Fund Raising

The blog has been up for about 3 weeks and  the feedback has been very positive.  "Thank you" to everyone who has already sent a donation or made a pledge.  As of today we are about $1,500 either paid or pledged so far.  I am raising money for 2 charities. The first is the Arthritis Foundation which provides an array of services to those suffering from severe arthritis. The Foundation has a local chapter which provides support services, holds events and programs, and provides medication and treatment to those in need. The second charity is Do Something Now. This charity was created by a friend with the goal of exporting bicycles to be used for transportation in remote areas and villages in third world countries. An inexpensive used bicycle in these areas can greatly facilitate the recipient accessing essential services such as food, clean water and medical care as well as aiding in the receipt of education and employment. Both of these charities provide a tremendous service and are worthy of your support. Your efforts to assist in their fund raising goals will be felt by people in need both here in San Diego and in remote areas of the world where survival is often a daily struggle. Their respective websites can be accessed at http://www.arthritis.org/ and http://www.do-something-now.org/.  Please make your check payable to the charity and send it to me at 1545 Hotel Circle South, Ste 130, San Diego, CA 92108.

Thanks again for all of your support!!

Training Rides

In an effort to get in peak riding condition, it's important, maybe even critical to get the most out of your training rides.  Last weekend we did the Gran Fondo century ride.  The conditions were horrendous!!  Heavy rains, cold temperatures, fog...  Here's a picture of me going down Lyon's Valley on my fixed gear; maybe going just a little too fast for the conditions!!

Planning

The route starts at Pacific Beach bright and early on April 23 and generally takes the southern route across the country.  The maps are from Adventure Cycling which will take me as far as Tallahasse, Fl. The Adventure route continues across Florida to the Atlantic Coast. Since I need to cut south along the Gulf Coast, I was put in touch with Dwight Kingsbury with the Florida Dept of Transportation. He provided a route heading south from High Springs through Gainesville and then proceding South on the 41 to Newberry. From there I'll be taking the "Florida Gulf Coast Route". I dont have all of the details of this route yet but will figure that out as we get closer. The trip covers over 3,200 miles and is broken into 7 sections:

1. San Diego to Tempe, AZ                                   Distance 411.5 miles

2. Tempe, AZ to El Paso, TX                                 Distance 523 miles

3. El Paso, TX to Del Rio, TX                                 Distance 451.5 miles

4. Del Rio, TX to Navasota, TX                              Distance 431.5 miles

5. Navasota, TX to Francisville, LA                        Distance 416.5 miles

6. St. Francisville, LA to Defuniak Springs, FL     Distance 430.5 miles

7. DeFuniak Springs, FL to Cape Coral, FL           Distance 556 miles

Fortunately the maps are very detailed showing locations along the course to find food and water through the remote areas of the ride as well as where the motels and bike shops are located along the route. The maps also show the topography, temperature and rainfall averages for the different regions.  Going through New Mexico and the Rockies, the climbs are pretty significant with lots of elevation gain and unpredictable temperatures and riding conditions. I should be hitting the western portion of Texas by the first week of May where temps should be in the mid to upper 90s. April through June is the tornado season in Eastern Texas with frequent sand and dust storms. There is one stretch with no food, water or other services for 117 miles. This should make me miss my Saturday morning coast rides in San Diego where the worst things to complain about is if it's too cloudy or if the coffee line at the Panikin is too long.  As I progress across the South the temps should drop down into the upper 80s to low 90s with some humidity and some mild wind , hopefully it will be a tail wind. Finally reaching Cape Coral where I am planning on doing some Tarpon fishing with my Dad.