Biking in Alaska--Aug. 2011

Sharon, me, Ruthie and Jan--ready to roll on the Tour de Fairbanks. Being on a bike anywhere is a treat!! Sharon and Jan have friends who own a bike and kayak shop, and they hooked us up with splendid 2-wheelers. Ruthie and I found speeder bikes in the back of the shop, dusted them off, and had a wonderful 15-mile ride. Jan and Sharon opted for a cruiser and a cross-bike.

Me, Ruthie taking a break along the trail. Fairbanks, surprisingly, has an extensive system of paved trails throughout the city. We cycled along the Chena River, by the University of Alaska and to the Air Force Base and had a blast.

Which way to LA?? Fairbanks was really cool--literally! Look at how we were dressed on this August Day! At least we got a day without rain for our ride. This picture was taken in a downtown park. (Ruthie, Sharon, me.)

What's better than a speeder bike and new adventures in a new city? And one that's only slightly below the Arctic Circle? We had to keep our eyes peeled for moose and bear, and frost heaves which regularly break up the pavement.

Fairbanks under the watchful eyes of the natives and early explorers, depicted in the statue behind us.

Art throughout Fairbanks and all of Alaska is always delightful to discover, whether served up through practical purposes, like these whimsical bike racks, or on building-size murals, or the collection of antlers (below) shaped into an arch.

     The 10-day trip to Alaska in August was so memorable, so wonderful. First of all, we had the most wonderful hostesses in my sister, Sharon, and her partner, Jan. They've both lived in Alaska for over 20 years, and their jobs required them to travel throughout the state. Sharon is a skilled mapmaker, who has run her own business as well as completing government contracts for various projects, including mapping the migratory patterns of caribou elk, mapping all the toxic waste sites throughout the state, mapping which native villages had indoor plumbing, and mapping ecological effects of various pipelines. Meanwhile, Jan stayed busy as a neonatal intensive care nurse, flying to remote locations in helicopters to assist with infants having difficulties. That sounds pretty impressive, but, in essence, they are two sincere, fun-loving individuals who like to explore and try new things and go new places.
     Sharon escorted us the first few days to the Kenai Peninsula, where we tried salmon fishing, although not too successfully. The 'professional' fishermen (ok, the 10-year old boys fishing right next to us) were pulling them out, but we could only pull in one for all our efforts. And, yet, even that was awesome, because it's just soooo beautiful watching the river flow, seeing the fish swim by (hmmm, well that may have been a little frustrating), and being on the look out for bears, moose, caribou, eagles and other wildlife.
      Then, we rolled back to Anchorage, packed all our things in the car, and headed out to points north, including Denali National Park, Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs. The rolling hills were beautiful, covered in white birch and pines, and although the drive was long, it seemed to go fast. On our return, we stopped in Talkeetna, which is well known to mountain climbers as the jumping off spot to climb Denali. Climbers will hire a guide and air service, and fly to the glaciers below the peak so they get a good jump on the summit. The locals spruced up their homes and businesses by painting and decorating plywood mooses in creative ways, and it was fun driving around town trying to spot them, while marveling at the creativity.

Restaurant featured on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food.

Sometimes you can get kissed by a moose!

Those moose are amazing!

This one was described as a "moose-quito."

Ready, All Ready! Bike MS Coastal Challenge is Oct. 1 and 2

Aug. 27, 2011--Below Lakeview Point on Highway 18. Team ChainGang pumps it out! Kim, me, Kylie, Lisa and Dana.

Aug. 12--With my friend Cindy. A 4-mile hike and fantastic dinner! My legs were sore for two days from the steep downhill section! Super cool event started by Missy from the Mt. Baldy Lodge. 300 people attended.

Aug. 12--Moonrise over the Notch at Mt. Baldy.

    As these final days pass, leading up to the BikeMS: Coastal Challenge, I find myself so grateful to be able to ride my bike for this wonderful charity. This is the third year I've been able to participate, helped by the donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society--and good wishes--of so many. Margaret and Gerri, Debbie, Doreen, Mark, Sharon and Jan, Barbara, Susan, Marcia, Staci, Ron, and G and Sid, even my mom--to all of you I say thanks. Your donations totaled more than $1000, and I appreciate your generosity. Often when I ride, I remind myself that I'll recover from sore muscles and fatigue, but that those with MS will continue to struggle with balance issues, and tingling in their hands or feet, or lapses in memory. I ride for those who can't, so that someday we can find a cure.
     Reflecting on that makes me philosophical--but just momentarily until my practical side takes over! I had a great time 'training' over the summer, from hiking in the moonlight up to Mt. Baldy with friends, to paddling in Newport Beach around Balboa and Lido Isle to cycling in the farthest north place possible: Fairbanks, Alaska!













 

On the Road. Again.

ANCHORAGE, AK--We photographed the TV weather report on the last day of our visit. It was particularly amusing to note that, with the temperatures forecast to be in the high 60s, "Summer is Back!"

     ...And back! It was a wonderful 11 days in the Great State of Alaska, visiting family and taking in all the breathtaking scenery and plentiful wildlife! Moose and their babies, grizzly bears, Arctic hares, sandhill cranes, eagles, lots of salmon and so much more! There were so many highlights, that I'll only recount a few.
     We flew into Anchorage on a direct flight from LAX on Aug. 2 and were greeted with rain showers--good thing we brought some much-used North Face rainwear!!! We experienced intermittent sun for the duration of our trip, but then again we visited a rain forest in Seward, Ak., and what do you expect?? It didn't matter to the salmon, who were headed up the Kenai River. But it did keep the mosquitoes at bay, so it really wasn't that bad!

RUSSIAN RIVER--gorgeous scenery but the red salmon proved elusive. Only the experienced fishermen--ok, the 10- and 11-year olds--were pulling them out! We tried our best and had a great time at this spot, but the fish escaped us! They practically would swim right between our feet. I still loved it, and we did get to keep one fish. Yummy!!!

RUSSIAN RIVER--mighty fashionable brown high waders, but they did the job and my feet didn't get wet! That's my sister, Sharon, decked out in the blue in the background. She hooked one in the belly, but had to throw it back because you have to catch it by the mouth! That's the rule!! The water here was about knee-deep, or to the top of Sharon's boots!

     While we were on the Kenai Peninsula, we stayed in a hotel one night and then drove over to Seward and were able to enjoy a remote cabin outside of town that had no running water, no electricity and a rather nice outhouse down a wooded path.  But, it was comfy to sleep in and just a great place to relax. We could play card games until 11 o'clock at night and not have to worry about turning on the
lights!!

SAVAGE RIVER VISITOR CENTER--those antlers were heavy!

     After those three days, we headed back to Anchorage and picked up Jan for our drive up to Denali National Park and Fairbanks, as well as a side trip to Chena Hot Springs. What beautiful scenery! On our trip into Denali, we boarded a park bus at 7 a.m., with our backpacks loaded with food and necessities for 12 hours in the park and no concessions! We saw grizzlies chowing down near the side of the road, moose, and in one memorable sight, a grizzly in a river wash guarding a downed caribou, and protecting it from other hungry predators. The bus driver described the whole story of how two wolves had brought it down, only to have the grizzlies move in four hours later and chase them off. It was truly the survival of the fittest, and rarely seen by tourists on the multitude of buses in the park.

DENALI NATIONAL PARK--Aug. 8, 2011. Blowing snow caused us to cut short our visit to Denali National Park. This photo was taken at the Eielson Visitor Center, the last stop before Wonder Lake, which on a clear day provides the most stunning views of Mt. McKinley. We visited here briefly, then caught another bus back down to the park entrance because of the weather. That would be Ruthie and me underneath the parkas!

FAIRBANKS--we paused in front of a statue commemorating the early settler. Sharon, me and Ruthie.

FAIRBANKS--we rented speeder bikes at a bike and paddle shop along the Chena River, and had a great breakfast the next morning at the home of Nancy and Larry Katkin. Fresh blueberries that Nancy had picked made the pancakes awesome!

FAIRBANKS--beautiful flowers, wide open skies at this commemorative statue.

     In Fairbanks the next day, we were able to rent bikes from friends of my sister, who owned a bike and paddle shop along the Chena River. It was wayyyy awesome! We walked through their shop, looking at mountain bikes, hybrids and cruisers, then spotted a couple of dusty speeder bikes. Aluminum frames, 27 speeds, one was perfect size for Ruthie, and the other one fit me perfectly! In fact, I'm not sure mine had been rented previously, so we dusted them off and hit the trails. We took a 15-mile loop around the city, entirely on bike paths. Alaska has quite a system of bike trails along their streets and highways, but you have to be prepared for the weather!

CHENA HOT SPRINGS--I enjoyed a sumptious meal of fresh spinach, veggies, grilled chicken with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing before we hit the outdoor hot springs. Best meal we ate in Alaska, and the produce was all grown on site using hydro-thermal power to heat the greenhouses. Those are the hot springs in the upper photo.

CHENA HOT SPRINGS--this series of pictures was taken at and inside the Ice Museum. Wonderful ice carvings and a chance to freeze our butts off. We opted out of the chance to have an appletini at the ice bar, complete with a glass carved entirely of ice. You got to take the glass with you--but eventually it melted in the warmer air outside!

SHARON AND JAN--our lovely hostesses enjoying the Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs!

Ask Me Why I Ride

OCTOBER 1-2 2011
Ventura, CA
San Buenaventura Park

   Although I got my first bike when I was in college, it wasn't until a few years ago that I really began riding with a purpose. I don't know what I was thinking when I was a student and got an apartment four miles off campus. I couldn't afford a car and catching rides to campus was sometimes hit-or-miss. But I did have a bike--a beautiful bright lime green one with 21 speeds and drop handlebars. The bike shop guy said it had the same components as the 'name-brand' bike, but it was cheaper--and I wouldn't have known the difference anyway!

   Riding that bike, and playing on the university basketball and softball teams, helped get my resting heart-rate down to 44. And when I moved to California after graduation, I packed that bike with me.

   But somewhere along the way, it was lost, stolen, given away, or sold at a garage sale. I didn't have another bike until over 10 years ago, when my friend Lisa challenged me to start riding again, and taught me the basics. How to use clips, cornering, cadence--we all start somewhere. Using clips was probably the most difficult. I couldn't seem to get un-clipped and get a foot down successfully without falling!

   I improved slowly and riding became a release of sorts; it felt good to be on a bike!

  Then, one day, Lisa called to say she had been diagnosed with a disease called multiple sclerosis. It was April, 2005. MS affects the nervous system by destroying the myelin sheath and the progress of the disease varies in individuals. According to the National MS Society:

• 400,000 Americans are living with this unpredictable disease
• MS affects 2.1 million people worldwide
• Annual economic cost of MS in the U.S. is approximately $28 billion

   

   While working through the effects of the disease, Lisa began to challenge those around her to step up and join a team to raise money for the National MS Society, riding in the annual BikeMSSocal fundraising event, held in Ventura, California. The team, called TeamChainGang (www.TeamChainGang.com), last year raised over $20,000 and was recognized as "The Most Spirited Team" at the October, 2010, event. Check out our picture (below) and maybe you can see why!!

Ventura, CA.--TeamChainGang celebrates a successful ride at Bike MS-Coastal Challenge in Oct. 2010.

   So, why do I ride? I ride to raise awareness of the devastating effects of MS; to raise funds to fight this disease and make a difference in the lives of those stricken with MS. Any contributions you can make will go to support education, advocacy, research and local programs that will enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. It's a privilege to 'pay it forward' and fight this disease by simply riding a bike, and I'm grateful to be healthy enough to do that.

Mission Statement for Team Chain Gang:  A cycling team dedicated to making a difference for people living with MS and to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis.

If you would like to make a donation, please click on www.bikeMSSocal.org and locate TeamChainGang or my link: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/CALBikeEvents?px=6112310&pg=personal&fr_id=16936

Why do I ride? I ride to raise awareness about the devastating effects of MS. I'm grateful for your support and prayers.

   

 

 

Inland Empire Women Cyclists

Refreshments and raffles after our 40-mile bike ride. Got to know some new friends, and catch up with others I hadn't seen in years. There were almost 40 women who rode together on routes from 10 to 40 miles.

Mary is sporting one of the Inland Empire Women Cyclists team jerseys! Lots of fun and a great day to ride!

   It's been so much fun to meet new friends and plan future rides with the Inland Empire Women Cyclists in Southern California! July 30 the group, which is organized through Meetup.com, celebrated it's 2nd Anniversary with a variety of routes starting at the historic Claremont Train Depot. The 40-mile ride rolled at 7 a.m--sharp!!!! I got there just in time to say a few hellos, and then catch the pack as they headed up toward the Claremont Colleges. Although much of the ride was on city streets, we also utilized the Thompson Creek Trail in the city of Claremont, and the Pacific Electric Trail through Rancho Cucamonga.
   But what I really like--and dread at the same time--are the hills. We rode into the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, but nothing too steep or too long. Even though I'm not the best climber,  I've learned to push through the challenges and keep a steady cadence. I tell myself, "I LOVE hills." Emphasis on LOVE! But doing those hills was nothing like a ride Ruthie and I did a few weeks ago in the San Bernardino Mountains, 28 miles round trip from Rim of the World High School to Keller Peak, with the destination The National Children's Forest. I don't know what the elevation gain is, but the last 4 miles is extremely intense climbing, the kind where I question buying that compact double chain ring instead of the triple chain ring with the much-needed granny gears!
   Our next big organized ride may not be until August 27, in the Tour de Arrowhead (www.lakearrowhead.net), Lake Arrowhead, Ca. The mountain climbs will be crazy--41 miles of climbing, climbing, climbing. Good thing our Team Chain Gang will be there to support each other!

Friday--Summer Begins on July 29!!

   Today, it feels like summer has finally arrived, because my favorite person to hang out with, Ruthie, has completed her summer school, directing over 500 students and teachers and TA's in a 6-week program at a private school in Pasadena. Now, we've got 25 days to fill with cycling and traveling, and enjoying the cabin we own together in Lake Arrowhead.
  First up: a 40-mile bike ride through  the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, along with a couple dozen other women in the Inland Empire Cycling Women event tomorrow morning. Afterwards, we'll celebrate the group's 2nd Anniversary at a restaurant in Claremont, Ca. It's always fun to join the party, even though we've only been out to ride a couple times with this group!!!
  Then,  a 10-day trip to Anchorage, Alaska, to visit my sister and her partner.  On the itinerary are things like fishing on the Kenai Peninsula, staying in a remote cabin with no electricity or running water in Seward, and then back to Anchorage before driving up to Denali National Park and Fairbanks. I know there will be lots of adventures along the way, and I'm intrigued to go to Chyna Hot Springs, north of Fairbanks, to relax in some natural hot springs.

 Beautiful Seward, Alaska, summer 2008

 The Kennecott Copper Mine in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Looking toward the glacier that we hiked up to and on which we enjoyed a 'glacier toast.' Most refreshing, crystal clear water that I'd ever swallowed. And almost intoxicating--I couldn't get enough of it!! It had melted moments before!

 A wonderful memory of our trip with our young Univ. of Alaska guide, who led us onto the glacier.

 This is what old-time Alaskans built to protect their food from the bears.

Rainy day in Seward. Locals told us it had rained every day but three that summer...hard to do maintenance on the residence when it's that wet! But that's what happens in the middle of a rain forest! We kayaked there around Fox Island, and enjoyed a tour of Prince William Sound, seeing glaciers, and puffins, whales, bald eagles, sea otters and more!