JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes

[quasigeostrophy]

Well, it's about that time of year again. Last summer, I trained for this for the first time, after not really riding a bicycle at all for about 15 years. I got a better bike, raised the money, worked my ass off through the summer, and surprised myself by actually completing all 105 miles of the full ride. For anyone who may not know the story of that day, see these posts in my LJ Memories. I have decided to do the ride again, as I've gotten more involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and I have another personal goal to attempt to reach.

The JDRF works to raise money for research into a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. They are one of the most efficient charitable organizations in the country, with approximately 87% of their income going directly to the research hospitals and laboratories involved. For more information, see the link to their site above.

As for my personal goal, to understand it you need a little understanding of the course in Death Valley. For 45 miles, the ride traverses the main park road along the valley with countless small hills. After that far, however, it takes a turn into the mountains and heads up a 4% grade for seven miles. From a low point of about 200 feet below sea level, the midpoint of the ride is at Jubilee Pass, 1293 feet above sea level. 4% is not too steep, but seven miles of it after the first 45 miles of the ride was pretty tough for someone like me. The climb took me nearly two hours, and I think I was stopped during that time more than I was moving. My goal for this year is to try to do the climb without stopping. I've been told already that's quite a lofty goal - nearly as significant as completing the entire ride was for the first time last year. And, of course, I have so many hills on which to train in central Indiana. :-)

<shameless plug>Anyway, in order to go on the ride again, I need to raise a minimum of $3000 for the JDRF. While the ride is not until the last Saturday in October (see this site for specific ride info), I have certain dollar amount/date cutoffs to meet, and am counting on getting a lot of my fundraising done early, so I can concentrate on training. No contribution is too small, and you will get a receipt, as it is 100% tax-deductible. computerchix and I will have a PayPal account set up if necessary, so please contact me either by comment or e-mail (see my LJ profile page) if you are interested.</shameless plug>

Thank you.

Comments

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I'm going to ask my parents if they'd like to contribute a few dollars. They don't normally do this kind of thing, though. Maybe they'll contribute because of grandma. Maybe they *won't* because of grandma. It's hard telling. Boy and I will try to contribute a bit, too. I'm not sure how much, but I'll ask him after he gets paid again. ;)

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!

[djinnthespazz.livejournal.com]

Through Death Valley. Wow. What is the average temp there in October?

It actually sounds like it would be fun. What kind of bike did you get?

I need to get out and ride the bike I bought 5 years ago and have ridden, oh... 4 times? I rode all the time/everywhere as a teenager. It was the way to get around. Now I am a lazy ass in need of a kickstart... (my mom's heart attack earlier this year at the ripe age of 63 might do that trick... )

Keep plugging this every month or so. We ain't got money to speak of, but I might be able to cough a bit up sometime before the event.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I've been told average temp range there at the end of Oct. is lows in 60s, highs in 90s. However, last year was an anomaly - it was in the 50s with rain and fierce wind for the morning, and the afternoon cleared up and may have reached 70.

I have a 2002 Giant OCR2, which is a nice, light-weight aluminum-frame, 27-speed road bike (the user pic on this comment :-)). The verdict was out for most of the summer over whether it was the right bike, but it took care of me in DV that day for sure.

My mom didn't have a heart attack, but she had a quad bypass a few years ago, and she's got type 2 diabetes, which I think helped motivate me.

I can certainly understand if you can't contribute now. I certainly don't want anyone to rob zir own livelihood for this, but I appreciate the thought - anything counts! :-)

[catzen.livejournal.com]

Good for you!

And, of course, I have so many hills on which to train in central Indiana. :-)

Maybe using an "exercycle" in a gym with some sort of hill-climbing setting???