Tour de Cure...Part II

When I was asked to join Team Skunk Works back in February, I was excited to do so. I knew of this charity ride and the team (duh...Herb and Mark have been riding this for at least two years, if not three) but never joined. I don't know why since a loved one of mine passed away from complications of diabetes a couple of years ago, and the disease runs in my family, thus hitting close to home. I'd like to see diabetes eradicated, personally, and I do think the American Diabetes Association does tremendous work. So, it wasn't much of an effort to twist my arm into joining this year.

I'm lucky to have had so many wonderful folks willing to sponsor me and to them I'm infinitely grateful. Their contributions and support meant a great deal to me...truly. As did the teammates I rode with - a fun, wonderful group of folks who made the experience even more valuable. I hope (and expect) to be out there next year, riding/supporting the same team (which is in turn supporting the American Diabetes Association and cause). I'm proud to have been a part of those efforts.

Now, to the ride itself...

I've gotten in trouble in the past by reporting publicly (on a bike forum) about the negatives of a particular charity ride while not focusing enough on the positive aspects of the ride. My bad , and I learned from that incident that I need to give a more fleshed-out account and not just constructive criticism (the same could be said for any feedback on any organized event). I hear so many times, "it's for charity," as if one is to just accept anything and everything about how the event is planned and executed. No porta-potties at a rest stop? Too bad, "HTFU," it's for a charity! Wrong.

And here is where I do not think it advantageous to the event organizers or participants to just report that a charity event was wonderful, 'everything was great" after the event and then shove any constructive criticism under the rug just for the sake of a charity. A charity ride is still an organized athletic event. It should be operated as such and on the highest level, especially when you have participants willing to not only fund-raise for the charity but then ride the miles (or run the miles, or walk the miles, etc., whatever the case may be).

Athletic-themed charity events are unique in that a cause is the theme, but they are no different when it comes to logistics. It has been a gripe of mine that many of these events lack in areas that are so easy to fix, thereby drawing more participants willing to sign up the following year. I've participated in many charity events, big and small, including The 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer (back when it was 3 days and 60 miles), MS-150 Bay-to-Bay and MS-150 Tour of Santa Barbara, and the Tour de Orange County for Child Abuse, to name a few. I've seen events organized in an outstanding fashion (Breast Cancer walk and MS-150 Bay to Bay) and not so well.

I usually will provide feedback to the organizers in hopes that they will improve their events - not so I'll be happy, mind you, but so that the event is better organized and more riders will spread the word and join. Cause, guess what? If I'm complaining, you'd better well believe there were other riders out there with the same grievances. Difference is, I'll speak honestly while those other riders will just shrug their shoulders and then not ride the event next year (or encourage others to join). This isn't always true, but in many cases, that is exactly what happens.

So, now that I've pleaded my case or given disclaimer, or whatever, I will give an account of yesterday's ride...the good, the bad and the ugly. I hope anyone who may read this isn't put off ("it's a charity ride!"), but I can't please the masses. Never have. Sorry.

The day started off early, as in 4:00am rise, meeting at The Hub at 5:20am and hitting the road (with Herb driving, of course) at 5:25am. The ride start time was pushed up this year (apparently) to 7:00am since the route was taking riders over two Long Beach port bridges. Traffic can only be shut down for so long, and the earlier on a Sunday morning, the better. The biggest mileage option for the day was 60 miles, so starting at 7:00am was painful, but I got it and once I'd had some caffeine, I was awake. Herb got to listen to me blabber away on our ride to the event when I really think he just wanted to listen to his tunes. What can I say? I'm a morning person (once awake).

When we arrived in Long Beach by the Queen Mary, a crowd was already there, signing in, picking up t-shirts and so forth. We met up with our team captain, Mark Stiver, a jovial fella with a warm smile and strong handshake (well, I hugged him too). We gathered our team jerseys, which was donated by Lockheed Martin, so we only paid $ for them. I love the new jersey, although I should have gotten a size small or medium in lieu of a large. It's the whole 'I feel and am fat' thing - but I think I'm going to regret the baggy fit of it in less than two months. It's a very nice jersey and blue, my favorite color.



A little before 7:00am, we all gathered in the start line, expecting to roll on time. Nope. We were delayed a good 20 minutes or so. Not sure what the hold up was, but I complained (of course). "M.E....It's a charity ride" was the comment I received back (of course). Herb forgot his gloves and had to go fetch them so I suppose the delay was a good thing after all. I just hated having to get up at 4:00am for a 7:00am start that was really closer to a 7:30am start. I'm human.


As for the cast of characters for the day, there was The Colonel and Jason (both of whom dropped the rest of us on the bridge crossings), Herb, Tom, Linda, Lisa and several other teammates I'd just met for the first time, as well as a couple of other familiar faces (Steve and Phillip). One sweet man, Martie, ended up riding across the finish line with us yesterday, and I hope to see him on future rides.

After a little drama at the start - nerves, as in someone was all stressed out over his gloves and bike computer, and someone (I) got on his nerves by laughing at him (well, near him really, not at him) - we were off riding into the very overcast morning. I didn't mind in Long Beach, as the dramatic skies were a nice back drop to the many interesting views of the morning. It was also perfect temps in the morning, just warm enough that arm warmers weren't needed, but cool enough that I was happy that I'd worn my long-sleeved base jersey.





From the start, we were riding over some small bridge with great views of the port. Then it was up and over the Gerald Desmond Bridge, which had been closed on our side for safe passage. It was a fairly easy grade to climb and it was so cool to be out there on a bike. We came down off that bridge and right up and over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which had been closed off to motorists as well. The grade here was a little harsher on my not-yet-warmed-up quads, but I dug it just the same.



After the bridges, we came to the first rest-stop. The volunteers here (and for the rest of the day) were tremendously friendly. The stop had water, Gatorade, oranges, bagel slices & peanut butter. Personally, that's all I ever need. Forget any Heed Mix or other fancy powders, I'm always happy to have clean, cold water. As for food, bagel slices with peanut butter were perfect. I had one slice (mindful of my WW points) and an orange. We then took off from there and headed toward PV. I asked Herb when the next rest stop would be. "About nine miles," he told me. Good. I'd use the restroom at the next stop, I figured.

However, the second rest stop was nowhere to be found. That or we missed it. Our whole group missed it and saw no signs anywhere of it. Several other riders who passed me asked if we'd seen the rest stop. Nope. That was odd. Maybe they decided to nix it yesterday morning last minute due to a logisitcs issue (if so, riders should have been informed). But likely, we just didn't see it - which means that signage for the stop wasn't visible to riders. Either way, I needed to pee and had no stop to do it at! I'm like a camel, though, so I just held it.



Somewhere around that time, we turned left and were hit with a 15% grade climb (wall) that seemed to go on forever. It was brutal and, as I remarked to Herb, could have been omitted from the route slip. Main reason being is that it was on the 30 mile route as well as the 60 mile one, and many of those riders couldn't handle the climb. Lots of participants just stopped (right smack in front of the rest of us trying to stay in the saddle) and started walking their bikes up, complaining. I quickly got over in the opposing traffic lane (so very not safe) and tacked slightly in my granny gear to go up it. I didn't see any need in burning my quads out for such a silly climb, nor did I wish to run into another, slower rider - so tacking in the other lane was my choice. For sure, this hill should be nixed on their route next year!

After this section, we had little to climb, and as we began our descent into the outskirts of the Palos Verdes (PV) hills, the air began to dampen. Tom and Linda were a little behind. I told Herb and Lisa that I wanted to wait for Linda, but they could go ahead. This is where I'll say, "It's a charity ride!" - no need to race it or to leave anyone behind, in my opinion. Linda and Tom easily caught up as we hit "The Mist" - rain, actually, and the kind that is so annoying, where it drizzles nonstop rendering your glasses useless and your jersey soaked. Gawddim it! If there is one weather condition I won't ride in, it's rain. If I'm caught in it (like yesterday), I have no choice, but it makes me a nervous wreck. The roads were so slick with leaves and debris, nasty to ride on. I was snapping at Herb and bitching about everything (I'm so much fun to ride with). Mainly, I was just spooked. I've almost crashed badly on wet roads and so descending for me means 'at a crawl' in those kinds of conditions.



By the time we made it to the third rest stop, I was soaked and cranky. I shoved a pack of Fig Newtons in my mouth and headed to the restrooms. We were along the ocean but couldn't see it due to the fog. PV is so pretty too, and I'd hoped for some sunshine to peek through the dense marine layer. I'd have even been happy with just overcast weather, but rain truly was a downer.

The volunteers were so great here, as they smiled and cheered us. We also received a police escort up to the PV East climb. In fact, the police were outstanding yesterday and ever present along the way. Not only that, but they were friendly and really didn't seem to mind being out working on a Sunday morning. I thanked them every chance I got, truly appreciative to have their presence, especially in the thick fog on PV East!


By the time we hit that climb, I was fully warm and, with my anxiety over the wet conditions still with me, willing to push the pace on the climb. I didn't over-exert by any means, but I climbed with ease and at a good speed. At the top, while waiting for the others, Herb and I joked back and forth while I videotaped the weather. I have just never ridden in that thick a fog where I couldn't see all but ten feet in front of me! I descended a little ways before the others did just to get a head start and then crawled the rest of the way down into PV proper. The roads dried and 'The Mist' cleared as if it had never been there to begin with. We also hit warmer temps and in no time flat, my jersey and shorts dried. Now, I was happy again.

We then came upon the last rest stop. It was pitiful. Mainly a table with a few oranges and some water. Mind you, this was on the 60 mile route! It was as if they catered to the 30 milers, and as the rest of us rode further on, we were forgotten. In fact, the gentleman at the stop wasn't even a volunteer it turns out, but a truck driver who just happened to be out and decided to pitch in! Well, I was happy to see him and thanked him for his smile. Fortunately, we only had 15 miles left. I wasn't concerned as I'd packed fuel and there were plenty of places to stop for water. Plus, I'm a seasoned endurance rider and have ridden unsupported centuries. However, there were, no doubt, riders on the 60 mile course who weren't as seasoned who might have appreciated better food options and at least one porta-potty at that stop!



On the final stretch home, I hung back a little (with Herb's help as he'd remind me that I was pushing the pace at times). I was happy to be riding with Linda and Tom, both of whom did great on the ride. We did have one incident where a very sweet female rider warned us of some nasty railroad tracks ahead. I slowed and crossed them at a perpendicular angle and had no issue. But the sweet gal who'd warned us wasn't so lucky and she went down just behind me and right in front of Linda. Linda showed amazing skills and bunny-hopped the downed woman's back wheel, managing to stay upright on the bike. We all stopped, of course, and helped the woman up. Her elbow was badly bruised and bleeding, but she'll be okay. Phew! I hate railroad tracks for that very reason and would suggest that a different street is selected to avoid those in particular. Apparently, several riders went down at that exact spot yesterday. With that said, there were volunteers and the police out there suggesting to us that we should 'walk our bikes' over the tracks, so there you have it.






Finally, we hit the last two miles into the harbor. I felt great, not at all tired and even commented to Herb that I could have gone on for another 40 miles. I was really hungry, though, and lunch awaited...or so I thought. Here is where the real criticism comes in - all we were offered at the post ride lunch was a piece of chicken, a sesame-seed hamburger bun (with peanut butter and jelly that they had left over from the rest stops) and dry lettuce (they'd run out of dressing). I was so pissed, I told the volunteer that it (the lunch) was unacceptable. It's not that expensive to provide a lunch, really it isn't. Throw out some chicken, open some cans of beanie-weenies, throw some Italian dressing on pasta mixed with olives and make sure you don't run out of food for the riders who rode the longest distance on the ride!

Also, the free massages that were provided were given to the riders who showed up first - i.e. the 30 mile riders. Those of us who rode the longer distance were short changed. I don't normally take advantage of the free massages on charity rides (and personally, they could nix them entirely and I wouldn't care), but it bothered me that I didn't even have a choice nor did most of my fellow riders. That's wrong on every level. Plan your event so that those who ride the longest are guaranteed a lunch and any other spoil you're offering to entice riders to come out for your event. This feedback I will be providing the organizers, for sure.

All in all, though, it was a great ride with the usual suspects. I enjoyed the route and had it not rained in PV, the day would have been perfect. I will be out there next year, only maybe not Long Beach. I may ride in another location, but I'll be there.