She Cycles by the Seashore

What a Difference a Bike Makes

Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions for head lights and tail lights. We decided to purchase the Cateye models we saw in the local bike shop, and though we haven't tried them in utter darkness yet, the beam from the head light looks promising.

Last year at this time, I rode in my first ever charity ride, Folks on Spokes. Before this event, I was a leisurely rider [20-30 miles at most on a hybrid bike], but after being inspired watching my first Tour de France, I picked the longest distance option, 40 miles, and was determined to go for it. (click photos to enlarge).

Start of the ride (all photos by Mr. Suitcase unless noted otherwise)

After the first rest stop. I'm still smiling!

Riding up monster hill #1, which curves as it inclines

The first part of monster hill #2, which is worse than #1.

Rest stop #3. Mr. Suitcase slums for my benefit, with street clothes and a mountain bike. Don't we look cool?!

At the finish. My feet went numb from poor shoes, and I was deliriously hungry, but I did it!!

I finished in a little over 5 hours, completely missing lunch (the volunteers had it nearly all cleared away), just in time to see the band at the pavilion pack up. Once the disappointment of that wore off, I was able to savor reaching a goal that was probably not realistic by any means for the bike I had and the infrequent riding I'd done. The experience convinced me that it was time for a new road bike, and the search for Grace was on.

Fast-forward to this year, where spring rides started at 40 miles, and I completed a 70-mile ride on Memorial Day. Though I lost a lot of training time during our house move, Mr. Suitcase and I wanted to do Folks on Spokes again, to see our old friends, and also compare this year to last year. This past Sunday, my time was cut almost in half, and I made it back in plenty of time for the lunch. I even fixed my own flat tire, with a little help.

Near the start of the ride. I'm wearing my black jacket over the yellow one. It was really cold this year! (Note benches on the beach to the right -- the banner for this blog was photographed here last January).

Why I ride -- the ocean views

More inspiration

Top of Monster Hill #1.

Monster Hill #2 -- still hard, but I got up much faster.

Grace and I are happy to be finished, and we're not the Lantern Rouge either!! YAY!!

New year, new bike, new clothes...and we still don't look cool. Oh well. Photo by our friend Kris.

Proof we made it back in time for lunch this year.

Now I'm staring down my first century ride this coming Saturday, the TriState Seacoast Century. (Advice, encouragement, and thoughts and prayers for safety are most appreciated). Part of me thinks that I'm out of my mind to attempt this, given the lack of miles I've put in. The other part of me thinks that you never know what you can do until you try, and I certainly never thought I was capable of the 40-mile ride last year. Here's hoping I can finish the 100 miles in one day, even if it means I do miss lunch. And dinner. Good thing McDonald's is open late, and we've got that new headlight...

Training for GYGIG

Last Saturday, we met a bunch of local riders for a training ride for Get Your Guts in Gear, which will take place in NYC, June 8-10. (There is also a ride in Seattle in August). Chris is third from left in the official orange jersey, and I am on the end in the headache-inducing safety yellow windbreaker. We rode for 30 miles along the shoreline; the sun came out at the end and the views were really pretty. The best thing about the ride was meeting other cyclists and also our ride leader and head of GYGIG, Judy Pacitti. There was lots of laughter and thankfully minimal pain and suffering a.k.a hills.

This Sunday will mark my first big official group ride, the NYC Five Boro Tour (click link under Ride Schedule on the left). There are 30,000 cyclists riding the 40 miles through the city. The roads are closed to other traffic. Views from the bridges promise to be spectacular. I'm taking my old hybrid bike because we have to travel there by train -- I'm planning to put a pink ribbon on the handlebars, so if you see me, please introduce yourself!

Floyd Landis' case is getting stranger by the day. If you haven't kept up with the new developments, please hop on over to Trust But Verify or Rant Your Head Off (see links on the right). What USADA is trying to get away with is just unbelievable.

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. We're getting our house ready to sell, and have been spending most of our nonwork hours doing home repairs and some packing. I intend to keep posting ride reports and photos, but the cycling biographies and pro news will have to wait until I have a little more free time. Thanks for your patience!

Pedaling For Charity

Charity rides are great motivation for a cyclist to get to their next level. Nothing provides more inspiration while pedaling those final grueling miles uphill than knowing you're doing it to support an important cause.

My first and only charity ride so far took place last September - Folks on Spokes. Funds raised support the community's local mental health services. There was a 10-, 25-, and 40-mile route. Having been inspired by watching my very first Tour de France the previous July, there was no choice but that I had to do the 40-miler. Since I rode 35 miles -- once -- a few years ago -- I didn't think it would be too much of a challenge. Right?!

Here I am, on my hybrid bike, slogging up a huge hill:

Here is a photo of my husband, Chris, Suitcase of Courage, consoling me for being the very last rider to arrive, when the barbecue was over and the band was packing up to leave congratulating me for finishing the ride, and not having to get off and walk once (Theresa, note inspirational Stage 17 Ride of a Lifetime T-shirt, purchased for the occasion):

It was this ride that turned me from a leisurely weekend rider into a cycling addict. It was also this ride that finally convinced me a new, lighter road bike -- and proper cycling shoes and glasses -- were definitely in order.

There are lots of charity rides all over the U.S. and in other countries that raise funds for many important causes. Most cyclists are familiar with the MS150s, and rides such as Tour de Pink, which benefit breast cancer patients. Another important program for cyclists is Team in Training, which benefits those with leukemia and lymphoma. But I want to share information about two more rides which you may not have heard about, one of which is near and dear to Chris and myself, and our new friend Jim.

Tour de Cure is a national ride that benefits those who cope with diabetes. Millions of people around the country, and the world, struggle daily with the disease and its side effects. Our blog friend Greeley at Ride Knit Read is raising funds for her local Tour de Cure ride in honor of her family members, so if you have questions about this for her, or would like to support her ride, please click on over.

Get Your Guts in Gear is a new-but-growing ride that currently takes place in only 3 U.S. cities: Austin, New York, and Seattle. Riders tackle 210 miles over 3 days to raise awareness and funds for those that struggle with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, most commonly Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

In 2003, Chris was in and out of the hospital with intense abdominal pain from Crohn's Disease. After having surgery and taking a new medication, he now has a much better quality of life. Some patients are not as fortunate. It was this experience that inspired him to pursue a goal he'd always dreamed of: having a road bike and trying out some racing. When we discovered the GYGIG ride last fall, we knew we had to participate. Chris will be riding, and I, knowing my limits(!), will be assisting this year with the NYC crew, June 8-10. We'll be wearing a photo button in honor of our cat Charlie, who also has IBD, and takes the same medication and has the same tests that human patients do. If you'd like to see a photo of Charlie or support our ride, please click on the GYGIG button on the upper left-hand side of this blog.

What charity rides have you done? Which ones are you considering? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Debby