Cracked Frame and a Broken Heart

I felt something very strange when I was doing a steep climb on Tuesday. It felt like something broke as my rear derailleur started skipping and my chain started grinding when I accelerated or stood up to climb. Turns out my frame cracked at the bottom bracket. I have the "Tour de Taco" coming up next week.  For those who don't know, the Tour de Taco is a fun ride with a group of friends where we take a train to Santa Barbara and ride back to San Diego.  In honor of the ride, I enlisted Wahoo's Fish Taco to donate 20% of purchases  at their Encinitas location to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  Download the flier/coupon by clicking the document's link here:

So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about a ride.  I can either buy a frame and put my old components on it or buy a new bike.  Realistically, I can't afford to do either at the moment. Well, life will go on, but with a little less fun and adventure at least for the time being.  By the way, here I am with my baby before the Vineman Half Ironman in 2008.  Good times.

Sunday September 20, 2009 Training Ride

After missing last week's double century ride it was back in the saddle with the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge riders for the Great Western Loop training ride.  This is a very well known ride with over 3,400 feet of climbing over the ride's 40 miles.  It's a beautiful ride and one I've been looking forward to for a long time.  There are 5 riders left in XX1090 Sports Radio's Scott and BR Cycling Challenge.  The last immunity was given out to Joy.  She enlisted the other remaining contestants in decorating the Immunity Challenge bike pump for the final time.  It looks sweet.

The ride was great!  I rode with Adam in Group 1/2 through the first part of the ride.  Most of the major climbs are in this first 20 miles.  After the SAG stop in Alpine, Adam left with a couple of other fast riders and I held back and rode with Jack and Ron(?) - I'm so bad with names. :(    Anyway, it was great riding with them as we kept a good tempo without hammering.  The ride back to Rancho San Diego from Alpine is beautiful.

I hung out for quite a while with the other riders, chatting about the ride, different experiences during the QMDC training rides and fundraising.  Good times.

I spent the afternoon with my nephew, Matthew, riding bikes around Mission Bay (I can never get enough), then playing a little tennis before settling in to watch the Chargers fall to the Baltimore Ravins.  Tough game all the way around, but that's a topic for another blog.

This week, the Scott and BR Cycling Challenge cut down to 3.  Congratulations go out to Adam, Alex and Joy.  Great work you guys; and gal!

Sunday September 6, 2009 Training Ride

Random cycling photo by Ken Conley

A great day on the QMDC ride with the merged Groups 1 and 2.  After a quick decision by Adam to ride with the faster group, we took off from Fletcher Cove on the "reverse" Elfin Forest loop.  The ride goes east through Rancho Santa Fe from Via de la Valle, up Del Dios to Escondido, then back to the coast through Elfin Forest and La Costa.  We hammered through Elfin Forest which was a lot of fun.  One of the great things about riding in a group is that you're able to use more of the road as there is saftey in numbers.  Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest has some rollers but it's mostly a decsending road all the way to the coast on La Costa Ave.  There wasn't a lot of traffic either as we were out on the road early on a holiday weekend.  Happy Labor day everyone!

After the ride, I hung out at the Fletcher Cove parking lot, talking to other riders.  I got to catch up a little with my fellow radio contestants.  I dropped off a couple of H2O Audio waterproof IPod cases and earbuds as contributions for Adam's and Joy's fund raising events. Joy has her Brew Bash coming up on Friday, September 25.  Adam has his Poker Run the next day.  They both sound like a lot of fun and I'm happy to contribute to their success.

While we were talking I noticed that Bob Babbit and Rudy Garcia-Tolson walked up and were chatting with some riders.  I introduced myself and got to talk to Rudy a little bit.  Rudy and Bob were getting ready to go down to the cove for a swim workout.  Rudy is training for the Ironman World Championships in Kona in just 4 weeks time.  Rudy is training to become the first bilateral, above the knee amputee to complete the race.  Rudy is an amazing athlete and a very humble guy too.  Please read about his training at www.challengedathletes.org/athletes_stories/Rudy_Garcia.htm#rudyblog.

Wednesday September 2, 2009 Brian Brillo's Fund Raiser

I just got back from fellow Scott and BR Cycling Challenge contestant Brian Brillo's fund raiser for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Brian had his event at L’Amour De Yogurt at 9975 Carmel Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos. He entertained by playing guitar and sining songs he's written as well as some acoustic cover versions of songs. "If You Could Only See" by Tonic was remarkable. L'Amour De Yogurt donated a portion of purchases to the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Tonight was just another benefit of being included in the Scott and BR Cycling Challenge. I got some great frozen yogurt. Listened to some great music and got to know my teammates a little better. I learned that Joy's Mom provides her with a great deal of support for her racing and her fund raising. It was really cool to hear the graditude in Joy's voice. I got to learn about the challenges Adam faces while resuming his athletic lifestyle after his cancer treatments. Adam's a great cyclist and is very passionate about the sport. I got to talk to Pat about joining the club of "being kicked off the island" today and the challenges he faces trying to train while doing a daily 96 mile commute to his job in Murrieta. I also got to talk about coaching with our ride leader, Mike and got to meet his wife. I also got to talk briefly with Rob M. as well. So, what I'm saying is that we've been given the opportunity to form great friendships while raising money for a very worthy cause.