General | My Blog

Why oh why, Delilah….

With all due respect to Tom Jones- unless you could hear me sing, then you would say I have no respect for him, I found myself singing the tune named in the title of this post on a recent down hill section of a training ride. (English teachers, I am truly sorry for that first sentence.) I know I should have been concentrating just a little harder on my technique and line, but I was pondering why so many of us are riding the Death Ride for the charity, TurningWheels For Kids. Our numbers have grown from the 4 last year to over 20 this year.

So, why do I do it? Because the kids are worth it. Period. The longer I’m associated with TurningWheels For Kids, www.turningwheelsforkids.org , the more amazing I find everyone who is associated with it. Over 6,000 new bikes to underprivileged kids in less than 4 years! What kids? Our kids of Santa Clara County. Many of us remember our first bike. For many of these less advantage children these bikes are their first bike. So many families struggle to survive, never mind provide for a bike to experience the exhilaration and freedom of pedaling yourself to your own adventures.

Just recently I assembled and prepared a few more bikes to another group TWFK serves. These are the children in the Family Healthy Lifestyle Center, which is a program under the VMC umbrella. These kids are classified as obese and have committed to Dr. Dan Delgado’s program of education, healthy eating and exercise. If bike riding is the chosen exercise and one can’t be supplied by the family, we will provide. Not long ago I had the privilege of viewing some before and after pictures of these kids and their bikes. So much joy went along with the slimmer faces. There were reports of so many children (and their families) moving into a much more healthy lifestyle. This is an amazing, life improving program and we are privileged to be a small part of it.

Although there are many things TWFK does throughout the year, the culmination is the one day in December when over 2,000 boxed bikes are assembled by 700 community volunteers and given to a variety of charities. To be part of this is magical. Did I mention that this all happens in less than 1 day? Can you imagine what 2,000 bikes looks like in one spot?

07-sea-of-bikes1

Those are just a few of the reasons I’m riding the Death Ride this year for TurningWheels For Kids. This is partly why I’ve ridden over 1,400 miles and climbed well over 100,000 vertical feet so far this year. This is why I will attempt to ride 125 miles and climb 15,000 feet in one day in July. There is, though one unchanging reason that I am riding for and volunteer for TWFK~ It’s not just for the kids, it’s more than that. It’s because these children are worth it! If even one finds a healthier, more exciting world because of our efforts, then it is worth it.

Please consider supporting my efforts by making a donation in my name here:

http://www.turningwheelsforkids.org/blog/?page_id=63

Thank you to all how follow and support our adventures.

11

06 2009

by Dave
posted in Dave\'s Training/Ride Log, Death Ride, Events, General
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And so it begins

Death Ride For Kids- Round 2

Thursday, January 1, 2009
Day 1- Jan 1- Ride 1
Who’s bright idea was it to get up early on New Year’s Day and ride up Mt. Hamilton? I’m such a sucker. It started foggy. Cold, wet, thick fog. It transformed into a beautiful sunny day at the Lick Observatory after 4,300+ feet of climbing. The snow capped Sierras were even visible.

It ended after once again passing through the thick, cold, wet fog. A great day, a great ride, a great way to start the new year. Even better was that I met several friends at the top including Team Wrong Way member Frank (a huge TWFK supporter), Scott and first time Mt. Hamilton summiteer- Sue!
5,000′ of climbing, 39 miles.

Oh, one more thing. I’m proud to say that I’ve re-instituted my post-ride regimen of a hot dog after a good ride.

Posted by Dave at 8:19 PM 0 comments
And So It Begins
Maybe I’m not so smart. Maybe I am. Maybe it doesn’t matter, but I’m back for round 2.
Last year I rode my first Death Ride. I felt like I went for it kicking and screaming. I know I was reluctant. If you’re bored you can read all 17 posts detailing last years preparations and the actual ride here:
My 08 Death Ride blog

So here’s the scoop: On July 11, 2009 I will once again attempt this.

Why? That’s a very good question that has a very good answer. I participate in a Not-For-Profit charity called TurningWheels For Kids and we provide new bikes for under-privileged and under-privileged health challenged kids in and around Santa Clara County, Ca. This year we provided over 2100 bikes! That’s crazy. Actually we’ve supplied over 6,000 in the last 4 years combined. One of our struggles is the on-going funding of our programs. Bikes are not cheap. Last year as part of our efforts a few of us solicited financial pledges from our friends, acquaintances and even our enemies in exchange for riding the Death Ride. It turned out to be a very successful and rewarding way to earn money for TurningWheels For Kids.

That’s mostly why I’m doing it again. Well, that and the amazing stretch goal this is for me. Imagine riding a bike over 125 miles, climbing 15,000 feet of mountain passes and doing it all in one day. Imagine doing it with a few thousand other riders and some of your best friends. Imaging preparing by riding a couple of thousand miles and 100,000 climbing feet of training. Imagine suffering extreme heat, exhaustion, pain… oh, wait. Don’t imagine that part.

And so, having registered for the Death Ride a couple of weeks ago, the adventure begins. I just hope there won’t be any crashes, aching knees, suicidal squirrels or worse like last year…..

11

06 2009

by Dave
posted in Dave\'s Training/Ride Log, Death Ride, Events, General
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March – getting back on the bike

March was a building month. Back on the bike, trying to slowly gain back the time, confidence, and strength lost from the crash.

The biggest barrier has been elbow and triceps pain. Maybe I’ll get around to posting a picture of it, but since the scar seems to frighten most, I may not. The extensive wound has left a fairly large scar on my right elbow, but more integral to cycling it has left pain and discomfort in my right arm (oh, and Dave said I’d never be an elbow model – deeply saddening).

Unfortunately, there is no way not to engage my triceps when on the bike because my weight is always slightly forward – putting pressure on my arms as my hands rest on the bars – even in the most upright position I can muster on the seat.

Ah well – the doc says that I won’t do any damage to it, so I just have to wait for it to heal and for the pain to subside.

March’s riding included short, mostly flat or moderate hills. Descents still make me nervous, but I know I’ll have to get over that fear or I’ll be in worse shape to handle the downhills of the Death Ride (and all those that will come with training).

Team TWFK is forming and that is the biggest thrill yet. We were at close to 15 riders in March! I can’t wait to see our team spread out over the 129 miles come July – how inspirational.

11

05 2009

by Leah
posted in Death Ride, General, Leah\'s Training/Ride Log
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Sue

It’s getting late and i am not done yet with all i need to do but i can’t resist posting something that happened tonight. i am going through and accounting for the money we received from the various teams and i am really touched or maybe a better way and more truthful way of putting it is that i am choked up.

I just opened the envelope from a gal named Gretchen who led a team at XO to raise some money. as i counted the money, i flashed back to another time, 5 years ago. it was 2003 and i made my first attempt at asking others to help me get together enough money so we could buy some bikes for some local kids. and my friends and work colleagues all, yes every person asked, said yes. my donations were in one dollar bills, five dollar bills and 10 dollar bills. That’s how Gretchen’s donation came in. Now maybe it was one person or two people and they just had those bills but when i looked, it was 40. and at the end, the tally was $345! just counting those bills made me emotional as i remembered my surprise, joy and delight with the people i knew who said yes.

and then there was Frank at Fox Racing Shox who was so willing to step up and raise money. he asked his company to kick down and then he sold that stuff on criag’s list. it took his time and effort, his ingenuity, his willingness to go the extra mile and spend his own time to get the job done. he stepped up and said – YES!

and the alliance folks – with work to do they had a bake sale and raised money. how bout that? is that tried and true and they raised over a thousand dollars. it can be done with a willing heart.

and i wish i knew what the Fractious Enery team did to raise over $2,000. there’s a story there. but the guantlet was thrown and they rose to the challenge. if you’re out there, tell me your story.

and AVAC, like they hadn’t done enough with a fundraiser that brought in over 7K earlier in the year, stepped up and went the extra mile collecting over $1,000 more dollars from their own team. they wanted to be counted and make yet more bikes possible.

and there were individuals that stepped up – helen and dan whitlaw, Shaz lint, meredith and steven – i am struck by their willingness to come in and share their own money with local kids! they are competitors and players.

and the Bike Buck Cup winner, ACTC. Local cyclists, led by Jim Shalleau in this effort, managed to bring in the winning number, over 5K amongst 26 participants.

One funny thing – Frank with Fox said, “had i known, i would have pulled together enough money to bring that cup home”. he wanted that cup and vows it will be his next year. so next year, there will be a way to watch the donations!

so that’s the team thing. touched! remembering tonight an effort 5 years ago that led to this project today. without all of you, we at TWFK are nothing. you step up, you do the work, your raise the money, you make the donations. i stand in awe and honored to be associated with each of you ~ i have said it before, you are special people and i am honored to be associated with you.

17

12 2008

by Susie
posted in General
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sue

it’s the night after the build and i am finally recovering! what a whole bunch of work and what a whole bunch of fun! though it is exhausting, it is worth the effort. i want to thank all the volunteers! every year i am humbled by your willingness and goodness to be a part of this phenomenal effort. i especially want to thank those that stayed to the bitter end and finished all the bikes. it was a longer day than last year for a variety of reasons! so you are all rock stars in my book!

i am still processing what the day was and is. i am always wowed and awed! i think of what we can all do when we decide to act collectively, outside ourselves for those in the community that need our help. as i told one reporter ~ it is a time of year when the lines blur and for a moment we are all family and we reach out to each other to fill the voids that need filling without regard to judging and with a heart of love and kindness. as Nancy, one of our group, could tell you, i believe kindness is sorely underrated. so for this day, this season, we reach out and our motives are good and we accomplish something so special. so thank you ~ each of you. collectively we can make a difference – we did yesterday!

have a warm and joyful holiday season. keep kindness flowing! merry christmas, happy hanukkah, and i wish i knew all other holiday greetings, but from my heart to yours ~ love, warmth and goodness to each of you!

14

12 2008

by Susie
posted in General
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BIKE BUILD 2008

boy, it’s really only two weeks, EXACTLY, today. i am getting the jitters. at least no more bad dreams. i just know i will forget something. something important. and then i think ~ so what! what matters today is bikes for kids. do you have the bikes, susie? do you have the helmets? and do you have charities to pick up bikes and helmets? okay then, relax! and the reason i have those things? because of all the people who are behind the scenes madly working away. really can’t wait to be there! it’s always an amazing day.

so let’s get serious. what should i wear?

HA! that’s funny! three years running ~ jeans and a tee shirt. the shirt says STAFF. not too much to worry about. and i like it that way. just once i ought to try make-up.

Hey, is anyone out there? should i ask the san jose merc to run an article on how tough this year has been with bike prices and conservative donations? and if anyone knows someone ~ i still want a Bike For A Buck campaign. think about it – 1.7 million peeps in santa clara county. that could be just the ticket!

okay, go do some exercise! we all ate too much the past two days! and once more Happy Thanksgiving.

29

11 2008

by Susie
posted in General
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did you see that trophy?

have you looked at that trophy on the homepage? be the first to step it up, set the anchor, throw the gauntlet. there is a superdeduper prize awaiting the team or individual that can raise the most money for TWFK. if you are an individual, do what i did – get your friends to help you. first year i raised $542 bucks! and that was just with a little over a week of time! To beat that, a team of 10 would have to raise $5420 bucks.

personally, if left to me, that trophy would have been WAY tacky. deb and derek seem to be a bit more respectful : )) ! better hope i don’t get my hands on it.

okay, i can’t wait – who is the competitive one in this group of 600. you will shine this year!

27

11 2008

by Susie
posted in General
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the night before thanksgiving

for what am i grateful? 4 days off work : )) ! of course.

bike build 2008 is only ~ OMG is it really ~ two weeks away? i had a dream last night that only 50 people showed up to the bike build : / ! sheesh ~ that would be a bummer.

let’s focus though – thanksgiving. stop for a moment ~ in one word what are you thankful for? i am thankful for people. okay that was one word. now let me elaborate a bit ~ thankful for all the people who care about other people, even people they don’t know. that’s why we can get together in two weeks and build 2000 bikes. i really believe this year is going to be a struggle for so many families. never have i seen so much outreach for help. the need will be great this year and we saw that in the grant requests for bikes. we even had some new groups ask for help with bikes for children they serve.

one that really caught my eye was the group that wants bikes for children whose parents are in prison. WOW! touched me. my dad was in prison. thank God for our church. they took care of my mom and us kids in so many ways including Christmas. i think we wouldn’t have had even food if not for those who shared with us. and i didn’t even know it at the time – thought my mom did it. that was a good thing – there was a sense of security that she could take care of us. so in a very personal way ~ i was so excited to grant something to these families so that these children would wake up and find something special for just them. it’s a giving back moment that can’t be explained, just felt.

and a big thank you to dan. he called the other day and donated an ipod shuffle for the raffle. WOW! that was goodness – just pure and simple goodness. he even dropped it off.

and all those renegades that are working so hard to make bike build 2008 happen – i want to say their names: dave, derek, jeff, john o, scott, jack, donna, deb, elaine, sarah, red (AKA nancy), monica, justina, darlene, carl, chuck, terry, jason, ellen, the man who said yes to the parking garage question, richard, jessie, diana (those three are the san jose convention center peeps), and chris! and that took a lot of something cause there is no doubt someone i didn’t mention that i should have and jsut know – when i remember, i will call you and tell you i love you too. but i am a gazillion years old and what can i remember?

so now, off to put the groceries away. and i will continue to think about the upcoming big event. oh and one more thing i am thankful for – pie! apple pie. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! be grateful for what you have and share what you can. it will matter.

26

11 2008

by Susie
posted in General
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Cheated Death again…

TEAM TWFK WAS INCREDIBLE OUR DONORS AND SUPPORTERS WERE AMAZING – THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO REACH MY GOAL OF $10,000!!!

I’m with Dave – too exhausted to say more than Brennan, Jeff, Dave and I all finished all 5 passes and wow, was it an eventful ride. Details to follow in the next few days…

12

07 2008

by Leah
posted in Death Ride, Events, General, Leah\'s Training/Ride Log
1 Comment

and for the final week…

Friday, July 11th DAY BEFORE THE DEATH RIDE: 45 minute ride with fast-paced intervals.
Today was registration for the Death Ride in Markleeville and the smoke was THICK and the temps high. Worried that it will be 12 hours of breathing in heavy smoke tomorrow, but hoping for an evening wind to help clear the air. To date, I am just a few dollars short of my fundraising goal – I think I’ll make it by the day of – thank you to all who helped realize this goal!!!

Thursday, July 10th: 40 minute swim, Bear Lake; 20 minutes of core strengthening

Wednesday, July 9th: mostly off – some walking, mostly eating salt and drinking water in preparation for a hot ride (considering it’s in the high 80s in Bear Valley).

Tuesday, July 8th: 1.5 hour ride, ~25 miles, ~1,100 feet elevation gain. Bear Valley –> Mosquito Lake –> Bear Valley.
Again, I do not know the details since my watch crashed (read July 1 post). I definitely focused on heart rate zones – intervals at high cadence. It is incredibly warm up here for this altitude and I’m hoping it cools down before Saturday or we’ll be melting. Increasing water intake substantially this week in preparation of a hot ride.

Monday, July 7th: 20 min light walking, core work

11

07 2008

by Leah
posted in Death Ride, General, Leah\'s Training/Ride Log
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My Blog

Archive for the ‘General’Category

Why oh why, Delilah….

11

06 2009

And so it begins

11

06 2009

March – getting back on the bike

11

05 2009

Sue

17

12 2008

sue

14

12 2008

BIKE BUILD 2008

29

11 2008

did you see that trophy?

27

11 2008

the night before thanksgiving

26

11 2008

Cheated Death again…

12

07 2008

and for the final week…

11

07 2008

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