That sounds like an appropriate title for the final blog entry for Ryloride I think. I know you all thought I would end it with a Trey lyric—well, I will be patient, jeez.

I have struggled with how to try and end my blog in order to do justice to my epic journey. I thought about just a one liner but the pressure was too much so I will just blather about til I get tired and move on. Its my blog I can do what I want.

My mind is still processing the entire adventure. Parts of it seem totally surreal to me still. Its hard to believe a week ago at this time I was struggling to get to Pismo Beach alive yet here I am not only alive but feeling fantastic. I literally feel like I can do anything but luckily I realize that I can’t. I have proven to myself that I can do things I didn’t think possible, which is great, but I also learned that there are limits and I should respect them.

One question I kept getting asked along the way by the other riders was “why are you doing this ride”? Most of you know the drama of my back from 06-08 which sort of ruined a good slug of time for me but via a relatively minor back surgery at Stanford in 7/08 followed by life saving physical therapy from my friend Thomas I was able to move forward. I didn’t really fix the problem, I went for more of a “bandaid approach , but the Dr. said after my surgery get out there and ride a bike and stop running. So, I did and it changed my life. I started slowly but within no time I was riding up Diablo. It changed my entire existence from one of painful maintenance to one of endless adventures on my bike. Exercise is part of my DNA so when I was out I wasn’t happy and that is why the CAF ride spoke to me. The same is true of Bill Walton. When Bill would speak to us, which was often and always fun, he frequently started like this: “ I love my bike. I love my bike. I love my bike. It changed my life. It saved my life. It gave me my life back”. I feel the same way which is just more proof that we are twins!

Was it worth it? What? Of course what are you talking about! It was a fantastic life altering journey that I am so happy I took. It had some lows—oh yeah—and there were parts that kicked my butt, but, I came back strong and kicked some righteous butt myself! I met the official “pro rider” at the very end while we were drinking bloodies at the Lodge. His comment was: “are you telling me you rode that bike in tennis shoes all the way down here and I didn’t know? That is the most insane thing I cant imagine what you could do in clips. “ Well he hadn’t met me cause he was a bit further in the front than I was but I will take that compliment all day long!!

The Charity: CAF is a fantastic organization that does SO much good for SO many people that I am proud to have been the second highest fundraiser at just north of 35k. The CAF staff thanked me constantly and really let me see where the money would be put to work. They were all fantastic so feel good about your donations as I feel good about my efforts.

The people: I have never been surrounded by so many TYPE A people at once let alone so many amazing athletes. The caliber of the riders was so far above what I ever expected that I remain in awe of what they can do but I think I probably deserved a bit more awe than I received as well from them–but its ok I had my own supporters! I met some people who I hope to keep in touch with down the road as they enhanced the journey for me. To my new buddy Ray from CCSD (an absolutely amazing organization who supported the entire ride) who picked my up out of the dirt when I was covered in grossness—thanks. Thanks for picking me and my bike up and taking care of me until I battled back to a more normal state. You are a good man and I greatly enjoyed getting to know you. Bill Walton—amazing/generous/sincere-a wonderful addition to the experience who was one of my bigger fans.—I love Bill.

My bike: whats next? Oh man I am totally jonesing to ride but I promised myself I would take a week off but I wont make it that long I just need to get my bike back! I always wanted to do a double Diablo—up north gate to top back down via southgate and then do it in reverse—but I didn’t think I could do it. I know, right? I will bang that out this week cause I KNOW I can do it. 8000 feet of climing in 24 miles—I know doesn’t that sound fantastic and that means 22 miles of downhill too! But you won’t be able to follow my journey on strava cause I am no longer going to use it. My riding from this pt forward will be about me and what I want to accomplish on that particular day. I am gonna ride a ton and I am gonna set so many PR’s but only I will know what they are (oh and the guys I text non stop) which is the way I want it going fwd.

Fundraising: Another journey I had never taken. I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity of all my sponsors.   Each and every donation meant a TON to me cause it made me feel like I had a team of supporters—It wasn’t about the amt it was about supporting me. I was surprised by some of the sponsors, and to be honest some of the non sposors!, so thank you to each and every one of you who donated to my ride. That said I feel I must give a shout out to the 3 people who each gave me $5k, yes $5,000, when I was just getting the fundraising going- you guys rock, thank you: Charlie, Nathan and Phish (Steve).

Team Rylo:  I am a nut and over the last year (well way longer) I have pummeled a select group of you with what I think are just awesome pictures of things I see when I ride via text. So I send them thousands of texts and well they put up with it—thanks Nathan, Bobby J, Bret, Cooker, and Ann!  Yes one more shout out to my lovely and loving wife Ann–THANKS. And to my 2 soulmates who put up with all of the above PLUS a ton more you guys rocked it and your texts telling me to get off my lazy asss and finish probably are what made me do just that so thanks Steve and Jason. Sorry if I forgot you I still like you don’t be mad.

The end: I guess that’s it. The last entry is pretty darn long but I got lots of free time now so deal with it. I will throw up a bunch of pictures to end it cause I love pictures and I want to remind you that although I have blathered about myself a lot the ride was about the Challenged Athletes and the CAF as a whole—remember #morethanaride. Not sure what my next adventure will be and it might be a little less public but I plan on making it super fantastic like this one. Its all good!

“toss away stuff you won’t need in the end

but keep what’s important – and know who’s your friend”

 See you on the bike! Go do great things.

RIDE ON!

 Rylo

This concludes Ryloride.

at Roberto’s check back Monday Night for the final blog entry for Ryloride! OMG the pressure on me to end it in such a way that it leads me to the final version of this specific journey–yes, I have always wanted to be on Letterman just to tell him how much I have enjoyed his show–we used to watch it as UCSD in our dorm room–remember Spencer? On the $89 black and white tv we got at Sears. Woohooo! So, somebody get on that. Here are a few pictures cause it is so darn NICE down here. And, yes, this pair of shoes did me well. They got me down the coast and despite being the ONLY one in tennis shoes I did so without my toes falling off from pain and numbness–they feel fabulous. Thank you tennis shoe gods, who live off of Torrey Pines State Beach, please accept back his pair of shoes as  a symbol of my thanks.  Til MONDAY–maybe I will perform one of my Broadway numbers I have been working on !

I MADE IT! Who doubted me? Please identify yourself and remember you are OUT!

Who sings Joy? Really? Who are you people step up your music game I stepped up my biking game.  “We just want you to be happy”.

For today I am going to leave it with a few awesome pictures and the final chapter of Ryloride will be concluded with a ton of great pictures after I decompress, have some cocktails and eat some Robertos. Talk about an adventure!!!  What will you all do when you don’t have my blog to read? How hard is it to get up Everest?

Oh yeah, Last night at the Gala I sat behind Bill and his son Nate–You will get an idea what my view was like behind the giants. 

RIDE THE F ON!

Howdy!

We have completed 555 miles with amazing climbs/decents but it  is really starting to take its toll on everybody as a rampant case of saddle sore rages impacting EVERY single person here–it doesn’t discriminate if you put a very small part of your body on a not so soft seat for days on end well stuff just rubs off.  Everybody is walking on egg shells and there are many tears as we get onto our bikes.  Everybody adjusts like crazy as they get on seat trying to find a spot where we have only lost 8 layers of skin. We settle there until well it just hurts too much! Everybody groans when we hit a red light cause they have to get off and do it all over again–literally like 5000 times a day! The big seller now is desitin. Its like gold people will pay big bucks for a slather of desitin let me tell you.  To my original pt,  all of the type A personalities have worn eachother out.  It’s fantastic. Now group 1/2 are all professional athletes so they are mad about the reduced mileage/elevation so they add a bunch of miles and then do their run etc. But the rest of the crew is starting to just enjoy the ride. In fact today our last stop (we only had 2 sags and NO lunch!) was at the shake shack where everybody got off their bikes and porked out before heading to dana pt. These people havent done anything like that so man its getting fun for me.

The day was Santa Monica to Dana Pt 72 miles 3100 feet.  It was a spectacular ride although Long Beach was a bit knarly for safety. Unfortunately we are down several cyclists due to pace line crashes that caused multiple broken collar bones and a bunch of other unpleasantness. 20 people going 25 mph with 6 inches between wheels goes from euphoric to chaotic before you even know what happens and just lots of things get run over.  I’d say we are probably down 15-20 for a variety of reasons some business etc. and we had a few join the ride today to just enjoy the lovely last 2 days.

Now to the pictures with no big drama to report and none of us have any cramps or pains at all. They were right they melt away by day 5 as you move to the “other issues”. Anybody know how many layers of skin the human body has? Is it over 12?

I wont describe them all as they are fairly self explanatory but I do need to talk about a few–Me and Don in the bar watching the Giants SMOKE the LOSER St. Louis LOSERS! Oh yeah ALWAYS buy the mechanics drinks–so I did I think you will know which one that is. I have the bike staging area in the parking lot of the JW Marriot in SM–In one you can see them all eating. You see we walked from breakfast which is 8 feet away from the garage and people get really hungry in that 8 foot walk so they eat again before we leave.  I did some selfies in my group on various parts of the ride/a few of the view etc.  NOW I am well know for being more of a grinner than a smiler which has really been an issue for my lovely wife as I have ruined my share of pictures. Well honey we are eating at Robertos tomorrow so I put on my biggest YES smile for you in that selfie. Yes a shout out to my incredibly supportive and loving wife who has had to hear THE entire drama of her dopey almost 49 yr old husband riding down the coast! She has given me support via text/email phone and for that I say thanks I absolutely wouldn’t have made it with out all of the help and support not just this week but through the whole process. WELL DONE! I should get an academy award I wont forget my wife! So, Ann, Thanks. Now to the pictures!

Howdy,

For the record,  I am much better and I am starving.  I moved to my own food last night–room service–and it’s amazing how much better I feel after a Bacon Cheeseburger, fries and a Club Sandwich. Yummy. Enough about me today is about the Challenged Athletes (CA) along with a variety of pictures and whatever I feel like!

Everyday we have a local CA grant recipient (not doing the ride) come and tell us their story. Today was a 19 yr old Santa Barbara man who was out surfing about a year ago and didn’t feel well. He went home and his room mates knew it was something serious so they took him to the ER. Meningitis.  The next day they amputated both his legs. One day a robust 19yr old surfing next day a double amputee.  Well here he is with Bill today approx 1 year from the surgery. He has his new legs and is out riding up and running a storm while attending UCSB.

Whats the day like? Breakfast 6-8, luggage drop off 6-8, ride groups leave 7-7:30  and we head out to our next destination along with 19 meals!. What about the prosthetics? There is a lot of leg changing in the staging areas as the CA’s take off their walking legs and put on their riding legs. They hand off the other legs to the support staff get on their bike and just crank it out.

I have to give a shout out to Bill Walton. That man is amazing. Not only did he raise 250k for this ride (yeah, he beat me), that is just the tip of the iceberg as he and his wife are extremely philanthropic in the area. The guy is the crazy nice, engaging, friendly, extremely interesting and remembers everybody’s name.  He is a wonderful guy and is the real deal. Much like me!

They warned the first timers that we might not like the ride until after the 3rd or 4th day for many obvious reasons. They say the body is at its low by the end of the 3rd day and I really do think they have that timing down pretty well! My pt is we are now in Santa Monica!  Its like xmas! Too bad Bret left town to avoid seeing me.  We are way over half way and I know the names of all the streets! AND ROBERTOS is only like 200 miles away by bike! That actually seems like nothing to me!  I will say getting medic-d out was one of the best things that could have happened to me as I got to catch a ride with one of the nicest people I have ever met. She is a CA rider with so many many things going on and my god she just sat their smiling at me and asking me tons of questions.  The overall trip has really changed my perspective on a lot of things first of which this isn’t about me it’s about them. The CAF staff is so thankful everyday for the donations you all made–they are still coming in–that it makes u realize its about the overall experience NOT just the ride.  That is only one component albeit a major one–think of one of my original posts telling you the mantra of the ride–  #morethanaride.  Man I am really growing I should become a motivational speaker! Anyway, my tiny piece of advice before the pictures is–when you all do your “ryloride” it makes you feel very good when you combine a crazy intense ridiculous endeavor (meaning mine!) with a charity like the CAF. It seems right.

Pictures: todays are trying to capture the morning going ons which are pretty hefty given the 100 riders/30 support staff and tons of trucks. I have our arch, some ride outs, some pre ride eating/staging/talking/our first sag–about as scenic as it gets–along with people rolling in and out/one of the 3 tables at each sag. Oh yeah see the guy getting the massage at lunch? yeah, u can do that.

The title comes from the Beeber–kidding! Its the GD and it obviously speaks to me!

Howdy,

The last day or so has been a bit of a challenge for the Rylo. I have found riding in tennis shoes with the 99 other professional athletes (remember I was a bond guy) is nearly impossible as they fly down the coast clipped.  I can easily keep up in the 20s for a while (10 yards maybe) but for 5-10 straight miles with never a let down going up to 26mph–well, thats hard. I also went with WAY too strong of a group (oops) and they mauled me. I think they were enjoying watching me spin myself to death.  I guess I sort of expected that but well maybe not. Anyway, there are 3 ways to take some time off from the ride (sidenote apparently since its not a race its a ride you are encouraged to skip segments especially on day 3-4 which are the back to back 120/125 milers and it is NOT flat) you can opt out, you can sag out (stop at one sag and get a ride to the next) or as I call it u can get medic-d out. All of you who know me realize I am way to stupid to ever opt out only cause I am stupid. #2 Also seemed like such a cop out to me cause I mean I had just ridden back to back centuries clearly I was invincible–but, oh no I got medic-d out.  They medic u out (not out of ride just stop for now) if you are a danger to yourself, to others, or are going to die in the next 3 minutes. I was all 3. To prove my pt,  as I was going from sag1 to sag2 (it was a long ride 5 sags plus lunch) and it was at the top of this hill…well the nuts in front of me decide to haul up it at 24 mph so I chased them but I dont think I remembered to breathe cause when I got to the top I sort of just rode right into the medical van. They thought I blacked out but ummm  I just forgot where the brakes were. This put them on notice that Rylo wasn’t 100% . Whats the solution to all things cycling?–put as much food in yourself as humanly possible. So I slam 2 PB&J, a tuna fish sandwich, avocado tomato salad, 2 bars, 3 goos and 2 cokes. READY to ride!  Oh yeah keep in mind this is my 4th meal of the day.  Remember how I said I am a nibbler? Yeah, you know where this is going.  I made it about 3 miles into a brutal 4 miler when all the math stopped working.  I will say if you are gonna throw up 10k calories you might as well do it clinging to a guard rail over a lovely 300 foot cliff over the PCH. Well the doc was onto me now but I still rode on! About 5 minutes later I think I started to weave and he feared I was gonna ride off the edge but luckily I needed to barf again so I stopped. Yes that was it for the day. I think I nearly killed myself. Silly me.   The unpleasantness went on for a bit but it stopped and now time for some R&R for remainder of day. Yes I will be back on the bike and yes I will make you all proud cause it aint about me its about the charity but I might readjust my technique! Good news is we are in SB and we go downhill for mileage so that will be a good thing.   SO, no pictures today but tomorrow I will light you up.  See how honest I am.

Who sings that? Anybody? I know at least 5 people who would get it so get involved –it’s Trey of course! Boy does that song sing to me now.

Sorry I couldn’t blog yesterday no internet at big sur and I couldn’t have done it anyway as the back to back hilly windy first few “Difficult”  were shall we say exhausting and the upcoming days are  the same thing just longer.  I know I am supposed to share ride stuff but for the record my body is one giant muscle spasm!!  If i sit down on a bed and extend my legs you should see my ARRNOLD like leg muscles from the ankle to the waste–Its like i am hooked up to electrodes!  Its like the water fountain at the Belagio!  That’s why they require a post ride massage which works shockingly well–until 5 am the next day! Biggest issue for me is trying to eat 10k calories a day.  As you all know,  despite my daunting physical appearance,  I have a sensitive and supple system so going from 3 to 10k and then getting on your bike is tricky. They feed us 10 meals a day.  I am not kidding 10 and these people eat like they have been on survivor for a month. Rylo doesn’t have that ability to do that so I am navigating it all as best I can–hence, it’s no easy road but for gods sake I knew this was gonna maul me so maybe a big as you wish to me (movie?).

I feel I should address all the amazing stories we hear every night during the presentations but that would be too much. Suffice it to say the challenged athletes on the ride are complete studs.  Its about 50/50 men women but there are about 100 triathlete trophies or purple hearts amongst this group and an 8 time Kona Triathlete–oh yeah he is the guy who rowed from SF to Hawaii with his wife in July- I knew the headline but the stories and videos were insane–oh and man that guy doesn’t like to lose he’s lucky I can’t eat 10k calories a day.  So we got some type A people here! One group, yes this is true and makes me weep, goes for a 10 mile run after the ride to stretch out. I just fall off my bike it is much easier.  It is truly unbelievable and inspiring to watch them riding like they do.  Money well spent!

The ride from SC to Big Sur was spectacular (although u can see it well in a car too).  We did the 17 mile drive (again still lovely in a car) and ate on the famous Carmel Beach. It then gets a bit brutal into Big Sur but it’s some of the most pristine coastland in the world. Ok–now to some pictures.  I will do more tomorrow we just have  very little downtime! Once again thanks for your support.  I assume the pictures will be self explanatory.

Well I made it–to Santa Cruz anyway.  I think I proved my pt time to go home….NO! It was a 89 miler with 5700 feet in elevation.  Weather was solid-cold until south of half moon bay then the sun came out.  Before we left on the ride we had a little ceremony–very inspirational of course–and my awesome lovely wife and awesome lovely kid #2–Sarah–got up at 5:30 to come in and send me off!  Kate was taking the SAT to try and goose the super score so back off! We got a super cool police escort all the way from Embarcadero to the Olympic Club (about 8 miles).  They had 8 motorcycle cops who cleared every intersection thru the entire city–it was awesome! I think Larry Elison should have bot SF instead of the Hawaiin Island and then SHUT it to traffic!  I will say that I do now understand why Obama likes to come to SF and LA and have the entire cities shut down including the freeways so he can do what we did–but ours was for charity. I also got another cool bracelet that I will explain later I need to check to see if my toes are still attached to my feet.  OH yeah! My whole life I have felt like I was missing something…..I always thought I had a twin who my parents must have sold off or something….well today I found him. The second we saw eachother we knew oh, we knew. We even dressed alike! Yeah, he is a giant. He has had 23 surgeries-both his ankles are fused, new knees, tons of back operations. The guys a stud–and he’s my twin! More later the giants are on.

. 

Howdy,

That is one of the motto’s for our ride–which starts in like 8 hours or something. Yeah, that’s really soon.  Tonight I had the “freshman orientation”–I felt so young! Followed by a reception/dinner and outstanding presentation where they brought everybody to tears, repeatedly (I only sniffled and oh so briefly too), with the stories of the people they have helped with the grants they award from the money YOU all donated. Winning! This year they “assigned” a grant recipient to each rider to make it more personal for us. I got a letter from mine (Jasmine)  explaining her situation (that will come later in the ride), which more or less took my wheels off let me tell you,  so now it is even that much more important that we get this party started.  She also made me this cool bracelet which I will wear on the ride. I know the Rylo doesn’t wear jewelry away from his 89 Super Bowl Ring–but the note got to me. I think it will match my eyes, no?  Lastly, of the 100 rider 62 have done it before–62! what!  Many of them are on their 10th trip down the coast. I hope they have a tow line for me! Time to go and we get a police escort and everything tomorrow.  I know so cool. 

Oh wait its just a member of my fan club in from Chi-town Mr. Steve Cooker! Remember any of my sponsors or friends who come get a picture with me along the way (this was close enough we stage tonight!)  gets to be on my blog! I know its like xmas. so here we are as they pass thru on way to Napa for the weekened.