Ride 2 Recovery

14 year old Michelle Morlock will be participating in two Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Challenges in 2015. This young lady is an inspiration to me and I want to help spread the word about her 2015 fundraising goals.

R2R is a 501c3 that uses cycling as the core activity to help Active Duty Military and Veterans to recover from both physical and non visible injuries through cycling. R2R puts on approximately 6 to 7 Challenge Rides a year. Each Challenge Ride is approximatly 350 to 450 miles ridden over 6 to 7 days. All hotels, meals, loaner bikes and support are provided at no charge to the injured Veterans.

Civilians that wish to participate in these rides can. They are however required to raise $3,000 for R2R. 14 year old Michelle Morlock of Los Angeles will be riding in the Texas Challange in April riding from Houston to Ft. Worth. Then in September the Army Vs. Navy Challenge riding from West Point N.Y. to Annapolis Md. You go girl!

Project Hero ride, January 25, 2015 (Michelle at far right)

You can help Michelle reach her fundraising goal in one of three ways:

(1) by donating online. Visit https://ride2recovery.com/donate.php  Type in her name Michelle Morlock.

(2) by mailing in a check. Please remember to put in the notes section = Sponsor Rider Michelle Morlock. The mailing address is:

Ride 2 Recovery
attn: Donations
23679 Calabasas Rd. #420
Calabasas, CA 91302

(3) attend a fundraiser dinner. @ Bob's Big Boy (4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank. CA 91505) from 3-9:30pm on Friday, May 15th. 15% of proceeds from that time period will automatically go towards supporting Michelle in her challenge fundraising.

Any amount you are comfortable with (even a number of $10 donations will add up) will help Michelle reach her targets for the Texas & Army vs. Navy Challanges. Donations from $1 to $1,000.00 will be accepted.  

Included in the R2R family of programs is Project HERO. Project HERO are the local branches of R2R that recruits and trains the Veterans to participate in the Challenge rides. There are over 50 Project HERO programs nationally with 3 in Los Angeles County.

Project Hero training ride, January 25, 2015, 56 mile route

I have been riding with Project Hero Hollywood and Michelle for several months and I'm impressed with her strength and positive attitude.  She is our fearless leader, who sets the pace for the group. She skillfully navigated 17 mph wind gusts on our January ride.  I have no doubt she will be successful in completing the two challenges this year.

commuting

This new year I had a few simple resolutions 1) eat out less, cook more at home 2) drive less, bike to work more.  These resolutions expanded into 3) join a gym, do more yoga and zumba 4) run a half-marathon, pain-free.

The things I have learned commuting are: you can't go from riding ~150 miles per month to ~250 miles per month overnight.  You have to lighten up and bring fewer things with you.  You can't expect to hurry.  You will be hungry.

When I do more, I eat better.  When I eat better, I have more energy.  When I feel better, I sleep better.  But life isn't perfect.  I've ridden to Pasadena 4 times and driven 2 times.  When I bike, I feel more relaxed.  When I drive, I have more time.

The thing that has really slowed me down is my posterior tibialis.  It hurts.  I didn't go see a doctor about it, instead I used the athletes treating athletes blog.  I understand it is likely due to unsupported ankles.  Maybe too much jumping on and off my bike.  Maybe too much Zumba?  Not enough stretching?  Wearing old shoes with not enough support?

Some guy pulled up next to me on the Colorado Street bridge and just as he drove through my blind spot, he honked.  I got so startled, I nearly jumped off my bike.  There are no signs saying "Share The Road" but there are also no signs saying "No Bicycles On Bridge" so why was that guy honking?

Some guy pulled up next to me near downtown Pasadena on Colorado and yelled "I wish I was your bike seat!"  That was also alarming because he was holding up traffic to drive at my pace.  Dudes, fellas, and guys: let a lady ride her bike in peace!

I was riding up Colorado through Eagle Rock and some guy flew by me on an e-bike.  It was humbling.  We were pedaling at an equal cadence, so how could he pass me on that uphill?  My persistence was rewarded when I (almost) caught up to him at a stoplight.  Then he sped off.

At least I have bike lanes almost all the way to school.