No Carne Asada for me in 2014...

With some sadness... well not really sadness.... relief really, I will not ride north this year before joining the Million Dollar Challenge(MDC) ride south. Instead, I will do MDC my third time and just enjoy the event for what it is. An awesome opportunity to raise money for a cause I believe in. This year, 2014, is turning out to be a far crazier travel year than I expected, so my training is not nearly where it was in 2013. That certainly had something to do with it too. The Carne Asada ride requires dedication and focus. So it's back on the menu, but until 2015. Stay tuned.

I'm back for 2014, Million Dollar Challenge is right around the corner

After some serious thought and not a little bit of apprehension and some counseling from Darcy, I'm in for 2014. I like to think that I have a soft cycling schedule for 2014 so far. Two big trips, one to Belgium with CCSD to ride two sportives, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Flèche Wallone. The second is CAFrica. Challenged Athlete Foundation's 20th anniversary trip to South Africa is an amazing adventure from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. Not bad really. I'm very excited. But committing to do MDC and our own little trip to the pain cave we call 'Tour de Carne Asada' makes the 2014 commitment daunting.

Last year, I pedaled 1,152 miles and climbed 73,560 in 11 days in October. We raised over $28,000 from 110 donors. I could not have done any of it without your help. We done good. But now the issue of 2014 arises. Registration opened for the Million Dollar Challenge today. I'm in. I also convinced a good friend and business partner to go all in this year. He's gonna have a blast.

But I need some company for the trip north. The Tour de Carne Asada leaves Santa Barbara and travels to the start of MDC in 5 days. It adds 500 or so miles and 50,000 feet of climbing if you are also doing MDC. It's not a small effort. I'm willing to lead a small contingent on this journey, if your interested, please signup on my mailing list and we'll keep you in the loop for developments. Once again, Cycling Camp San Diego (ccsd) will do the support for us and arrange lodging. There is a fee but it will depend on how many Carne Asada meat lovers we can find to share the pain…. err, miles.

So 2014 is shaping up. I have a bunch of fun travel ahead in 2014, I'm gonna learn how to train on limited miles this year! Oh boy, this could hurt come October.

Link to Tour de Carne Asada email signup form

Tour de Carne Asada 2014

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The 'look' of cycling.

I love the 'look' of cycling. For me it's the whole package. It's the freedom to ride anywhere and everywhere, It's the flash of the spandex, the wiz of the gears, the wind in the face rawness and the connections past and present. The fact that the sports stars are right there in front of the fans. So close they sometimes collide. The raw emotion can be seen on anyone climbing a monsterous climb. The look of elation after the climb ends. The determination of a rider in awful weather who needs to get from point a to point b, and was obviously caught out... or as the crazies like myself, maybe not. Sometimes we leave the house in the rain.

Antiseptic brands in cycling try and dazzle us with the high tech wizardry of innovation in our sport. We love this of course, and pat ourselves on our backs for our power meters and bladded spokes. But if you truly look at cycling, not much has really changed. It's true we have far lighter bicycles, but nobody has invented a rounder wheel, or a better handlebar or a better frame, drivetrain, etc. in a hundred years. It's still fundementally the same as the greats of the past rode up all those horrendous dirt and mud alpine climbs so many years ago. And that's what makes this such a kick ass sport. That raw connection to the past takes place every time we struggle up our local hill.  I don't know anyone who has struck this home better than Rapha at connecting and representing these connections.

For the past few years, they have refined the art of the bicycle, but not in the sense of the cool electronic   detachment of Di2 or the social amphetamine of Strava, but with connecting to what we aspire to do. Ride our bikes in epic-ly. We want to be awesome at this, and it's hard. They show images of hardmen riding in remotely beautiful terrain in weather that is perfect. In fact it's this nastyness of elements that makes it even more epic. Their imagery is of guys sweating, with shit on their faces from livestock, not standing in a studio. It shows us how we want to be. I get stoked to just look at these images because while I don't know a single person in the photos, I know the sole of each and everyone of them like my own. Let's ride!

GliderKing's photostream

GliderKing's photostream on Flickr.

Some more pics from Million Dollar Challenge. This time from our roving moto photog Wil Mathews.

CAFrica... the adventure continues

So just when you thought my crazy fundraising and bike riding frenzy would finally come to an end, I signed up for CAFrica. A Challenged Athlete Foundation ride to South Africa in late February. In fact, there's just a few spots left if your interested. Here's the sales pitch!


CAFrica is a journey that will challenge you physically, astound you with beauty and leave you more connected to the world.


On this event along the southern tip of South Africa you will experience miles of open road, both paved and path, which weave through the countryside delivering endless vistas, challenging climbs and a peek into the culture of this proud country. The Outeniqua Mountains (which includes the Langeberg  and Tsitsikamma mountain ranges) will be your constant companion as you cycle alongside - and sometimes over – their dramatic peaks.  

Link to photo overview of our Journey

The journey along the famous Garden Route often dips south to touch the edge of the ocean and also carries you upward to ride along ridges overlooking the vast untamed landscape.  It connects endless villages and towns that range from outposts to thriving cities. 

Each of our stop-over accommodations has its own personality, and night after night offers a different cultural experience.  Beachside houses, country homes, colonial inns, luxurious wine land hotels, and Bush chalets, all offer a style of South African hospitality that we don’t experience in North America.  Innkeepers and the local population are eager to serve and entertain you, and show great care for your individual experience. 


In addition, the dining opportunities will bring a sense of adventure and satisfaction to every meal.  Try something uniquely local (ostrich, pap and wors, or Peri Peri sauce?) or savor a dish with a European influence.  The treats are especially fun to try including biltong, Steri Stumpies, and Rusks to dip in your coffee! To satisfy hungry riders, all our favorite “fueling” foods are available too.


The ride itself would be rewarding enough, but by far the opportunity to engage with the local people will make this the trip of a lifetime.  South Africa is known for its multiethnic society.  You’ll hear a multitude of languages and have the chance to understand the lifestyle and passions of the people, including local challenged athletes you have supported.

Link to mileage, climbing stats

A touching, wild, luxurious and inspiring adventure awaits! Be sure to click on each of the links below to get full information and I am happy to answer additional questions.

Link to guest program itinerary 

We look forward to having your join us on Thursday, February 27 through Sunday March 9, 2014 as we travel along the Garden Route of South Africa, all the way from Jeffreys Bay to Cape Town.

Link to Signup

2013 Million Dollar Challenge is now complete

Harder to pedal than any spin class... but far more rewarding

Day 7: Started the day with some trepidation and warnings from others. I was to ride Lance Weir's tandem handcycle for part of today's journey from Dana Point to La Jolla. I was supposed to meet him just before the entrance to Camp Pendleton and pedal as far as I could. I heard rumours of how hard it is to ride. Turns out it's far harder than I thought, but also by far the most rewarding part of my journey for the entire MDC North or South.

Graduation Day. That bitter sweet sensation of being stoked and bummed at the same time.

Day 7. We made it to the end of our adventure. Today we ride from Dana Point to San Diego. Last night the plaques were handed out, the Templeton was shared, more amazing connections were made. We got a a chance to meet Eduardo who was electrocuted and was in ICU for 45 days fighting for his life but won. He lost an arm, and had 21 surgeries to put things back together, but will be competing in his first triathlon on Sunday... with a very special bike. Rene Roth donated Duane's bike to Eduardo last night in a incredible ceremony. I had a moment with him last night after nearly everyone had left the room. He's a special guy, and it's a perfect match. If he gets just a little of the Duane affect, he's in for a great ride in life.

We roll into La Jolla Shores park at 2p. If you are around, it's an incredible experience to see.

8401-8405 El Paseo Grande, La Jolla, CA 92037

Link: <https://maps.google.com/maps?q=32.858926,-117.255701&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=0&gl=us&ie=UTF8&z=18> 

More photos and blog soon.