30 July, 2012

Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge...10,800 feet of climbing and 100.5 miles!

Kenny giving the big NUMBER 1!
We're here to ride!
I'll keep this one short but it was a great to ride this past weekend with Team SA. What made this ride extra special was the opportunity to ride with my friend Ken Emerson as this was his first major ride following heart surgery just 9 weeks ago (yes, that's "9" weeks)! Ken was incredibly strong and by no means did the group need to slow the pace...although he did ride his geared bike this year as opposed to his preferred choice of a fixie.

I felt I rode strong this year beating last years time on the famed Jamison Creek Time Trial (by a couple of mins but the final results have not yet been posted) and kept a lower cadence from the start all the way up the 2.9 mile course that had an AVG Grade of 9.7%! My Garmin reported a whopping 23 PRs (Personal Records) over the multiple climbs that totaled 10,800 ft in 100.5 miles.
Bursley off the front leading the
breakaway up the first climb
under Police escort


This was a great ride...Steve, Ken, Virginia, and Lane, thanks for letting me hang with the competition for this event.


I proudly wore my Team WIld Hare jersey sporting the #10 that represents the 10 MILLION children and adults around the world that launch their attack on Primary Immunodeficiency diseases every day!

Just 67 days left till we battle it out in the desert at the Furnace Creek 508 with some of the fastest and strongest ultra cyclists from around the world with this year's roster including someone from the Pro Peloton who has raced in the Tour de France!

Enjoy the ride and NEVER FORGET THE CAUSE!
-Steve


17 July, 2012

Next...Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge!

With my job search consuming most of my time (by the way, if you are looking for a Business Development of Alliance Manager please contact me ASAP!) my training seems to have dropped significantly this year so the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge (Saturday, July 28th) will be my next chance to test the legs prior to the Furnace Creek 508 which will take place just 12 weeks later. That said, I am slightly ahead of where I was at this time last year (both miles ridden and elevation gain) so it will be interesting to see if I can beat last years time.

While I am not able to actively fund-raise this year, I am committed to using the four (4) events that I will be participating in to raise awareness of PI and will proudly wear the Team Wild Hare jersey in each of these events (and on my first and last stage of the FC 508)! If you would like to make a donation to the cause please use the DONATE NOW button on the right side of this page.

I'll post a full report on the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge (including the infamous Jamison Creek TT) following the event!
Enjoy the ride...
Steve