Scenic Route in LA

This morning on my way to work I took the scenic route. I was coming from Redondo Beach and saw a group of cyclist on the strand. They were riding the same direction as I was, towards Santa Monica. Then I turned and could no longer see them riding. When I got to work about 40 minutes later I saw the cyclist turning the corner.

rocks_ocean

07-23-06 Sunday around 6am at topanga picture taken w/my camera phone. Matt goes zen by stacking rocks when there is no surf.

man_front

man_front, So I finally found my old nude drawings (from High School) you may CLICK HERE to view additional illustrations by me.

AMGEN Cycling Short Videos

Short video clips of the tour.

Palleton 

Close Up Palleton 

Toyota United Cyclist;

Back of Palleton 

The End 

LA KINGS 5k RUN

Feb. 11, 2006 I ran in the LA Kings Fight for caner 5k Run. Usually you won’t read about me running. It’s something I really hate doing and try to avoid. This time I decided to do so because it’s for charity, it involved the LA Kings and friends. I couldn’t say no.

The event went well for me. Picked up my friend Xochitl then we met up with my other (actual runner) friend Erin and her husband (not running – support for the day). We gathered at the starting line along with everyone else and as we were chatting the gun to start went off (to our surprise)we started off running. Erin took off as she has more experience running than we do. Xochitl and I took our time walked/ran through the event. I don’t know Erin’s finish time, but ours was around 44min. Not bad considering we don’t do this at all.

After the run we waited around for raffle time. All the runners were given tickets or you could buy tickets for a second raffle, $5 for 2 tickets which prizes were signed photo of Luc, signed helmet by the team, and season tickets. So Chris (Erin’s husband) buys 4 tickets and I buy 2. I usually don’t win at these things but I figured what the heck. The numbers were called; we don’t win the first prize. Then Chris wins the autographed photo of Luc. Lucky! He’s not even a Kings Fan but a Detroit Red Wings Fan! Then they call some other numbers for other prizes which I really didn’t want. Then I heard the numbers 206160 and I did a double take, confirmed with Xochitl and yelled THAT’S ME!!! I ran up and got the signed helmet. I’m was shaking and super excited. I really wanted that helmet or the season tickets. Winning the helmet made for a great end to a morning I wasn’t looking forward to.

Later that day we went to the Kings vs. Chicago game. Jim Fox celebrated his 25 anniversary w/the Kings. The game was fun to watch, two fights, and they won by 1 on overtime.

A day later my legs hurt, my knee really hurts but I'm still excited I have the signed helmet. WOO HOO.

LA Kings Signed Helmet 

44 miles - Feb 5, 2006

I went on a 44 mile bike ride. It had been awhile since I’ve gone this many miles. Met up with Erica, her husband Pat and a friend of hers Jenny (I think that’s right). We took off from El Dorado Park and headed out to Huntington Beach. The ride there was nice and smooth. I had a little trouble keeping up further in but I was still riding w/them. On the way back toward the end I was having trouble. My legs were feeing heavy and the harder I peddled the slower I felt I was going. As we got closer to the end the further I saw them go and I was far behind. They were still within eye distance, but I wasn’t doing as great. I got a cramp on my right leg so I drank more water and kept riding. The cramp didn’t last too long. I kept drinking water and joined them for the last turn which would lead us back to the park. We ended w/smiles on our faces and me very exhausted. I was thankful for my riding friends being supportive and for a great ride. We even did a small but steep climb which I didn’t do to horrible at. But I really need to get more miles in.

NYC Bike Race

You have to see this video.
NYC Bike Race

Watch Video

AMGEN Tour of California

The AMGEN Tour of California is coming! I'm really excited that California is having a cycling tour and especially with the pro cycling teams that are involved (Discovery, T-Mobile, CSC …). It will be a 700-mile race which will take place on Feb 19-26. The starting line is San Francisco and ending at Redondo Beach. What makes this event even more special is that the tour will also raise funds for cancer care treatment and awareness. All around this is a good thing happening.

On a personal note it’s really interesting how cycling and cancer seem to come together for me. I started cycling when I participated in The Leukemia Society’s Team in Training program which raised funds for cancer research. Now 5 years later I’m still cycling and still helping wherever and whenever I can. I am amazed at how small our world can be sometimes.

I can’t wait for the tour. I’m really looking forward to being apart and witnessing this event.

Visit the tour web site: AMGENTOUROFCALIFORNIA.COM

velomobile

Step aside Fred Flintstone and check out these wheels. Granted you still need the leg muscle to work these, but if you love to cycle this just seems awesome. The Velomobile is capable of cruising at speeds of around 30mph on flat roads. It comes either fully covered or partially enclosed. All I have to say about this is I want one. I would totally ride this to work.



Unfortunately these are expensive. If you get the ones produced in Europe they run around 5,000 to.7,000 and if you purchase in the USA it’s 5,000 to $6,000. If you can afford it you still might be placed in a 3 year waiting list.

Oh I love this “Due to its weight -- but better aerodynamics -- performance is drastically different. Huffing it up a hill at 3 mph, there's no forgetting you're in a 70-pound machine and not on a 18-pound road bike.” Good thing there’s lots of flat land around here. I write this as if I could purchase one of these. LOL.

Read the Article and find out more - Saddle Up Yer Velomobile

Conquering Spain in 2007

My new year’s resolution for each year is to check something off my I wish I did that list. Every year I pick something and just go for it. I first started with sky diving, and then I did a 100 mile bike ride in New Mexico, after that it was a Hockey clinic with the LA KINGS (I actually skated on Staples Center Ice). Then I tried to learn how to swim; still haven’t conquered this one. Last year it was another 100 mile bike ride in Tahoe. I know cycling twice I just can’t seem to get away from spinning my wheels. This year I’ve decided to step it up a bit and try cycling in Spain. There are still lots more that I would like to do, but for now I’m very happy with the cycling. The best part of my crazy adventures is that I get to enjoy them with friends. This little adventure will actually end up happening till 2007. I have a whole year to work my way up to it.

In the meantime I'm super excited and am looking forward to another year of cycling. I hope to sign up for some rides and really get my legs working again.