Witches at Soledad??

Followers!  What a week.  I am burnt out from work and working out!  Spent M-W of this week working 12 hours shifts at work, Dolphin was down for rigging maintenance and just keeping as best I can up to date on my work duties.  But Thursday came along and I had a great day!  I went out to lunch with friends for Dining Out for Life. After work, I met up with Jose for Dining Out for Life at Ponce's.  Remember, the money goes to a good cause, but I will agree with Jose that the food was not that great, Minus the guacamole enchilada.  I like that!  Then a fun date night out to see Totem, Cirque du Soleil traveling show.  And let me tell you it was the best touring show I have seen to date, and Jose's first Cirque show!  It was a blast and lots of fun.  (Crazy hydraulic stage, RFID lights, digital projection.... super cool) Friday, I was to meet a few ALC peeps after work for some Fiesta Island ride time, but it turned out to be just Dave and I.  And that was fine.  We opted to go up to Mount Soledad and back.  Hills suck.  But the payoff at the top of the hill is always worth it.  The view up top was wonderful.  It was crystal clear.  I confided in David when we were up there that I was nervous.  The ride is so close and I am concerned about if I will make it.  I am just done. Tired. I really don't want to ride.  He kicked me in he ass and reminded me that this is hard, but that the training I do now will pay off for the ride.  He also talked to me about closing day and those emotions that go into it!  It re-excited me!  We also met another fellow rider up top.  It is cool that the riding family is a small family, and though there are the bitchy ones out there, there are also nice ones.  What goes up, must come down!  And I clocked 40 MPH!  Super fun.

Off to Fiesta Cantinas for margaritas and food.  Jose met up with us and Mike as well, my boss from work.  A pleasant night and full of fun times with good people.

 The Three Witches.

Do I really want to ride. No. I am beat. But I woke up early and decided to just do it.  Unfortunately, David cant make it out.  We were going to carpool together.  But I met up with the ALC Team at Fletcher Cove.  Met a new rider. Well new to me.  He has done a few rides before.  And were off!  I keep a good pace with Jen, Rob, Angela and nameless person whose name I cant remember right now.  But the hills were OK, steep (maybe not, I think I was just too tired).  To be honest, I was just peddling.  I was tired so my concentration was not the best for feelings or taking it all in.  It was pretty though.  We get to rest stop one, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf!  Yay! Not Starbucks!  I LOVE CBTL!!!!

Off again and here is what I do remember.  We are on a stretch of road where I can see easily two miles ahead of me.  There were a few riders in front of me.  But it clicked. This sucks.  This peddling, legs cramping, tired and moody, sucks.  I am done.  But wait, Ricky, you are doing this for 7 days straight here very soon!  What are you thinking??  I know this is going to be great and is right for me.  But still, it was a moment of exhaustion talking and it freaked me out a little.  I just need to get back into my life flow and I will be fine.  But it was a moment.  And I am doing this for the right reason and I am excited for that.  Just need to remember what my friends and loved ones tell me about this ride and why I do it.

Rest stop two (Starbucks) and then off again.  Peddle peddle peddle.  I will be fine.  It is Jen Angela and I and I like that.  They peddle fast so there was motivation there to keep going.  I kept up and we turned right.  Wait, where are we?  Lost!  Yay!  It wasn't bad, just turned too soon.  But we quickly got back on track and on route.  Scary moment came though when we needed to turn left.  Angela started to go into the left hand lane.  There was a car back but a ways off.  I followed suit.  However, I swear he speed up on purpose and then blared his horn as I see him barreling towards me.  I will say I hesitated to go into the left turn lane, but jackass did speed up.  It was a scary moment, well, nerverwracking.  Only because his horn blowing.  But whatever, it wasn't that dramatic, he was though.  Then of course we turn left on the light, which was a short light and the person going straight honks at us as the light turns red before we clear the intersection so we held them up.  Meh, jerks :)  Route 56 bike path is a nice bike path.  Easy and pretty.  We had fun, until I fell over while standing.  Nothing bad, just some scrapes. 

It was a good ride.  I am tired, and feeling weird still.  I need to organize my life and ride life so I feel more prepared and not so  out of sorts.  I have good friends and loved ones who are helping me out though.  And you followers, make this ride fun too as I get to tell you all about it. 

Oh yeah, and I am always thoroughly amused at how dirty I am after a ride.  I took a shower and the water was brown from dirt stuck to my body.  So crazy!  Also, on the way home I brushed my face with my hand and dried salt came off my face.  Crazy!!  I am an athlete!!

I am off to a fundraising BBQ for my tent mate now.  More rides tomorrow! 
.

Two pics on the bike path under I15.  Who knew there was one there!

Till next time

Peddle on!

Elves, Muffins and Gays, oh my!

Followers!!  Hello.  It feels so good to be back into a blogging grove.  I hope that you are equally as happy to be back in my fold of this great bicycling adventure of mine :)

The week after day on the ride through the weekend was busy.  Work has still been tough, but during these times of overwhelming work, I need to remember what my priorities are.  And they start with me.  Remember Ricky time??  Yeah, started to loose focus of that. But through some conversations with exclusive person and best friends, I remembered that it is just a job, one that pays me to do what I love, but not at the expense of my sleep, clean house, relationships or friendships.  And wouldn't you know, HR still hasn't scheduled any of the interviews for the open positions I have which will relieve some of this work load stress I have.  Meh, enough about that place, however, it is a note to have since it plays into my life and therefore my cycling.  Also, I have been working out more heavily with Manny.  That is a great thing! My body is evolving into muscle mass.  But man, does it tire you out.  Hit it hard and strong right now.  This is my time for change of my body and mind.  And it is!  Once I complete this ride, I will still do my workouts with Manny (which have evolved from him teaching me the basics to him now being my gym buddy, both motivating each other to be the best we can be) but may temper it to focus more on overall well being.  But for now, push me until I can't physically be pushed anymore!

Saturday was a special day.  One filled with love and laughter.  It truly was a great day!  It started at 6 am.  Yuck.  But I awoke, got ready for my ride and then headed to Jose's house. This date had special significance and I wanted to celebrate that date with him the best I could knowing I wouldn't be with him since I would be on a ride.  I took him breakfast that he could enjoy when he woke that morning.  Luckily, he met me at the door and I got to start my day off in a blissful mood getting to see him and spend a few moments with him prior to my departure.  It was a wonderful moment to start the day.

I arrive to my meeting destination for the Elfin Muffin ride.  We met in Del Mar.  Logan, David, Tammy and I.  Oh wait. Tammy wasn't there.  She arrived, albeit a little late :)  Why was I doing a ride outside of the ALC sanctioned rides?  I had planned this a while ago.  Tammy and I keep similar pace and she is peaceful to ride with.  David has been a true friend and mentor to my ride and is hysterical to ride with.  And fun to converse with.  And Logan.  I like the guy.  He bitches with the best of them, but has a good pace and fun personality that he makes riding fun.  I love riding with Team SD.  But I needed a ride outside of the structure of safety speeches, stopping with one foot down, and set rest stops and ride out times.  So I organized one for us to do and just BS as we rode.

Dimples and the bikes, waiting for Tammy so we can roll out.  Good thing the roll out time was not set in stone!

After Tammy arrived we rode out.  It was a chilly foggy morning.  But it was nice.  It took some time to get into the grove and rolling but we found our groove rather quickly.  On the first portion of the ride we were in the middle of a marathon.  It was fun to cheer on the marathon runners as they in turn cheered us on.  Fun camaraderie amongst athletes :)  Our initial route (of which we did not stick to the route sheet by any means) was right along the coast.  It was beautiful.  We turned East through Rancho Santa Fe (where the quadrillionaires live) and I love it.  So beautiful, smells lovely, and peaceful.  The downhills are curvy, short and sweet and the uphills are easy and lovely.  The views are killer and the meticulously manicured foliage is beautiful to look at and smells lovely.  We stopped in RSF at a car show.  And nothing like three gays walking around in our high toed cleats checking out classic cars.  Sorry RSF for any offense that may have been caused LOL!!

On the ride with the fog. Lovely :)

Logan and cars.  He likes his cars.

After a pee stop, oh wait, we cant find the bathroom, and hearing stories about Baby Arm (I need to keep this blog PG-13, but lets just say that cycling shorts leave nothing to the imagination, or so I'm told) we are off up Del Dios Highway, another favorite of mine.  Followers, here is where the day was fun full of laughter and love and friends.  At pit stop one, we laughed.  Baby arm (OK, so your curious. He was a WELL endowed man on the ride last year that everyone took notice of and Logan, David and Tammy were reminiscing about him. Maybe not reminiscing, but telling me the stories of Baby Arm), explaining dirty jokes,  and the joys of riding.  It was fun.  I laughed. And I was with new friends, on my bike.  This day was just fun.  Then to do Del Dios

Tammy, come out of hiding!

After the wonderful Del Dios views and fresh air hitting my skin (oops, forgot sunscreen, got a little burnt) we arrive in Escondido. Quick Starbucks rest and pee stop and we are off to be one with the Elves.  I LOVE ELFIN FOREST! I LOVE NATURE! I LOVE BIKING! So peaceful, quiet and lovely.  I rather enjoy this ride. and throughout, we just rode, together, friends enjoying the day, the views, the nature, the company and life.  Just wonderful.  Really can't say much more. It just was, and I was present in the moment.  Thanks friends for that stretch of ride.

So I tried to take an action shot under my arm of David and Tammy behind me.  Instead I got my back and helmet.  And yes, no more action shots on the bike.  Why?  Not because I got a near miss, or anything bad.  But because earlier this week I got a traffic ticket for talking on my cell while driving and doing a California stop at a stop sign.  Then being reminded by David, you were a distracted driver, and in PB, and there are cyclists there. Point taken.  You and a slew of others have made the point and the traffic ticket was a blessing in disguise.  I was a distracted driver.  And albeit, I just pull my phone out and click the volume up button and hope I get a pic, I am distracted. And then if a distracted driver, like me encounters a distracted (or non distracted) cyclist, the results could be bad.  And I love my life to much and my friends, family and relationships to be tempting fate.  No more.  I promise.

OK, so here is the last of the action shots. Going through Elfin Forest.

Hell, I may as well try to get one of me if this is the end of action shots.

Reminded me of home in Colorado

ON the home stretch. We stop for lunch at Champange Bakery.  Quite a lovely french restaurant.  So delicious.  I had a artichoke and pepper panini with home fries.  SOOO good.  A lovely lurch with my fellow cyclists and a great way to cap off our ride.  After lunch, smooth sailing, with a hill, and back to chilly fog,  back to Del Mar where we part ways.  Thanks Logan, Tammy and David for a wonderful ride.  I look forward to doing it again!!!!

So that night, more love and laughter. Jose cooked me a wonderful unique meal of mango, avocado, salmon and potatoes (remind me to tell you this recipe Lynnet, it was good! and Nephew approved for allergies). A wonderful meal to celebrate a wonderful man. Then I went and played a rousing game of Fishbowl with the Bakers, Jose and friends.  (Such a fun game!)  Sunday was a quiet morning, then seeing Jose play softball (Go Hitmen) and a most amazing night.  This is one for the ol pen and paper, but I felt so connected to a human being than I have in a long time.  And it felt so wonderful. 

My weekend was filled with the best of emotions that one could have.  I wish all of you followers, the most enjoyable emotions you can have and would wish  my weekend on anyone as it was one I would not change for anything.  Love and laughter to you all!  Biggest of hugs!

Till next time, peddle on!

DOTR

Followers. I went to day on the ride.  YAY!!!!  I didn't think I would make it.  Initially, a few of us from Team San Diego were going to go and I was excited.  But then, closer to the event, only  three of us were going.  And the other two had rides up to LA already! So what was I going to do??  The ride starts at 7.  Get up at 330 to be there in time?  Spend yet more money on a hotel for a ride?  I debated and debated.  And then I said, well I will ask my friend if I can stay with her mom in Malibu.  The mom said yes!  I am going to day on the ride.  I worked a short day on Friday and left San Diego at 415 for the rainy solo drive up to LA.  Traffic sucked but it was a good ride up there.  I listened to some music that made me cry, thanks ReConsolation. Drove along the coast to my destination.  Such a beautiful peaceful drive.  And at the house, a friendly dog greeting me, home cooked food, and wonderful conversations! Thanks friends mom!

 View from the house I stayed at 

 Next morning I woke up bright and early at 5 to go to DOTR! Just like the ride from what I hear, it was cold and windy.  But I turned on some uplifting tunes and made my way back down the coast to Santa Monica for Day on the Ride!  I got there and met up with Doug and Romi.  After some early pictures and some stretching providing by Doreen (the woman who has rode every mile of every ride) we are off. 

Day on the Ride 2012 by vazguy at Garmin Connect - Player

Morning safety speech and stretching

Doug, I and Romi

So the first couple of miles were constant start and stop of riders.  I heard a lot of comments like this is just like the ride.  It kinda sucked.  I was bored.  The energy was great, but to wait through two stoplights in a row at the same intersection all because the other riders are so many that you have to wait was no fun.  But after some time and some spreading out, it got better.  The first few miles were cold and uneventful.  It was fun with the energy of the group and the celebration atmosphere, but mostly it was cold!  We arrive at rest stop 1.  At rest stop one, though I didn't take a pic, was the chicken lady.  A woman who dresses up each day in costumes and is a staple of the ride.  We were fed snacks and water, pee stop and then, oh wait, here comes the hills!

My lord, this hill sucked.  We went through Rancho PalosVerdes and that was a hill.  I honestly didn't think I would make it.  It was tough.  1200 feet in 7 miles. The climb was intense and I was alone.  There were other riders, but Romi and Doug took off.  I did follow a motivational guy though.  In shorts, all tattooed out, super friendly and taking the hill like no challenge.  He motivated me indirectly to stop whining and do the ride.  However, I did do legs with Manny earlier in the week, of which I regretted riding up the hill, but it was hard.  The views were awesome though!  And the houses were gorgeous.  This place is basically a big ass hill on the coast of California.  So up and UP and UP we went!  This was the first time my legs cramped on me while riding, totally sucked.  But what goes up must come down!  So at the top of the hill was rest stop 2.  It was nice, a quick rest stop to pee, drink, snack (I love food!) and regroup with my ALCSD friends.  And we are off downhill.  Again, remarkable views of the coast.  But the headwinds were so strong and SUCKED!!!!  The fact that you had to peddle to go downhill defeats physics, but that was how strong the headwind was.  But we survived and got back down to the coast.  And now followers, for the peaceful moment.  We rode right along the coast headed for our lunch destination.  It was calm and peaceful, saw the Trump International Golf Course. Rode with friends, new ALC peeps, and just had a moment of quiet.  What was cool, was that along this portion of the route, people stopped me.  "Hey what are you doing?"  These were other riders or cars.  And we told them our story.  And every single person said that was awesome and congratulations!  It was cool to be in the midst of strangers and told to keep up the good work and your doing an amazing thing.  Such an awesome feeling!

Lunch stop.  So hungry.  It was a beautiful park near the coast.  It was still pretty damn cold but it wasn't terrible.  Met some new people and had a fun time just sitting.  But the muscles were cramping up!  Jersey Mikes sub downed, pee, few pics and we're off again.

Lunch stop (notice all the bikes just on the ground!)

"Hey Romi, only 10 miles till the next rest stop"  Hmmm, why would that be??  Oh, so we can get back up that big ass hill again!  Good grief, this was not fun.  My legs (specifically my left hamstring and calf) were not having fun with this at all.  Romi and Doug are off.  But no, not this time.  I am going to keep up with Romi.  If she can blast up a hill, then she will be my motivation to keep up with her.  And I did!  This hill followers, never ended.  800 feet in 5 miles. To be quite honest, I was ready to give up and be swept by SAG.  I was just so beat and in pain.  But I didn't and I was damn proud when I reached that crest of the hill!  Romi was just cycling, but she really did keep me motivated to not slow down so thanks to her for that!  At least this hill was some beautiful "country side" of LA.  There were horses and all.  And when we got to rest stop three, they had a country theme!  Lots of fun.  And I learned a lesson to use an antibacterial wipe to clean your hands then purell!  Who knew.  Oh yeah, and remove your gloves before eating :)

So now downhill.  This was a great curvy downhill that was fun.  I took it slow, thanks to some sound advice from friends who have been telling me I may be taking the cyling part a little too careless by trying to take pictures while riding.  So I went at a fast, but safe pace, and am glad I did.  Did you know you can't hear a Prius come up behind you.  Yeah, green living is great, but scares the crap out of you when they pull up next to you and you never heard them coming.  We get to the beach again.  And now we take a 10ish mile long beach path.  OK, followers, here I did take pics while riding.  BUT, if I ate shit, it would be me and the sand.  And I only took them when there was no risk to other cyclists or pedestrians.  Check them out!

Doug ahead of me on Manhattan Beach, I think....

Near the LAX. We are right on the ocean.

Remember those headwinds.  Yeah, it was so windy that the sand covered the bike path.  Twice, we had to dismount and walk our bikes!  Crazy windy, but the left side of my body got a nice exfoliation from all the blowing sand!

Me, on the beach (not while riding!)

Well followers, where is the Zen?  I usually get a Zen moment.  It came just after the self pic of me.  Here is what happened.  Doug and the group we were with took off.  They were blazing down the bike path.  I was in incredible pain in my left leg.  And by incredible, it wasn't that I couldn't ride, it was just a never ending cramp.  I was done.  I was ten ish miles from the end of this 77 mile ride.  The hills were brutal. The wind was relentless.  I just wanted to stop.  I now could not see any ALC rider ahead or behind me.  I am OK with solo riding, but I was alone, tired and frustrated (including occasional yells out loud when the wind would strike or my leg would seize).  So I just let it go.  This was my moment, I was on the beach, riding a bike, in pain.  THIS, this was my moment.  I could not do anything to change it.  Welcome dad into my thoughts.  I thought of how he must have been when he was alone in the woods waiting to be rescued with a broken leg.  He told me that he accepted the pain and recognized this was his moment and he had to live in that moment.  So I did just that.  And you know what, I hit Zen.  I was at peace.  The pain was there, but knowing that in your moment, nothing can change so to accept it, is such a huge weight off your shoulder.  It became easier to peddle just accepting my reality.  So Dad, thanks for getting me through that moment on the beach.  You are an inspiration (for what happened the rest of your story) and if you can survive your moment, this will be easy peasy.  You are my hero. :) 

I got to a last pit stop and cried.  No, not from the pain, because I got salt in my eye!  Romi met up with me there, which I was happy for.  I was glad I would get to cross the finish line with a friend,  So we rode on and we crossed that finish line to a few cheering ALC supporters.  It was great.  And the ride was well worth it!  Thanks DOTR and ALC for the great event!  I am stoked for the ride in 42 days!!

Two pics of me and Doug before rest stop 1 (taken by photographers on the route)



Till next time.

Keep peddling!

Catch Up!

So I left off with the gift on my stoop.  And let me tell you followers, the gift has been one of the most thoughtful and amazing gifts.  I am blessed. 

Followers, whirlwind. Time is precious! I can’t believe how much I am fitting in to my little time I have.  I train (workouts with Manny and Bike), work, visit friends, spend time with a special someone and sleep.  I will recap the past few weeks of my life briefly since this is my journal to this adventure.  And then followers, I promise, one hour a week to this blog so I can keep up with what is going on in my life.

First, I got my crown! Yay. I am whole again and a king of my cycling!!

I met some new friends after a night out with Danny.  I finally used my birthday gift from my sister and did Tacos, Tombstones and Tequila.  It was fun!  I met a new friend from the Ozarks and have kept in touch with her since.  And she is totally supporting my ride. Thanks Tracy!

I was to have a boot camp, but unfortunately had to cancel due to rain.  No worries though as we went to Slater’s 50/50 for burgers and beer.  Emily, kids, Dave, Kira, Raquel and Jose were there and we had fun. 

That next week I was to go in for an outpatient surgery; but due to me taking care of myself and eating better and doing some great healthy exercising, the surgery was avoided!  I still had a thorough check up, but alas, no surgery!! Heck yeah, and one for the ol pen and paper.  But followers, funny story, my old nurse from my first doctor was the nurse for the preop visit.  We caught up and she donated to my ride.  So cool!!

Since I had the time off I rode Soledad with David for the first time, and did Texas for the first time.  That was a great ride.  I felt so good with myself.  Soledad is deceptive, with hills never ending and when you think it’s over, it’s not…..

 David and I at the top of Mt. Soledad

View out East from Mt. Soledad

 View to the West

Crappy bike path back towards Mission Bay

 CORNROLLS!!

The next day, I did the bay century. This was a great ride. Mission Beach to Carlsbad.  That was an amazing feeling when I got to the smoke stacks and realized how far that truly is.  And I did it on my bike.  This is a great route. Very calm. The way up was beautiful and nice.  ON the way back though, Zen.  There were campfires with the smell of toasting marshmallows. There was the smell of flowers.  Beautiful views and scenery, and some time alone.  It is funny followers. When I first moved to San Diego from Colorado, I left a lot of the old Ricky in Colorado.  I was harassed and made fun of as a gay youth in my high school.  California was such a respite.  One day I went to the beach under the smoke stacks and wrote my name down.  I went up the small cliff and watched the tide erase my name.  I said goodbye to Ricky those 11 years ago.  The old Ricky from Colorado wasn’t going to be harassed and made fun of.  On this ride, as I rode past, I said hello to Ricky. I teared up again, but it was nice to see where and what I have become in these 11 years.  And to do it with Blanch, felt nice.  She has also made a lot of my life come full circle and make sense.  So it was a unique moment to fell so proud of myself and remember that one memory from long ago.  We made it back to Mission Beach, but due to a bad tire and derailleur, the three of us doing the century opted out.  However, I have some very good friends from this ride and I value them and learned how much good friends can really mean to make one’s life fell full!

29 miles to Carlsbad, not to "bad"

Tammy and a quiet moment

Logan and more quiet moments (this is the smoke stack I mentioned above)

End of the day, not a century but a good day

Did endurance ride the next day.  I DON’T LIKE HEADWINDS!!  There, I said it.  Hills, they are ok.  But headwinds SUCK!!It was only around the bay, full circle. But riding back along Coronado, those winds are killer!

Ride along the bay

Work!  Ahh, my Assistant Supervisor resigned.  I miss him. Work is long and hard, with lots of long hours and tiring days, but I hope to fill that soon.

Next weekend, Elfin in Reverse.  I LOVE THIS RIDE!!!!  This is my favorite.  I find it so beautiful.  I had such an enjoyable ride.  I don’t recall hitting Zen this time, but it was peaceful and just enjoyable.  Fun riding with Logan.  I enjoy his pace and humor. 

BOOT CAMP!  Yay!  It was awesome and I raised $150 for the ride!  It was so much fun and everyone wants to do it again.  I hope to do it soon!

And then, the purple monster.  I have no pics from this ride except of my bruises.  I ate pavement, hard!  I threw my weight into the right side of my bike and fell into traffic.  So Carin Romi and I are at a red light.  When it turned green Carin took off, followed by me. One peddle stroke and I go down.  There are cars going straight to the left of me, cars turning right on the right of me and ROmi almost pancaking me from behind!  I got up, ran across the street with Blanch and then the pain hit.  I hit my man parts, scrapped my knee, and bruised my arm and chest.  The picture I couldn’t show is of my interior leg.  That and my butt bruised.  I was fine but it smarted.  And the chest bruise hurt for the week after.  Luckily, Team San Diego rocks and ROmi, Carin and Suzi helped me out and made sure I was ok!

Later this week (I promise) will be my recount of Day on the Ride!  SO MUCH FUN!!

I also must say followers, and though I keep this blog private to a comfortable degree, I must put it in here as this is my recount of this ride for years later.  Jose and I are dating again.  What that entails and what is going on between us, is between us and for the pen and paper.  But I will say that I missed him and am happy that he is part of my life and by my side on this ALC journey.

I have been busy followers, and I am tired.  But I am a happy tired.  I am truly blessed by whatever absolute being, creator, deity, god or demigod that is out there that is in this universe.  I am surrounded by an amazing group of people, dedicated to one cause, whom have become amazing and fast friends.  I have a family who is supportive and understanding.  Loved ones who push and support me. Best friends and mentors who give me a shoulder when needed.  This is awesome and I wouldn't trade any moment of this in for the world!

Till next time.

Keep peddling.