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!

Just Beginning

I've been thinking of starting a blog for awhile and so I've called this "just beginning." My goal is to write about my cycling, my family and, well, just life. This is quite an undertaking. My daughter-in-law blogs about her family, and includes so may wonderful pictures and comments about my son and three grandchildren, and I've been so impressed with what she's done. And my daughter encouraged me to try this a few months back, so...here goes! Wish me luck! And, don't forget to leave comments when you can.