Cave Creek Bike Festival

Back on November 15th, I participated in the 1st annual Cave creek Bicycle Festival. This event included a 20 mile MTB race, a 50 mile & 35 mile "discovery" ride. I chose the 50 mile ride. I'm working up to riding a century and figured this would be good training. Besides, It has been many years since doing any organized event.

I awoke on the 15th early not because I was so excited about the ride, but because I slept like crap that night. Every couple hours I woke up (after getting to bed late). Anywhoo, I staged all my gear by the front door so I'll I'd need to grab was my water and coffee. The ride started at 8 and it's an easy hour north of here so I headed out at 0515. I arrived in Cave Creek in the dark and searched for the "tell tale" start/finish line. Once I found where the event was, I parked across from a VFW post. At the VFW, an American flag was blowing in in the wind. I couldn't help but notice, it was almost sticking straight out. Not only was it windy, it was a COLD wind. My car read about 52 degrees. I figured that this wind would probably factor into my ride. I walked over to the Flat Tire Bike Shop and signed in. I got my "swag bag" and headed back to the car. I looked through the various "goodies" in the bag and studied the route map. Looks like a lot of hills I thought. Now, when I checked the route at home t didn't look that hilly. It certainly did today. In fact the 1st 9 miles will be uphill.

As the start time got closer, I decided to get ready. I decided against my jacket since it traps so much heat and sweat and went with the vest which keeps my torso warm. The vest proved to be useful last cold ride and I figured it would get warmer today. I also wore my headband that covers my ears. Last cold ride, my ears froze. I wasn't going to let that happen today. I found the (unmarked) start line and stood in the sun. Everyone was standing in the sun to try to get warm.

I was close to the front of the pack at the start of the ride. This wasn't a race, just a fun leisurely ride through Cave Creek with 200 of my closest friends. When the ride started, I was in the first 25 riders (the only on a MTB). I stayed in this group for a few miles and a couple people passed me. At the 6 or so mile mark, the 35 mile group turned off. The 50 mile group headed up. It wasn't a terribly steep hill, just long. My hamstrings were cramping a bit so I ate a few bananas and stretched. Good as new. At the 9 mile mark, we turned around and followed the 35 mile group's route. I figured at the turn, I was probably still in the top 40. Not bad. Of course there's no prize for 40th place. Once we joined the 35 mile riders, it was hard to tell where I was in the pack, although I didn't let many pass me.

We rode through the scenic areas of Cave Creek getting out little "passport" stamped along the way. The passport pointed out interesting things about the area. Kinda a cool idea. I was rolling down a stretch of the Care Free Highway and at the turn into the Cave Creek Regiostanding Natural Areal Park (right turn) and the wind hit me as if it was a truck. It seemed that the wind was always behind each turn. I know it's impossible for the wind to switch around and blow from every direction, but I swear that it blew down every hill. Every climb was into a good headwind. Ugh.

The best part of the ride is that I used this ride through a site called Train 4 Autism to raise money for the National Autism Association. Thanks to friends and family, I raised over $1500! Pretty cool! When the ride started to suck really bad and my legs ached, i thought about why I was really riding and I found the strength. I kept telling myself, I was doing this for Matthew and millions of other kids that needed the help. Seemed a little corny, but it worked.

In hindsight, I asked myself:

1. Would I do the ride again? Hell yeah!
2. What would I do differently? Cancel the winds or just train on the hills harder.
3. Best thing I brought: Headband with ear covers - saved me!
4. Worst thing to take: I needed everything.

I can't wait for my next organized ride!

Cave Creek Bike Festival

It's been decided. Instead of the logistical nightmare of riding the Tour de Tucson, I will instead ride in the Cave Creek 50 mile Discovery Road Ride on November 15th. in this ride, each registrant will receive a ride "passport" and at each stop along the 50 mile route, a page will be "stamped" with a handmade stamp depicting an important feature of the area. The passport will also contain a brief note about the area's significance to the region. Kinda cool.

Here's what's really cool. Terri turned me on to a site called Train 4 Autism (www.train4autsim.com). This site allows one to participate in any athletic event and raise funds for an autism based charity. How cool is that? I've chosen the National Autism Association because of their support to the biomedical protocol for curing autism. As many of you know, my son has been diagnosed with autism and we are fighting it (and I think winning) because of the biomedical supplements we give him. For more on this protocol, check out Terri's blog. She's way smarter than me on all this. So I set my goal and have started fund raising for autism. I have been blown away by the support from my friends and family. If you're reading this and have donated, thank you very much!

So, Terri had an order with the National Autism Association for some of those ribbon magnets and other stuff. She told them about my ride and they a were super appreciative. They are even going to throw a mini-magnet in the order for my bike! Gives me an idea to create a custom autism awareness cycling jersey. Hmmmm.

I'm pumped to finally ride in an "organized ride" again. It's been a long time. the camaraderie and support is awesome. i always find myself riding just a little bit harder when in a group like that. i don't want to be the guy sucking wind. If you care to donate to my "Ride for Autism click here. You can even join my team and ride with me if you want. November is a great time to ride in Arizona, the ground is no longer like the surface of the sun! C'mon out, I could use the company.