It has arrived! In less than 8 hours, I will embark on the journey of my life!
You can listen to my nightly podcast here: http://www.aidslifecycle.org/1926
You can also send me a message of support where I can see at the campsite every night!
http://experience.aidslifecycle.org/2008/support/
See you guys in a week!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
3 days left, the Count Down Continues
3 days left until the ride of my life...
The Aids Life Cycle is 3 days away. It's slowing starting to hit me, but not yet. I guess it'll all come to me Sunday morning when all 2500 of us riders stand together preparing for the grueling journey to LA.
I signed up last October not knowing what I was getting myself into. At first, it just seemed like one of those, "once in a life time" moments. So I signed up impulsively. At the time, a ride almost a year away seemed do-able. Like many before me, and after me.. we all thought "hey its just riding a bike right?" Many people think riding a bike is easy, and a few miles here and there are nothing. Many people have this misconception that cycling is naturally easy. We picture cycling as taking your bike out on a nice sunny day and strolling around the neighborhood for 20 mins.
But it is so much more than that.
You ride out.
The first hour, is nothing, there are no pain, no worries. You push faster and faster
After that 2 hour mark, you begin to feel the pain. A sudden panic and worry.
"Its not supposed to be this hard."
Sitting on the saddle longer than 2 hours, all you think about is the pain. Climbing up endless hills, endless miles, your legs feel the burn, the pain drives you insane. After your 5th rolling hill, you just want to let go and roll back down. After your 4th hour and your 5th rolling hill, you look down at your cyclocomputer only to find that you've only ridden about 35 miles and you have about 50-60 more miles to go. Then here comes a 7 mile climb...
What do you do?
You grind. You grind it out. After 4 hours, the pain is not there anymore or at least you try to pretend it's not there. You get into your groove as your mind wanders effortlessly as you continue to peddle endlessly.
Hour 7: Enter hell, you wish you were home. You dream of the finish line and what it looks like.
Another 4-5 hours later, you're at mile 80 - finish line.
If this was the Aids Life Cycle, then I'd guess we'd say: "Day 1... done... 6 more days to go."
The Aids Life Cycle is 3 days away. It's slowing starting to hit me, but not yet. I guess it'll all come to me Sunday morning when all 2500 of us riders stand together preparing for the grueling journey to LA.
I signed up last October not knowing what I was getting myself into. At first, it just seemed like one of those, "once in a life time" moments. So I signed up impulsively. At the time, a ride almost a year away seemed do-able. Like many before me, and after me.. we all thought "hey its just riding a bike right?" Many people think riding a bike is easy, and a few miles here and there are nothing. Many people have this misconception that cycling is naturally easy. We picture cycling as taking your bike out on a nice sunny day and strolling around the neighborhood for 20 mins.
But it is so much more than that.
You ride out.
The first hour, is nothing, there are no pain, no worries. You push faster and faster
After that 2 hour mark, you begin to feel the pain. A sudden panic and worry.
"Its not supposed to be this hard."
Sitting on the saddle longer than 2 hours, all you think about is the pain. Climbing up endless hills, endless miles, your legs feel the burn, the pain drives you insane. After your 5th rolling hill, you just want to let go and roll back down. After your 4th hour and your 5th rolling hill, you look down at your cyclocomputer only to find that you've only ridden about 35 miles and you have about 50-60 more miles to go. Then here comes a 7 mile climb...
What do you do?
You grind. You grind it out. After 4 hours, the pain is not there anymore or at least you try to pretend it's not there. You get into your groove as your mind wanders effortlessly as you continue to peddle endlessly.
Hour 7: Enter hell, you wish you were home. You dream of the finish line and what it looks like.
Another 4-5 hours later, you're at mile 80 - finish line.
If this was the Aids Life Cycle, then I'd guess we'd say: "Day 1... done... 6 more days to go."
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The GLORY
Before I begin the feeling of glory, I am currently sidelined by an ankle sprain. Less than 2 weeks from my Aids Life Cycle ride and I sprain my ankle. What luck huh? It is day 3 of my ankle sprain, I've been conducting ice treatments and using crutches for walking. I'm trying hard to rehad my ankle so I can at least pedal on the ride. So far, I've seen some improvements on day 3, so hopefully another 7 days will help me heal it to at least 80%.
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Now! Onward to GLORY. I have finally reached my goal of raising $2500 dollars for the Aids Life Cycle. You can view my webpage here: Aids Life Cycle. A few months ago, I was not even at 1k and now I'm at 2500. I know it's not that much money in some eyes, but to me, I never thought I could do it. Thanks to all the people out there who have helped me reach my goal, I couldn't have done it without all your generosity. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to raise money for a great cause, AIDS. $2500 is barely a dent in AIDS funding, and the ride doesn't end here. It doesn't end until AIDS end. Until then, I'll keep riding. I plan on doing the Aids Life Cycle again next year. But we'll see if I can get through this one first.
---------------
Now! Onward to GLORY. I have finally reached my goal of raising $2500 dollars for the Aids Life Cycle. You can view my webpage here: Aids Life Cycle. A few months ago, I was not even at 1k and now I'm at 2500. I know it's not that much money in some eyes, but to me, I never thought I could do it. Thanks to all the people out there who have helped me reach my goal, I couldn't have done it without all your generosity. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to raise money for a great cause, AIDS. $2500 is barely a dent in AIDS funding, and the ride doesn't end here. It doesn't end until AIDS end. Until then, I'll keep riding. I plan on doing the Aids Life Cycle again next year. But we'll see if I can get through this one first.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
They call him ECO MAN
Waking up at 5am is just apart of the daily routine. Leaving before sunrise is just another step in the process. Entering the bus for the 2 hour commute, the same, all day, everyday. They call him ECO MAN. In a time of rising gas prices, some might say he's just trying to save a buck. Trying to save however much he can. But few can maintain a consistent routine as ECO MAN. ECO MAN does it all. Travels over 120 miles daily without adding to the devastating global levels of pollution. Many of us can barely travel 5 miles before they begin to pollute our precious mother earth. Everyday, ECO MAN embarks on his daily routine and never wavers in his commitment to the enviornment. Each day is the same, 60+ miles one way and 60+ miles home. And each day, he never pollutes, does not boost and does not have much to say. All the while saving a few bucks for a better day.
Thank you ECO MAN
Thank you ECO MAN
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Heat and Finals
Finals are here! Or have been here for the last week. I haven't had much time to get out and ride since I've been either cooped up at home or at the libraryfor studying. But I finally got my U-Lock, the Kryptonite Evolution Mini. But I think it might be too small for everyday use. I'd like to lock my wheels and the frame together with the U-Lock but I fear the mini might be too small. I also have a kryptonite cable lock too, so I'll just have to see how that goes.
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Gas Prices Rising: Oil at $120 a barrel
Two years ago a leading economist published a study provocatively titled: "What would $120 oil mean for the global economy?" Answer: a global recession, if the price stayed there for a year.
Now the future has arrived, with the United States and other nations getting a double whammy from both the mortgage crisis and oil futures hovering at $120 per barrel. If oil prices stay stratospheric, the cost of fueling cars and planes could slash US economic growth up to 2.3 percent and global growth by 3.6 percent, says Robert Wescott, former chief economist of the president's council of economic advisers and author of the $120 oil report.
Read more
Now the future has arrived, with the United States and other nations getting a double whammy from both the mortgage crisis and oil futures hovering at $120 per barrel. If oil prices stay stratospheric, the cost of fueling cars and planes could slash US economic growth up to 2.3 percent and global growth by 3.6 percent, says Robert Wescott, former chief economist of the president's council of economic advisers and author of the $120 oil report.
Read more
Monday, May 12, 2008
Pop... Hiss... Oh s***
Had my first flat on a commute home thursday afternoon. As I was going my normal route home, I hear a loud pop and constant hissing. At first, I didn't know I had a flat but the hissing kept going. I pulled over to find a large hole in my tiress. I replaced the tube, and picked up another tire on the way home at the local bike store.
It's never fun getting a flat.
In the mean time, finally picked up a lock! I know its been awhile, but locks are expensive. But hopefully this bad boy keeps my bike safe until I can get a chain to accomodate this U-Lock.
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Gas prices RAISE as more people pick up a bike, some interesting reads on the raise in Bicycle commuting:
Bike shops report strong sales
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDxEYF_xrqJ7mzFnRA7TTezMpv_QD90JIGR80
Drivers turning to bicycles as gas prices go up
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=18429
Some commuters prefer pedaling to work
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x101647554/Some-commuters-prefer-pedaling-to-work
Riding a bike to work is more than a healthy commute: It's a sign of adulthood
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-myturnbike12-2008may12,0,6959657.story
It's never fun getting a flat.
In the mean time, finally picked up a lock! I know its been awhile, but locks are expensive. But hopefully this bad boy keeps my bike safe until I can get a chain to accomodate this U-Lock.
--------------------------------
Gas prices RAISE as more people pick up a bike, some interesting reads on the raise in Bicycle commuting:
Bike shops report strong sales
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDxEYF_xrqJ7mzFnRA7TTezMpv_QD90JIGR80
Drivers turning to bicycles as gas prices go up
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=18429
Some commuters prefer pedaling to work
http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x101647554/Some-commuters-prefer-pedaling-to-work
Riding a bike to work is more than a healthy commute: It's a sign of adulthood
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-myturnbike12-2008may12,0,6959657.story
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Japanese Fixie Culture
Lately, I've been amazed and very interested in Japan's fixie culture! I want to spend sometime in Japan just to ride my fixie around and around!
Check out this Japanese Ad:
Check out this Japanese Ad:
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