ALC 2014 Ride Re-cap

It's hard to believe that 2 weeks ago I completed my 4th AIDS LifeCycle ride, 545 miles from SF to LA, to raise funds, awareness, and support of HIV/AIDS. With each year of doing this ride my training and writing has dwindled but the energy around it remains. To be honest there wasn't much writing about my training this year because, well, there wasn't much training to write about. I had grand plans to start fundraising early this year and continue to ride the mountain high and dedicate every weekend to training as I did as a novice cyclist. But life had different plans for me. I managed to get in a few short training rides and a couple of long ones, including the Napa Valley Tour de Cure which left me fearful with only a month left until ALC. Mentally I already knew what to expect and I was prepared to spend hours lost in thought on my bicycle coasting down long roads surround by farms but physically I had no idea how and untrained body (more specifically butt) would respond to 7 days in the saddle. The thought of visiting the "butt clinic" had me petrified more than the ride itself. I decided to invest in a trainer to increase my saddle time. Well... yah... that didn't work out so well either. I tried but I'd much rather climb Mt. Hamilton than spend 30 minutes on one of those, no wonder I couldn't ever get into spin. You pedal and pedal and go NOWHERE.

Nonetheless I manged to get in a few more hours in the saddle and then left the rest up to the universe. All in all it was another epic ride no matter how many times I have done it, the experience is always a first. I learn so much being on the bicycle for 7 days. And quite honestly I was looking forward to only having to think about getting from point A to point B everyday, that's simplicity in action. My biggest lesson learned? Whether you are afraid to fall or not it will eventually happen, and when it does... get up (as long as there's no broken bones) and keep on riding.















 Here's a quick and dirty recap of the days.

Day 0: Wow, I can't believe it's here. The safety video makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

Day 1: The opening ceremony prepares resets my mind for what's to come. I shift from work mode to human mode. Before I know it I'm on my bicycle riding out of SF, this year with my partner in crime Jenny (payback for her convincing me to climb Kiliminjaro). This day is always a hard one for me, partly due to the lack of sleep and partly mental. I was glad to make it to Santa Cruz and greeted by my family, they've come out every year to support and it's priceless! It was my first time joining a team and although I didn't know everyone on the team the team jerseys united us.


Day 2: The longest day of the ride, 110 miles. I love this day because I've officially left behind work and life and all of me is truly part of the ride. The humming my wheels on stretches of open roads is like a lullaby that puts me into a road trance. I chase yummy breakfast and cookies from the Cookie Lady and before I know it I'm at the end. With one minor detour... a visit to the med tent. Yup, I crashed! I made a left turn into gravel and before I knew it I was on the ground with Randy and Rod making sure I had no broken bones. Luckily, my bones were in tact; my skin not so much. It could have been worse but the arm warmers and leg warmers were my shield. I got up and immediately asked if my bike was okay. Miss Diva looked bad at first sight but she and I both pulled through and rode on. I visited the Med tent everyday after this, to ensure I could continue riding, the thought of not finishing was non existent.

Day 3: One more quadbuster under the belt and an awesome time hammering with some women power! A delicious bradley burger and inspiration from the community and kids and of course jesus cristo.  Before I knew it I was in Paso enjoying a glass of wine and a lovely steak.


Day 4: My favorite day of the ride. Not only do we hit the Halfway to LA mark but we're surrounded by breathtaking views of the coast riding through Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach. Love love love ocean energy!

Day 5: Red dress day! Short and sweet sprinkled with fashion appeal! We are 2400 riding as one red ribbon.

Day 6: It's bittersweet. I feel like we just started and it's already over. Last year this was my day to hammer and get in the top 100. At the beginning of this week I didn't even think about the top 100, with the training I did I was happy just finishing. But after the crash and hours on the bike I felt surprisingly stronger. I decided to go for it. And I did it. Not only did I get in the top 100 I came in faster than last year. Yes, it's a ride not a race but this is the one day where it becomes a race for me. A day to recognize and celebrate how far I've come as a cyclist. All of that is mere fairy dust compared to what this ride is really about. It's about community, support, and unconditional love.

Day 7: The ride comes to an end but the memories and friendships old and new continue to flourish. I'm blessed to be a small speck of red in the beautiful ribbon.



A big thanks to all my donors and supporters, whether you know it or not you all rode with me with your inspiring words and open hearts.

Life truly is like riding a bicycle.
Until next year....

Ritu Riyat
ALC 2014 Rider #3741

The ride is bigger than me

It’s here…. Day 0 aka ALC 2013 orientation. My nerves were kicking all day today from excitement and nervousness of the journey. Although I’ve done the ride for the past 2 years, it’s always a “different” ride. A part of me misses the curiosity, wonder, and unknown of year 1 and a part of me looks forward to sitting back and enjoying the view as a veteran rider knowing that the I will eventually get to the destination.

A big part of Day 0 is watching the 40 minute mandatory safety video with undivided attention (cell phones off, eyes up). For me this video strengthens the spark that brought me to ALC in the first place… to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. Seeing the statistics scroll across the screen and hearing from infected riders who at one point lost hope and with the help of  SF AIDS Foundation and others like it, were given a second chance – is what inspires me to ride.  It’s a reminder of all the people and programs I’ve worked with over the last 14 years in the fight against AIDS and I ride to honor the work being done all over the world.

545 miles is no joke, I’ll be sore, exhausted, and even emotionally drained and delerious… it’s at these moments that my mantra will keep me going “the ride is bigger than me” it’s a movement, it’s a mission, it’s life for someone out there.

I am so grateful for all the generous donations and kind works over the last few months, you are all riding with me in spirit!

51 weeks out of the year I’m a wellness program manager…. this week I’m a force against HIV/AIDS!

Let’s ride….

I’ll try to post updates on my blog and on twitter @rituriyat #alc2013

in gratitude

ritu

I can't on repeat

One of my cycling buddies and ALC donor kindly pointed out that I hadn’t posted any updates on my training and experience with ALC this year. I looked at my blog and he was right, in fact I hadn’t posted much of anything since the start of this year. I wish I could say I’ve been busy writing on my wellness blog but unfortunately that would be a lie since I haven’t posted much on there as well. I have a long list of great blog titles followed by white space. I haven’t been able to pinpoint it to lack of motivation, busyness, or writer’s fatigue.

Digging a little deeper I realized that’s kind of how training has been for me this season. As you may remember I did my first ALC ride, 3 years ago. I was a complete nube, hence the novice cyclist series, and with the help of some amazing ride leaders, supportive family and friends, and an internal drive I not only did ALC but I did every effin inch of ALC and LOVED IT! The ALC high brought me back for year 2, which wasn’t as amazing as year 1 but I chalk that up to “first timers effect”. The ride was intense last year and I had almost decided it was my last year until I finished and that “high” flushed over me… again! So, of course, I signed up.

And here I am a week away from “take off” and feeling like that nube from 2 years ago who wore panties underneath her bike shorts. Albeit I believe the old sang, “Once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget” and although my brain and body haven’t forgotten my sit bones certainly have! Needless to say I went from training 3 days a week in year 1 to 3 days a month in year 3. It’s going to make for an interesting and adventurous ride.

Last week “taper down” training ride was a mere 67 miles and 5,000 feet of climbing, my brain translated that to 167 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing and immediately began blasting the “I can’t ” story… ON REPEAT! I have heard this story before in Crossfit or on a long run but it had been a while since I heard it on the bike. I spent the first 20 miles trying to shut down the obnoxious voice in my head that kept saying “it’s too hard, let’s go home, I’m tired, I shouldn’t be doing this right now, I don’t feel well” somewhere on the climb the story lost steam or maybe my muscles needed more fuel and decided to shut down the auto repeat cd player in my head. FINALLY. I could see the colors around me; smell the fresh air and smile.

Meditation and Yoga teaches me that moment is a new moment. Who I was when I started writing this post is not “exactly” who I am right now and who I will be at the end of this post. Subtle shifts are constantly occurring and our intelligent beings adapt and keep moving forward. I realized that each time I get on my bicycle and ride a part of me IS still a nube but another part of me is experienced and knows how to keep moving forward. One stroke at a time. Therefore each ride will be unique and filled with its own challenges and triumphs. Am I ready to take on the challenge this year? I don’t know. But I know I will embrace it and keep moving forward.

The journey continues…Stay tuned…

mettaLv

Ritu Riyat

p.s. donations are still being accepted, please visit www.tofighthiv.org/goto/ibike

One Bicycle. 545 Miles. 7 Days. Take 3!

 

Yup. We meet again. For my 3rd year in a row I will be riding 545 miles over the course of 7 days in the fight against AIDS. My first year doing ALC was new, exciting, challenging, all in all a blast so naturally I signed up for more. And more I got. Last year’s ride was also new, and exciting, and challenging in its own way. As the days went on the thought of it being my last year riding got me through to day 7. But the gratitude I met at the finish line is what brings me back again…

SO… here we go again.

For those that read my story last year and followed along on my ALC journey could vouch that I started off a complete beginner, finding myself at my first training ride in bike pants that were slightly big, a yoga top with no pockets, and an open and anxious mind. By the end of that ride, strangers became friends and the story began. I grew mentally and physically through the challenges each ride and route had to offer. Learning the basics of turning, stopping, shifting, fitting, and ofcourse styling! I couldn’t have done it without the most important people – my fellow riders and training ride leaders.

This year I am back. I am back to support a cause that I believe so strongly about. To support  people everywhere across all borders, colors, races and religions that are at risk to be infected with HIV/AIDS. Which basically means everyone! I’m back to break the barriers of stigma that prevent people from realizing the severity and impact of this disease.  I’m back not only as a fellow rider but also as a training ride leader. Why? Because I want to pay it forward and help out some other newbie who shows up to the first training ride wearing underwear under her bike shorts, riding on an old craigslist bike and determined to do this ride (true story). With all these reasons how could I NOT come back!

I look forward to a new year and experience of ALC, an opportunity to grow, to serve, and to unite with an amazing community of people!

I hope you will ride with me this year, if not physically then with your support. Last year, ALC raised 13 million dollars to support two fabulous organizations. I hope we beat it this year. Remember every penny counts, and every message of love is just as meaningful. To place a kind donation visit www.tofighthiv.org/goto/ibike

Fact:

In 2009 About 2 million adults were newly infected with HIV/AIDS

Fact:

In 2009 women accounted for just over half of all adults living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.children

Fact:

People of color are infected at disproportionate rates

Fact:

One person CAN change the world!

So here I am taking on this challenge again, and hopefully alongg the way help another person go from novice rider to ALC rider and support a cause that impacts everyone, everywhere.  There are no coincidences, everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that is true for me and my involvement with HIV/AIDS awareness.

I have set a goal to raise $5,0000 dollars that will go towards the SF AIDS Foundation.  I am asking for your support to help me meet this goal. So take a moment, a deep breath, and if you feel compelled to please donate whatever you can. The suggested donation is $50. Remember to check with your company matching program to cause a ripple effect with your every dollar. To place a donation visit www.tofighthiv.org/goto/ibike

I’ll keep you posted on my training with blog updates so check back to hear the latest and greatest from my bicycle diaries!

Thank you with love and gratitude

Ritu Riyat