Bye Bye Computers

Tyler and Stephanie enjoy some time on the computer before we ride off into the middle of nowhere.

Stephanie is starting a blog for the ride! We'll post the address later.

Today we're thinking about exploring San Francisco a little. Tomorrow: ALC Orientation Day!

Dinner at Osaka in San Francisco

Densil took us out for Japanese at Osaka in Pacific Heights. From left to right: Densil, Tyler, Stephanie, and Dan.

Delicious.

Virgin America

Great, cheap flights from LA to SF. And who can say no to a plane with mood lighting?!

Thursday Mission #3 Accomplished

Tyler and I have arrived in San Francisco!

Thursday Mission #2 Accomplished

We're checked in at LAX. Party in the Virgin America terminal!

Thursday Mission #1 Accomplished

Dropped the bikes off in Orange County and grabbed lunch at Chipotle. Next stop: LAX.

Los Angeles or BUST... Take One

Alright folks! It's time for Tyler and I to get on the road, bound for Los Angeles! The car is packed up with our luggage, the bikes are mounted on the hitch rack, and we're about to be fully caffeinated thanks to the lovely ladies at the Central Park Starbucks!

We're dropping the bikes off in Orange County, where they will be staged and shipped via truck to San Francisco. Meanwhile, we'll hop on a plane at LAX and arrive in SFO early in the evening.

Scotty will join us in San Francisco Friday afternoon.

Wish us luck! Los Angeles or BUST... Until the next time.

AIDS LifeCycle Video: The Experience of a Lifetime

This is much better than my recap video. Check it out.

DM Solo Training Ride: The Long Ride Out for Coffee...

I decided not to go crazy this morning and just rode a short 32.5 miles from Central Phoenix out to Tempe for coffee at Dutch Bros. To make sure I could mix up the scenery and easily round out 30+ miles, I took a loop down past the State Capitol and back before I cruised East toward Tempe.

(They make really stupid laws here... But it's still a pretty building)

I had some consistent crosswinds the whole ride out and back, but they weren't nearly as bad as the winds last weekend that kept Scotty and I on our toes the whole way back from Chandler. And being a holiday, traffic was nearly non-existent. It was glorious to have the road mostly to myself.

It was, however, getting hot fast.

So when I arrived in Tempe, I made a straight shot to Dutch Bros and picked up an iced, blended coffee caramel drink, took a little break, and set back toward home. I hit one lap on Tempe Town Lake and got back on the road for home. It's going to be another six days before I sit on that saddle again - and when I do, we'll be kicking off AIDS LifeCycle 9 in San Francisco.

On the North Shore of Tempe Town Lake with Hayden Butte in the background

 
So here's to the final day of training! See you on the road!!!

TT Memorial Weekend Cross Training

I didn't quite make it out on the road as much as expected this weekend, but did still get in some good cross-training.

Saturday Morning I got called by the Fitness Director at the New Gold Gym here in Downtown Phoenix and was offered a job. After some of my former spinning students that work for the Phoenix Mercury had to switch to Golds, their sponsor Gym, they have been actively

trying to recruit me. I had gone in for an audition last week, it's an amazing new facility and the Cycle Studio is Gorgeous! So, I was offered the job and subbed a class this saturday morning which kept me from riding with Dan and Scotty.

Sunday I went into the YMCA and practiced a new Cycle Class I've been working on and then Ran and Swam before coming home and hunkering down on my last project in the last class I have to take in Grad School!! Now it' s just my Applied Project and I'm done by Late August.

Last night Dan had arranged for us to have our Bike's blessed at Trinity Cathedral where he attends Church. Dan had done so last year and Scotty and I joined him this year.

Today I woke up and met up with Tracy Pitts, another ALC 9 Rider who lives here in Phoenix, we hiked Camelback Mountain before it got to warm out.

- View from Camelback Mountain -

Less than a week to go now before we begin our journey, still need to pack before Dan and I head out to Orange County Thursday morning to drop off bikes for shipping.

I've been looking forward to this week coming since they day Dan and I finished ALC 8.

I'm excited, I am nervous, but more than anything I am looking forward to the being back amongst such an amazing community of people.