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.