Where are the magical Elf's

 

Followers! Sorry for the later blog.  First a thank you to all the people on Facebook I took these pictures from :) I only took a few so thanks for letting me borrow.

Here is a recap of my weekend rides.

Saturday was an early morning rise to go on Elfin Forest Ride. We started off at Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach at 730 am!  Here is that park. You can see Blanch on the right :)

And we're off! Immediately we take off up a hill.  And immediately someone goes down. It was not an easy hill but it was not going to be our last. I stopped briefly but wouldn't you know, our TRL's were right there getting the person who fell up on their feet and moving again.  Yay TRL's!  I should tell you that TRL's (Training Ride Leaders) do not get paid for this. They are volunteers, there to guide us on the route, give us pointers, motivate us, sweep us, and be all around awesome (they will also help you change a flat).  So TRL's, THANK YOU!!!! You are the best!

Then we are in Rancho Santa Fe. Beautiful. The day was gorgeous (typical 70 plus degree San Diego day) and the scent of spring flowing against my skin as I glide through wooded land was amazing.  I was so loving that moment. It took me back home, to Colorado. And though I have not rode there with Blanch, I hope to one day soon.  I can only imagine that this is what it would be like.  The street was narrow, gentle rolling hills, Other bikers passing who wave at you.  I had a few moments where I rode by myself and it was nice.  There were also a few downhills which were pretty fantastic. We breezed through rest stop one and on ward to Escondido. This followers is where it got really cool. We went down Del Dios Highway. BEAUTIFUL! So awesome (minus the crazy fast drivers). But it was awesome. The road was still narrow, but there was a good bike area on the side. It was like a canyon (of sorts) with hill to climb. Suzi, Romi, Carin, Jen and I stayed relatively together. Good cadence and the majority of our long climb.  But what made it easy was the weather and view. You can forget easily how high you are climbing when you are surrounded by such beauty. Zen, peace.... no. I was smiling too much for Zen. Peace, sure, but a happy peace where I couldn't stop smiling.  Top of the Hill! What!  Crazy ass long hill, we conquered you! And thanks for making it an awesome ride; downhill to Escondido!

At the top of the hill looking at Lake Hodges

So now we drive into Escondido. I am not a fan of city riding. Don't get me wrong, it is a different experience, but stoplights, absent minded drivers, traffic..... I like open roads.  But here followers, a note for you. Next time you see a cyclist, remember, it could be me. Please use caution. It is insane how cautious I must be to ride in the streets. Remember, by law, I have the same rights as you and can utilize the same road.  I will admit, there are jackass riders who do not obey the law, swerve between cars, cut you off, and yeah, I get pissed at them too. But I and my fellow riders are cautious. Please double check your mirrors and don't drive by me so close that your mirror is a hair from hitting me....  Soap box, done. But, coffee stop.  I really need to get the Starbucks app that the other riders have. Then I scan my food and drink and call it over with (but TRL's, lets hit up a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf soon. Waaaay better than Starbucks :))

Peddle on. Through Escondido, and into...... Elfin Forest. No, there are no elf's there. But it is a beautiful area, once you get through the smells.   Cows and chickens. The other riders were having a rough time with the smells. Me, didn't notice.  Was I in Greeley one day too long on my trip.  Or am I that country of a boy.  Maybe next time I will throw a cowboy hat on over my helmet.

Picture of area near the start of Elfin Forest. Where the cows and chickens live....

Elfin! Oh how I loved you. So peaceful. This is where I hit Zen.  What more can I say.  Hills, yeah. Good company, yeah. But peace.  I will be doing this ride again very soon. Curving country roads, trees sweeping down over the road giving me an archway of nature to ride through, rock outcroppings flanking me and Blanch. And small little houses just like the way life should be :-) And to top it off, a hill.

Elfin Forest (Yup, I took this while riding. Sorry TRL's.  Wait, wasn't I just on a soap box talking about safety.... I did take it when there were no other cars or cyclists around. If I was going to eat shit, I would only take myself out)

Rest stop at Champagne French Bakery!  Yummy! Raspberry filled chocolate dipped cookie :)  Onward through Rancho Santa Fe.  I really like riding through here. Narrow streets (I like to see how close I can get to the side. Yes, this I predict will be my first serious accident, when I run off the road and slip on the rough edges). Fast, curvy downhills, what!  Oh yeah, tires skid on turns, luckily I fixed it before eating asphalt.  Then back to Del Mar.  Here is where it almost ended for me followers. One short steep hill. Del Mar Heights Road. I thought I was going to have to walk..... but no! Romi, Doug and I climbed that little steep hill and it was worth it.  Pure happiness. You reach the crest and before you is the Pacific Ocean, beautiful blue, big and welcoming. We flew down that steep little hill into its embrace (well, we stopped short of going into the ocean). Cool salted air filing our lungs, it was what we needed for the last push back to Fletcher Cove.

Romi, Doug and I after our 47 miles, 2770 feet of climbing ride! Go Team ALC San Diego!

Bringing sexy back. Yeah, toot my own horn. I look sexy and I know it :-) JK, a little. I do love this pic of me and Blanch though!

I felt good! I was on cloud 9. I was high as a kite (naturally) and loved it. BEST RIDE TO DATE!!!!  Off for some home time, Ricky time, and food.  Lots and lots of food.  I am eating so much since I picked up cycling. Off to the movies with friends and a new phone!

 Link to Elfin Forest Ride
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/154596802

Sunday, off for another ride.  Olympic Training Center Loop.  Logan's back (tent mate for ride).  Vanessa joined us for her first ride.  And were off.

I took no pics this day so here is one i took Saturday of my hand accidentally.

What the hell.  My legs are on fire. I was fine. Whats going on.  Oh yeah. All those damn peaceful Zen filled hills yesterday.....  I wouldn't take it back. But my legs were burning.  First hill, I could've easily puked at the top.  I will make this short and sweet. This was a beautiful ride.  Gorgeous weather, spring scented flowers, but I was beat.  Logan was keeping a good pace.  Logan, Romi and I mostly kept together. But I was happy to see this ride done.  I could easily do it again, but not after a hills day!  But again, what goes up must come down.  I love downhill!

Link to ride.33 miles, 1600 feet of climbing
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/155380440


So, I went to a BBQ right after.  Just what I needed!  David, my fast friend, ride mentor and century rider (also the person who has made me cry quite a bit lately :-)) did it again. Tears. David has done the ride 10 times. He is an amazing soul and fun to hang out with. He had videos of ALC rides from past years and also a documentary when a TV station followed him one year.  We watched it all.  So the videos again reminded me of why I do this.  Here is my exact post from Facebook which captures it all.

Thank you to all my donors who have supported this cause. A recent dinner with friends reiterated to me why I do this. To not forget. To remember loved ones lost, those living with HIV/AIDS, and those... all of us, affected by this disease. This is bigger than us and one of the most amazing causes I could ride for. But it's you, my donors who inspire me and I celebrate and thank you! Please donate what you can and please check out the amazing organizations receiving these funds and the amazing work they do. They told me saving lives wasn't going to be easy, but you, donors and future donors, make each peddle worth it :) http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/rickysalcadventure

Here's the thing. Rest stop four is filled with hot men in Speedos. Red dress day captures the magic of wearing a dress and riding a bike through the farmlands of California. Condom man on the side of the street is a reminder but also a hoot. But night 6 of the candle light vigil, will pull it all in perspective.  The kids who cheer you on on the side of the street.  The dinners where the ALC leaders recapture the day and what our ride is doing to save lives.  Shit. I ride to save lives. Crazy.  That is beyond me.  I cant quite capture that yet.  And yes, I am reminded by a close friend often that this ain't easy, but no one said saving lives was going to be easy.  Let me sit with this a while longer followers.  But I cried.  Of course I Did.  Have you met me??

Then, a special treat. Chest with Manny!  I appreciate him so much.  I looked at myself naked in the mirror the other day, and I have muscle that I didn't have a month ago!  Crazy.  And.... we are bumping it up to two times a week followed by three times a week starting in April.  I am not trying to bulk up, but I like what I am seeing.

Woot woot! Yeah, it may not be much, but for me, this was a first!

This week, Ricky time. Time to reflect, recapture, think, and calm.  I am beat. I was onstage again for Turbo Kick Box! But this is a lot.  Ricky needs some Ricky time.  This is a journey and I must take time to reflect on it.... and do laundry! 

Follower, like the like. 

Till next time,

Ricky