Curious about this ride, and because my husband attempted the 5 passes (he accomplished 4 and was unable to make the Time Cutoff for the 5th due to a flat tire)in the California Alps, I decided at the last minute to use our friend's registered spot. He could not ride due to healing his hurt arm. I had not ridden my bike much because I broke my toe. (Really stupid injury; banging it against a futon frame....)
I decided to attempt the first pass (Monitor Pass: 8,314 feet). We drove the pass the day before to check it out and it seemed insurmountable without much agony and time. It turns out it was not as bad as imagined; perhaps due to the early morning chill. I started at 5:30am and got to the top at 8am. The scenery was just beautiful: snow capped mountain tops, blue sky. The rest stop at the top was a welcome sight and the boy scout volunteers took very good care of us. The ride down was just superb: the roads were perfectly paved and the road was closed to cars. Then I rode past a gorgeous river to the lunch stop amid the trees. It was great fun to watch the other riders come and go with their colorful jerseys. And to know I did not have to do the four other passes was extra joyful. Although I did have a thought or two about what it would be like to ride another pass. I suppose it was fleeting, because all I did then, was to ride back to the start....
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Finished Ride Ataxia NorCal on May 14th!
Finished the windiest 68 miles ever! Great people; great cause; most difficult one yet for me. However, my suffering, pain and frustration felt during the ride does not compare to the suffering felt by those that have Friedreich's Ataxia.
Many riders on Saturday actually have the disease and still rode their bikes! My hat is off to you!
Many riders on Saturday actually have the disease and still rode their bikes! My hat is off to you!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Hilly Ride this time!
Rode 37 miles from Lake Merritt to Berkeley Claremont area then up old Tunnel Road to Skyline, down Pinehurst to Moraga to Orinda. Then back up to Tilden Park on Wildcat Road. Down Spruce which is beautifully paved. Made a lunch stop at Cactus Taqueria on College before heading back home.
This one tired me out! 3,040 feet of elevation gain in 3 hours and 20 minutes of riding.....whew! But the weather and the company was perfect!
This one tired me out! 3,040 feet of elevation gain in 3 hours and 20 minutes of riding.....whew! But the weather and the company was perfect!
Joined Oakland Yellow Jackets
Last Saturday, April 9th I rode 20 miles with the Oakland Yellow Jackets who are a really nice group of people. We rode to the Alameda Beach from Lake Merritt. At mile ten they had set up a rest stop and at the end they had set up a potluck lunch.
Can't wait for the next ride!
Can't wait for the next ride!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Completed Oakland 1/2 Marathon; Set Personal Record
2011 is off to a good start: I ran my fastest 1/2 Marathon (2 hours;17 minutes) in Oakland California! The run was great, the people cheering on from the sidelines were extra cool, as were the many bands playing music along the route.
Not to mention the champagne at the end! I had on my Team FARA running jersey and a few people I did not know cheered me on with Go Team FARA!
Not to mention the champagne at the end! I had on my Team FARA running jersey and a few people I did not know cheered me on with Go Team FARA!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Finished Ride Ataxia NorCal on May 16th!
Hello Everyone,
I have been too busy enjoying more bike rides to let you all know that I successfully completed my 100 mile bicycle ride in the lovely foothills around Folsom and Grass Valley California!
We had a great time, the camping was not as bad as I dreaded, and I was sufficiently prepared to ride all the hills. I purposely took it easy, in order to be able to finish all 100 miles.
I am happy to announce that all of us riding that weekend raised $100,000 for finding a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia!!!!!!
Thank you all so very much from the bottom of my heart!
I have been too busy enjoying more bike rides to let you all know that I successfully completed my 100 mile bicycle ride in the lovely foothills around Folsom and Grass Valley California!
We had a great time, the camping was not as bad as I dreaded, and I was sufficiently prepared to ride all the hills. I purposely took it easy, in order to be able to finish all 100 miles.
I am happy to announce that all of us riding that weekend raised $100,000 for finding a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia!!!!!!
Thank you all so very much from the bottom of my heart!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Another beautiful day in Paradise
Hello Everyone,
I rode for one hour and forty minutes from my house to Grizzly Peak, Skyline, Montclair and back on Sunday. No clue how many miles that is, but it was a beautiful day and I had lots of energy. I am looking forward to riding with 130 other riders on May 15th, 16th, 2010!!!!
I rode for one hour and forty minutes from my house to Grizzly Peak, Skyline, Montclair and back on Sunday. No clue how many miles that is, but it was a beautiful day and I had lots of energy. I am looking forward to riding with 130 other riders on May 15th, 16th, 2010!!!!
http://www.rideataxia.org/norcal/
http://www.rideataxia.org/norcal/
If you would like to donate, please go on above site and search for Team Latte!
If you would like to donate, please go on above site and search for Team Latte!
Completed Marathon, ready for bike ride!!!!
Hello Everyone,
I am so happy to have completed the Oakland Half-Marathon in March standing up and smiling! Now I am training for Ride Ataxia on May 15th and 16th. I am riding up in the Berkeley Oakland hills and getting stronger. Last Saturday, I took my niece Sophia on a trike ride from Point Isabell to Richmond Harbor. She loved it and was stronger than we anticipated!
I am so happy that she can ride her trike! If only we lived closer to each other, we would ride every weekend......That trail is so nice, cause it is car-free and relatively flat.
Who else will ride from Folsom to Auburn? It would be great to chat..... I booked a room at the Hilton for the 14th, which will be fun....especially given the next night will be a little less comfortable in the tent....
I am so happy to have completed the Oakland Half-Marathon in March standing up and smiling! Now I am training for Ride Ataxia on May 15th and 16th. I am riding up in the Berkeley Oakland hills and getting stronger. Last Saturday, I took my niece Sophia on a trike ride from Point Isabell to Richmond Harbor. She loved it and was stronger than we anticipated!
I am so happy that she can ride her trike! If only we lived closer to each other, we would ride every weekend......That trail is so nice, cause it is car-free and relatively flat.
Who else will ride from Folsom to Auburn? It would be great to chat..... I booked a room at the Hilton for the 14th, which will be fun....especially given the next night will be a little less comfortable in the tent....
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Countdown to Marathon!
Yes, I like to just say Marathon instead of Half-Marathon, it sounds cooler.......Been running and strength training and hopefully am ready for Sunday. It is Oakland's first Marathon in 25 years and it will hopefully give Oakland a better reputation!
After I am done with that, the bike riding will begin! Anyone up for training with me?
After I am done with that, the bike riding will begin! Anyone up for training with me?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Half Marathon in less than 3 Weeks!
Hello Everyone! I have been training for the Oakland 1/2 Marathon for the past few months. I am going to wear my FARA cycling jersey because I don't have a running jersey with FARA on it yet.....Any ideas?
Anyone out there also running in the Oakland Marathon who wants to wear FARA clothing?
Anyone out there also running in the Oakland Marathon who wants to wear FARA clothing?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Training Begins for Next Ride
Welcome Back Everyone,
I am signed up to run the half Marathon in Oakland on March 28th, 2010!
This will also be getting me in shape for the next Ride Ataxia.
Anyone want to join me?
Claudia
I am signed up to run the half Marathon in Oakland on March 28th, 2010!
This will also be getting me in shape for the next Ride Ataxia.
Anyone want to join me?
Claudia
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
YEAH! We crossed the finish line!
We are all so excited to have finished our ride! It was so exciting and very moving. We had supporters cheering us on at the hotel who took photos, gave us medals and some moving speeches. And don't forget the champagne!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Day 3
Well, I am a bit discouraged because I could only ride 30 miles today because my right leg stopped working. I made it to our lunch stop, the last half of a mile using only my left leg and keeping my right one out to the side. I could not even put my leg on the pedal....it hurt too badly...I don't understand why....there are some people older than I am and who bike less than I do....
I was very grateful to get a ride from our wonderful SAG team who whisked me away with quiet efficiency..
There are some other highlights from today: I finally had a good cappuccino on my ride. I decided life was too short not to stop at a local "bike-through" coffee hut. Luckily my fellow rider Guy from Berkeley stopped by and had an espresso and was willing to stay by my side the whole way to lunch. He ended up keeping me company as I "limped" through the day...He also happens to know how to fix a flat, which put my mind at ease.
There were too many riders having tire problems today; could not count them all...I was spared once again. I avoid the shoulder at all costs and keep my eyes on every piece of debris on the road....I am more afraid of getting a flat tire than of some car or truck running me down....people seem to think that is a strange idea.....
I was so happy to see my cousin Sebastian at our lunch stop, which happened to be in his town. I will see him again when he drives to Seattle tomorrow to be at the finish line!
I was very grateful to get a ride from our wonderful SAG team who whisked me away with quiet efficiency..
There are some other highlights from today: I finally had a good cappuccino on my ride. I decided life was too short not to stop at a local "bike-through" coffee hut. Luckily my fellow rider Guy from Berkeley stopped by and had an espresso and was willing to stay by my side the whole way to lunch. He ended up keeping me company as I "limped" through the day...He also happens to know how to fix a flat, which put my mind at ease.
There were too many riders having tire problems today; could not count them all...I was spared once again. I avoid the shoulder at all costs and keep my eyes on every piece of debris on the road....I am more afraid of getting a flat tire than of some car or truck running me down....people seem to think that is a strange idea.....
I was so happy to see my cousin Sebastian at our lunch stop, which happened to be in his town. I will see him again when he drives to Seattle tomorrow to be at the finish line!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
YIKES!
This is harder than I thought it would be...The back of my knees/muscles/tendons are not quite up to the task at hand....They hurt like crazy....I had to get a lift for the last 10 miles today (after riding 30 miles). I knew that I would not be able to ride tomorrow if I did not pay attention to my body..... However, I was safe and warm(except for my feet). Some riders tumbled today or fell over while they were standing still, talking....(This is why I have not changed my pedals to clipless ones)....All in all, everyone is ok, even with falling.
The scenery was beautiful even through the rain: Horses, meadows, vistas, rising steam from rivers, llamas. There were some hazards (dogs and trucks) but there was much less traffic than yesterday, which was very nice. There was a moment where I was all alone, and all I heard was birds chirping, while sitting on pine trees....
The scenery was beautiful even through the rain: Horses, meadows, vistas, rising steam from rivers, llamas. There were some hazards (dogs and trucks) but there was much less traffic than yesterday, which was very nice. There was a moment where I was all alone, and all I heard was birds chirping, while sitting on pine trees....
Monday, March 16, 2009
Made it to Washington!
Hello Everyone,
All 70 riders made it to Longview and Kelso in Washington this afternoon. Actually, one rider had to get medical attention after being caught in the ridges of a railroad tie and falling. After a rainy start at 9am, we made swift progress in weather ranging from sunny to showers to more rain and hail. Luckily, those of us fast enough, made it to the hotel before the hail began at 2:45pm. Many riders had flat tires and I am counting my blessings that I was spared. We were fed copious amounts of food at lunch and then again at dinner. The restaurant Outback provided us with food on Sunday and today. The food was donated and volunteer staff provided service. Everyone has been so kind and friendly.
P.S. You don't need a GPS gadget to follow us on the internet. Just click on my link and you will see a green dot that shows you where on the route we are.....
All 70 riders made it to Longview and Kelso in Washington this afternoon. Actually, one rider had to get medical attention after being caught in the ridges of a railroad tie and falling. After a rainy start at 9am, we made swift progress in weather ranging from sunny to showers to more rain and hail. Luckily, those of us fast enough, made it to the hotel before the hail began at 2:45pm. Many riders had flat tires and I am counting my blessings that I was spared. We were fed copious amounts of food at lunch and then again at dinner. The restaurant Outback provided us with food on Sunday and today. The food was donated and volunteer staff provided service. Everyone has been so kind and friendly.
P.S. You don't need a GPS gadget to follow us on the internet. Just click on my link and you will see a green dot that shows you where on the route we are.....
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Last Minute Update
Dear Friends,
I am way too excited to go to sleep....Luckily for me, my fellow riders from the South Bay offered to take my bike with them in their trailer. Such a blessing...Now I can fly up to Portland just with a duffel bag and did not have to deal with boxing up my bike...!!
Ready or not, here it comes.....Tomorrow, I will be on time for our pre-ride get-acquainted lunch and on Monday we start riding.
Check us out on: http://www.untamedadventure.com/AdvZone/Adventure.aspx?a=16.
You can follow us on a GPS system....How modern....
If you still want to donate: http://www.active.com/donate/rideataxia/claudiasieber
Thanks!
Claudia
I am way too excited to go to sleep....Luckily for me, my fellow riders from the South Bay offered to take my bike with them in their trailer. Such a blessing...Now I can fly up to Portland just with a duffel bag and did not have to deal with boxing up my bike...!!
Ready or not, here it comes.....Tomorrow, I will be on time for our pre-ride get-acquainted lunch and on Monday we start riding.
Check us out on: http://www.untamedadventure.com/AdvZone/Adventure.aspx?a=16.
You can follow us on a GPS system....How modern....
If you still want to donate: http://www.active.com/donate/rideataxia/claudiasieber
Thanks!
Claudia
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Chasing down Mundane Details
Rode to Amtrak with my bike to see what the situation was with transporting my bike on the train. Short 3.5 mile rountrip errand on streets in urgent need of repair and way too many cars...can't wait to ride in the country...
The train I will be riding does not have easy bike racks (only commuter trains do). Therefore, I must box up my bike. However, it is easier to box it for the train than it is to box it for a plane. Looking forward to wonderful scenery on the way up and back to Portland and Seattle.
The train I will be riding does not have easy bike racks (only commuter trains do). Therefore, I must box up my bike. However, it is easier to box it for the train than it is to box it for a plane. Looking forward to wonderful scenery on the way up and back to Portland and Seattle.
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