melissam
05-01-2008, 07:29 PM
Hi there, TE'ers!
This year I'm doing the AIDS/Lifecycle ride for the first time, and the journey starts in a month. :eek: For those of you who aren't familiar with AIDS/Lifecycle (ALC), it's a 7-day, 545 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles from June 1 - June 7 that raises money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Last year the Ride raised almost $11 million for these two organizations. Many of your fellow TE'ers are either doing the ride this year or have done it in years past.
Last Thanksgiving I decided to do the ride. Now, if you think I'm some cycling superstar, guess again! In fact, my first training ride was a whopping 12 miles, as I'd been off the bike for 3 months due to a neck & shoulder injury. I've been training regularly since Thanksgiving and have racked up a little over 2500 training miles. I train 6 days a week -- I get in an hour workout on my indoor trainer most days before work and I do longer rides on the weekends with some of the ALC training groups.
I've been training like a maniac. Why? Well, from everything I've heard, this ride is a life defining experience. I want to enjoy the experience and not be completely exhausted or suffering thru the bicycling portion.
I have to say that I've really enjoyed training for this event. I've challenged myself in a lot of ways, and it's been a great feeling of accomplishment to rise to the occasion. I feel like I'm starting to uncover some of my cycling potential -- watch out for another up & coming middle-aged cyclist!
I'm curious to see what it will be like to ride fairly long distances for 7 days straight. After all, when you ride a century, you're generally advised to spin for 5-10 miles the next day. That's not going to be an option on this event!
I really have no idea what I'm in for. I talk to the veterans at the training rides, but I KNOW that I really don't get it.
So...what's left to do between now and June 1? LOTS!
I have to continue training without burning out or injuring myself (ya hear that, Mr. Left Hip?)
I have to get the packing situation under control. Which 70lbs of gear will I bring, and how will I get it all to fit? ;)
I've got to get a decent air mattress. I've heard that this is third on the list of priorities, the first two priorities being a well-fitting bike and a helmet.
I have to finish fundraising. I only have another $400 to raise. So...if you want to make a tax deductible contribution to a great organization, please consider visiting my donation page: https://www.aidslifecycle.org/donate/form.cfm?f=Melissa&l=Mann&p=Cyclist&n=6752
-- Melissa
This year I'm doing the AIDS/Lifecycle ride for the first time, and the journey starts in a month. :eek: For those of you who aren't familiar with AIDS/Lifecycle (ALC), it's a 7-day, 545 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles from June 1 - June 7 that raises money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Last year the Ride raised almost $11 million for these two organizations. Many of your fellow TE'ers are either doing the ride this year or have done it in years past.
Last Thanksgiving I decided to do the ride. Now, if you think I'm some cycling superstar, guess again! In fact, my first training ride was a whopping 12 miles, as I'd been off the bike for 3 months due to a neck & shoulder injury. I've been training regularly since Thanksgiving and have racked up a little over 2500 training miles. I train 6 days a week -- I get in an hour workout on my indoor trainer most days before work and I do longer rides on the weekends with some of the ALC training groups.
I've been training like a maniac. Why? Well, from everything I've heard, this ride is a life defining experience. I want to enjoy the experience and not be completely exhausted or suffering thru the bicycling portion.
I have to say that I've really enjoyed training for this event. I've challenged myself in a lot of ways, and it's been a great feeling of accomplishment to rise to the occasion. I feel like I'm starting to uncover some of my cycling potential -- watch out for another up & coming middle-aged cyclist!
I'm curious to see what it will be like to ride fairly long distances for 7 days straight. After all, when you ride a century, you're generally advised to spin for 5-10 miles the next day. That's not going to be an option on this event!
I really have no idea what I'm in for. I talk to the veterans at the training rides, but I KNOW that I really don't get it.
So...what's left to do between now and June 1? LOTS!
I have to continue training without burning out or injuring myself (ya hear that, Mr. Left Hip?)
I have to get the packing situation under control. Which 70lbs of gear will I bring, and how will I get it all to fit? ;)
I've got to get a decent air mattress. I've heard that this is third on the list of priorities, the first two priorities being a well-fitting bike and a helmet.
I have to finish fundraising. I only have another $400 to raise. So...if you want to make a tax deductible contribution to a great organization, please consider visiting my donation page: https://www.aidslifecycle.org/donate/form.cfm?f=Melissa&l=Mann&p=Cyclist&n=6752
-- Melissa