hoping they will recruit their colleagues and ride the 1^st day of the Golden State Challenge and/or the Stockton Cyclefest. 

I met two El Cerrito police officers at the BE-Pro Conference and I participated in their awesome Bike the Bridges for Special Olympics Event in June.  I plan to ride it next year, too.  I get cooler everyday, right? ;-)

I would love to see those two police officers and their colleagues riding wearing their Police Department or Bike the Bridges jerseys on the one day ride from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and/or the Stockton Cyclefest, too. 

If everyone I sent this to who wasn't riding made a $5 donation and/or collected a dollar from members of any club they are involved with, their coworkers, or asked family and friends for a small donation, we'd collectively make a big difference.  A lot of small donations will make a big impact on this program.

Envision this . . .  A business/city, county or state department/club/military unit with 100 people donated $1.00 or $5.00.  Then R2R would receive $100 or $500.  Imagine if 10 departments in Alameda County donated the same.  R2R would receive $1,000 or $5,000.  All one has to do to is give up eating one meal out or give up one cup of specialty coffee and plan a bag lunch and have regular coffee.   I can refrain from a meal out or a specialty coffee because our combat veterans and their families have given up much more. 

What I’ve loved most about getting in to cycling is that I’ve met so many nice people.  I always cherished the esprit de corps and camaraderie among the active military and reserves, and it’s something that I also feel when people get together to bike for a common purpose.

The Ride 2 Recovery 9/11 American Challenge is supposed to have quite a few first responders participating.  Shortly after 9/11, I remember seeing a drawing of a firefighter passing the flag to a military person.  I wish I could find that picture.  That picture has been engrained in my brain because it was touching to see a first responder (representing those who answered the first call to help those trapped in the Twin Towers hit by the planes) at Ground Zero pass the flag to a military person (representing those who answered the call of our country).     

A San Jose firefighter, also a former Marine, raises funds and has supported this program since its inception.  We’ve biked a few times together, but he’s very busy with R2R and his job as a firefighter.  He has a new girlfriend, too, and we gotta’ get her on a bike.  ;-) 

I hope everyone who reads this blog will consider participating in a future R2R event or make a donation to help support our combat veterans in their healing.  No donation is too small and all donations are equally appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, considering a donation and spreading the word about this program that is making a difference in the lives of many wounded warriors and injured veterans.  

Until next time.

Always,

Debi

P.S.  Since I wrote this post, I have found the drawing that I saw many years ago on the Internet.  It is titled, I'll take it from here! 

Back in the hills and the Memorial Challenge

It has been awhile since I have posted on this site or the Brain Injury Connection website because I have been struggling with my depression and it has been kicking my butt.  I’ve managed to push myself out the door to ride my bike and that always helps.  If I don’t ride, I don’t sleep well.  If I don’t sleep, I’m really grumpy.

I’m getting 25 – 45 miles a day in 5 – 6 days a week now that it is summer and the more I ride, the better I sleep and feel.  You may already know it, but if you don’t, cycling has been good medicine for me!

I’m back in the hills.  What a difference a triple makes! I lost my conditioning over the winter.  I didn’t ride in the hills for about 3 months due to the flu, inclement weather and I wasn’t confident enough to ride in the hills alone on clipless pedals without my cycling buddies.

It felt like I was just learning to ride in the hills for the first time when I started the Grizzly Peak Century Prep Rides in March.  Before I go any further I need to remind or inform anyone reading this that I rode from San Francisco to Santa Monica (over 27,000 ft of climbing) via Highway 1 on a triple geared TREK hybrid without SAGing in October 2010.  NOTE:  The wheels I used on the Golden State Challenge were much narrower and lighter than the picture I’m linking you to. 

The R2R donated a beautiful compact double road bike through their program to me in November on the Florida Challenge after they learned I was an injured veteran (noncombat).  I went up in the Berkeley Hills in December. I believe I made it up those hills on that double compact with no problems because I had just ridden two challenges. 

Three months later, after I realized I was struggling on the climbs during the Grizzly Peak Century Prep Rides, I discussed my concerns with two experienced and knowledgeable cyclists, Wayne Stetina and Jim, AKA Flash.  Flash wrote a very helpful article titled, "Low Gear Manifesto" for his Flashblog.  After reading Flash’s article; talking to the men and women I met on the Grizzly Peak Prep Rides; and discussing this further with my cycling friends, my bike is now a modified compact with gears lower than the traditional triple and equal to my TREK hybrid.

I had just made the change from a compact double to a modified compact when I was blessed to be invited to participate in the R2R Memorial Challenge.

The humidity drained my energy and we didn’t always have access to the Internet so I rarely brought my computer out of my suitcase.   I arrived home totally exhausted. The Golden State Challenge was a piece of  cake in comparison to the Memorial Challenge.

It had nothing to do with the miles we rode on any day or the hills.  The Golden State Challenge involved more climbing and more miles each day. The temperatures and humidity were unprecedented on the first three days of the Memorial Challenge for that time of the year.  I recall someone mentioning the heat index was 106 on one of those days.

I was born in the south – Southern California that is (Los Angeles ;-). I was raised in Texas and Michigan.  My time on active duty was spent in Alabama, Kentucky, and Germany.  After I married I moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. The states I mentioned are very humid; I don’t recall whether Germany is humid.  Anyway, I’m no longer accustomed to humidity because I’ve lived in California since 1987.

Day 1 – 2: 

I don’t think I would have made it as far as I did the first three days of the Memorial Challenge, if I didn’t have access to a second engine.  I affectionately refer to that engine as the “Stetina Engine.”   Several of us were grateful for his assists.

You have to be a strong rider to assist other riders.  I was exhausted from the heat and humidity and there was one point that Wayne assisted me at least 15 miles.  I think that was the first day when we left to ride after 1:00 PM.  We attended a Memorial Day event just before the ride.  The heat was unbearable when we started.

I was not feeling well when I finished the ride the first day.  I was extremely exhausted and feeling very nauseated and I couldn’t get ready in time to go with everyone to eat that evening.   Someone had kindly brought food back, but I had eaten at a restaurant near the hotel. 

A bit about Wayne 

I wish I could add the picture to my blog that an R2R participant took of Wayne Stetina at the Sea Otter Classic.   He was standing up riding his bike in a race.  You could see the definition of the muscles in his arms and legs.  I downloaded it from Facebook and sent to his wife in case she didn't see it, but I can’t enlarge it and make it clear enough for my blog to show what a lean and muscular cycling machine Wayne is; he’s the epitome of fit.  That picture would have made a nice cycling poster.

When the participants who ride the entire route might get a 71 mile ride day, Wayne and the other ride leaders usually get more riding in because they assist and move back and forth among the different groups of riders adding to their daily mileage.  So, you know they have to be strong riders.

If you have an opportunity you should read “Living in Wayne’s World” a feature article in Road Bike Action Magazine.  I remembered there are pictures of him in that article, but when I went back I see he’s wearing his arm and leg warmers and you can’t see his muscles.

Wayne works for Shimano and is also a professional cyclist.  He’s a three-time Olympian and has won 13 US National Championships.

Wayne and Barb stayed in France after the R2R Normandy Challenge.  He and his friends from the USA Cycling Champions Club are riding the Pyrenees and the Alps.  He has his own blog now titled, Ride With Wayne.   His first post is about his Tour de France Adventure with his club.

I am just getting on Twitter and I follow Wayne @RideWithWayne and @Ride_2_Recovery.  You can see what Wayne’s tweeted from his new blog, too. The pictures of France he’s tweeted and on his blog are beautiful.  

Wayne’s wife, Barb, also my cycling buddy on the challenges, has kidded with me about being Wayne's PR person.

Most of the guys who work and volunteer for R2R,including, John Wordin, the Founder and Executive Director, Gary Hanson, and Scott Moro, and Jim Penseyres and Duane Wagner, Vietnam veterans, have competed in cycling events.

They bring a wealth of cycling experience and truly care about the success, safety and enjoyment of the participants.  I love these rides and I love these people.

Day 2 

Close to the end on the 2^nd day there was a very steep hill and my second engine was busy assisting his lovely wife up that hill.   I’m embarrassed to say my heart was racing from the heat and humidity and I clipped out for fear of falling in to the traffic because I was climbing very, very slow.   

Wayne came back to help me, but I was off my bike.  He escorted my bike up to the top.  I think Wayne was born on a bike. I don't like taking my hands off my handlebars to drink and he's riding with one hand on my bike and taking it along with him while riding up a hill.  I’m embarrassed to say I got in the SAG vehicle rode up a short ways to the top of the hill – maybe a quarter of a mile.  I got back on my bike and we eventually caught up with Barb. I would have tried harder to get to the top if I wasn't so hot and my heart wasn't racing. 

Day 3 

I pulled over to hydrate and rest under the shade of a tree at about 42 miles in to the ride with another rider.  I got down on the ground and used my helmet as a pillow. I really, really wanted a nap. 15 to 30 minutes would have sufficed, but two of R2R’s cadre stopped to check on us. One felt my arm and said I wasn’t perspiring and they insisted I get in the SAG Wagon.  I didn’t really want to, but I also didn’t want to die from a heat stroke.  There was room in the van and I would have gotten out, if a combat vet would have needed a seat. 

I rode the red-eye from CA to DC and didn’t sleep well the day before because I was packing and I hadn’t ridden my bike a couple days before the ride. I don’t ride; I don’t sleep well.  I was excited about participating in the Memorial Challenge and seeing everyone I’ve met on previous R2R Challenges and meeting new participants as well.  The day before I arrived in DC was my birthday.  Even though participating in the Ride 2 Recovery wasn’t a birthday present I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the first few days after my birthday than riding my bike with this awesome group of people.

I didn’t sleep much on the plane.  I was hoping I’d get a nap (and shower) when I arrived, but shortly thereafter we attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.   There was no way I was going to miss that.

Back to Day 3 

While in the SAG wagon I hydrated and cooled down.  After 6 miles, I tried to get out and ride. That’s plenty of rest time when you’re in a vehicle following cyclists.  No one could remember which vehicle my bike was in and everyone who was getting out at that rest stop was gone by the time we found it.  Many of the R2R bikes look the same and the laminated license plate on the rear of the bike is what confirms it’s ours.

Catching up with riders in the heat would not have been easy.  I probably would have overheated again.  I got back in the SAG wagon.  When we saw riders stopped to rest and hydrate the driver stopped to let me out.  I rode the last 7 miles in with them.   Instead of 61 miles on the 3^rd day, I rode 49.

Some of us weren’t thinking very clearly or fast due to the heat.  I crashed twice in the first three days.   I’m relieved to say, I did not cause either of them.  The first crash was on the first day.  A first time rider must have forgotten that John said if you haven’t been trained to assist a hand cyclist or recumbent rider, don’t do it.

I know that person’s heart was in the right place and he just wanted to help, but unfortunately he went down immediately after grabbing the push bar and I was right behind him and down I went.  Wayne said I could have avoided him and gave me some pointers.

I understand the hand and recumbent cycles are very heavy and there is a protocol for assisting them.  If you don’t follow that protocol, you will crash.

The second crash was the second day.  A gentleman was reaching for his water bottle while we were riding up a hill and his front tire touched the back tire of the person in front of him and down we went.  He felt so bad; he apologized to me several times throughout the ride.  I told him it happens and it was a learning experience.  At least the road rash I accumulated on both falls was on the same elbow.

John should have done a “road rash roll call” on this ride.  I’m pretty sure I saw more road rash on elbows and knees than I remember seeing on the Golden State or Florida Challenges.

There was another fall in front of me and I successfully got around that person.  Wayne told me I did well.  I learned five riders crashed when a rider reached for a towel to wipe off sweat and dropped it in his tire.  I understand those who fell because of that weren’t very happy.

Day 4 

The 4^th day of the Memorial Challenge was the easiest.  It was also our longest ride day of 71 miles. The temperature was much, much cooler and the humidity much lower than the first 3 days.  What a relief.

Day 5 

The 5^th day was emotional for me, but at least I didn’t cry.  We rode on to Ft. Eustis in Virginia where I took my transportation officer basic course and some of the courses of my transportation officer advanced course.  It was a painful reminder of my losses after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  I was a transportation officer in the Army Reserves and I had just finished a transportation management internship for the Department of Defense. My brain injury was a year after I graduated from that internship.  I lost everything because of the ignorance about brain injury among the medical community and general public.

Day 6 

On the evening of the 6^th day and after the Cyclefest on day 7 the USO presented a concert/fundraiser starring the Beach Boys and Darius Rucker, formerly of Hootie and the Blowfish, on Virginia Beach.  I understand this concert will be a special on TV in the future.  I love the Beach Boys.  Darius Rucker is now a country singer and I like his voice and music.

Crane Cyclefest 

Cyclefests are fundraisers that consist of one-day rides with various route distances designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist.

Local law enforcement escorting us on the Crane Cyclefest changed some of the route due to flooding overnight. Instead of a 39 mile Cyclefest it ended up being 25 miles.  It was drizzling while we were waiting to start the ride and by the time the ride started it was raining. The rain let up some when we stopped at Fat Frogs Bike and Fitness to hydrate and fuel ourselves with nourishment, but by the time we were rolling again it started pouring.

It was a long ride in the rain, but the rain didn’t really bother me.  I was going to be packing my bike immediately after the ride for the trip back home in the rain and I was concerned about how packing a wet bike would affect it later.

I can’t tell you how much I wanted to pull over and sit in a water puddle.  I learned by the 3^rd day of the Memorial Challenge that the Eurostyle Chamois Butt’r and my sensitive female parts did not agree with one another.   That part of my body was burning.  I was wiggling and standing off the seat often throughout the ride.  Standing up on the bike and off the saddle gave me some relief, but it didn’t help my pace.

I’m quite certain that the fact my body was sweating profusely from the humidity it allowed that product to get in to places that it didn’t belong.  I personally will NEVER use that Eurostyle Chamois Butt’r again.  So ladies, you’ve been forewarned.  Proceed at your own risk.  Because of that painful burning, sitting in the saddle was uncomfortable for about 2 weeks AFTER the Memorial Challenge. Again, Regular Chamois Butt’r for me YES, the European Style NO.

Despite the heat and humidity, there were still lots of smiles and I believe everyone enjoyed the Memorial Challenge and Cyclefest.  Maybe, we didn’t smile as much during the ride, but after the rides and out of the heat there were lots.  I enjoy being around our combat veterans and all the kind, supportive and generous people who support this program.

I had a nice roomie on the Memorial Challenge.  It was her first ride.  She learned about the R2R events through her brothers.  One rides and the other drives a support vehicle.

My roomie was living in Virginia when I met her.  She is more accustomed to the humidity, but also said that the weather was unusual for this time of the year. Her family was in the process of moving to Colorado.   She and her husband are veterans, too.  They are both West Point graduates and they were helicopter pilots when they served.

There’s not a whole lot more to write about the Memorial Challenge except these rides mean so much to me because I have an opportunity to ride with the most caring and giving people I’ve ever met.

Check out pictures from the Memorial Challenge here.

R2R National Champions

I am so excited for and proud of two R2R participants, Patty Collins and Jon Copsey.  They participated in the USA National Championship - Road Race and won first place in their age and cycling category.

Photographer unknown-Photo on Ride 2 Recovery Wall  on Facebook

Congratulations Patty and Jon! 

You can read about that USA National Champion – Road Race event  here.  To learn more about cycling competition go to USA Cycling.

Le Tour de France

Two years ago, I never would have dreamed I would enjoy cycling so much that I’m actually following Le Tour de France daily.  Previously, I might know whether Lance Armstrong won a stage or the tour but that was it.

Now, I'm predominately following our American teams: Team Radioshack, BMC Racing Team, Team Garmin-Cervelo and HTC-Highroad.

This is the last week of the tour.  There are a few sites I know you can catch up, watch or get updates on the Tour de France: http://procyclingtv.com/; http://www.bicycling.com/; and http://www.steephill.tv/.   It’s also being covered several times a day on the Versus Channel.

I’ve been rooting for Team Radioshack and more specifically, my home boy's, Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer! OK, so Chris isn’t really a Californian, but he trains a lot in CA.  Levi was born in Butte, Montana, but now he and his wife have made their home in Santa Rosa, CA.  Have you heard of  Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge Gran Fondo?  Ya’ have now. :-)

I’m heartbroken about Team Radioshack.  Four riders have had to withdraw due to crashes (3) and illness (1 - high fever).  Two sustained concussions.

I’d really love to see at least two of Radioshack riders get a stage win on the Tour de France.  Levi is a 3 time winner of the Tour of California and Haimer Zubeldia is the highest placed rider on Team Radioshack so far. 

I think Chris will be 40 next year and I hope he gets one more chance at the Tour de France.   I love his smile, sense of humor and attitude.  My favorite picture is here when he won the 2011 Tour of California.  NOTE:  The link may go away pretty fast because it’s a slide show; his picture is on slide #1.

Speaking about our American pro cyclists, there is an excellent article with videos about how the Americans are faring in the Tour de France here. 

 

Lastly, I’m enjoying the Road ID commercials on the Tour de France. I especially like the Road Rules series with Bob Mionske.  I read his Road Rights Blog and follow him on Facebook.     

I get a kick out of the product ads.  I know I’m too slow, and Levi nor Bobke would ride with me either, but my personal Road ID will! ;-)  I have the Wrist ID elite in blue.

So, do you have a Road ID? Give your loved ones piece of mind and invest in a Road ID. So, if you can't speak for yourself, your Road ID can.

On that note, I’ll close.  About time, huh?  Rhetorical question. ;-)

 

Until next time.

Always,

Debi

Open mouth, insert foot . . . Time to back out of the Grizzly Peak Century

Before I get to the crux of this post, I learned of Luke Matthews from Alameda Bicycle’s Facebook page. Luke has entered a competition for the best miniature bicycle made of bike spokes.

The person who receives the most "likes" on their design on the Easton Cycling Facebook page will receive their “dream” bike.  I’d like to ask you to help Luke win his dream bike.  If you’re on Facebook, please go here for links and directions.   Please note later you can dislike or hide if you’re overwhelmed by information.  Please pass this on to any teenagers and college students you know and ask them to help spread the word.

I don’t know Luke, but he’s young enough to be my son.  I know how much I enjoy my bikes (R2R Stealth and TREK Hybrid) and I’d love to see him win this bike.

I’m a bit depressed because I can only ride vicariously with my Team Ride 2 Recovery.   They are on Day 4 of the Texas Challenge.   I check out the pictures and read the blog on R2R's Facebook page every night.  I’m pretty sure that if you are on Facebook the R2R page is public.  If it’s not, you can “like” it.  Shortly after the ride, there will be pictures on the R2R website here.

 Back to the main topic of my blog: 

The gentleman who dreamed up the Grizzly Peak Century (GPC) was at the start of the last Sunday's Grizzly Peak Century Prep Ride.

Unfortunately, his dream has become my nightmare.

I have bitten off more than I can chew thinking I can do a bike century after being off my bike so much the last 3 months due to inclement weather and dealing with the flu for about 2 weeks.  Furthermore, I am learning how to shift a compact double gear road bike and it hasn’t helped that I found almost 10 of the 30 pounds I lost after I started cycling since November.

I have set myself up for failure. I wanted the endorphin high I felt from the Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Golden State Challenge (GSC).

I wanted to prove to myself that I could ride the Berkeley Hills because in the Fall of 2009, I wasn’t sure I could and a lot of other people didn’t think I would either.  I wanted to be able to tell John Wordin, R2R’s Executive Director, that I rode the entire GPC to show him that another person who has experienced the Ride 2 Recovery and benefited from their awe-inspiring program is still riding and is participating in cycling events.

At the risk of tripping over myself again by patting myself on the back, in October 2010 I rode over 27,000 feet of climbing without SAGing in 7 days.  It was “The Ride of My Life” with the most awesome people, including America’s wounded warriors.  I rode 95 miles and over 7,000 feet on one day. 

Now, I'm struggling with our local hills.  And, I don’t think I can do the GPC Metric Century + 11 miles that consists of 5,750 feet of climbing.  This is horribly embarrassing.   After glancing over past posts on my blog, I realized I forgot about the first time I went up to Montclair after my arthroscopic surgery.   I was so exhausted by the time we got to the Piedmont area on Park Blvd I decided I'd wait for Marc to come back from Montclair.

I have ridden the hills only twice since the R2R GSC in October predominantly because of inclement weather, but I also wanted to get more confident on my clipless road pedals.  Until I'm more confident, I prefer riding with my cycling buddies and they're not always available.

The first time I rode in the hills on my R2R Stealth was December 24, 2010 with Marc and I didn’t ride in the hills again until GPC’s first warm-up ride.

I had a big scare on my ride the day before Christmas and I had to make some necessary adjustments to my bike.  I never rode up and down hills until last year.  I did not know that I do not have the strength in my hands to stop from my hoods going downhill.  I was struck by stupid and inexperience.

Besides having lost my conditioning for climbing during the winter and being a fat chick, I think part of my problem is learning how-to use the compact double gears.  My friends, Marc and Jim, think I’m wasting a lot of energy cycling in the wrong gear.  I’ve communicated with a couple of very experienced cyclists and a couple of people on the Grizzly Peak Cyclists Team about my gears and there are some foreseeable changes in the future.  And, if you’re a cyclist and want to make suggestions, I welcome them in the comment section.

A side note:  How apropos that one of my favorite bloggers wrote an interesting blog and mentions the concept of “lower gears and higher power to weight ratio.” This past weekend I saw firsthand how important it is to be fit on any bike, and slim is a plus, than chunky on a light bike.  A petite woman about my age was riding a very heavy, steel bike and my fat butt was on a carbon fiber. She left me in the dust on the hills. Very impressive and embarrassing!  Talk about a reality check.  Of course, if my chunky butt had been training I would have gotten up those hills without walking just a lot slower because of my weight.  I had to walk part of Papa Bear on one ride and three times, including McEwen Road, on the last ride.  Oh, and I skipped some portions of the rides.  I've got some serious training to do.  Will power just isn't enough.  I am also pretty stubborn, but stubborn isn’t cutting it.

When I first rode in the hills, I was always able to stop and rest at the top on a climb, but I had been riding flats and there’s a hill near Richmond Point and some rolling hills on a trail near Walnut Creek that I trained on with Marc. I don’t think I’m confident enough that I won’t fall with the clipless pedals when I'm climbing so slowly and I end up getting out prematurely.  I’ve only been using clipless road pedals since November.  I learned how to use them on the R2R Florida Challenge.  And, did I tell you I'm over 50 learning to ride hills and using clipless pedals? 

I have a few favorite blogs and websites, but Flash of Flashblog is the blogger that has a special place in my heart [yes, his wife knows ;-)] because he mentored me on the first "ride of my life" and that was a little over 1,000 feet of climbing.  He also got me moving in the direction of bigger hills.  I have nothing but respect and adoration for him even though I know he’s wanted to thump me upside the head a few times.

Flash, AKA Jim, after certifying me nuts per my request and I shared the problems I was having riding the hills with him now, told me:

Keep in mind that this is the "off season" and that the GP century is early in the year, so I've always considered it more of a "hardcore" rider's century as in, you have to be hardcore to ride through the winter to be in shape for it."  

I concluded from his comments I’m a hardcore idiot to think I could do this ride now. What was I thinking?

When I asked the R2R participants on Facebook whether they thought I could do the GPC Century John Wordin, professional cyclist and founder of R2R,  thought I could do it, if I was in shape.  Unfortunately, I'm not now since I've climbed only a few times this winter.

I really feel bad about reneging on my commitment to ride the GPC, but I would feel worse if I couldn’t complete it.  I want this ride to be successful.  I don’t care how fast I get there; I just don’t want to walk it. The last thing I want is to be seen in my R2R jersey and walking my R2R Stealth in the hills on this Century.  I don’t care if I stop at the top of a hill for a rest, but to walk a hill is absolutely not acceptable to me.

I have to make ME, my Team R2R, Marc, David and my new cycling buddy Jim, a retired Coast Guardsman, proud.   I rode 45 miles yesterday and about 25 miles were with Jim and I’m exhausted.  He rode his Fixie bike.  Hum, I bet if I could afford a fixie, not only would I get in really good shape, but I’d get some junk out of my trunk (pounds off my butt).

If you’re reading this and you have any suggestions for my training through winter next year; thoughts on my gears (compact double); or suggestions on my cycling diet since that is my fuel, I welcome them.

I thought about Nutrisystem through Costco, but I don’t know if they use preservatives for their foods.  Note: I’m always ravenous when I cycle and I have serious knee problems so I can’t run or jump.  I’m doing intervals and reading Selene Yeager’s, the Fit Chick, book, Ride Your Way Lean.

I sort of have a plan now, but I would appreciate hearing from others who have dealt with weight issues and got fit cycling.

I'd like to recover the funds I donated to this worthy cause, if I can.  The GPC ride is closed to new participants, but transfers are doable.  For more info about registration transfers go to the GPC home page.  I’m also willing to transfer if someone will make a donation to either the Ride 2 Recovery, Bike Alameda, East Bay Bicycle Coalition, or the Grizzly Peak Cyclists.  The jersey is the largest female jersey offered and if you’re not too petite, you might be able have it fitted without destroying the design.  I won't wear the 2011 jersey unless I have the bragging rights to go with it.

Will I be doing a century in the near future? Yep, on June 4^th, I’ll be participating in Fatty’s, AKA Elden Nelson, the Fat Cyclist,  100 Miles of Nowhere to benefit Team Fatty who raises funds with the ultimate goal to eradicate cancer and help those affected by cancer.

Although my head will be hanging low for quite awhile, I’m trying hard not to cry.  I'm trying to convince myself I’m not a quitter and I’m just postponing my Grizzly Peak Century ride until next year.

Until next time.

Always,

Debi

Problem Solved: Riding in the drops, reach remedied

On Saturday, March 5th, my cycling buddies, Marc and Jim, and I went the same route Marc and I rode the day before Christmas when I had the scare of my life.

There was a 100% chance of rain on Sunday and I figured the Grizzly Peak Century Prep Series would be canceled. I decided I better get some riding in the hills with Marc and Jim. 

The following includes the good and the bad about Saturday's ride.

The Good:  *I slept better that night than I have in the past two months.  Cycling is good medicine!  I enjoy how I feel after a good ride and I usually sleep better.  Saturday I slept great.  I was much more tired and sore than usual because I had been off my bike too much the past two months.  Last night I was asleep no later than 8:30 PM and I was up around 1:00 AM fighting to go back to sleep.  I gave up around 2:30 AM.

*Being off my bike a lot due to inclement weather and the flu has affected my ability to sleep through the night.  At least, I'm not waking up with nightmares and fears of hitting my head again.  Thanks to Cathy Dana, a specialist in touch hypnotherapy, hypnomassage and trauma, I have worked through that fear for now.

I should tell the Veterans Administration about Cathy's work with trauma patients and see if this could be helpful to the men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Bad:  I lost the stamina I gained training last summer and riding the Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Golden State Challenge and Florida Challenge. It was so much harder climbing Broadway and Tunnel Saturday than in December.  Getting to Montclair wasn't a picnic either.  

I walked part of Broadway.  I've NEVER had to do that before.  Stopped - yes.  Walked - NEVER.  I was embarrassed.  I'm relieved that the second Sunday warm-up ride was canceled due to the rain.  I would be trying to ride all of Broadway, not just from Lake Temescal, and we were going up Tunnel and across Skyline, too.  Everyone I know, including me, dreads Broadway more than Tunnel. 

I'm quite certain I stopped more yesterday than the first time I climbed Tunnel and my heart was racing faster than it has ever on any ride.  Marc told me not to worry because I would get my stamina back.  He also thought I might be working too hard because I may not be riding in the right gears. 

This compact double gear is gonna take some time to get used to.  Hum, I wonder if the only reason I was able to get up Big Sur on the R2R Golden State Challenge was because I had the triple (granny) gears and, of course, a lot of will power.

What am I thinking, I trained hard, too!  I road at least 9 times in the Oakland Hills by myself.  I know a few people who would never have thought Debi would ride in the hills by herself.  That's OK though, she didn't think she would do that either! :-)  

Unfortunately, I was desperate. I needed to train.  I had no plans to SAG on the R2R Golden State Challenge.  I had no choice because my Trainer, Marc, didn't schedule his leave (vacation for civilians) or his temporary duty assignments (TDY) through me.  I'll have to talk to him about that.  I keep forgetting.  Yeah, right.  I bet he'll roll his eyes and then he'll thump me upside the head and let me know he doesn't answer to me.  Therefore, I don't think I'll even mention it. ;-)    

I'm concerned I may have bit off more than I can chew.  I am registered to participate in the Grizzly Peak Century on May 1st. The Grizzly Peak Cyclists donate funds they raise through this century to organizations that advocate for cycling, organizations involved in bicycle safety, education, and awareness, or the bicycling environment.  I have plans to do the 101 mile route, however, now I'm concerned as to whether I'd even be able to complete the entire metric century plus 10 - 11 miles = 73 miles. 

I was 5 miles short of a century on the 3rd day of the R2R Golden State Challenge.  The Carmel to San Simeon route via Big Sur was over 7,000 feet of climbing and if it wasn't raining and I could have found my homie, Anthony D., I would have asked him to ride with me so we could get in a century on the approximately 460 mile ride from San Francisco to the Santa Monica Pier.

OK, I'm stretching that a bit.  :-)  I actually didn't think about that until later on the ride.  Probably when I was jesting with Wayne Stetina, the professional cyclist who also works for Shimano.  It could have been during the Florida Challenge, too.

Unfortunately, I was really challenged on Saturday's ride of just 28 miles.  I sure hope I can find some of that stamina in the next 7 weeks or I'm in trouble.  I need to EARN my jersey.

I'm riding with the Grizzly Peak Cyclists who have set up rides to warm up and train for the metric century.  I enjoyed their first ride last Sunday and I didn't do too bad.  I was near the front until the first climb and then I caught up on the flats.  The ride leader said she thought I did fine.  I'm just slower climbing and I came up to Inspiration Point about the middle of the pack of riders.

Yesterday, when we finally arrived at Sibley for that much needed break, Marc, Jim and I voted where we wanted to go down.  The ayes had it for Joaquin Miller Road.  I discussed with Marc about going back via Montclair by taking a right after the overpass.

Marc and Jim were at the stop sign to let cars know if I couldn't stop, but we were all pretty sure that I wouldn't have that problem because I was able to stop easily at the yield sign where you turn right off Skyline on to Joaquin Miller.

By the time I got to the end of Joaquin Miller Road and confident I wasn't having any problems stopping my bike because my reach had been adjusted for my hands and I was riding in the drops giving me more control over my bike while descending, I changed my mind.  I told Marc and Jim I wanted to take my fear head on and we went down Lincoln.  No problems stopping.  Hum, as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor I've got to find a better choice of words than "take my fear head on."  Ya' think!? 

The only problem I had going down Joaquin Miller Road on Saturday was that I'm back to descending really, really slow like I did in the beginning on my TREK.  I was comfortable going down on the hoods of my road bike between 27 - 30 mph in December; it's when I couldn't stop at the stop sign and I went through it at 18 mph that I wasn't comfortable.  I believe it's a matter of getting more confident riding in clipless pedals and the drops at the same time.

I was frustrated I couldn't get past 18 - 20 mph going down Joaquin Miller Road and most of the time it was closer to 14 - 16 mph.  It's probably just a matter of getting more confident on my beautiful R2R Stealth just like I am on my beloved TREK hybrid now.  I'm pretty sure with time and training I'll become more confident on my road bike and I'll move up to a faster, but comfortable speed for me.  I've proved to myself I can do it before.

I've had two more falls. Grrrrr.  I wonder what John (R2R's Executive Director) will think if he reads about my 5th and 6th fall.  After the first two he told me:  "keep off the ground already...."  I'm really trying John.

Anyway . . .

Last Sunday, I left the rest stop at Inspiration Point with the ride leaders for the century prep ride and, of course, being the slow descender I am I didn't see them take a right.  They yelled out to me and I looked towards them and then down looking for a shoulder to pull over.  There wasn't a shoulder.  I wasn't looking ahead when I'm starting to ascend a hill.  I found out quickly I'm in the wrong gear.   Down I go because I'm going too slow.   The young men who got out of the car to help me up asked me if I was OK.  I told him the only thing I hurt was my feelings.  When I got home I found some new bruises on my elbow, knee, and butt; they'll heal with time.

Saturday, I accidentally clipped back in as I was rolling up on Marc and Jim at a red light. I couldn't get out before I ran in to Jim's back tire.  I was actually trying to fall before I hit him, but I was too close when clipped back in to get out again.  How embarrassing.  Jim was standing firmly and wasn't affected.   I learned from one of the professionals on the R2R that it's always the cyclist who hits the back wheel from behind that falls.  I'm so glad I didn't hurt Jim.  He's retiring from the Coast Guard next week and I don't think his wife would be happy with me, if I hurt him.  Whew, I was lucky. 

I landed in flowers under the 580 overpass and hurt my feelings again.   I rarely accidentally clip back in with my road pedals, but for some reason I did it twice on Saturday.  The second time I accidentally clipped back in I had plenty of time to get out again due to the circumstances.

I hope the weather will improve.  I want to be able to get some more riding in so I will sleep better.  Something has been bothering me for a few months and it has me a bit angry and hurt.  Pounding the asphalt with my bike helps me deal with it.  Although, I have to work really hard when I'm riding by myself not to let my thoughts get me too distracted.  

Sometimes I have to say over and over "Forward and Right, Forward and Right, . . ." to make sure that I stay focused on my riding when I'm alone.  I'm looking for potholes, cracked asphalt, debris and glass in the road when I'm looking forward and I'm looking to the right for cars coming out of driveways, parking spaces and determining that I'm as far right as possible without a car door opening on me.  Yep, I've had a driver open his car door and the door missed my handlebar by about an inch.  His apologetic "Oh, my God" told me he had no idea I was riding up on him.  We were both lucky.  

[After having my flat fixed, while out riding in the 19 mph winds on Monday and knowing I had already posted this blog earlier, I was thinking about what I said about saying over and over forward and right to focus me on my riding and helping me from being distracted by my thoughts.  I hope no one interprets that I just look forward and right.   I assure you I don't.  I drive my bike like I drive a car.  I use my mirrors and I also look front and left.  I'm often more fatigued from using my brain staying focused on my cycling (mental fatigue) than I am physically from riding.  Well, that is until my last ride in the hills. :-(]   

I recall when I took Bike Alameda's bike safety class a couple years ago, they answered a question I've always wanted to ask.  Why do I see bicyclists riding outside the bike lane?

The instructor informed us that when a cyclist is doored, they are usually thrown to the left and on busy streets that could be in the path of a vehicle.  

In California, cyclists are not required by law to ride in bike lanes where cars are parked. "Because of the hazard always present in door zones, bicyclists are never required by CVC 21202 or any other law to ride so far right that they could be hit by, or forced to swerve into the adjacent lane, potentially in front of overtaking traffic, by a suddenly opened door of a vehicle."  

The responsibility of any person opening and closing the doors of a vehicle in the state of California is depicted in CA Vehicle Code  22517.  If you're not in California, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to learn the laws for cyclists in your state and consider taking a smart cycling class in your community.

Why do I remember this?  Even people who have had a brain injury remember matters that invoke an emotion and the thought of being doored (driver opens car door in the path of cyclist) evokes the emotion of  "fear" in  me.  I assure you I won't forget that rule.  I know it can happen and it can kill.

I don't want to give details because it might make this special person I know uncomfortable.  Someone I know was doored when a driver didn't see her and she didn't see the person in the car who opened the door.  I understand she's recovering well, but I'm sure that experience was scary and painful.

In May of 2010, a young man was doored and he was thrown in the path of a bus.  He died shortly thereafter. You can access the article here.

OK, I've digressed several times in this blog.  Time to sign off. 

Until next time.

Always,

Debi