RAIN ON SATURDAY, what does that mean, we RIDE ON SUNDAY. On Sunday morning I grumpily awake get ready and wait for Alondra to pick me up as we go train at PV. This was a day filled with a beautiful coastal view and lots of hills. The miles set for today was to accomplish 35 miles (if I remember correctly) however I could only finish about 23 miles.
The day overall went well, my only loss was an $8.00 water bottle that fell off Alondra’s bike. She keeps my extra water bottle since my bike frame is too small and therefore I can’t add any other holders. It was funny though watching my bottle cross my path as I’m climbing up a hill. At this point I wasn’t going to try and stop and grab it, my only goal was to get to top.
I finished the training ride with my legs feeling like lead. As much as I wanted to keep going it just wasn’t happening. The harder I peddled the slower I felt I was going. At the end I didn’t continue to the last hill, instead it was a stop to Subway for some breakfast/lunch. With panoramic view to the ocean the training ride ends.
Donation update: At this point recommitment papers are due! I don’t know if I can continue or raise the funds.
I ride because I care
Donate Today! Click Here Now
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
3/12 Training Day 3 – 30 Miles
The day for me started at 6:30 am on a SATURDAY! By 8:00 am I was in Marina del Rey and scheduled to ride 30 miles. 9:00 am we were off riding. We started through the river path and again went through the debris and obstacles similar to the last training session. However this Saturday turned out to be more challenging and cumbersome.
Challenge #1: My mentor and leader of the group rides over a deep crack on the road which throws her off and makes her bike shift oddly. This nearly could have made her have a really bad fall, luckily she managed. I was riding right behind her with no chance to avoid the crack so I do the same and somehow am able to stay on my bike (see carol – I did stay on this time). The falling part I wasn’t so worried about, I have survived a few already. What did have me worried was the river fall to my left and at the speed we were riding it would not have been pretty. I’m very pleased to say I too managed and we kept on riding.
Challenge #2: I GOT A FLAT! We just finished fixing the flat of a teammate when we stopped for a quick break to the restroom and I noticed that I too have a flat on my front wheel. GREAT!!! With a super supportive friend, Alondra and I get cracking on fixing the flat. She removes the tube and I inspect the tire to see where the problem was. As Alondra finishes up putting the new tube together, I can’t seem to find the cause of my flat tire (which I still can’t find). We quickly finish up putting the tire back and continue on riding. Thanks again Alondra a real teammate.
Challenge #3:Getting through the many red lights on our way to Santa Monica through Pacific was very wearisome. Clip, Unclip CLIP and UNCLIP. I guess we weren’t fast enough to catch all green lights. On the way back this turned into a real challenge when clipping back on after a red light I got a cramp on my right calf muscle right at an intersection crossing. I was able to clip on and continue ridding with the cramp. I felt the knot there for a little while then it thankfully went away, yes it did HURT.
We ended our ride as the last group in. Unfortunately it wasn’t only me having problems but my teammates as well; it seemed the day was not meant to be for us. We never had a steady ride and couldn’t get warmed up enough to pick up the speed. It just wasn’t our day but we somehow were able to finish 35 miles, more than scheduled.
My fundraising has also turned out to be a major challenge. I have to turn in my recommitment papers next week, which pretty much say yes I can raise the funds necessary for me to continue training and participate in the century ride. At this point I’m not sure I will have the sponsors necessary for me to do so. I still need to raise at least $2600 and I am not sure how I will do this within the week. If I don’t get close to this number I'll be forced to quit(which I don't want to do). I am open to suggestions and would do just about anything at this point.
As my friend put it so eloquently in his letter to his friends about me “She is not a celebrity just yet, nor is she interested in being one, she has a cause, one that could be shared by most of us, if you agree. Her name Suzie Morales, her cause: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, her time June 05.”, no I am not the star nor do I ask for help for myself. The true stars are those battling with cancer everyday and my inspiration and drive to help them through my small effort of riding 100 miles in 1 day. I know we can make a difference.
I ride because I care
Donate Today! Click Here Now
Challenge #1: My mentor and leader of the group rides over a deep crack on the road which throws her off and makes her bike shift oddly. This nearly could have made her have a really bad fall, luckily she managed. I was riding right behind her with no chance to avoid the crack so I do the same and somehow am able to stay on my bike (see carol – I did stay on this time). The falling part I wasn’t so worried about, I have survived a few already. What did have me worried was the river fall to my left and at the speed we were riding it would not have been pretty. I’m very pleased to say I too managed and we kept on riding.
Challenge #2: I GOT A FLAT! We just finished fixing the flat of a teammate when we stopped for a quick break to the restroom and I noticed that I too have a flat on my front wheel. GREAT!!! With a super supportive friend, Alondra and I get cracking on fixing the flat. She removes the tube and I inspect the tire to see where the problem was. As Alondra finishes up putting the new tube together, I can’t seem to find the cause of my flat tire (which I still can’t find). We quickly finish up putting the tire back and continue on riding. Thanks again Alondra a real teammate.
Challenge #3:Getting through the many red lights on our way to Santa Monica through Pacific was very wearisome. Clip, Unclip CLIP and UNCLIP. I guess we weren’t fast enough to catch all green lights. On the way back this turned into a real challenge when clipping back on after a red light I got a cramp on my right calf muscle right at an intersection crossing. I was able to clip on and continue ridding with the cramp. I felt the knot there for a little while then it thankfully went away, yes it did HURT.
We ended our ride as the last group in. Unfortunately it wasn’t only me having problems but my teammates as well; it seemed the day was not meant to be for us. We never had a steady ride and couldn’t get warmed up enough to pick up the speed. It just wasn’t our day but we somehow were able to finish 35 miles, more than scheduled.
My fundraising has also turned out to be a major challenge. I have to turn in my recommitment papers next week, which pretty much say yes I can raise the funds necessary for me to continue training and participate in the century ride. At this point I’m not sure I will have the sponsors necessary for me to do so. I still need to raise at least $2600 and I am not sure how I will do this within the week. If I don’t get close to this number I'll be forced to quit(which I don't want to do). I am open to suggestions and would do just about anything at this point.
As my friend put it so eloquently in his letter to his friends about me “She is not a celebrity just yet, nor is she interested in being one, she has a cause, one that could be shared by most of us, if you agree. Her name Suzie Morales, her cause: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, her time June 05.”, no I am not the star nor do I ask for help for myself. The true stars are those battling with cancer everyday and my inspiration and drive to help them through my small effort of riding 100 miles in 1 day. I know we can make a difference.
I ride because I care
Donate Today! Click Here Now
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride - Lake Tahoe
I thought you guys might like to know what I’m up against. Here is the elevation map for the Tahoe ride in June. >> Elevation Map
Here is the link for the >> century ride.
Train, Endure and Achieve - GO TEAM!
>> Donate Today!
Here is the link for the >> century ride.
Train, Endure and Achieve - GO TEAM!
>> Donate Today!
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
2/26 Training Day 2 – 20 Miles
I DIDN’T FALL!!! Training went really well. We all gathered at Marina Del Rey and had our clinic on nutrition (cliff bars are no bueno) and how to use our gears. Then we split off into groups. There were three levels, those who have experience riding, and those who are enthusiasts (I’m in this group) and those who enjoy the ride.
The enthusiast group as I shall call us included two mentors and three participants. We had a good steady pace going down the river path as we try to keep our tires away from the debris, cones and glass found on the road. As we rode through the river path while yelling and pointing out the various obstacles I noticed that I had trouble figuring out which gears to use. It just wasn’t working for me, I click to switch and the chain would hit the chain rail. So after many attempts I decided to ask for assistance and after a quick lesson I was back and riding like a uhm pro again.
Unfortunately this quick lesson caused me to fall behind my teammates who where riding way ahead of me. I was faced with head wind which slowed me down and so I had to just keep on peddling through. I thought I was going to get a leg cramp but luckily I finally caught up with them when they stopped to turn back around. Oh and yah I did almost fall again. My new shoes clip wasn’t screwed on tight enough so it came loose and I couldn’t unclip to stop. Luckily I had enough room to keep riding until I finally managed to unclip my shoe. With a quick tightening and a drink of water and some Gu we went off again as a group.
We finished the ride with a huge success with no falls or flats, well at least for me. After the ride we went to CPK for some good eating and spend a good time with teammates. Days like that remind me why I love cycling and how great it feels after a good ride. It’s even better when doing it for a cause dear to my heart and sharing with others who feel the same way.
As for donations – it is going fairly slow. So please let people know help is still needed.
Those who have continued to assist me I truly appreciate it, and your kind words are very motivating. Thank you.
I ride because I care
Donate Today! Click Here Now
The enthusiast group as I shall call us included two mentors and three participants. We had a good steady pace going down the river path as we try to keep our tires away from the debris, cones and glass found on the road. As we rode through the river path while yelling and pointing out the various obstacles I noticed that I had trouble figuring out which gears to use. It just wasn’t working for me, I click to switch and the chain would hit the chain rail. So after many attempts I decided to ask for assistance and after a quick lesson I was back and riding like a uhm pro again.
Unfortunately this quick lesson caused me to fall behind my teammates who where riding way ahead of me. I was faced with head wind which slowed me down and so I had to just keep on peddling through. I thought I was going to get a leg cramp but luckily I finally caught up with them when they stopped to turn back around. Oh and yah I did almost fall again. My new shoes clip wasn’t screwed on tight enough so it came loose and I couldn’t unclip to stop. Luckily I had enough room to keep riding until I finally managed to unclip my shoe. With a quick tightening and a drink of water and some Gu we went off again as a group.
We finished the ride with a huge success with no falls or flats, well at least for me. After the ride we went to CPK for some good eating and spend a good time with teammates. Days like that remind me why I love cycling and how great it feels after a good ride. It’s even better when doing it for a cause dear to my heart and sharing with others who feel the same way.
As for donations – it is going fairly slow. So please let people know help is still needed.
Those who have continued to assist me I truly appreciate it, and your kind words are very motivating. Thank you.
I ride because I care
Donate Today! Click Here Now
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