Ian and Team Quichrbichn are training for the hat trick.
Thanks to everyone who supported us, I was more prepared this year, physically: I was lighter and stronger. I had been doing LOTS of endurance training on hills, and managed to stay off my granny gear for most of the hills. I seemed to cruise up San Elijo much faster this year. Since it was not raining this year, the overall attitude of all the riders was much more positive. I got a flat at the bottom of Laguna Hills, and managed to change it in only a few minutes, thanks to a CO2 cartridge. I made it to ALL of the rest stops before the cut off times this year, which was nice, because that meant I had people riding with me the whole time. There was lots of chatting and encouragement. On day 2 I was going up Torrey Pines hill and talking to a man named Jeff Williams, who was the co captain of team 24 Hour Fitness. He told me that last year they had a rider on their team who's father was fighting MS. He got to the top of the hill and told everyone he wanted to do "one more mile, for my dad." This year, team 24 collectively did the "One More Mile Challenge" in honor of their teammate. I was so inspired by this that I decided, upon my completion of Torrey Pines, that I had one more mile (it's actually almost 4 extra miles) to do for my mom. I made it up the bill a bit slower than the first time, but completed it no less. Then Tom and I BLEW through the rest of the ride to complete by noon. All-in-all, I think this was the best ride of my life. I've never had so much emotional and physical energy and strength in my life, and I poured that energy into every inch of the ride. I thought a lot about the support, love and encouragement from my family, I thought about my mom's fight with MS, I thought about poor Court's wipeout, and all of these things pushed me 150 miles.
Last year we raised more than $2,500. This year, Ian's third ride in this event, we are teaming up with Hess Brewing. For those of you in San Diego, you'll know Hess for its great craft beer. Check out the Facebook page for more details. For those of you who don't know more about Ian, read. on. He is a retired, disabled U.S. Navy veteran who lost the use of his legs after being diagnosed with a mysterious muscular disorder.
He also happens to be 30 years old, the father of a 3 year-old boy, a tattoo artist, a poster artist, a DJ and a Poli-Sci major at UCSD. His disability hasn't slowed him down in the least. He is an avid hand-cyclist and his drive, determination, attitude and enthusiasm is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. He hails from Minneapolis, Minn. and has been a San Diego resident for the past 11 years. His mother, who has been a pillar of hope and strength to him during the last 9 years of this mysterious illness, was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after suffering what was thought to be a brain aneurysm. Ian has decided to show his mother the same kind of love and support she has shown him by helping fight her disease by taking part in the two-day Bike to Finish MS Bay to Bay Ride on October 22 & 23, 2011. He is now raising money through donations and sponsorships and will ride 150 miles in her name on his hand-cycle from Irvine to San Diego.
We are trying to get Ian's name and his cause out to a wider base of supporters by helping to sponsor him. And this year he will not ride alone, since several friends and family have signed up to ride with him. The Quichrbichn jerseys are great and if you want to buy one, contact us directly.
This year, any shirt sold from now until the race is over, means proceeds to Ian's cause.
Make sure you come support him during the race. Look for more details to come regarding the course, the shirts and where we'll be. Don't forget to check out our facebook page for the latest info.
We are trying to get Ian's name and his cause out to a wider base of supporters by helping to sponsor him. And this year he will not ride alone, since several friends and family have signed up to ride with him. The Quichrbichn jerseys are great and if you want to buy one, contact us directly.
