Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in rideforsurvival's LiveJournal:

[ << Previous 20 ]

Sunday, September 10th, 2006
8:33 pm	The latest stuff on riders and the 2007 ride! The 180 Team continues to work toward the 2007 180 Energy Drink Ride for Survival with the team selection process in full swing. New riders Georgia Northway, Bruce Doras, Michelle Patterson, and Valeria Nolla continue in the team selection process and have been putting forth a maximum effort to ready themselves for the challenge in 2007. The latest event was the August 5th brevet in Tampa, Florida, also known as the Tour de Guava -- over 125 miles in the blistering sun through downtown Tampa and into Pinellas County. The heat was incredible, but all pulled through with flying colors. Some pics below... Jim, Karin, and Billy ready to ride. Bruce Doras and Michelle Patterson preparing to beat the heat! Valeria Nolla set for a long day on the bike. In other news, new routes are being completed for 2007. Jacksonville, Naples, Sarasota, among other cities can expect a visit from the 180 Team in 2007. All the riders are committed to getting the message out about impaired driving and seatbelt use. More later -- check often as preparations are picking up speed! -Jim (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
2:46 pm	180 Ride for Survival Riders Help with Kids Bike Rodeo The FSU Police Department held a kids safety "Bike Rodeo" at FSU's Alumni Village today and the day was a great success! Two of the 180 Ride for Survival Cyclists were on hand, Karin and Jim, who of course, also work at FSUPD. 180 Ride for Survival crew member Officer Davie Cummings, himself an avid cyclist, was key in the implementation of the event. Many young riders attended, and learned the importance of always wearing a helmet, checking their bikes for safety, and always obeying traffic laws. The 180 riders know all too well that education is the first step in preventing traffic tragedies, and they were happy to let kids know that skilled cyclists always wear the proper safety equipment and always obey the law. Safety traffic skills should be taught early, so they are carried on throughout life. Here are a few pictures of the day... Karin helps a young rider identify traffic hazards. Karin instructs two participants on the next skills course. A young rider starts the course under Karin's watchful eye. Davie and Karin adjust a child's helmet. There! A perfect fit! Davie helps a young cyclist negotiate the course. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, July 19th, 2006
6:55 pm	Clermont 200km ride! The Ride for Survival riders made their way to the hills of Clermont, Florida on July 1st for a grueling qualification ride in the Clermont hills. The ride was exceptionally long as well, totaling 139 miles and including 3 climbs of Sugarloaf Mountain among other difficult climbs. Three applicants to the team were present and all completed the ride in the alotted time. This was a truly tough ride, but the next ride August 5th in Tampa should be a little more civilized. Pictures to be posted soon. (Comment on this)
Thursday, June 29th, 2006
11:28 am	The Team is Still Riding!!! The 180 Ride for Survival Team is still on the roads preparing for next year's event, and this weekend will be the first time a majority of the team will be riding together for a long distance event since April. On July 1st, Team members will meet 3 prospective team members for a grueling 133 mile qualification ride in Central Florida. The ride, sanctioned by Randonneurs USA, will take the riders on the steepest hills Florida has to offer. Climbs will include Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in Florida, and a legendary hill known only as "The Wall". Riders will use the event as a team and skills building clinic, and of course, for the prospective riders, successful completion of the event is necessary to continue in the team application process. Prospective riders have 13.5 hours to complete the ride on the designated course. Of course, the Team has surmounted tough challenges before, and we are looking forward to accepting this Challenge as well. Of course, if a rider has a bad day, Co-founder Terri Sue will be ready with a warm dry vehicle if needed! (Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 13th, 2006
11:11 pm	Race May 27th in Havana, Florida The Ride for Survival cyclists were back in the saddle participating in the State Championship Road Race in Havana, Florida on May 27th. This USCF sanctioned race took three riders, Ed, Zack, and Jim, along a challenging and hilly course while they raced against cyclists from all over Florida. The course was especially difficult on the final climb, but Zack placed 4th in her category (women's category 4) and had a great showing. Ed and Jim did not place in men's category 5, but fought a hard race and were not the last to cross the line. Rider Karin and RFS Co-founder Terri were there to cheer the racers on. The race, although not an official Ride for Survival event gave the riders a chance to enjoy a fun day in the saddle and to get the message out about the SAFE program. The day was fun for all. Event family members joined the race with Zack's husband Oxo tearing up the pavement as well! Zack Slayer (blue and white/far right) battles in the women's Cat 4 race! (Comment on this)
Saturday, May 20th, 2006
7:50 pm	Ed's Ride Here is a great account from Ed on his 1000km ride this last weekend. As you can see, the 180 Team is continuing to take on new challenges! [From Ed below]... I hope everyone is well. I just wanted to update everyone on my latest adventures. 2006 has been a busy year so far. I have participated in and completed a 200K brevet, 300K brevet, 400K brevet, and A Ride to Remember Police Unity Tour. From April 17-28, I participated in The Ride for Survival. This was a 1,100 mile journey across Florida to remind people to wear their seatbelts and not to drink and drive. The ride was a fundraising and awareness event for S.A.F.E. and their "Street Smart" program. To learn more about S.A.F.E., the Street Smart Program, and the tour go to http://www.rideforsurvival.com/ . The ride started in Tallahassee and we rode to Cross City, Gainesville, Bushnell, Orlando, Melbourne, Jupiter, Boca Raton, Miami, Clewiston, Fort Myers, Lakeland, and finished in Tampa. Along the way we participated in press conferences and interviews sharing our reasons for riding. The riding was good, the company was great, the support was superb, and we got an important message out to the community. The team will be looking for additional riders to participate next year as well as for additional state and national tours. Keep a look out for additional information and a riders application. With 1,100 miles under my belt, I attempted the 1000K brevet (625 miles). This brevet was an out and back from Bonifay, FL to the top of Cheaha Mountain, AL. Basically, it entailed three back-to-back double centuries. I arrived in Bonifay Friday evening for a riders meeting. The participants included myself, two brothers from Gainesville, and Woody (randonneuring since 1988). We all rode different paces, so for the most part it was a solo effort. The first leg was from Bonifay, FL to Opelika, AL. The route took us through Holmes and Jackson Counties, Bagsby State Park area in GA, and into Alabama. The route was very pretty and the roads were rural and nicely paved. The first 100 miles was flat while the second 100 miles was rolling hills. I hit rain, storms and a brisk headwind from around 100-130 miles. After some nutrition, I felt good and punched out mile 130-180. Just like I encountered in Iowa last year, at about mile 180 I started to cramp so I slowed spinned to the hotel. I attained my goal: 207 miles, 12 hours riding, 14 hours total time. I was pleased with my accomplishment. I showered, ate, and went to bed. It was a good day of riding. The second leg of the 1000K was from Opelika to the top of Cheaha Mountain (highest point in AL) and return, a total of 197 miles. The day started well; breakfast at Waffle House and on the road by 5:00 am. I was sore but felt good. Again, the route was pretty and the roads were good, however, it was one big roller after another until the base of Cheaha Mountain (relentless). At around 30 miles, my bike started to have some problems. Dirt must have gotten into the rear hub and the noise was awful; everybody turned as I went by. Also, my knee started to feel the effects of over use. At the checkpoint, Jon made a couple of adjustments to my bike and the noise dissipated, however, my knee got worse. The pain was not bad enough to stop but it prevented me from standing. This made the climbing extra brutal. Once to the base of Cheaha Mountain, it was a three mile climb to the top. I got to the top, but I did have to walk my bike up some of the steeper grades. Once at the top, I relaxed and enjoyed the view for awhile. I made the descent and got back to the next town. I checked in and had dinner. Woody was not far behind me so I waited for him and we rode the last 80 miles together. It is always nice to have a riding partner at night. Dehydration was setting in but all I wanted to do is get back to the hotel. I already had it in my mind that I was not going to ride the next day. I didn't think my body could have taken the abuse of another day in the saddle, especially since the last leg was 216 miles. After 16 hours of riding and 20 hours total, we made it back to the hotel. Dehydration had set in pretty hard and my system shut down. I slept in, felt like hell and rode back with Jon in the truck. About half way back to Bonifay, my system "rebooted" on the side of the road and I was again able to start taking in fluids. I got back to Bonifay, drove home and slept for 17 hours. What a weekend. Again, I learned a lot about my body and how to train for multiple double centuries. All in all, a good experience and a great weekend of riding. As always, thanks to everyone for their fantastic support. Next, the State Road Championships in Havana. My first road race. I will let you know how it goes. Until next time... 180 Team Member Ed Williams (Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
10:27 pm	Congrats to Zack Slayer in Sugarloaf Road Race The 180 Team is not sitting around eating cupcakes and watching Happy Days reruns on the tube! No, Zack Slayer headed straight to Central Florida on May 6th for the Sugarloaf Road Race, a USCF (United States Cycling Federation) race drawing bike racers from around the state. Even with her legs still healing from the Ride for Survival, Zack fought hard and placed 5th on the challenging course. Of course, she proudly wore her 180 jersey and continued to spread the word about SAFE through the website on her gear. The 180 Team's work is never done! The whole team is proud of Zack's achievement but we know the other cyclists were in trouble from the Zack Attack right from the start! GO ZACK! 180 Team member Zack Slayer (Comment on this)
Sunday, April 30th, 2006
4:06 pm	Photo of a hard day... Wanted to share this photo... This is what 106 miles into a headwind feels like after a ride. This was at the finish point of the Indian Harbour Beach to Jupiter leg of the ride. Note the sign above! (Comment on this)
Friday, April 28th, 2006
10:35 pm	Today marked the final leg of the inaugural 180 Ride for Survival with the course taking the riders from Lakeland to Tampa on a 70 mile course. The day began with a bit of confusion with Jim leading the group into a wrong turn -- the result being a rather detailed tour of Lakeland before finally heading out on the ride to Tampa. All of the riders were feeling strong, which was natural as the excitement of finally being done began to set in. The ride was a mixture of emotions with both joy and sorrow that it was coming to an end. The entry into Tampa was tremendous, with the Tampa Police Department, Temple Terrace Police Department, University of South Florida Police Department, and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office all providing escort to USF. Of course, Tampa Fire Rescue was there as our steadfast supporters since Miami, and they rolled out the red carpet for the riders as they came into the city. Roads were shut down as the six riders made their way to the final event. The appearance of the scene was nearly the same as a full Presidential motorcade. Incredible. At USF, the riders, SAFE, USF Student Government, and AAA Autoclub South spoke, as well as our sponsor representative Mandy Llanes. Mandy has been not only a partner, but a friend to all the riders, and we consider him part of the team and our family. Thanks, Mandy for everything you have done and your genuine desire to make a difference. All who spoke at the media event conveyed the important message that SAFE has available to young drivers -- the Street Smart Program. This is what the ride is all about. Street Smart is a life-saving program that really works, and all the riders were glad to have been a part of forwarding the mission of this program. We would gladly mount up on our bikes and do it all over again. Each rider received a commemorative sculpture from Mandy on behalf of Anheuser-Busch for their work, and this will be a cherished momento for each of the riders. Where do we go from here? Simply put, the riders have developed bonds that will not be broken, and the 180 Team will keep riding to get the message out about the Street Smart Program. It may be at races, community events, or a future Ride for Survival, but one thing is for sure - as long as there is a need for the Street Smart Program, the Ride will continue. Keep checking the blog for future updates, and let people know about SAFE's sites - safeprogram.com and rideforsurvival.com. Until the next entry -- thank you to all of our partners! The 180 Team (Comment on this)
Thursday, April 27th, 2006
9:20 pm	Almost there The last two days have seen the final day into Tampa looming as our journey is drawing to a close. On Wednesday, we made the trip from Clewiston to Ft. Myers, traveling about 70 miles along State Road 80. The landscape was not a lot to write home about, and represented a straight shot into the city. One learns that there does not appear to be any "good" cycling route across south Florida and the trip is planned with speed and safety being paramount. Aches and pains are a regular part of each day now, to varying levels, but all the riders are getting stronger. The team as grown together over the many miles. Jim, Ed, and Mandy left the team Wednesday night to go to Tampa for a Thursday morning interview with Fox News 13. The interview went well, and immediately after, the three high-tailed it back to the route to intercept the rest of the team who were making the journey from Ft. Myers to Lakeland -- another brutal day. The route consisted of nearly 114 miles of roads with fierce headwinds and crosswinds. Some gusts would send riders swerving. The trip was made safer with the presence of Tampa Fire Rescue as escorts along the way. Jim and Ed arrived to find the team battered, but strong and determined. Using fresh legs, Jim and Ed stayed at the front for about 40 miles to give the other riders a break from the wind. Shawn, Billy, Zack, and Karin had put in a tremendous effort all day long. Upon arrival in Lakeland, the riders enjoyed the hospitality of the city with a police escort to the Lakeland Police Department and a great reception. Lakeland command staff were on hand, and community representatives. The riders would like to extend their appreciation to the Lakeland Police Department for the wonderful welcome to their beautiful city. The 180 Team us ready for their final push into Tampa for the last day of the ride to complete the 1100+ mile journey. The Team urges every person viewing this site not to forget the nearly 1100 people who lose their lives every year in Florida to alcohol related crashes. Also, the Team reminds everyone to ALWAYS buckle up! (Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
11:04 pm	The 180 Team is cycling on! The 180 Team left Miami this morning to a harrowing beginning on Krome Avenue. This road appears unassuming until one realizes that the road is the main truck route for traffic leaving West Miami to US 27. Fortunately, after enduring wall to wall traffic for 14 miles, we turned north on US 27 where we enjoyed multiple lanes and a nice shoulder. Of course, we were joined by Tampa Fire Rescue who provided an escort to keep us safe and the traffic off of us. The ride itself was a welcome relief from some of the more tough days we had endured. A nice tailwind provided a nice push for most of the 86 miles of the leg, and we rolled into Clewiston tired, but not exhausted. With a little extra energy, some of the 180 Team rode over to Lake Okeechobee for a ride along lake shore. The State of Florida has installed a nice bike path around the lake, and the scenery was breathtaking. One could see for miles, and the area was filled with wildlife. One interesting happening was a passing driver suddenly flagged Jim and Shawn down asking where we were coming from. Then, he stepped out of his truck wearing a 180 Ride for Survival T-shirt! It turned out he was an Orlando Firefighter who was also a SAFE instructor, who was at the lake for a Firefigher Olympic fishing tournament. Amazing! Tomorrow, the 180 Team will reach the west coast of Florida - Ft. Myers. The route is short - 64 miles, but the team plans to ride another 30 along the coast. This will keep the team trained and ready for a big ride from Ft. Myers to Lakeland the following day. This ride is expected to be difficult - 100 miles, including some expected hills. The 180 Team is confident we will get the job done! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
12:27 am	Made it to Miami After several sometimes difficult days, we have made it to Miami, riding the length of Florida in 8 days. The entry into the city was incredible as we raced across the Venetian Causeway escorted by the Miami-Dade Fire Department. Entering into the city, we were joined by the Miami-Dade Police Department for a full escort to the Fire Department Main Headquarters. The entire trip was fantastic and a surreal experience as we raced through the streets of Miami at 21-22 mph, with no need to stop at stop lights. The city was beautiful to behold and the citizens outstanding. Many cheering us on as we passed. In Little Havana we heard "Vamos! Vamos!" (Let's go! Let's go!) from bystanders and passing vehicle passengers took our photos with camera phones. We stopped at a little Cuban Coffee shop for a sampling of delicious Cuban coffee (The 180 Team loved it!) then took off for our final destination. At the Fire Department Headquarters, we met the Fire Chief and several TV stations were on hand for press coverage. The welcome was great. The Miami-Dade community made a strong statement that they are determined to increase awareness about drunk driving and seatbelt use --- thank you!!! A special thanks to Miami-Dade Fire and Police Departments -- You all are great! Miami-Dade declared April 24th SAFE Ride for Survival Day and SAFE Founder Vince Easevoli was presented with a Mayoral Proclamation. What a wonderful day for the SAFE Program -- We hope that this increased awareness will help get the SAFE Street Smart Message to more young drivers in Florida Schools! The riders are healthy and strong and are looking forward to the final push to Tampa. The 180 Team thanks everyone who has gone out of their way to support us on our mission to support the life saving Street Smart Program by SAFE. We remind you that you do not have to ride around for 1100 miles to make a difference, tell your school about SAFE or donate. You can save a life -- IT WORKS! Until next time... The 180 Team (Comment on this)
Monday, April 24th, 2006
12:15 am	To Ms. Cross' Class Hello Class! The 180 Team wants to thank you for your support and words of encouragement. You are great and we love to hear from you. Have fun in school and keep tracking us as we keep riding around Florida. Remember, just like the 180 Team, you can do anything you put your mind to, and you can make a difference! The 180 Team (Comment on this)
12:01 am	Arriving in Boca Raton The ride from Jupiter to Boca Raton was a welcome one as it constituted a "recovery day" with about 50 miles to cover, and there was relatively no wind to hamper the quick progress of the riders. The route was, for the most part, a straight shot down A1A, with beautiful coastal views. Lots of other cyclists were out on the road, and a few rode with us for a short time. The fire department escort, along with the organization of the riders gained attention all down the coast. All were feeling well, having recovered from fatigue and injuries from the previous day. Florida Atlantic University was most gracious in welcoming the riders and the FAU Police Department escorted the team from A1A to the heart of campus. (Thanks FAU PD!) Once there, a press conference was held at the FAU Athletic Building, and Florida State House Representative Irv Slosberg was present to greet the riders. Ride Co-founder Terri Sue Aldridge-Russell spoke and several members of the press were present to cover the event. The 180 Team would like to thank all that attended and the splendid showing of support from the Boca Raton and FAU community. The riders spent the rest of the day resting, repairing bikes, and preparing for the push to Miami. This will be a milestone, marking the completion of the end to end of Florida portion of the 180 Ride for Survival. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 23rd, 2006
10:57 pm	Agony, but no defeat... Today's ride took the 180 riders from Indian Harbour Beach to Jupiter, Florida, in what was originally thought to be a likely nice coastal ride. Instead, the cyclists battled 20mph headwinds for nearly every one of the 105 miles traveled today. The relentless wind battered each rider and quickly sapped the strength of each, but all the riders fought on and braved the obstacle. Long distance cycling as with other endurance sports, can reek havoc with the body, and one rider was forced to stop riding with tremendous back pain. It is believed that an improperly "fitted" bike was the culprit, and after consulting a local bike shop, (Village Bike Shop -- Thanks Chris!) upgrades were made to the bike that we hope will do the trick. With the adjustments made, hopefully our colleague will be charging forward once again. Crew members Phil and Mary Williams completed their portion of the ride support to the great sadness of all the riders. Phil and Mary were great and attended to every need the riders had. They were the mom and dad of the team and they will be sorely missed. Thanks Phil and Mary for a job well done, but especially for your genuine concern for the riders' well-being. You are permanent members of the 180 Ride for Survival Team! At the end of the ride, all the cyclists were completely spent and had given 110%. Billy was so blasted from the ride that an IV was hooked up to him to replenish fluids rapidly and get him feeling well quickly. Having paramedics on board with support is a great benefit for sure. All the riders are remaining focused and determined to get the message out concerning impaired driving, seatbelt use, and the SAFE Street Smart Program. Pain and discomfort will not stop the team from completing its mission, because literally, lives are at stake. Young drivers are depending on the 180 Team to complete the ride, and the team will do it! (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Saturday, April 22nd, 2006
2:51 am	Time and grammar All - sorry about the typos, grammar, and funny times on the entries. Been doing them all on a handheld computer and I'm all thumbs! Then, I read my entries later and..., oops! So apologies up front for the sloppiness. As and editorial note, entry time for April 21 is about 10:45 pm. Thanks, Jim (2 Comments |Comment on this)
2:39 am	A Tough Day Today began from Orlando and the riders twisted through the farms of west Orange County and into Brevard. The day began with all the riders feeling strong and well rested and that was a good thing, as we were due for miles and miles of a strong and relentless headwind. Add to that the 93 degree weather that sapped the strength of everyone. That didn't stop progress as with extra food and liquids all the riders completed the 84 mile day. One highlight that was most spectacular was the crossing of the main bridge over the Indian River. Of course, the incredible climb over the bridge added a certain element of pain to the experience. Riders remain in good spirits, but are feeling the aches and pains of this mega-ride. There is no thought of quitting through and the ride continues. The 180 Team want to thank the motorists who have shown their support on the road through their thumbs up and friendly honks. This has helped sustain us during this epic journey. We will keep up the mission to get SAFE's messege to young drivers. Until next time, we're riding on! (Comment on this)
Friday, April 21st, 2006
11:19 pm	Orlando! Another great day of cycling ended with a fantastic arrival in Orlando with 100 miles covered. The day started in Bushnell and took the riders through the towns of Mt. Dora and Taveres, as well as a few other towns north of the city. All the riders did great on day four, and spirits were looking up. Again, riders were provided with a great escort from point to point, which kept the ride much safer. The entry into Orlando was spectacular, riding through downtown on our bikes straight to Fire Station 1. Amazingly, a news chopper tracked our progress into the city with updates on our location as we came in. At a press conference at the firehouse, the local newspaper and television were on hand to get information on the ride and its reason. A survivor of a vehicle crash was present to tell her story about how SAFE's message saved her life by causing her to buckle up. This inspiring account was great to hear and will help keep the riders going as the ride continues. Tomorrow, we reach the east coast to start our journey south to Miami. We are ready and in great shape to keep the Ride for Survival rolling! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 20th, 2006
6:16 pm	Still going - Day Three! The 180 Team is continuing to trek across Florida on the Ride for Survival. Today was an 85 mile leg from Gainesville to Bushnell. The route was relatively mild with some rolling hills, but the group made good time. Rider William Poertner, about halfway through the ride began to feel ill, and suffered some, but after a lunch break, came back strong and recovered. Karin Clausen rode strong, but battled with back pain -- not fun to have. None of the riders ever consider giving up -- this ride is just too important. Some sights along the way included a Bald Eagle, and Buffalo on a Farm off of US 41. At one scheduled stop, some of the riders, stopped in a Tavern to use the restroom. The tavern was a classic "biker bar" in full swing at about 11 in the morning. Lycra cycling shorts and biker bars generally do not mix, but the patrons were friendly and were genuinely supportive of the Ride for Survival cause. The riders want to send out their thanks to all the support from friends and family. We still have a long way to go and appreciate it! Until next time... We are riding on!!! The 180 Riders (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 19th, 2006
10:43 pm	Day Two and going strong... This morning started with a strong start from Cross City and stayed strong for the 53 miles to Gainesville, Florida. All the riders looked good and were in good spirits for the entire ride. The speed averaged nearly 20 miles an hour, and the 180 Team made short work of the route. The arrival at the University to Florida was great, and we were treated to several members of the press asking questions about the ride and the reason we were pedaling out 1100 miles. The people in Gainesville were most friendly, and a local bike shop master mechanic volunteered to check out our bikes to ensure they remained road worthy (Spin Cycles). After the ride, the Swamp Restaurant treated the riders and crew to a free lunch, and afterward, some of the riders and crew Phil and Mary set out for an additional ride for mileage and to "spin out" the legs. The ride took us out on the Hawthorne State Trail, where we saw a magestic view of the Paines Praire Preserve -- incredible. All of the riders are focused and ready to set out on the next leg -- to Bushnell. We expect it to be a challenging and hilly 81 miles. Because each mile represents a life lost to drunk driving, we will complete every mile with determination. Next time from Bushnell... (Comment on this)