Mama say rip your a _ _ !

Distance 103.2
Moving Time 7:37:09
Elevation 5,735ft
Avg Speed 13.5mi/h
Max Speed 37.8mi/h
Heart Rate Avg 135bpm Max 151bpm
Calories 3,141
Temperature 75

Thank you volunteer AIDS/LifeCycle Training Ride Leader Hugo Sosa, Angelica Reyes Sosa and Rachel Sandoval Carl for a long, exciting 87-mile ride, which I was able to parlay into a century. This was a wonderful way to cap the Del Norte training season. I really appreciate Hugo and his merry band of TRLs for creating such a wonderful experience for training. They are filled with motivation, love, care and knowledge.

Well, after riding 103.2 miles and trying my best to keep up with David Lozes, Carlos Rangel and James Preston, I am officially beat. I will update yesterday's and today's blog. Tomorrow when the sun comes out and my eyes aren't droopy and my mind not scattered. Good night.

Good Monday late afternoon, and you thought retirement life wasn't busy.

What a glorious morning to start an 87.4-mile ride (plus mileage home - to and from El Cerritos Del Norte BART Station). We had a 8:00 a.m. ride-out time, and started out a bit late. The group was small, but much fun and climbing was had by all. We sorely missed Jeff Adamus, Ramona Martinez and Lisa McCarty.

I loved that out of the 22 folk who rode the last Del Norte ride for 2015, Team EDNA was represented by 10 team members Hugo, Angelica, Rachel, Michael Barack, Hector Galura, Orly Guzy, Juan Medrano, Carlos Rangel,  Christina Smith, and me.

We rode out 11.8 miles to Pinole Park with the sun already pre-heating us. Rachel led they way with a new rider to AIDS/LifeCycle James Preston, Orly, Amy Johnson, Ric Reed, Christina, Juan, Julie, Francisco Yanez, David Lozes, and Carlos. David, James, Carlos and I took a very quick water break and headed out to the 23.1-mile rest stop at Starbucks in Martinez. Yesterday, I made the comment, "that cycling Pig Farm from the northeast direction was so much easier because the climb is shorter, but a bit harder because of the immediate 10.2 grade to reach the top. Whereas, the southwest way is a much longer (LONGER) climb with a less steeper with a short 7.7 grade." YEAH, but not the next day!!!

David was way ahead while James, Carlos and I took our sweet time and during our conversations (single-file, one bike-length, in our outside voices, of course), I can't remember why I shared a name that was given to me in the 80s by the now-deceased, lovable couple Stanley Williams and Quentin Easter, founders of the Lorraine Hansberry Theater. The name was/is Arteesha. So, while horsing around, I decided to give Carlos and James and eventually David, the names: Carleesha, Jameesha and Daveesha.

I prefer not to take too much time at rest stops so that my cycling legs don't cool down, but at the same time, being social is so much fun. So from Martinez, we pointed our bikes towards the 40.15-mile mark for lunch at Safeway in San Ramon, where we were greeted by Boy Scouts selling Jelly Belly for fundraising, I said not thank you and gave $5 for their effort. Why? Because, the chairman of America's lovable jelly bean brand apparently has helped fund efforts to repeal trans-friendly legal protections in California.

After a brief lunch and photo ops, the 'eeshas headed out to the next rest stop at 54.25 miles bringing us into Peet's in Castro Valley. We had a wonderful meeting with the tail-end of Mark Smith's Orinda ride. Very nice to see the newly engaged Anthony Sparauve and George Harrison, both volunteer TRLs. We lost Jameesha, but he was with us in spirit.

Carlos said he was ready, so David and I headed out and were already across the street while Carleesha was deep in social conversations with others from the Orinda ride. Carlos, get your ___ over here! We really should have videoed Carlos rushing to get across the street, it was hilarious - almost like a silent movie.

So off to the long climb up Redwood Road to mile 73.25 to land us at Starbuck's in Orinda. David had already arrived and had enough time to have a drink and a sandwich and take a photo of me riding in. Carlos unfortunately had problems with his new saddle, the following are his words, I hope he's okay with me sharing. "Gurl!! I almost passed out!!  I went To Shelbys to eat a whole bunch of food. I don't think I could've made it all the way there. Omg my a _ _ hurts like you have no idea."

With two 'eeshas left, David and I made our way back to mile 87.4 to El Cerritos Del Norte BART Station. We both rode from home to the station and back to give our first centuries. Woo hoo - WE ARE TIRED! And, I've heard from the others - they are, too.

Del Norte's Last 2015 Training Ride

Julie and (I'm so bad with names, please help)

(I'm so bad with names, please help) asked me to pose with her and Amy

The coolness of David

Ric and David - the beard men

Orly and her winning personality

Rachel is almost ready

Rachel is getting us warmed up

Juan and his guns and smile

Loida's asking, "What have I gotten myself into?" 

David and Christina say, "Wait for it, wait for it ...

it's hip warming

Newbie - Her name starts with a C or K

Rick and (Here I go again) with the monster stomp

Almost ready

Arteesha, Carleesha and Jameesha get their new names

Carlos and me right before Pig Farm. I was right - easier in this direction.

Daveesha is given his name and does a Starbuck's commercial.

A smile from Carleesha

Rhonda, Tim, Stewart and Gracie - I started talking up ALC.
Rhonda knows someone on the ride - Tanner.
I said, I guess I can't ask for a donation. Glad they're supporting Tanner 

David at Safeway

More riders arrive

We're hungry and can't move

We're still hungry and can't move

The first four - mini Team EDNA Carlos, me, Christina and Juan

The last photo for the day. David asked me to stand back to back and pull my sleeve up. I wasn't sure why David wanted to have this taken. So, since he's so muscular, I clenched my teeth and pressed my arm has hard as I could against my body and flexed. David responded with, “Oh, so you want to flex.” He has his arm away from his body — I don't. His reason, "A reminder of the importance of sunscreen. Art has applied sunscreen and tanned. I have not applied any and burned."