Sarah's Peak-to-Peak Pedal Training Update

I am three weeks into my training for my upcoming 335 mile bike ride to raise money for the US Adaptive Recreation Center, the Peak-To-Peak Pedal. It's going pretty well. I've been hitting the bike at the gym and also the weight room. I haven't lost any weight yet, but I'm hoping it's because I am adding muscle. You know how people always say that exercise gives you loads of energy, but then you just ignore them because you're too tired to get off the couch? Yes, well, apparently it's true. I have way more energy since I started working out last month! It's amazing. Energy to clean the house, cook, write, and make stuff. I'm picking up my road bike tomorrow and after I get it worked on, I should be ready to hit the road next week.

I'm also 13% of the way to my fundraising goal. Yay! If you would like to help me support USARC, please click here! Again, if you live in the LA area, I will bake you delicious treats if you make a donation to USARC. I cannot overemphasize the deliciousness here!

The other aspect of the ride is definitely psychological! Can I get into shape to finish it? Will it be so hard that I will cry? This weekend I went to see the AIDS/Lifecycle (a charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles) ride into LA. 2500 cyclists ride over 500 miles to raise over 12 million dollars! HIV-positive riders are also prominent in the ride. The closing ceremonies with all the riders that I watched really inspired me. My friend Cyclist J completed the ride so we came to cheer him. Everyone there did so much hard work which was well worth it. Hopefully I can do the same in my ride!

Inspiring-lyrics-heard-on-the-Ipod-at-the-gym Of The Week:

how come I can pick my friends
but not my enemies
what is it about me that offends
what is it about me
'cause you know I'm only five foot two
and I'm giggly wiggly
tell me again, what did I do
why are you scared of me
I fight with love
and I laugh with rage
you've gotta live light enough
to see the humour
and long enough to see some change

I think shy is boring
I think depressed is too
I think pretty is nice
but I'd rather see something new
all these plastic people
got their plastic surgery
but we got a big big beautiful
we got it for free
who you gonna be
if you can't be yourself
you can't get it from t.v.
you can't force it on
anybody else
-"Pick yer nose" by Ani Difranco

Getting back on the bike

At one point in my life, I was very athletic. At this moment in time, however, I am what Eric Cartman would call "Festively Plump." I decided I needed to do a good thing for myself and a good thing for an organization that I love to support as well. So I've signed up for the 14th Annual USARC Peak-to-Peak Pedal, a 335-mile bicycle ride from Big Bear to Mammoth in California.

I used to do road bike racing back in high school, and I do still have my old road bike and shoes, so that's one thing going for me. The idea of pulling on some spandex shorts and flailing away on the old bike is at once horrifying and very motivating. Horrifying because I am out of shape and...well...spandex! Motivating because I realized I wanted to sign up for this but I didn't know if I could do it. I decided since I was passionate about adaptive skiing, my enthusiasm could spill over into this ride. I started training last week. So far so good. My folks are mailing my old bike on Monday. My cyclist friend J has taken pity on me and agreed to take me on training rides.

My goal is to fundraise $1800 for USARC (The US Adaptive Recreation Center). USARC provides adaptive skiing, waterskiing, camping, and other outdoor sports for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. They are based in Big Bear, California. It's a wonderful program that changes lives. Their website states,

The USARC believes people are empowered when they undertake and succeed at challenging outdoor recreation. These experiences often result in increased self-confidence and greater success in academic, professional and personal life challenges.

In other words, opportunities to play in the outdoors, skiing and camping, are far more than just recreation. They represent a chance to build skills and self-esteem to help people achieve goals in every aspect of their lives.

Please visit my secure donation page-as a bonus you'll see a rather silly photo of me in ski helmet and goggles. Even if you can only donate a small amount, it still means a lot to the kids and adults who participate in USARC programs. Plus, all donations are tax deductible!

For those who live in or near Los Angeles County (or will be passing through any time this year), if you make a donation to USARC, I will bake you a delicious treat to say thanks! I am known far and wide for my baking prowess. If you donate to USARC:
$25, I will make you chocolate chip cookies, $50, I will make you cupcakes or scones (your choice of flavors), $100, I will make you a frosted double layer cake (your choice of flavors).

If you'd like to share this page with anyone who might be able to donate, click the little envelope icon at the bottom of the post or direct them to http://impossibleuniverse.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-back-on-bike.html

Thanks for reading. If you want to know more about USARC or the Peak-to-Peak Pedal, please leave me a comment. If you have any training tips for this poor out-of-shape girl, those are also welcome!

Image: A little kid with a bowl haircut riding a red bicycle with training wheels. He is sticking out his tongue and he is wearing a red helmet. His bike has yellow wheels and a horn shaped like a duck.