Cycling in Los Angeles

Hey everyone,

Real quick post…..

if you live in L.A., ride in or around Griffith Park.

If you want to ride in L.A. but don’t know where to ride,, ride in Griffith Park!

Here’s some pictures today from my visit….

photo by: J.Nutter

 

As Dio says, “Lock up the wolves!”

1400 Penny Challenges Are In!

Hey everyone,

After weeks of waiting, here are the 1400 Penny Challenges! The initial concept was “1400 miles in 14 days,” which gave us the idea for raising 14 dollar “personalized” donations.  ( I also had a total of 14 flats coincidentally) A HUGE thank you to those who joined in on the fun. There were actually 2 challenges that were submitted later that I will include soon.

WARNING: If you are grossed out easily, you may want to fast forward the first Challenge………. I now hate the taste, the smell, and the sight of Marshmellows FYI! Hahahahha

 

LiveSTRONG Challenge At Last!

Here’s a little bit from the big day!

 

Here’s some photos from the day,,,

Me and Dave Weins, Leadville Living Legend.

 

Doug Ulman, (CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation) and I just before take off.

 

Picture of the audience at the LiveSTRONG Challenge “Pre-ride dinner.” An amazing evening!

 

Amber and I after the dinner.

 

…..And We’re Off!

Yellow Power!

Here We Go!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m off to bed. I went to the LiveSTRONG dinner tonight thanks to my new friends Jeff and Brian Payne. Their team name is “Quest for Payne.” Jeff, Brian, and Mike are the three members that make up the team. Very cool guys, and a huge thank you for letting us join you this evening. (video to come) I spoke with Dave Weins, Leadville 100 Legend! Just as nice in person as he is in the Leadville documentary “Race Across The Sky.”

I cannot say thank you enough to all of you out there who have been following along. I am anticipating an emotional, inspirational ride tomorrow. I still can’t believe it’s finally here. Gotta get to bed! Goodnight!

I should have the 1400 penny challenge results posted by Monday…… Great stuff!

codyman

LiveSTRONG “Packet Pick-Up”

It’s almost here folks! Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Yesterday afternoon we went to the Convention Center. AKA “LiveSTRONG Village!” While we were walking around, we saw that Chris Carmichael, (Lance’s long time coach and friend) was signing copies of his new book, “The Time Crunched Cyclist.” What’s funny is, just a few weeks back I met Chris at Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica just two days before I started this trip! He was actually the first person to sign my bike! Check out the video…

It was cool seeing him again. We talked about the trip, and he signed a book for Amber. Not only is he a really nice guy, he is “Thee Man” when it comes to coaching. I took the Leadville Training Camp in June and it did not disappoint! I highly recommend checking out their website, www.trainright.com, or taking one of the training camps!  Here is a quick vid from last night’s chat with Carmichael.

We continued to walk around the Convention Center and ran in to Sarah! She was the girl who answered the phone when I called the Lance Armstrong Foundation, inquiring about the LiveSTRONG Challenge. The call went something like this…

rrrrring!

Sarah: Hello, this is Sarah.

Me: Uh, hey Sarah, I am going to ride my bike from Santa Monica to Austin to participate in the LiveSTRONG Challenge!

Sarah: Ohh-Kay…. wow. (silence)

Me: I just thought I’d let you know that I am coming out there, and would like to finish the trip at “LiveSTRONG Headquarters!”

Sarah: Are you crazy?

After explaining the concept again, and assuring her that I wasn’t a nutcase, she sounded excited, and said that she would pass the word around. She did. Once I arrived at L.A.F., the entire crew was outside cheering! (I posted that vid last week)

Anyway, that is a little bit about Sarah. Super nice girl, out there helping to kick Cancer’s Ass for all of us!

After seeing Sarah, I walked around a bit more until I came across this big yellow wall. There were various stamps on the table. “I’m a Survivor,” or “In Memory Of,” but the one that struck me most was “Your message to Cancer.” All along this trip I have asked various people to sign my bike or write that same message on my bike. I never really thought about it myself. What would I say to Cancer? Out on a bike ride having a chat, or perhaps lying in a hospital room? After a lot of profanity, I would probably just tell Cancer, “No More.” No more grief, pain, or suffering. You have caused way too many problems in this world, and now, “No More.” That’s what I would tell Cancer. I look forward to the day when Cancer will be “No More.” Just a thing of the past. The emotions on the streets of Austin right now are exhilarating. As I look out of the window, there are thousands of people running and walking the 5k. Wearing happiness, wearing pain, wearing yellow. People are joined here this weekend for many different reasons. One reason for sure, Ending Cancer.

Thank you again for all of your support during these past few weeks. We currently have raised over 2000 dollars for the LiveSTRONG Challenge Fundraiser! With only 3 weeks to do so I might add. Be proud of that! I am very proud of that.

One More Birthday Shout

Dave and I have been buds since preschool. I have been to many “army themed”  birthday parties over the years. Dave turns 31 today. Give him a shout out at 310-292-1031. He’d love to hear from you. Blow up his phone with B-Day texts! His Blackberry can handle it. He played an integral part of this trip to Austin. All of the amazing cinematography  that you will see from this trip was created from Dave.

I spoke with him yesterday on the phone and he had mentioned that his mother (Momma G) was currently in surgery. A couple of weeks ago she had a tumor removed from her bladder. After a few tests, she was told that there were more that needed to be removed. I will keep you posted with more info as I receive it. We all have Rhonda Garcia, “Momma G” in our hearts today, and are hoping for the best! We Love you!

note: In this photo, Dave is “just being prepared.” Hahaha

More Friends @ MJ’s Fun Ride

I kid you not, every single day here in Austin is awesome! I got to meet and ride with a fun group of guys and gals this morning. Rob, Tre, David, Jimmy, Brett, just to name a few. Great pace out on the roads of S. Austin this morning. Just before we left, I met a guy named Jeff. He had been following along on BikeBlood, and knew about all of the recent adventures! Pretty rad huh? I got to take a picture with him, see below…

Another day in paradise! Hahaha… Off to the “Packet Pick-Up” for the LIVESTRONG Challenge!!! It’s getting close!

Be Happy At The “B-Hive”

Good Mornin’ Y’all! The Texas spirit has gotten a hold of me full force! I wanted to take a quick second and introduce some folks to you. Eric and Lianna Mills. Eric is known as the “Wheelie Man” here in Austin, and he lives up to it fully! They own a vacation rental here in Austin, and completely opened their doors to us, once they heard what we were out here doing. Eric is a Cancer survivor as well. I wanted to take a second to show all of you where we have been staying for the past few days. On a serious note, if anyone is thinking about coming to Austin,,, DO IT! If you want to stay somewhere that is amazingly genuine and have an even better time, stay here at the “B-Hive.”

Here is a quick video tour as well!

http://www.vrbo.com/264619

Not Too Late To Donate!

CLICK HERE

Thank You Everyone For Your Support!

BikeBlood Birthday

Happy Birthday to Sean T! The dude turned 31 yesterday, and if you see him pedaling around town, give him a shout! He is the other BikeBlood Brain, and is quickly turning into a heck of a cyclist! So Happy Birthday bud, and when you get to Texas there’s a huge steak waiting for you! Since you are a vegetarian though, I will do the right thing, and eat it for you. Hahahahaha

Cheers!

Tour De Fat!

What an awesome time to be in Austin! This place continues to impress me. So Fun!

Great day out there today.

It was awesome meeting you guys: Mike (2x slow race champ) & John from Clown Dog, Stephanie, Shawna, Kendra and friends, Bruce, Christian @ Mellow Johnny’s, Ilene, and Eric the “Wheelie Master,” just to name a few. Hope to see you all again soon,

codyman

Headed to Mellow Johnny’s!

Some of you know that Lance Armstrong owns his own bike shop called “Mellow Johnny’s. He also has the “Juan Pelota” cafe which is attached to it. They have locker rooms and showers for people that commute in to the city via bicycle. You could also just be a stinky guy in need of a shower, like me yesterday. For the price of a buck, yes a single dollar, you can take a hot shower, (with fancy soap even) and get freshened up before hitting the town. I just tested it out myself yesterday and it was rad. We are headed there now to meet up with some people and ride to a bike parade/ festival. It is called “Tour de Fat” I believe. As in “Fat Tire Ale.” Now you can see why I am so excited! Hahaha

http://www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat

Great photos soon to come!

Until then,

codyman

2 Burritos, 4 Tacos,

First off, Austin Texas is the place! Bike culture is in full swing. There will be some great updates between now and the LiveSTRONG Challenge ride. I guarantee it! I just scarfed down enough food to feed an average person for 2 days, and I am just getting started!. We have big plans for tomorrow so stay tuned. Here’s a quick peek at today’s end…This is what you call a “Warm Welcome,” and a great example of “The Heart of Texas!”

Thank you everyone!  The 1400 penny challenges are being completed as we speak,,, stay tuned for those as well!

Talk to you tomorrow

codyman

We Finished Strong!

145 miles today! Finished with the most amazingly warm reception I could have imagined. The entire LAF  crew standing, cheering, and clapping when I arrived. It made me cry to know that I finally got there! Wow, long day! I am going to go grab some food, and I will update everyone tonight!

I Love You All!

Livin’STRONG!

codyman

Day 11, Wrapped Up

Alright everyone, I quote The Big Lebowski, “New information has come to light man!” Since the beginning of this journey, the idea has always been to finish the ride at the Lance Armstrong Foundation Headquarters. LiveStrong Headquarters. Looking at the map and the calendar, I now realize that I will be arriving in Austin on Saturday, however the office will be quite empty on Saturday. This puts me in a dilemma. I wanted to finish the ride and meet everyone there who fights cancer on a daily basis. So I figure what the heck, let’s end the ride with one more challenge. Rather than stopping in Dripping Springs tomorrow night, we will push straight through all the way to Austin! S.M.2ATX in 12 days….. We will need to be there by 3:oo pm tomorrow! I figure it will be about 8 hours of riding? 140 miles from Junction to Austin. Please no flats tomorrow, and I hope my legs can dish up one more day of hammering. I probably won’t have time to do a post in the morning so I will have to send a really good one in the evening to make up for it!

Some clips from earlier today,

Raccoons playing possum? Bummer.

Day 11 Roll Out

As I type this, I am watching in awe of this young guy named “PJ” and Dr. Razor  from Northwestern University on the Bonnie Hunt Show here in Texas. (KTXS Channel 12.)  PJ has brain cancer,  and he decided to spend his time working in a lab to find a cure for his type of Brain Cancer.  This guy is pure courage! I don’t know what his last name is, I am sure you can find him online, but this guy is an inspiration! Here is the morning post for Y’ALL!

Just a quick heads up,,,, I just saw that my LiveSTRONG Fundraiser goal has been reached, and continues to grow! Thank you everyone! That is so cool! Pass the word around, I think we can keep it going! Off to Junction Texas! 3 days to go…..

Day 11 Start Your Engines!

Like I mentioned last night, Terri the manager here at the Holiday Inn Express (Ozona Texas) comped us a room for the night! I cannot stress enough about how generous people have been to us. It’s like there is a yellow and black train moving East in the desert. People hop on board as we roll right through! Scotty, Dave and I are so thankful. I woke up early this morning so I could do this…………. (wow, unreal!)

The Beau-ma-dome Unites!

Some of my dear friends and family from Beaumont “California”  getting together! This makes me extremely happy!

Day 10

I have to start out by saying thank you again to Cheryl from Fort Stockton RV Park for our cabin last night. She got to sign the bike this morning and chat a bit before we headed out. A cancer survivor, and a real nice woman. Tonight I am typing from an extremely comfortable room at the Holiday Inn Express in Ozona Texas. Terri the manager arranged for us to stay the night here in an awesome room. I must say that Dave and Scott are hustling big time everyday. As soon as I set foot on my bike and head east, these guys are on the phone, on the food, camera, sunblock, directions, lodging etc. I would still be in Blythe Ca somewhere without these guys. Here’s a video of a typical pit stop, hahaha.

Here’s a vid from today,,,,,

A view from my angle…

I don’t want to give away Dave’s secrets but this is just a teaser of “whats goin on round here naw”

Pretty much the coolest Roadrunner ever!

The view from our cabin this morning. Hard to get going on a peaceful morning like this.

Goodnight Everybody!

Day 10…. Ozona Here We Come

Sitting in the “Roadrunner Cafe” having biscuits and gravy, toast and coffee. Libby the server, who single handedly serves all of the breakfast favorites just told me that her Great Aunt is currently suffering from lung cancer, and her Grandmother currently has colon cancer. Our hearts go out to you and your family Miss Libby.

Today’s ride is for Troy “Gramps” Robinson. The Grandfather of my amazing girlfriend Amber. Gramps is a cancer survivor. He lost his first wife Loraine, and mother of his 4 children to cancer. I wish I could have met her, she sounds like an amazing woman, and a role model to so many. Later in life, Gramps remarried a wonderful woman named Raylene. She was the recipient of a heart transplant! She was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, and then she beat it! It made it’s return not too long after, and took her life. Both women put forth extraordinary efforts and larger than life courage. Both times, Gramps stayed by their side, until the end. Gramps lost a little brother, “Wild Bill” Robinson to lung cancer. I am very proud to know Troy Robinson. He is a Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Father, Brother, Husband, a true cowboy, and a friend. I love you, and miss you Robinson and Isham family, and today we ride straight and strong to Ozona!

Day 9 Finished

130 miles today. We are at the Fort Stockton R.V. Park (former K.O.A.) and again they delivered. Super clean cabins with laundry, showers, and the works! Thank you to Karen and Cheryl for your generous donation!

We are still getting some 1400 Penny Challenges coming in, so be on the lookout in the next couple of days. Not much else to report.  If “IT” touches the bike, “IT” is sore! Here’s some pics from today.

Me and my bro. He’s been making some mean snacks!

“D.P.” Dave scaling the cliffs to get the nicest  camera angles!

Wild boar on the side of the road.

YUM YUM GIMMY SUM

Come and get it. to order click here

All proceeds from the “1400″ shirt go to L.A.F. LiveSTRONG Foundation. Now you really wanna buy

it don’t ya?

1400 Penny Challenge Is On!

I’ve been getting some GREAT Challenges so far. As soon as we have a light day, we will get down to business! Be patient, I will do every challenge!

Day 9 today, off to a late start, but it’s hard to leave the “Hotel El Capitan” here in Van Horn Texas!  Dave  spoke with Donna the hotel manager last night and they were happy to lend a helping hand! Two newly renovated amazing rooms for free! Donna, Chaz, David, Cary, and Larry the reporter are all amazing people. Donna and Chaz lost a grandmother, and dear friend to Cancer. Cary’s mother and grandmother are both cancer survivors! David’s mother is a cancer survivor, and she is in a critical time right now. The doctors believe that it may have come back. She gets her test results today in El Paso. We are all pulling for you Momma Aurelia! Today, I ride for you!  Be STRONG!

Now it’s time to roll to Ft. Stockton, 120 miles. 3 cups of coffee, killer continental breakfast, time to jam!

Day 8 Recap, Headwinds, Rain, and a bit of Pain!

Todays ride (Oct 12, 2009) day 8, Las Cruces, NM to Van Horn, TX. is dedicated to Mama Toni.  Dave Garcia’s good friend Jon Rogers lost his mama to cancer in November of 2007.  Our thoughts go out to Jon, sister Shannon and their family as the trek continues.

A post from earlier in the day……

It’s been a long one. “Red” my new buddy that I met in Santa Monica warned me about Texas “hill country.” I think I just got my first little taste. Leaving beautiful Las Cruces I quickly found that the headwinds were going to be the biggest obstacle of the day. Once I came through El Paso, the “law” was the next obstacle. I was told that I could not proceed through El Paso on the far shoulder of the freeway. This was a bummer. The officer was very nice fortunately, and put my bike in his trunk. With me in the “Front seat” this time hahaha, he drove a few exits east and dropped me off at a safe spot. I will make up those miles somewhere along this trip so nobody feels cheated! L.O.L. I continued along east bound with amazing views of rain clouds, with little hints of clear sky off in the distance. Then the hills came.  I’m not talking about hills like “Independence Pass” in Colorado, or Piuma Rd. in Malibu, but long endless climbs that slowly fade into the horizon. 4 -7 % grades that seem never ending. Add 8 days of riding, a headwind and some rain, and you have a recipe for a bit of pain!

almost to the top.

Day 8, 165 miles…….what the?????

Well, Yahoo maps has been wrong a couple of times so far on this trip. Maybe they will be wrong with this one? Hopefully in favor of “less miles” hahaha. We stayed at another K.O.A. Campground here in Las Cruces New Mexico last night. This place is awesome. Huge thank you to Chris and Ralphy for their generous contribution by letting us stay here! This was a great contribution to our trip. So that makes two awesome  camping experiences so far! Grande Vista in Wilcox New Mexico (with Herb, and another woman named Chris) hooked us up as well as the K.O.A. here in Las Cruces!  By not spending our own money on lodging, our own personal “out of pocket” expenses can be put toward our LiveSTRONG  fundraising goal. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

More LiveSTRONG Army Recruits Coming to Austin!

Had some fun yesterday filming and riding, here’s a sneak peek! I am pumped!

1400 Penny Challenge!

Okay, my video uploading problems have continued into night 7…. Lame. Here’s the deal!

It’s over 1400 miles from Santa Monica to Austin (S.M.2ATX) thus the reason for the 1400 Penny Challenge! (14 bucks) Here’s where you come in… when you donate 1400 pennies into my LiveSTRONG Challenge Fundraiser page, put your name and the “challenge” that you’d like to see me do between here and Austin! I’ll give you some examples. “Sprint as fast as you can for 14 seconds, write a message of your choice on the road with chalk, sing a song, take a break and have a beer, get a trucker to honk at you etc.” You donate 1400 pennies (14 bucks), and I do the challenge of your choice. Let’s try to have some fun with it, so be creative.  You think you can embarrass me? Let’s see what you got! You think you can tire me out? I’m waiting. We are talking about 1 penny for every mile pushed on my bicycle!  There’s family and kids following along so keep it G, or close to G rated. Lastly, if you can’t donate 14 bucks, then send this website to 14 of your homies and let them know what we are out here trying to do. Copy me on the email so I can see proof!  Deal? Deal. Scroll down the Bikeblood website and you will find the LiveSTRONG Link for my donation page. Let’s rock!

Goodnight! Off to Texas tomorrow. Got a message you want me to write to G.W.? 14 bucks is all it takes! hahahaha

Goodnight for real this time!

Day 777!

The sunrise is amazing here in New Mexico. Getting an early start for today.

Just finished a “conference call” in the office. Day 7 begins……………………..NOW!

Stay tuned tonight. 7:oo pm, 7 hundred miles to go, at the end of day 7. A new Challenge will be announced! (Insert exciting music here)

….this photo is strange, I know.

Day 6 Almost Halfway….

Hello everyone, I am having some difficulty posting  videos so

bare with me. Real quick, I’d like to say Happy Birthday to Jay-Bird, and

to Cass! I hope your birthdays were spent with smiles and laughs.

We came up with an idea that we think could be really cool, and entertaining.

Tomorrow night, after Day 7’s ride, at 7:00 pm, with 700 more miles to go, I  will post the details.

It’s going to require a bit of “class participation” but would be well worth it.

Stay tuned…..

Off to bed.

Weather=Great, especially with tailwinds

Bike=Great, but getting more and more uncomfortable by the day

Crew=Great, but tired

Campsite=Great, but a grumpy campsite manager

View from the front,,,

and the view from the back!