Team Amici Veloci (and other TE'ers) do ALC 6

[Trek420]

OK, countdown time. Thought I'd post this info in its own spot.

Sunday Sunday Sunday monster tractor pull ....no ...... Sunday UK and I set of on ALC 6. We'll try to keep you posted but communication is a challenge on the 7 day ride.

For one thing no internet access in camp, for another while I plan to complete this my 3rd ride if you've ridden with me you know I'm not fast enough to complete each day and zip into town the extra miles to find a hot spot :cool: I plan to get in, get fed, get the tent up, showered, rest, get to sleep, get up and ride, repeat oh, and watch the talent show. :cool:

And I might not be able to charge my cell phone.

So I will make one, maybe two calls a day.

Otherwise the cell is off. I do a group voicemail thing and will try to call Knott, and or Spazzdog. And they can post how we're doing.

But you can send a message to us, to any rider or crew member from here:

http://experience.aidslifecycle.org/2007/

Keep it clean folks because your message of encouragement, support gets printed out by our amazing crew and pretty much anyone can read it :cool:

You'll need our rider numbers; UK Eliphant is 4591, I'm rider 4223. I had a list going of the others on this board, maybe I can re-create it.

If any of you know other riders or crew who might like to hear from TE'ers you can post it here too. It really makes a difference to the riders and crew.

There will be a "webcast" from that link that goes live I think on Saturday, day 0 with pictures, podcast, maybe video. So watch for us. I'll probably end up on the cutting room floor but watch for us in Amici Veloci red and green on Day 1, and I plan to wear the colors on day 7 as well.

Here just for fun is a video of the route

http://thebigmatt.com/2007Ride/Ride2007.htm

[Trek420]

Duck on Wheels and Snapdragen will be volunteering (yeah crew!!!!) at the tent reservation area. We'll try to get a group shot taken there, at least the four of us. Anyone else?

Since that's the last stop at registration we'll be sure to see them, oh I recognize them all anyway.

[Zen]

I stand in awe of your ability.

How do we see the webcast?

[Trek420]

Thanks Zen. Hold that thought till I finish ;) but it's good to just commit to do it of course and all about the cause.

I tell people from a cycling standpoint it's not the hardest event. We debate this on the ALC board, seems to depend on what GPS one is using but it's something around 26,000++ feet of climbing.

I think V does doubles, one day with that. :eek:

But it's the back to backness, ride a century, do it again, and again, and then in a red dress....

A funny thing happened last time I rode, I hope this is true for me again. If you make it through Day 3 after that you just...feel...stronger every day. Weird.

The webcast is not there yet on the link.

You'll start to see things posted Monday, maybe late Sunday. You can see pictures of previous rides though.

Northern CA gals day 1 will be harder this year. After the 2 mile climb up 92

pictured here riders and Taiko drumers at the top here

http://experience.aidslifecycle.org/2005/photos/day1/g2.html

instead of the long well deserved downhill run we take a left turn and go up Skyline. :eek: I've heard we'll come down to Hwy 1 around the town of Pescadero. I've always wanted to ride that bit. Alrighty, guess I will.

Wonder if we'll stop by for artichoke bread? :)

Day 2 is a century, Santa Cruz to King City. It's relatively flat though. Just often has &*^% headwinds. One long hill coming into King City has some great views. To make up for the headwinds we have a couple of unofficial rest stops. Hopefully the Cookie Lady will be there. This gal bakes all year and sets up somewhere on the route with cookies, with or without nuts, with or without chocolate chips, I'll aks about GF options for all the riders. She's always in costume. Earlier that day we'll take over an artichoke stand (in a friendly way of course).

Highlight of Day 3 would be Quadbuster hill. We'll be rewarded if we get over the top of that there's a tiny town that puts on a BBQ for us. It's the main fundraiser for their school.

[tangentgirl]

Wooooohoooooo! You guys are gonna have a blast. You must be crazy excited by now. Have a great ride!

[MM_QFC!]

Best wishes to Trek and all ALC riders and volunteers for a super fun and super safe ride...
I ride for the same reason - so that we can live in an AIDS-free world and just ride for the pure joy of it sometime soon - so this sister-rider salutes each and every one of you, knowing that it'll get hard, you'll hurt, get very hot, sore and hungry for anything other than road-food...but you'll all dig deep and pedal on...having the support of so many angels on every hill - for every mile...ride strong and enjoy every part of the journey!
Mary

[Pax]

GO TEAM!!!!!!!!

[ACG]

Hey Trek! I'm rider 1132, have a black/orange Giant OCR. I'd love to meet you!
This is year 2 for me.

I'm not super fast either, just very, very determined.

[Trek420]

Hey there!! Let's try to meet day 0. We can get a group shot at tent assignment. I'm short, dark hair, lavender Mondonico road bike. I may have a potted flowering plant on my helmet :D On day 1 UK and I will be in AV gear.

PM me for my cell phone number.

[maillotpois]

Way to go! Good luck and have fun!

[Duck on Wheels]

Arright, riders! You gals really rock! I've been watching UK prepare for this, getting stronger and faster by the week. I am so impressed! Now she's trying to talk her Dad and me into doing it with her in '09 :eek: Well, we'll see what I can work myself up to this summer when I get home to my repaired bike. Then we'll see how much form I can maintain by spinning a couple times a week through the winter, and what I can work up to again next summer, and theeeeeen I can make a dee-cide. The pledge drive should be a cinch for me that year, tho. I'd just let folks know that pledges are what I want for my 60th birthday (double eek! :eek: :eek: ) that summer.

Meanwhile, come on over and see me at the reg. desk after 1230 tomorrow. Before then I may be running to and fro as a go-fer, once UK and I have seen the safety video at 830. Trek knows what we all look like, so she can get us together for the group photo op before the DH picks med up at the end of Day 0 and we leave you rider gals to it. (BTW Trek, Mr. Duck can caravan with you back to your place and give you a ride back when you've left your car there, and do we wanna do dinner together somewhere before he and I drive back up to Sonoma?)

Mr. Duck and I and the mutual Mom (Trek's and mine) will be driving down to LA to watch all you riders ride in. We hope to find a couple vantage points where our paths will cross along the way and we can cheer you on. Prob'ly once as you head back to the coast after King City? Maybe near Pismo Beach and again at Ventura? We'll see what we can manage to coordinate, while keeping our car out of the way of your route.

[Xrayted]

WOOHOO LADIES!!!

I'm so proud of all of you. Thank you for supporting such a good cause. I will be tuning in to see it on the webcast. Good luck and tailwinds to ya.

[Trek420]

OK, I'll try to get over to the top secret early 8:30 safety video that nobody knows about :cool: :p See you there!

Here's the elevation of Day 1

http://zoza.com/~kniwt/alc6/day1maybe.jpg

[KnottedYet]

Just heard from Trek that she is getting into a taxi and on her way to the hotel room she's sharing with UKEliphant tonight so they can get up and get to the ride start by 5:00 a.m.

Go Amici Veloci!!

Edit: now they are tucked into bed and getting a good night's sleep so they will be ready to rumble tomorrow!

[Duck on Wheels]

Left UK and Trek at their hotel room settling in for an early night. Mr. Duck commented on our way back to the car that "0400 -- there we have the main reason he hasn't considered doing the ride". 0400 hours in the morning, that is; getting up that early. UK and Trek seemed not overly daunted, tho. And as we left there were several groups of riders headed out for dinner. We'd already eaten and called it a day, but some of these folks had on blue or purple (staff or roadie team captain) T-shirts, so I guess they hadn't been able to take off before the absolute final hurra out there at the Cow Palace.

Now I'd better get to bed too. It's been a long day at the reg. desk, and I wanna see the news in the morning, hoping for coverage of the ride out from the Cow Palace.

[KnottedYet]

Heard from Trek at the ride start and opening ceremonies. She said it was too early in the morning and no coffee! So I'm drinking a nice French Press cup of freshly ground coffee for her... yup, I'm so supportiive!

They are doing 89 miles today to Santa Cruz.

[Duck on Wheels]

I got the same message. At like 5am! Hey :mad: WE didn't have to wake up that early to no coffee! But then, I could have turned off my cell phone and got the message when I woke up and switched it on again, so that was my own fault.

Haven't heard anything since. Guess they're on their way and doing fine. I don't expect to hear anything more until they're in camp at Santa Cruz.

[Duck on Wheels]

newsflash! Latest just in by IM from UK. I quote:
"Lunch. 50 miles. Only 40 to go. So far so good. All climbing done. Mostly flat from here."

I think she may be surprised about the climbing yet to go. They've probably got several shorter but pretty steep hills still before Santa Cruz. But the big hills for the day are done. And I'm guessing that Trek and UK are near one another at this point, since they all set out together and it's hard to get sorted by speeds on the first day, there being so many riders all in a group.

[KnottedYet]

Got text message from Trek:

"Sigh. Climbing 92 and then 37 got me. 1 mile short of Stop 2 the sweep vehicle made me get in. Guess I didn't look too great. But tomorrow is 110 ish. Rested, I feel fine now. Damm."

It sounds like 92 and 37 are roads, and the hills were too much. If she was taken to camp, then I suppose she'll have the tent all set up and be ready for when UK arrives.

[KnottedYet]

Another text from Trek. I had sent her one asking if she was in camp.

"Yes. I'm waiting for gear to be unloaded. In shade with water. I don't feel bad. There are people who skipped this year because it's harder this year. I did the hardest part of Day 1. Tomorrow is a flat century."

[KnottedYet]

Text from Trek:

"Dinner. Eating and drinking lots. Tent is up. A little more food, then shower and bed. UK Eliphant must still be on the road."

Edit: text from 6:30:
"UK is in camp. Day 1.... done."

[Duck on Wheels]

Yes, UK made it. She wrote:
I made it! Time to get the gear and get showered. Feeling achey but pretty good considering I just did 90 miles.

Sorry to hear Trek got pulled off the route. The hill up 92 is biiiiig! Just thinking about that hill is one reason I hesitate to sign up for this. Previous years they've had the west side to coast down again and recover before doing rollers (some of them pretty steep ones) along Hwy 1. This year, at the top of 92, instead of continuing down the other side, they turned south and continued to climb along "Skyline" for a ways. Tough route! (though a pretty one) If Trek got pulled off that route, then lots of other folks must have been pulled too!

[jobob]

They went up highway 92? Good grief. That's a busy road.

[Bike Goddess]

"They went up highway 92? Good grief. That's a busy road."

Hwy 92 down to Half Moon Bay is pretty dangerous as it is narrow in spots. Cars aren't very friendly to cyclists either so I suspect that is why they changed the route.

Also, Hwy 1 down to Santa Cruz is no picnic either due to the traffic. However, by doing Skyline, they miss getting a lot of publicity in Half Moon Bay and beyond. That was where I had my first encounter with the ride many years ago. I remember how touched I was by seeing all of these cyclists on their way to LA. I saw the ride twice this way and finally in '05 did the ride. It was a challenging week mentally and physically but I'm glad I did it!!!! (TREK was my tent partner that year!)

[jobob]

Veronica and I rode Highway 1 northbound from Santa Cruz up to Moss Beach (north of Half Moon Bay) a couple of months ago, and I didn't think it was bad at all. Hiway 1 has fairly wide shoulders. A little too congested for my taste around Half Moon Bay proper, but not bad.

Then again, it was just the two of us, not a cast of thousands ... :cool:

[KnottedYet]

Heard from Trek. She got picked up by the sag wagon after about 65 miles. She's not feeling good, and her broken toe is really causing her some pain. She's getting discouraged.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Heard from Trek. She got picked up by the sag wagon after about 65 miles. She's not feeling good, and her broken toe is really causing her some pain. She's getting discouraged.

Poor Trek!! :(
But 65 miles is a LONG LONG ride!!!!! It's over 100k!!!

[velogirl]

Dita has been a mentor and inspiration to many other riders over the years. If this were another rider, I can imagine her saying something like "you've accomplished the most important aspect of the ride -- raising the funds. just do the best you can do everyday and if you SAG, contribute in other ways like cheering in riders, setting up tents, etc."

So Knotted, pass that message onto her for me, okay?

[Duck on Wheels]

Poor Trek!! :(
But 65 miles is a LONG LONG ride!!!!! It's over 100k!!!

That's what I IM'ed her too, when I got her message. I only do metric anyway, being European now, so to my mind she did a century and then some. And that after doing that loooong steep climb up 92 and then instead of coasting down to Half Moon Bay continuing to climb and climb and climb up Skyline (Hwy 35). We drove that way today just to see what they'd done and I don't see how I could EVER do that! :eek: :eek: No matter how many years I train for it!

I can't actually phone her with my cell phone. Only IM. So Knott, I'm counting on you to re-encourage her. :o :) :D

[KnottedYet]

I'm text messaging her, too. Though we did actually TALK to each other for a couple minutes today. Sigh. :D (don't want to wear out her cell phone batteries while she's unable to recharge them)

If anyone (Velogirl?) wants to send her a message you can do it by clicking on the link in my signature line. Enter her rider number 4223. Type in your message, and then submit it. The ride crew prints the messages up in the evening and gives them to the riders in camp.

I just got a text from Trek saying she saw a doctor in camp about her broken toe, and he sent her to the sports medicine tent. (Physical therapy.) They were closed, but she promises she'll go in the morning.

[velogirl]

unless the system has changed, the messages get printed and put in binders and the riders have to hunt through them to see if there are any messages for them.

[KnottedYet]

Oh, bummer. I was under the impression they got 'em. Well, she'll still get em if she goes and looks for them.

[KnottedYet]

Trek saw the doc and sports med in camp, had some stuff done to her foot, and rode 20 miles today. She *is* getting the messages everyone is sending her, and really loves them. They lift her spirits, and she said to thank everyone!

She is worried about tomorrow, it's a tough ride day. I'm hoping she doesn't push it too hard.

i keep telling her that riding in the sag wagon is *still* riding the ALC, and I'm so proud of her I could just bust!

DoW and family are in camp tonight to visit with Trek and UK Eliphant. Trek is in the mechanics' tent to get a flat fixed (tire messed up, needed new tire and tube) and might go to the medical tent again to get her foot treated again. (if the tape comes off in the shower she's s'posed to get that part redone) I don't know how much she'll get to see DoW and family tonight.

[snapdragen]

Here's a map of the route - they're in Paso Robles tonight I think....

[Duck on Wheels]

Yep. We stopped by the camp when we reached Paso Robles. We were headed another hour down the highway, but it was a good time to stop for a leg stretch anyway. Found the campground right away by following signs to the fairgrounds. Then we found UK and Trek's tent thanks to 1) I heard UK mention their tent site number, and 2) I looked for the stuffed flamingos (really cute ones!). Nobody answered our "knock" at the tent door, so we IM'ed them both to say how cool the flamingos were. Got an IM back from UK "Where are you? I'm at the food tent." Just as we got there, we met Trek coming out from dinner, headed to check on her bike. We admired her taped foot, gave her hugs from all on TD, noted her sunburned face, that she wasn't limping, that she seemed fine with taking her ride easy and sagging in as soon as her foot started complaining, and that she was in good spirits and having fun. Then we went in and found UK. Also met Sean, with whom she did a couple of training rides back in Essex.

So ... all is well with at least those two riders. Didn't happen to run into any other TE'ers, though there is at least one more doing the ride.

Tomorrow we plan to find a point on their path from which to wave and cheer as they ride by. Some staff folks recommended the "Evil Twins", but that's too far back up the road. We won't make it there before they've passed by. So we'll wait for them down near Pismo Beach instead.
We'll IM them where we are once we're in place.

[KnottedYet]

sunburned!?! SUNBURNED!?!?!?! :eek:

Yup, I'm a nag. I just text messaged my dear Trek to PUT ON HER SUNSCREEN!!!!

I'm glad she wasn't limping. (I think if she was hurting to the point her gait was effected, the docs would probably consider pulling her from the ride.) As long as she is good about stopping before her foot gets really bad, then I guess I can stay semi-calm for the next 3 days. Maybe.

If she puts on some SUNSCREEN!!!! :D

[Duck on Wheels]

Not badly sunburned. Just a bit of glow on her cheeks. Could be wind as much as sun. I know she's careful about sunscreen and such. So is UK (redhead that she is) and she too had some windburn yesterday, but not enough to cause me worry, and I'm her Mom, after all :eek:

They're fine :cool:

[KnottedYet]

Trek didn't ride today.

She and another injured rider set out tents in tonight's camp instead. (hey, you "B" area tent residents, your tents are out cuz of these two injured folk)

She's bummed, but being careful so that she can ride the next 3 days.

[KnottedYet]

Trek had her foot worked on again, and is going to try to ride tomorrow. She says the sag wagon hauling is not good for her bike, and really doesn't want to sag wagon again. She says she's still not feeling well, but has been careful to drink a lot and eat. She sounded a whole lot more chipper!

On a sad note, there have been two crashes caused by families rushing onto the bike route to cheer their rider. (other bikers crashed trying to avoid hitting the family members)

Maybe it's a good thing I'm not down there afterall... (naw, I'd be volunteering in the sports med tent and I'd get to work on my sweetie's foot! She said the doctor in medical told her the same thing I did, the PT in sports med didn't do as nice a job as I would, and the massage therapist who worked on her wasn't as good as me. Wow, talk about pumping up my ego! I think she's just doing it so I'll work on her extra hard this weekend... :D )

[Duck on Wheels]

Well, that wasn't us. We stayed on the sidewalk. Cheered all who rode by (including some who were locals commuting, some campers hauling panniers, and ... well, just anybody on a bike). Also chatted with folks in a couple of support vehicles, who smiled, waved, even thanked us for coming out to cheer. When "our" rider found us, she immediately lifted her bike up onto the sidewalk for a chat. We were also at a spot where we could get back on the freeway without driving along the ride route. So no interference with the bike lane. Just smiles all around. We took lots of pics, and some asked if they'll be posted. It finally occurred to me to say I'd find a way to post them and put a note on my sister's page -- rider 4223 (UK's rider number is harder to remember). So I'll need to coordinate that with Trek next week.

Fingers crossed that Trek's foot is fine tomorrow!

[KnottedYet]

It would've been me! I'd've gone running out there and bowled Trek right over, scratched Menace, made the next 3 bikes crash, and generally caused all kinds of havoc!

I'm subtle that way... :rolleyes:

Honestly, I don't think I could've contained myself. (and if she went by and didn't see me, I'd go running down the road waving my arms and screaming and probably knock over a few riders AND a few cheering folks!)

I would like to see ALC someday. Even better would be to volunteer in sports med. We'll have to see what the future holds.

[KnottedYet]

Trek rode part of the day, and now she's getting her foot worked on again.

[teigyr]

How are Trek's spirits? That has to be so frustrating. I rode that ride back in '00 (I think) and had to sit out a bit due to heat problems. It was very mentally painful to watch the other riders come in as I was aimlessly setting up bike parking.

Knot, you should go see it some time, it is really inspiring. I still have a whole album devoted to that ride. You see things like your able-bodied truck driver with an HIV+ bracelet....and look at the fact that he is hoisting all your crap just so you can ride.

[KnottedYet]

I just got off the phone with her, she's watching the talent show in camp. She's in pretty good spirits, honestly I think partly because I'm flying down to meet her in the airport when she flies home day after tomorrow.

It really bothers her that she hasn't been able to ride much, but I think she's having fun anyway.

She was telling me about a fight (ok, intense emotional discussion) she overheard between a couple who were trying to do the ride together. Like "staying near each other" together rather than "I'll meet you at the next rest stop" together. I think if my goal was to stay within sneezing distance of my partner, I'd rather be on a tandem. (and if my sweetie had a broken toe, she could spin and I could steam along and we'd make it)

[KnottedYet]

Funny Trek story: (even when she's hurting she's still a hoot!)
She told me she was riding behind a guy who was giving great signals (car up, car back, slowing, turning, etc.) and he called out "bump" for a little bump in the road. She used the same tone of voice and called out "steel bike, doesn't matter".

She was wearing her TE Hill Slug jersey yesterday, and lots of other ALC riders really liked it. And she says she got to pass someone on a hill yesterday while she was wearing her Hill Slug jersey.

[Duck on Wheels]

IM from Trek this morning. She did all 47 miles yesterday. Her broken toe hurt a bit last night, but is ok this morning. She'll check with the med folks, then try riding as far as the toe will allow, taking it ez as she goes. She reports that UK has so far ridden every single mile, not even walking the worst hills! :eek: :D

[KnottedYet]

Trek sagged the last part of today, and has decided not to ride at all tomorrow. She's disappointed, but glad she decided to spare her foot from further injury.

She says other riders are hurt worse than she is.

She's also worried about Menace, because riding in the sag isn't the best thing for the bike.

When she gets home tomorrow, I will do my best to cure her foot and broken toe instantly. Really. Well, I might have other things I need to do first, but I will certainly work on her foot.;)

[Duck on Wheels]

And meanwhile, her bike will be on its way to Chris Sulllivan. I'm sure he will be attentive as well.

We'll be seeing Trek and UK this afternoon at ride-in. Trek gets hugs from all of us and (probably more important) a lift to the airport to fly up to Knott.

[RoadRaven]

Wow, Trek! UK!

Somehow I completely missed this thread and have only read it this morning - and its all over!

I am so impressed... multi-day tours... they are so beyond what I can achieve

Trek - it was great to read through your updates (Thanyou Duck for posting them)... I just wish I had been following this right through.

What a great achievement and very impressed with you for pulling out - a sensible decision but it must have been a very hard one to make.

Trust your foot heals quickly
:)

[shadon]

Congrats to each of you on a good ride! For those of you doing it for the first time, I hope your first ALC was as amazing as mine was. It was a truely life changing experience for me.

Sleep well and have good trips home!

[Trek420]

I'm baaaaaack. More musings as I process all this stuff, impressions, sights, sounds, feelings and all. I'm bummed not to have ridden every mile this time.

But this is my 3rd ride and I did very well the previous ones, especially the year I tented with Bikegoddess, all but 10 miles :p .

3 cheers to UK who rode (and I mean rode, didn't even cross-train which I do a lot) every mile!! And hats off to all riders and crew. The ride raised a record 11 million dollars this year.

[Veronica]

Really. Well, I might have other things I need to do first, but I will certainly work on her foot.;)

HEY!!!!! TMI! TMI! :)


Trek you done good.


V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

YAY to all you awesome women who did that ride!!!!! :p :p :p

[Trek420]

YAY to all you awesome women who did that ride!!!!! :p :p :p

More thoughts as they come....there's a lot of women on the ride :D I don't know the exact percentage. And the women all doing really well. :D

Day 1 UK and I were in AV gear. A women called out to UK from one of the passing SAG trucks "hey, I know that jersey!!" Someone from here or BJ. Maybe BJ because she didn't say "Amici Veloci my as*":p

Also Susan get ready for a run on the Hill Slug jersey. I wore mine on Day 5 (Red Dress Day). Anyway it was a hit, lot's of comments like
"I want that jersey! Where'd you get it?"
"www.teamestrogen.com"
Even got to have that conversation while passing someone on a hill :)

[SadieKate]

Trek, you done good, no matter how much or how little you got to ride. You were there for the others, both on the ride and not, and particularly your niece. You'll remember that forever.

[Bike Goddess]

Hey Trek- You rode for those of us who couldn't! I didn't know about a broken toe until I read this (when did that happen?). OMG that must have been quite painful. :( :( :(

You did your best and that's what counts! Even the local radio station up here (KCBS) had some news about the ride and the amount of money you all raised. They also had some interviews with the "positive pedalers"- and that in itself was pretty darned impressive.

CONGRATs on hanging in there. You are an inspiration! :D :D :D :D :D

Now get your foot healed!

[ACG]

I saw Trek 420 at orientation then lost her in the mass of lycra. Sorry about your toe, ouch! I rode it all, loved it all and I'm sad that next year I won't be able to ride (my daughter will be graduating at the same time).

ANYONE can do this ride, it is all about pacing yourself and self determination.

I had fast days and slow days, days with shoulder pain, knee pain and the usual pain in the behind. Used lots of chamois cream, sunscreen I wore red lace panties/bra outside my cycling clothes on red dress day. Took pictures with sailors, nuns, 1/2 naked Santas, prison guards. Ate ice cream, fajitas, hamburgers, bar-b-que, lots of apples and bananas, and lovely peanut butter. Yelled on your left as many times as it was yelled at me. Closed my eyes at the steep downhills, grunted on the uphills. Bled a little bit too. I've got a big bruise on my knee and my face is sunburnt.

On the last day, broke a cable and had to have the techs 'Mickey Mouse' my bike in just 2 gears so I could finish. I was not going to sag, it just meant I had to push myself a little harder.

What I enjoy most about this ride is the sense of community that everyone has. I wish the world was this way all the time. All of you should think about doing this ride at least once in your life.

[Trek420]

unless the system has changed, the messages get printed and put in binders and the riders have to hunt through them to see if there are any messages for them.

Sort of. They have laptops at the info tent. Our amazing crew downloads your messages, burns CD's, puts those in the laptop. Then we log in with our rider number and can read 'em.

My last two rides when I rode much better it was fun to get the messages. When you're struggling .... it really helped.


"They went up highway 92? Good grief. That's a busy road."

Hwy 92 down to Half Moon Bay is pretty dangerous as it is narrow in spots. Cars aren't very friendly to cyclists either so I suspect that is why they changed the route.

Also, Hwy 1 down to Santa Cruz is no picnic either due to the traffic. However, by doing Skyline, they miss getting a lot of publicity in Half Moon Bay and beyond. That was where I had my first encounter with the ride many years ago. I remember how touched I was by seeing all of these cyclists on their way to LA. I saw the ride twice this way and finally in '05 did the ride. It was a challenging week mentally and physically but I'm glad I did it!!!! (TREK was my tent partner that year!)

BG, the reason we took a sharp left hand turn at the top of 92 which added another 9 miles of climbing :eek: was there was construction going on somewhere on the descent.

I saw one rider get to the top and he probably thought "alright, now we go down" and flew into the descent. Too far away for me to yell or wave. I don't think he climbed back up, think they went and got him.

I don't know if we gained any safety on this.

I heard of two riders injured on the detour. One who fell into a guard rail and the other a car crash, driver error. Driver was passing on the double yellow of course, saw a car approaching and got back to the right ... into the rider. Road rash of course and at least one of these cyclists got broken collarbone.

[Bike Goddess]

Thanks Trek for the clarification. Yes, skyline is so much more difficult (and you can certainly attest to that!)

Glad you are back safe and sound!

Thanks to ACG for your report as well. I was also determined to finish no matter what! Congrats to you!!!!

Would love to hear from the rest of the TEers who rode.

[maillotpois]

Congrats for being a part of the whole huge thing. I'm sure it was a HUGE bummer to have to sit parts of it out, but you were supportive to the rest of your team and I am sure they really appreciated it.

Great job!!

Hope the toe heals soon!

[Trek420]

Wow, Trek! UK!

What a great achievement and very impressed with you for pulling out - a sensible decision but it must have been a very hard one to make.

Trust your foot heals quickly
:)

My bad. I broke the # 1 rule of ALC or any other multi day event for that matter:

:mad: Don't change anything 2 months before the ride.

Say you're training in Birkenstoks and Leiderhosen, and all around you folks are wearing Sidis and Scottish kilts. But the Birks and funny leather shorts are comfy training and worked fine on your previous rides.

I don't care how much you want to wear Sidis and how good you look in a kilt or how good they feel in the store, on training rides .... Don't change a thing.:p I knew better, my bad.

[KnottedYet]

Funny observation:
Y'know how when you drive you have a spatial sense of the car around you? If you drive a truck, you have a sense of how big your truck is, then you get in a little car and you still drive like it's a truck? And vice versa?

Well, Trek spent a week on a bike, and when she started driving her car she still had that spatial sense of a bike! It was funny, but there were occaisional ummm, *thrilling* moments. :eek:

(she's a very good driver, I just noticed the "driving the big Pontiac like it's a little Mondonico" syndrome.):D

[Trek420]

and calling out "on your left" and pointing out "bump" :)


On a sad note, there have been two crashes caused by families rushing onto the bike route to cheer their rider. (other bikers crashed trying to avoid hitting the family members)

Those weren't crashes per se because of this just near misses. I noticed that Day 1-2 there were several riders whose families followed them. Those of you who do centuries and such know just how crowded and hectic rest stops can be. These same people would be;

:( parked near the entry of the rest stop causing congestion

:( walking in a group with their protective loving arms around afore mentioned loved one so that riders coming in, or trying to leave were navigating around what seemed to be a human wall of Mom, Dad, a rider and her bike.

Somewhere here we have debate on personal SAG vehicles. I don't think there's any place for it. Observe from a safe distance and let your rider ride.

There were at least two crashes I heard about that were the standard rider outa control going downhill too fast for his/her comfort or skill variety. One of those I think was Day 6. In terms of climbing Day 6 is the mildest. Less I think than even the short 47 mile day. We start with a 20 mile or so climb but it's the long gradual I could do this all day type.

But it has one very steep gnarly downhill.

I was already in the SAG but having done the ride before it's quite tough descent, and on a Hwy to boot. It's a bit of a canyon so you get the wind, plus gusts from trucks.

This is were I discovered on the last ride that I love my aero wheels but they act like a sail and can skip sideways :eek:

We picked up one rider, looked strong and experienced if muscles and gear and previous ride jersey are any indication :p and he'd stopped at the top, looked down, just not doing it.

A hard decision to make but a wise one given that he might have seen the crash.

[LBTC]

or getting set to hop the pothole ;)

H&B
~T~

[snapdragen]

Trek - is the day six downhill the same as years past? If so, I remember it well. I got hit by some kind of bug, right in the ear. By the time I got to the bottom I was bleeding something fierce. There just happened to be a Medical Tent worker there - got me cleaned up and on my way. Ears bleed like madness from little bites/scratches!

[Trek420]

Trek - is the day six downhill the same as years past? If so, I remember it well. I got hit by some kind of bug, right in the ear. By the time I got to the bottom I was bleeding something fierce. There just happened to be a Medical Tent worker there - got me cleaned up and on my way. Ears bleed like madness from little bites/scratches!

Probably, my route sheets are with my luggage which thankfully Duck on Wheels took back up north.

I can look it up unless they could not stand the stench and threw it out :)

The medical staff and all the crew are amazing and seem to be magically everywhere. The support and volunteer crew on this ride spoils you for any other event.

[MM_QFC!]

...
The medical staff and all the crew are amazing and seem to be magically everywhere. The support and volunteer crew on this ride spoils you for any other event.

Totally agree...I think it's a mutual love affair between riders and crew shortly into any AIDS ride. Just can't beat the camaraderie and general atmosphere: respectful of each other, passionate about the reason you're riding, full-on fun, each person is genuinely appreciated for whatever their job on the ride is...all efforts are necessary to get everyone safely to the finish, right? I just haven't experienced the same on any other ride, although I admit to only doing AIDS rides since 1997 and donating to many other causes/efforts in order to support friends.

Glad it was such an overall success; great job to the ALC contingent from TE!

[Duck on Wheels]

Probably, my route sheets are with my luggage which thankfully Duck on Wheels took back up north.

I can look it up unless they could not stand the stench and threw it out :)

Haven't thrown it out yet, no. It's still in the car. The car didn't stink toooo bad when I pulled it out of the driveway this morning in case the mutual Mom wanted to get HER car out of the garage while I was here at the internet cafe. But thanks for the heads up. I prob'ly should head home and get your bag and UK's out of the car now before the day and the car heat up ... :eek: :(

[Trek420]

But thanks for the heads up. I prob'ly should head home and get your bag and UK's out of the car now before the day and the car heat up ... :eek: :(

Or the neighbors complain .... :p

[carolp]

I was rider 6009 on a tandem with my husband. What a fantastic ride. My longest ever, and we rode every mile. We've already signed up for next year.
Can't wait!

[Duck on Wheels]

I was rider 6009 on a tandem with my husband. What a fantastic ride. My longest ever, and we rode every mile. We've already signed up for next year.
Can't wait!

I saw you guys !!:D Well, I don't know exactly who I saw when, but I saw two or three couples on tandems, so you must'a been one'a those couples. :cool: If you saw three people (bearded guy, woman in volunteer shirt, and her mom sitting on a little stepladder or bus stop bench) waving just before Pismo Beach, that was us. I may even have a picture of you, but if so it's on my cell phone and not on the computer yet. I'll be loading all the pics up on the net when I get home, prob'ly on Flick'r since there're lots of pics there already, searchable with tags like ALC6 or AIDS ride, or such like.

[Kallisti]

Hi gals,
What an amazing event this was!
I'm proud to say that as a member of Team 100, we (112 members) raised over $457,000!!!!
I've blogged my AIDS LifeCycle 6 Experience on the donations page:
http://aidslifecycle.org/1713
(still accepting donations, if the spirit moves you)
and the blog is a little more organize (with pics) on my website:
www.cyclemaven.net
I've also included some tips on how to do the ALC ride (or really any multi-day excursion).

It's too bad that I didn't get a chance to meet some of you this time out, but it sounds like everyone had a great time all around. I did too!
In fact I'm already signed up for next year, although next year, DH will be a roadie and we'll be doing the "princess tour". Can't wait! :D

[uk elephant]

I am finally sorting out my pictures from the ride so I thought I'd post a couple for others to see....

The first one is climbing up that never ending hill on day 1, second picture I've come down the other side to the coast. Dreamgirls were the rest stop crew on rest stop 4. On the morning of day 7, we all woke up to find a little egg left by the chicken lady. And in the final picture...I did it!!! And the family was there to greet me when I arrived. On my right is Duck on Wheels, on my left is my dad.

[snapdragen]

So glad the Chicken Lady was there this year. Was he riding or following?

[Trek420]

So glad the Chicken Lady was there this year. Was he riding or following?

Riding! :D

[snapdragen]

Riding! :D

Yay! When I first met him it was right after his heart attack. He followed CAR 7 all the way to LA in a convertible. Such a lovely man.:D

[Trek420]

Yay! When I first met him it was right after his heart attack. He followed CAR 7 all the way to LA in a convertible. Such a lovely man.:D

Chicken Lady has ridden nearly every AIDS ride, is a very strong rider. Does the ride on a mountain bike. I've heard that he started the "tradition" of stronger riders repeating a climb to encourage the slower riders when he did a climb on the New York ride some 20 times or something like that.

He could ride in much earlier but he still stays with the back pack and enjoys the rest stops.

On Day 3 of ALC 4 I rode with him from that flat section along the strawberry fields up those *&^% nasty short steep narrow roads and on to rest stop 4.

We didn't talk much but he was so encouraging and to all those at the back of the pack.

The day had turned cold, we were getting headwinds, misted by industrial sprinklers, sandblasted with dirt ....we both got to rest stop 4 which was closed.

I had a choice of turning around and doing the last miles but when I saw that Chicken Lady was taking a ride in I didn't feel so bad and that was the only day I SAG'ed that year.

Here's a good picture of him in his trademark harlequin glasses from the Specialized web site. I think this is either rest stop 1 or 2 on Day 2.

Another Chicken Lady tradition is the night of Day 6 he (along with some help from other riders) puts a plastic egg on each riders bike. The morning of Day 7 we crack open the eggs and ride. Inside the egg is a saying, this years was

"To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. R. W. Emerson. You have done an "egg"celent job. Applaud yourself!! The Chicken Lady."

Oh, I don't know the name of the guy on the right, but I'm pretty sure I've seen him on ALC 3, 4, now 6 (so probably 5 :cool: ). He rides with his son, a lovely guy, his son told me that he trains by riding to work and they look forward to this as a family vacation each year.

http://www.specializedriders.com/blog/1/post/show/138

[snapdragen]

Love it! None of my Chicken Lady shots are digital. I've got him in a very tastefull miniskirt, with the trademark glasses and chicken bag. He is a good soul.