I just finished most of the packing for Jerry and me. 12 two-gallon plastic bags, labeled for each day of the ride. Of course, except Day 1, because we will be wearing those.
It was a fun mix and match effort. Since we ride a tandem, Jerry and I geek out with matching jerseys. I even tried to match our shorts for a lot of days. We even have matching socks for a couple of days. We're so cute it could make you throw up.
Jerry is just back from visiting his mom in Texas. Her lung cancer is back for the third time, and she will head to Houston or Dallas-- I forget which-- for Cyberknife treatment. She had that a couple of years ago at UCSF when I was working there, and it kept her cancer at bay for a while. Her husband underwent chemo for his cancer and she hated what it did to him, so she's trying to avoid that. But while Jerry was there, his mom gave him a substantial donation for the ride. With our other checks in hand, he will climb over the top of the $3000 mark.
A far cry from last year and the year before when we raised close to double that amount. And it's too bad. No, not because we won't get the "special" jersey. But because with budget cuts this is a real life or death ride. The more we raise, the more people will get services. The more people living with HIV will continue to live. My hope is that as we cycle down the coast, the message will ring loud and clear with people and more folks will get donations and more money will pour into organizations who are keeping people alive.
So tomorrow, we once again see the safety video, get our tent assignment and spend the night with Thom and Jeff in Daly City, trying to sleep, but kept awake with anticipation, excitement and adrenalin pulsing through our bodies.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Forever Young
I was riding down 101 yesterday, flipping stations on the radio. On came Rod Stewart singing "Forever Young," and I started to cry. Initially, I wasn't even sure why. I figured, I always get emotional right before the ride, so maybe that's it.
But then I thought about that song. I started thinking about the friends I have lost to AIDS. They will be forever young, because they were so young when they died. I thought of Jimmy, Andrew, Ricardo and too many others. I saw their handsome faces. I remembered them before they got sick. They will remain forever young.
The ride, though, for me, is not about who we've lost. It's about who we won't lose because of the funds we raise. It is a positive event-- full of hope, excitement and promise.
But every now and then, something triggers those old memories. They aren't bad, really. I don't ever want to forget those friends.
But then I thought about that song. I started thinking about the friends I have lost to AIDS. They will be forever young, because they were so young when they died. I thought of Jimmy, Andrew, Ricardo and too many others. I saw their handsome faces. I remembered them before they got sick. They will remain forever young.
The ride, though, for me, is not about who we've lost. It's about who we won't lose because of the funds we raise. It is a positive event-- full of hope, excitement and promise.
But every now and then, something triggers those old memories. They aren't bad, really. I don't ever want to forget those friends.
Friday, May 22, 2009
What a Difference
a week and about 20 degrees make. Jerry and I rode today and yesterday. We were going to ride tomorrow but he's going out of town on Sunday and really needs to get stuff done before he hits the road.
Thursday was our usual China Camp ride and we are really working well through its twists and turns. Our average speed was up and we had a great time.
Today we did reverse Tiburon Loop. It was downright cold when we left, but I definitely prefer that to the scorching temperatures of last weekend. We did pretty well all day, though the last climb out of Ft. Baker did both of us in, pretty much. No lunch might have had something to do with it.
So, we are finished training before we leave on The Ride next Sunday. I really do think we are ready. The trike is slow, but it's steady and we can climb just about anything on it. It will be interesting to see whether we love it or hate it after a week and more than 500 miles of day-in, day-out riding. And we'll do our best. We've done the hard part, which is raise the money, although in reality we are not quite there. Jerry needs about another $500, but I think we'll get there.
Jerry is off to Texas on Sunday to see his mom, and he's taking several projects with him. He's got fabric to make the Team Tandemonium flag for the trike, and we also bought some fabric for him to make a couple of small bags to hang on the back of our seat for jackets, leg warmers and the like.
So for the next week I'll go out and get the little things we need-- travel-size toiletries, a new set of cleats, brake pads, and whatever else strikes me as I roam through Sports Basement.
Thursday was our usual China Camp ride and we are really working well through its twists and turns. Our average speed was up and we had a great time.
Today we did reverse Tiburon Loop. It was downright cold when we left, but I definitely prefer that to the scorching temperatures of last weekend. We did pretty well all day, though the last climb out of Ft. Baker did both of us in, pretty much. No lunch might have had something to do with it.
So, we are finished training before we leave on The Ride next Sunday. I really do think we are ready. The trike is slow, but it's steady and we can climb just about anything on it. It will be interesting to see whether we love it or hate it after a week and more than 500 miles of day-in, day-out riding. And we'll do our best. We've done the hard part, which is raise the money, although in reality we are not quite there. Jerry needs about another $500, but I think we'll get there.
Jerry is off to Texas on Sunday to see his mom, and he's taking several projects with him. He's got fabric to make the Team Tandemonium flag for the trike, and we also bought some fabric for him to make a couple of small bags to hang on the back of our seat for jackets, leg warmers and the like.
So for the next week I'll go out and get the little things we need-- travel-size toiletries, a new set of cleats, brake pads, and whatever else strikes me as I roam through Sports Basement.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
We Made the Newspapers
I sent a release to Marinscope Newspapers and they printed it
http://tiny.cc/Rk9p9
The only problem is, the blog address is wrong, so people who go to it will end up at the wrong blog...
Sigh.
http://tiny.cc/Rk9p9
The only problem is, the blog address is wrong, so people who go to it will end up at the wrong blog...
Sigh.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Carol and Jerry's Ride through Hell
I'm not sure I believe in heaven or hell, but if hell means a lot of heat, I don't want to go there.
Yesterday, we rode the Bride of Cat 2 ride to Petaluma. We started out early on a lovely, clear day. But somehow you know that if you don't need a jacket or arm warmers at 7 am, you've got some serious heat in store, particularly if you're riding to Petaluma.
The ride up had its moments, but generally it was okay, save the moment going over insanely bumpy roads on the way into Petaluma that jarred Jerry's mirror so badly it flew off.
But we got to the Apple Box for lunch. Then I waited. Seems they forgot my order, but once I reminded them, they got me my sandwich. In the heat, I couldn't eat a lot, so had half and a big lemonade.
Then-- cue ominous music-- the ride back. The climb out of Petaluma is long, but on a day with intense sunshine and heat, not only was it interminable, it was crazy-making.
Yes, I got a little wacky. Dehydration and body temperature climbing into the stratosphere did me in. It was hard to tell, really, if I was dehydrated, because I don't sweat. No, I'm not kidding. I don't sweat. Oh, maybe a little on the face, but heck, even my pits stay dry, and no I wasn't using anti-perspirant. Truly, I WANT to sweat. So my body was not relieving itself of the intense heat and I got to the point where we had to stop under every bit of shade.
But even the riders less than half my age were having to do the same thing, though perhaps not to the extent I had to. Jerry and I were both getting a little worried about me. I could barely stand and I was on the verge of chills. To make matters worse, I left one of my water bottles under one of those shady trees. I was just too out of it to remember to put it back in the cage, so our quickly diminishing supply of water diminished all the more quickly. And despite being short of water, Jerry liberally doused my head and back with what little he had left.
That helped enough for us to slowly crawl back to the Cheese Factory. On the road we had pretty well decided that we would figure out a way for him to get the car and come back and fetch me and the trike.
But then the miracle. Lots of water, shade and a rest saved me. Also knowing the worst was behind us got us back on the trike to finish the ride.
When we pulled into Fairfax there was much cheering from the riders who had done Marshall Wall. Duncan, a friend of ours who had done Marshall said he thought Petaluma, on a day like we were having, was worse than Marshall Wall. Silly me-- I thought I was picking the easier ride.
After a lemonade at the Fairfax Roastery, it was time to hit the final stretch. We pedaled slowly, but finally got back to the car and trailer. We loaded up the trike and headed home.
After stripping quickly I headed for a tepid shower. It was glorious. A small dinner of chicken Caesar salad with REAL, not low-fat, dressing, a little reading and then a fitful night of sleep in the heat.
We had ridden Thursday and Friday, building up our miles, and we really felt ready for a longer ride. But nothing could have made me ready for that heat. Sunday's ride was more difficult than anything we will face on the AIDS ride, which gives me a small modicum of comfort knowing I'm ready for almost anything.
Yesterday, we rode the Bride of Cat 2 ride to Petaluma. We started out early on a lovely, clear day. But somehow you know that if you don't need a jacket or arm warmers at 7 am, you've got some serious heat in store, particularly if you're riding to Petaluma.
The ride up had its moments, but generally it was okay, save the moment going over insanely bumpy roads on the way into Petaluma that jarred Jerry's mirror so badly it flew off.
But we got to the Apple Box for lunch. Then I waited. Seems they forgot my order, but once I reminded them, they got me my sandwich. In the heat, I couldn't eat a lot, so had half and a big lemonade.
Then-- cue ominous music-- the ride back. The climb out of Petaluma is long, but on a day with intense sunshine and heat, not only was it interminable, it was crazy-making.
Yes, I got a little wacky. Dehydration and body temperature climbing into the stratosphere did me in. It was hard to tell, really, if I was dehydrated, because I don't sweat. No, I'm not kidding. I don't sweat. Oh, maybe a little on the face, but heck, even my pits stay dry, and no I wasn't using anti-perspirant. Truly, I WANT to sweat. So my body was not relieving itself of the intense heat and I got to the point where we had to stop under every bit of shade.
But even the riders less than half my age were having to do the same thing, though perhaps not to the extent I had to. Jerry and I were both getting a little worried about me. I could barely stand and I was on the verge of chills. To make matters worse, I left one of my water bottles under one of those shady trees. I was just too out of it to remember to put it back in the cage, so our quickly diminishing supply of water diminished all the more quickly. And despite being short of water, Jerry liberally doused my head and back with what little he had left.
That helped enough for us to slowly crawl back to the Cheese Factory. On the road we had pretty well decided that we would figure out a way for him to get the car and come back and fetch me and the trike.
But then the miracle. Lots of water, shade and a rest saved me. Also knowing the worst was behind us got us back on the trike to finish the ride.
When we pulled into Fairfax there was much cheering from the riders who had done Marshall Wall. Duncan, a friend of ours who had done Marshall said he thought Petaluma, on a day like we were having, was worse than Marshall Wall. Silly me-- I thought I was picking the easier ride.
After a lemonade at the Fairfax Roastery, it was time to hit the final stretch. We pedaled slowly, but finally got back to the car and trailer. We loaded up the trike and headed home.
After stripping quickly I headed for a tepid shower. It was glorious. A small dinner of chicken Caesar salad with REAL, not low-fat, dressing, a little reading and then a fitful night of sleep in the heat.
We had ridden Thursday and Friday, building up our miles, and we really felt ready for a longer ride. But nothing could have made me ready for that heat. Sunday's ride was more difficult than anything we will face on the AIDS ride, which gives me a small modicum of comfort knowing I'm ready for almost anything.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Three Days of Riding and More Tabbouli
except this time, it's not the food, but the song. Yes, the tabbouli song.
A friend sent a music video to me from YouTube with the Tabbouli song. The first verse begins-- Tabouli Tabouli makes me shake shake shake my bootie. Eat it with lots of felafel, eat it on top of a camel.
It just gets better from there. Plans are for a group of us to sing it at Balkan Camp.
But in the meantime, it has been my hill-climbing song. I have gone through many songs to keep a steady rhythm and keep my mind off what I'm doing. I've sung everything from "I'm a Hill-Climbing Bitch" to "What Have You Done Today to Make You Feel Proud," an AIDS Lifecycle standard and hit video.
But the tabbouli song seems to be working well. It's the right speed and rhythm and makes me smile. What more could anyone want?
Jerry and I ramped up our riding this week. On Friday, we started with a short 20-mile jaunt around China Camp. Then Saturday we rode Tiburon Loop to the tune of 30 miles. Yesterday we doubled that with a ride to Point Reyes Station.
At Pt. Reyes we ran into the Positive Pedalers weekend retreat ride. What a treat to see a whole bunch of friends. We sat on the curb and ate sandwiches. Lovely day.
We averaged 11 mph which is slow, and if that is our speed on the ride there's no doubt we will get swept, so we're going to work this week at getting our speed up a bit. We are becoming more confident on the downhills and Jerry is letting off the brakes a bit more. That's really where we can make up some time. I don't have very high hopes for getting our climbing much faster. But maybe a little. As Jerry says, riding the recumbent is like riding a barcolounger, and it climbs hills like a barcolounger.
I ended the day yesterday by speaking at a fundraiser in Berkeley. Alvin and Jenny are first-time riders, doing the ride as their college graduation rite of passage. It was a small group-- everyone forgot it was Mother's Day until the last minute-- but I think they were receptive. And as I told Alvin and Jenny-- if I helped them raise an extra $10, it was worth it.
Pretty zonked, I had a good night sleep. It's going to be a good week.
A friend sent a music video to me from YouTube with the Tabbouli song. The first verse begins-- Tabouli Tabouli makes me shake shake shake my bootie. Eat it with lots of felafel, eat it on top of a camel.
It just gets better from there. Plans are for a group of us to sing it at Balkan Camp.
But in the meantime, it has been my hill-climbing song. I have gone through many songs to keep a steady rhythm and keep my mind off what I'm doing. I've sung everything from "I'm a Hill-Climbing Bitch" to "What Have You Done Today to Make You Feel Proud," an AIDS Lifecycle standard and hit video.
But the tabbouli song seems to be working well. It's the right speed and rhythm and makes me smile. What more could anyone want?
Jerry and I ramped up our riding this week. On Friday, we started with a short 20-mile jaunt around China Camp. Then Saturday we rode Tiburon Loop to the tune of 30 miles. Yesterday we doubled that with a ride to Point Reyes Station.
At Pt. Reyes we ran into the Positive Pedalers weekend retreat ride. What a treat to see a whole bunch of friends. We sat on the curb and ate sandwiches. Lovely day.
We averaged 11 mph which is slow, and if that is our speed on the ride there's no doubt we will get swept, so we're going to work this week at getting our speed up a bit. We are becoming more confident on the downhills and Jerry is letting off the brakes a bit more. That's really where we can make up some time. I don't have very high hopes for getting our climbing much faster. But maybe a little. As Jerry says, riding the recumbent is like riding a barcolounger, and it climbs hills like a barcolounger.
I ended the day yesterday by speaking at a fundraiser in Berkeley. Alvin and Jenny are first-time riders, doing the ride as their college graduation rite of passage. It was a small group-- everyone forgot it was Mother's Day until the last minute-- but I think they were receptive. And as I told Alvin and Jenny-- if I helped them raise an extra $10, it was worth it.
Pretty zonked, I had a good night sleep. It's going to be a good week.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Wet Bikers and Chicken Marbella
This past weekend was the annual Jonathan Pon Memorial Ride. Jonathan was the founder of the Positive Pedalers, a group of HIV positive bicycle riders who are the face of the AIDS Lifecycle. Their mission is to raise awareness and funds for HIV services.
Jerry and I rode the two-day 150-mile ride two years ago, but this is the second year we have been providing dinner and breakfast for the ride. It's my opportunity to do what I love for a group of people I love. In the past, meals were barbecue and over-mayonnaised potato salad. I wanted to take it up a notch or two. Last year was good; this year I think it was even better.
And if any a group deserved a good dinner, it was this group of 125 wet riders and roadies. The rain was fairly steady on Saturday, but the riders slogged on through it all.
Jerry, Rich and Paul and I started prep Friday night in a rented kitchen. The facilities were adequate, but it was a tad funkier than I expected. Not exactly pristeen and the chaos level was a little high. But the four of us brought a bit of calm and humor to the other groups working there, and I think they appreciated it. We got quite a bit done ahead of time because the kitchen facilities at the campsite are abysmal. We completed the chicken marinade, the green bean vinaigrette and some other assorted chopping.
Earlier in the day Rich, Paul and I hit the wholesale food market, which was loads of fun. We found everything we needed so we didn't have to make any other stops, except to pick up donated coffee. Tom and Dave's Coffee, in San Rafael, didn't know me at all, but when I called them to see if I could buy wholesale and I told them what it was for, they donated the coffee. And I'm happy to say the coffee was very good.
After packing the van and Paul's car on Saturday morning, we made one stop to pick up bagels then we headed to Cassini Ranch in Duncan's Mills, just outside Occidental. Having gotten a lot of prep done the evening before we felt pretty confident about getting dinner done in time.
The first riders came in around 3 or so, drenched and cold. We got appetizers of hummus, feta-pepper dip and pita and carrots out, as well as an array of hot drinks-- coffee, tea and cocoa, for them.
Riders trickled in and we got busy in earnest. Rich was the grill man, and he grilled 50 pounds of chicken breast. Some of the pieces were thick, so we worked together to butterfly them.
I took the marinade and turned it into a sauce. It contained olive oil, vinegar, oregano, a lot of garlic, capers, olives and prunes. It was astounding. I added some alcohol-free white wine and just a little wondra flour to give it a little more body.
We made couscous and stirred in Kalamata olives and parsley into it. We had a green salad and the green beans with it.
For dessert, Robin, another rider made brownies and I had made butterscotch bars.
We got out of the kitchen around 8 pm and Jerry and I went straight to bed, which was an air mattress in the now-empty borrowed van. Wasn't the best night of sleep I've had, but not the worst, either.
We were up a little before 5 am to start breakfast. We had great volunteers with Nathan, Beau and John helping us slice bagels and canteloupe and trim strawberries. Rich again was grill man, making scrambled eggs filled with chicken sausage, cheese and mushrooms. I had baked pumpkin breads as well to go along with the eggs and bagels and cream cheese.
It had rained all night and it looked as if there was no sign of it letting up, so Beau, who works for a bus company, got on the phone and ordered up a couple of busses to take the riders back to the start. The bikes were loaded onto the gear truck and a group of riders, still soggy from sleeping on wet ground in a rain storm were happy to see the buses pull up. From the photos I've seen posted, it looked like a lot of riders slept on the bus on the way back to Sausalito.
I am so sorry it rained on this ride, but I think people still had a good time. It's the best group of folks I can imagine spending a couple of days with, so despite the weather, I think most everyone had a good time. I know I did, but then I only had to cook, not ride.
I'm still tired today, but I've already started thinking about next year's Jon Pon ride.
Jerry and I rode the two-day 150-mile ride two years ago, but this is the second year we have been providing dinner and breakfast for the ride. It's my opportunity to do what I love for a group of people I love. In the past, meals were barbecue and over-mayonnaised potato salad. I wanted to take it up a notch or two. Last year was good; this year I think it was even better.
And if any a group deserved a good dinner, it was this group of 125 wet riders and roadies. The rain was fairly steady on Saturday, but the riders slogged on through it all.
Jerry, Rich and Paul and I started prep Friday night in a rented kitchen. The facilities were adequate, but it was a tad funkier than I expected. Not exactly pristeen and the chaos level was a little high. But the four of us brought a bit of calm and humor to the other groups working there, and I think they appreciated it. We got quite a bit done ahead of time because the kitchen facilities at the campsite are abysmal. We completed the chicken marinade, the green bean vinaigrette and some other assorted chopping.
Earlier in the day Rich, Paul and I hit the wholesale food market, which was loads of fun. We found everything we needed so we didn't have to make any other stops, except to pick up donated coffee. Tom and Dave's Coffee, in San Rafael, didn't know me at all, but when I called them to see if I could buy wholesale and I told them what it was for, they donated the coffee. And I'm happy to say the coffee was very good.
After packing the van and Paul's car on Saturday morning, we made one stop to pick up bagels then we headed to Cassini Ranch in Duncan's Mills, just outside Occidental. Having gotten a lot of prep done the evening before we felt pretty confident about getting dinner done in time.
The first riders came in around 3 or so, drenched and cold. We got appetizers of hummus, feta-pepper dip and pita and carrots out, as well as an array of hot drinks-- coffee, tea and cocoa, for them.
Riders trickled in and we got busy in earnest. Rich was the grill man, and he grilled 50 pounds of chicken breast. Some of the pieces were thick, so we worked together to butterfly them.
I took the marinade and turned it into a sauce. It contained olive oil, vinegar, oregano, a lot of garlic, capers, olives and prunes. It was astounding. I added some alcohol-free white wine and just a little wondra flour to give it a little more body.
We made couscous and stirred in Kalamata olives and parsley into it. We had a green salad and the green beans with it.
For dessert, Robin, another rider made brownies and I had made butterscotch bars.
We got out of the kitchen around 8 pm and Jerry and I went straight to bed, which was an air mattress in the now-empty borrowed van. Wasn't the best night of sleep I've had, but not the worst, either.
We were up a little before 5 am to start breakfast. We had great volunteers with Nathan, Beau and John helping us slice bagels and canteloupe and trim strawberries. Rich again was grill man, making scrambled eggs filled with chicken sausage, cheese and mushrooms. I had baked pumpkin breads as well to go along with the eggs and bagels and cream cheese.
It had rained all night and it looked as if there was no sign of it letting up, so Beau, who works for a bus company, got on the phone and ordered up a couple of busses to take the riders back to the start. The bikes were loaded onto the gear truck and a group of riders, still soggy from sleeping on wet ground in a rain storm were happy to see the buses pull up. From the photos I've seen posted, it looked like a lot of riders slept on the bus on the way back to Sausalito.
I am so sorry it rained on this ride, but I think people still had a good time. It's the best group of folks I can imagine spending a couple of days with, so despite the weather, I think most everyone had a good time. I know I did, but then I only had to cook, not ride.
I'm still tired today, but I've already started thinking about next year's Jon Pon ride.
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