"FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T..."
For those who can't..... that is what stuck in my mind today.
I just came back from an event that AIDSLIFECYCLE just hosted. There was a gallery of photos, from 5 photographers, who captured moments from last years ride. The gallery was amazing.... It touched me; I still can not believe I will be SMILING, in a natural high from the ride.. As I was reading those summaries of the exhibits, and reading some of the logos of the pictures, the one phrase that stuck in my mind was: FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T.
Now, that is the reason why I am doing 545 miles on a bike; a 7 day tour.... because right now, I CAN... That phrase stuck in me.. think about it... one day, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO.. one day, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO... and for the time, that you and I will not be able to, we would want someone to help us.. help us just live our lives.....
That is just one part of what this ride is about... There are sooo many affected by the disease of HIV/AIDS... Those living with the disease, but also those that have someone in their lives with HIV/AIDS. This ride, is about helping those that need the help.... The challenge of doing 545 miles on a road bike, does not come close to the struggles one deals with HIV/AIDS. So, when you read this post, think about how many of those who can't, that YOU can help. A pledge, of 5...10...20...50 dollars, goes A LONG WAY. That money that we spend, on dinner, a night out at the clubs, the movies, will COME A LONG WAY. So, make that pledge, and help those who can't.. because one day, we will all want that support.. because we won't be able to....
www.aidslifecycle.com/6003
In for a tune-up
Hey there!
It's been a while that I posted... Since my last post, i was to take Ms. Jackson for a tune-up.... Well, things got busy with my schedule, and i went on vacation to Costa Rica... But, I AM BACK! I took Ms. Jackson in for a tune-up and some minor adjustments... So, within the next couple of days, i WILL have a new post and my training rides......
xoxo
Jose
The "christening " of my bike.....
So, I said I would name my bike, after my first ride (well actually after my first falls). Yes, I was reminded to name it—and I did, on Saturday- but I’ve been too busy with work.. yeah yeah yeah, you don’t want to hear that- but what you want to hear, is the name of my bike….
My FIRST ride on the bike.....
Wow, what a day! I want to blog as much as i can right now, to really capture the moments of today....
I had been back and forth on emails and the discussion forum- how afraid I was to get on the bike... My family has been making fun of me, "But you don't know how to ride a bike..." Very true, the last time I rode a bike, was maybe 20 years ago... that is a LONG TIME!!!
SO my day started off at 6am-- i needed to get up, get ready, put on my bike rack to get ready to go to Weho.... It's already a commute being that I live on the Eastside of Los Angeles, but being afraid of driving on the freeway, i took the streets all the way there..
I got to Weho by 7:45 am.. I didn't see anyone from the training group; i thought, "hmmmm maybe this means it got canceled and i will not ride..."
Within the next minutes, I started seeing cyclist show up.. I introduced myself to Brian, and told him this is my first ride and I came to support the group and learn how to get on and off the bike. (for those that wonder, why is so afraid of getting on the bike? Well, I have clipless pedals- meaning that my legs are to be LOCKED into the bike. Imagine, having no control of what happens when you have to stop; My goal was to just show up, get some lessons on how to get off and on my bike, stay behind at the park while everyone went out, and just wait for them for the get together after.... what an idea?? that's like being a cheerleader..lol)
Anyhow, he said that he would teach me how to get off and on the bikes. I went and changed...
I saw J.R, who had informed me about the ride. It was good to see someone i already met from the kick-off. Brian and some of the other guys, showed me some of the basics. It was scary, then i fell-- onto the grass..YAH! my first fall..lol.. Ive been hearing from many- get over the fear of falling.. that is how we all start... From there, i continued to practice.. I did a LIL run in the parking lot.. but seriously, nothing major... I thought to myself, cool- i can just practice now...
Well, forget the practice- the whole group gathered around to talk about safety issues. The feeling i got, from finally being around those that have committed to do a ride, for AIDS/HIV, really touched me. It's remarkable, the dedication all of them have...
What happened next? The call for everyone to get on the road.. my heart was pounding. I start thinking, Don't they know thisis my first ride.. Don't they know, I have not been on a bike for 20 years (i bought this bike 3 weeks ago, but it's been just standing pretty in my living room), Don't they know, I have never used clipless pedals...
I saw everyone take off- and there i followed.. I got one foot into the pedal... that was a start, but once i saw the red light, i panicked- i almost fell.. But i went on-- minutes after- (maybe 1-2 blocks) i was ready to give up- I ONLY came to practice in the parking lot.. WHY am i even trying to do a 42 MILES RIDE??? I'm crazy right???
As i was standing there, I see J.R ride behind me, asking if i was okay. Sure, i thought. I should have said NO..lol.. From there, he rode with me, teaching me the basics of riding the bike...
Soon after, i had my first fall on the rode. Nothing major. I just got back on, but thought to myself, there are going to be more... why don't i stop!
I didn't stop. I figured, i NEED to get over the fear and keep riding- I committed myself to this, and this is the perfect way to start- having someone teach you the basics, but also motivating me through out the ride...
Within a few miles, i noticed we were in Culver City.. WTF, Culver City? I only go there in my car.. I was amazed that we went from Weho to Culver City. I also thought, its still a long way to go...
There were many times, i almost fell, or if i did, nothing major.. I learned how to STOP my bike, how to change gears, how to clip in.. But i became a ROCK STAR (lol) when i was able to clip both feet in, and able to unclip one by one to stop.....
We finally get to the bike path-- i felt more relaxed, but at the same time, i knew there were still much more to go. There were small "hill" but also, coming down fast...
After a while I decided to turn back.. We must have done 10-12 miles.. or so.. who knows.. I just wanted to get back...
That is where everything went wrong.. I was tired and thirsty. I didn't take the proper things, because I had no idea i would be biking more than one mile... That took a toll on me.. I feel hard and it wasn't in the best place- kind of shady, so other bikers would probably have a hard time seeing that we were there.... I was motivated to continue.. So I did......
Finally, the big one! MY helmet felt like it was moving too much. I wanted to stop and fix it, but I thought I had made MANY stops in between, I can not do it again.. So, I take one hand off my handle bar, to try to fix it.. and I ATE IT! I feel hard, the bike over me. Got scratched on my knees, elbows and my side stomach (that one was not bad). I had it, i just couldn't not more. I asked J.R if we can walk back until we got to Starbucks- I needed to rest, water and something to eat... He walked with me.. until we got back on the streets. We rode back to Starbucks. During that time, I had more fear because I knew i feel hard-- and i was just tired..
We rested for a bit, but he asked if I wanted to get picked up.. Right away, i said YES!
Brendan picked me up. My prayers were answered. I couldn't walk right. I just wanted to get back to the park and change so i can rest.
I told Brendan, that it was my FIRST RIDE EVER. I think people thought, just first ride training in a group-- but NO, first time RIDING a BIKE- and to make it worse, clipless pedals.
We got back to the park- and there was a group of the cyclist there already. It was great, getting the hugs and the WAY TO GO! from the people there. It feels good to be part of the group, knowing that you have people to help you, when you fall...
So overall, I think i did 14-15 miles total- out of the 42.. Shit, that was WAY more than i expected to do.... It was great meeting my fellow riders: Eric, Brendan, J.R, Mark, etc etc (I cant remember everyone, but that will change!) I look forward in more rides... I hope this documents, a lil of my first ride.. I am one step closer, to doing more trainings. I let go of the fear f getting on a bike, and falling...
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did, even with the pain.. And for those family members and friends that doubted me, there you go BITCHES! hahaha.. I WILL BE DOING THE WHOLE RIDE-- with practice.. LOL.. so remember to visit my website and make a difference and donate. Allow me to take the falls and go through the pain; all i need is the support to help those living with AIDS/HIV--and all you need to do is donate!
Thank you the cyclists for making this a memorable day....
Until next time.. I need to NAP!
I had been back and forth on emails and the discussion forum- how afraid I was to get on the bike... My family has been making fun of me, "But you don't know how to ride a bike..." Very true, the last time I rode a bike, was maybe 20 years ago... that is a LONG TIME!!!
SO my day started off at 6am-- i needed to get up, get ready, put on my bike rack to get ready to go to Weho.... It's already a commute being that I live on the Eastside of Los Angeles, but being afraid of driving on the freeway, i took the streets all the way there..
I got to Weho by 7:45 am.. I didn't see anyone from the training group; i thought, "hmmmm maybe this means it got canceled and i will not ride..."
Within the next minutes, I started seeing cyclist show up.. I introduced myself to Brian, and told him this is my first ride and I came to support the group and learn how to get on and off the bike. (for those that wonder, why is so afraid of getting on the bike? Well, I have clipless pedals- meaning that my legs are to be LOCKED into the bike. Imagine, having no control of what happens when you have to stop; My goal was to just show up, get some lessons on how to get off and on my bike, stay behind at the park while everyone went out, and just wait for them for the get together after.... what an idea?? that's like being a cheerleader..lol)
Anyhow, he said that he would teach me how to get off and on the bikes. I went and changed...
I saw J.R, who had informed me about the ride. It was good to see someone i already met from the kick-off. Brian and some of the other guys, showed me some of the basics. It was scary, then i fell-- onto the grass..YAH! my first fall..lol.. Ive been hearing from many- get over the fear of falling.. that is how we all start... From there, i continued to practice.. I did a LIL run in the parking lot.. but seriously, nothing major... I thought to myself, cool- i can just practice now...
Well, forget the practice- the whole group gathered around to talk about safety issues. The feeling i got, from finally being around those that have committed to do a ride, for AIDS/HIV, really touched me. It's remarkable, the dedication all of them have...
What happened next? The call for everyone to get on the road.. my heart was pounding. I start thinking, Don't they know thisis my first ride.. Don't they know, I have not been on a bike for 20 years (i bought this bike 3 weeks ago, but it's been just standing pretty in my living room), Don't they know, I have never used clipless pedals...
I saw everyone take off- and there i followed.. I got one foot into the pedal... that was a start, but once i saw the red light, i panicked- i almost fell.. But i went on-- minutes after- (maybe 1-2 blocks) i was ready to give up- I ONLY came to practice in the parking lot.. WHY am i even trying to do a 42 MILES RIDE??? I'm crazy right???
As i was standing there, I see J.R ride behind me, asking if i was okay. Sure, i thought. I should have said NO..lol.. From there, he rode with me, teaching me the basics of riding the bike...
Soon after, i had my first fall on the rode. Nothing major. I just got back on, but thought to myself, there are going to be more... why don't i stop!
I didn't stop. I figured, i NEED to get over the fear and keep riding- I committed myself to this, and this is the perfect way to start- having someone teach you the basics, but also motivating me through out the ride...
Within a few miles, i noticed we were in Culver City.. WTF, Culver City? I only go there in my car.. I was amazed that we went from Weho to Culver City. I also thought, its still a long way to go...
There were many times, i almost fell, or if i did, nothing major.. I learned how to STOP my bike, how to change gears, how to clip in.. But i became a ROCK STAR (lol) when i was able to clip both feet in, and able to unclip one by one to stop.....
We finally get to the bike path-- i felt more relaxed, but at the same time, i knew there were still much more to go. There were small "hill" but also, coming down fast...
After a while I decided to turn back.. We must have done 10-12 miles.. or so.. who knows.. I just wanted to get back...
That is where everything went wrong.. I was tired and thirsty. I didn't take the proper things, because I had no idea i would be biking more than one mile... That took a toll on me.. I feel hard and it wasn't in the best place- kind of shady, so other bikers would probably have a hard time seeing that we were there.... I was motivated to continue.. So I did......
Finally, the big one! MY helmet felt like it was moving too much. I wanted to stop and fix it, but I thought I had made MANY stops in between, I can not do it again.. So, I take one hand off my handle bar, to try to fix it.. and I ATE IT! I feel hard, the bike over me. Got scratched on my knees, elbows and my side stomach (that one was not bad). I had it, i just couldn't not more. I asked J.R if we can walk back until we got to Starbucks- I needed to rest, water and something to eat... He walked with me.. until we got back on the streets. We rode back to Starbucks. During that time, I had more fear because I knew i feel hard-- and i was just tired..
We rested for a bit, but he asked if I wanted to get picked up.. Right away, i said YES!
Brendan picked me up. My prayers were answered. I couldn't walk right. I just wanted to get back to the park and change so i can rest.
I told Brendan, that it was my FIRST RIDE EVER. I think people thought, just first ride training in a group-- but NO, first time RIDING a BIKE- and to make it worse, clipless pedals.
We got back to the park- and there was a group of the cyclist there already. It was great, getting the hugs and the WAY TO GO! from the people there. It feels good to be part of the group, knowing that you have people to help you, when you fall...
So overall, I think i did 14-15 miles total- out of the 42.. Shit, that was WAY more than i expected to do.... It was great meeting my fellow riders: Eric, Brendan, J.R, Mark, etc etc (I cant remember everyone, but that will change!) I look forward in more rides... I hope this documents, a lil of my first ride.. I am one step closer, to doing more trainings. I let go of the fear f getting on a bike, and falling...
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did, even with the pain.. And for those family members and friends that doubted me, there you go BITCHES! hahaha.. I WILL BE DOING THE WHOLE RIDE-- with practice.. LOL.. so remember to visit my website and make a difference and donate. Allow me to take the falls and go through the pain; all i need is the support to help those living with AIDS/HIV--and all you need to do is donate!
Thank you the cyclists for making this a memorable day....
Until next time.. I need to NAP!
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