NorCal AIDS Cycle 2013

After months of fund-raising and (not nearly enough) training, my third NorCal AIDS Cycle was here! After checking in a Mikes Bikes on Wednesday evening, I went to the Cathedral for my usual Wednesday rehearsal, then went home to attempt to get some sleep. 4:30 am was coming soon!

Day 1 – Thursday, May 16 (Granite Bay-Marysville-Gridley/101 miles) Somehow, I did manage to get some sleep, but wake-up time came quickly, and there was no point in putting off the inevitable. I pulled on my cycling clothes for the day, got the coffee going, and finished packing the car. Soon after, JoAnn and Justine got up to drive me to Beals Point for the start.

There’s this wonderful nervous energy at the start. Wardrobe/shoe adjustments… lots of photos taken… tv news crews… trucks being loaded. I located the members of my team, the River City Roadies, and we took photos of our own. At last it was time to be off, as one-hundred and fifteen cyclist careened out of the driveway of Beals Point and the ride began. The weather forecast for this day was a little dicey, but the amount of rain we had was very minimal, and actually felt pretty good and kept things cool. Before we knew it, we were at the first rest stop at the old Fruitvale Schoolhouse, and before noon we sailed into Marysville for our lunch stop at the Lutheran Church. Our lunch was just excellent… the quality we expect from Maranello’s, which in itself is a great reason to do the ride!

It was soon time to get back on the road, as we headed towards Gridley. This section has some great scenery, and is pretty enjoyable. Some of the roads were Paris-Roubaix worthy however, with road surfaces which appeared to have been left unmaintained since they were built. Our last rest-stop was at the Mendenhall Wool Ranch, where we were greeted by a couple of hippie throwbacks, and I obtained a disco-ball necklace, which was my bling for the rest of the ride. We finished up the day pulling into the Butte County fairgrounds in Gridley. A shower, dinner, and some real rain finished up the day. And sleep came quickly.

Day 2 – Friday, May 17 (Gridley-Oroville-Durham-Willows-Williams/99 miles) Day 2 is generally considered to be the most difficult day of the ride, and it lived up to its reputation. The morning is a lovely scenic ride, with a number of small climbs, and fun descents. These climbs seemed much easier this year… I guess losing thirty pounds really does help! We landed in Durham at the city park for a early lunch. After lunch, I rode with my River City Roadies teammates Julie and Dee Dee. The afternoon is less scenic than the morning, with a lot of ramrod straight rural roads, and incessant wind. Along the way, we hit the halfway point… 165 miles… posed for a photo, and then were back on our way.

Our last rest stop of the day was at the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge, an oasis along old highway 99. This is the highly touted “chai and pie” rest stop, and if you are pie lover, it was bliss. But we had twenty-five miles of riding left for the day. Dee Dee and I headed out for the last stretch together. Old highway 99 is long, straight, and dull. And we had a significant headwind the whole way, so it was slow and exhausting.

Finally we pulled into the high school in Williams for our second camp, ready to take those damned cycling shoes off, and get a shower. Another excellent dinner (fajitas & enchiladas) was followed by our evening program. The day concluded with a candlelight vigil to remember those we’ve lost to aids. The opportunity was given for people to give those remembrances out loud… mine included Ken Piercy, in whose memory I ride… and James Kennedy, the son of a friend. It had been a exhausting day, and it didn’t take much for me to get to sleep.

Day 3 – Saturday, May 18 (Williams-Woodland via Capay Valley/80 miles) The route on the third day is notable for a few things. First, the one real “climb” up highway 20, and for the exceptional scenery riding through Capay Valley/Cache Creek. The climb is a fairly steady grade for a full seven miles. It’s pretty intimidating for a lot of the less experienced riders, but really doable if one has the right state of mind. This year I had resolved to just go slowly and take my time, and keep my heart rate down as low as possible. I fell in with a group of four riders, and we pushed/pulled each other up the hill. And no stops for resting! A thrilling descent awaits on the other side, then a sharp turn onto highway 16 as the scenery just gets better and better. Our first real rest stop was at the Cache Creek regional park, and our lunch break at the Guinda fire station came shortly after.

As we got closer to Woodland, the terrain got flatter and windier. Before we knew it, we were pulling into Pioneer High School in Woodland for our last evening. I have to say, this was one of the best days I’ve ever had on a bike. Fun hilly riding with good scenery and companionship.

Our evening program included a very entertaining romp through some Abba songs by the Sacramento Gay Mens Chorus, and lots of awards which was just one big love-fest. I was privileged to be recognized as one of top five fund-raisers, having raised over $7000 and was recognized by my team as “El Capitan” of the River City Roadies. We all finally headed off to our beds for a night of sleep as we approached our last day.

Day 4 – Sunday, May 19 (Woodland-Winters-Davis-Sacramento/54 miles) The weather forecast for our last day was to be sunny and warm. But windy “gusts up to 35 mph.” I headed out with teammates Dee Dee and Julie in an early group, wanting to allow plenty of time to get to Sacramento. The wind predictions did not disappoint. Riding west we were pummeled by that north wind… at times I thought I’d be blown right off the road. It was pretty much a big drag. Finally, a left turn toward Winters gained us a killer tailwind, and we zipped into our first rest stop in Winters. The next leg took us along scenic Putah Creek Road to Davis for our final rest stop at the UCD fire station. Unfortunately, just before arriving at the rest stop, I miscalculated the stopping point for a rider in front of me, and took a tumble to the ground. Ah well… I guess it had to happen sooner or later!

The route markings leaving UC Davis were a bit confusing, but we finally got back on track… through the town of Davis, to a breezy crossing of the Yolo causeway, through West Sacramento, over the Tower Bridge (insert first set of tears here), and finishing up at Crocker Park. As riders continued to come into the park, it was photos and hugs and cheers and more tears. Finally, the time came to make the procession to the west steps of the State Capitol for the closing ceremonies.

What a emotional thrill it is to come into the Capitol with hundreds of people screaming and cheering… our families and friends, as we celebrated our achievement: riding three-hundred and thirty miles together, and raising over $325,000 to benefit agencies in our area, serving those suffering from HIV/AIDS. I joined my family and returned home happy and thrilled to be a part of this amazing and unique community.

Thank yous First of all, I want to thank all of you who supported this ride financially. We raised a record amount of money this year, and there are people in our community whose lives will be changed. To our awesome support crew… moto riders, rest stop staff, medical staff, and everyone who watched our backs and got us home safely. To my fellow riders for your friendship, companionship, and encouragement. Especially to my River City Roadies teammates… Julie, Jane Anne, Dee Dee, Susan, and Kellie… you mean more to me than you will ever know. And to Eileen Thomas and the River City Food Bank for sponsoring our little team (who raised more than $17,000). To my wife and family for their incredible support through all of the fund-raising, training rides, and endless chatter about NCAC. And especially to my friend Ken, in whose memory I rode.

Next year is the tenth anniversary of NorCal AIDS Cycle. Won’t you join us??

Down to the wire… again!

With a eighty mile ride yesterday, the training is finished. Fund-raising successful. It’s down to the wire, and NorCal AIDS Cycle is here!

Thursday morning at 7:00 am, 130 riders plus support crew will begin the four day journey from Beals Point at Folsom Lake. We’ll make a big loop through Northern California, passing through Newcastle, Marysville, Gridley, Oroville, Durham, Willows, Williams, Capay Valley, Woodland, Winters, Davis, and finish up on Sunday at noon on the west steps of the State Capitol.

I wish to thank all of you for joining our team with your financial support. It’s because of you this ride is such a success. I am pleased to say that individually, I exceeded my goal of $7,000. And as of yesterday our group total passed $260,000 to help fund HIV/AIDS service agencies in Northern California.

I must admit, I’m a little apprehensive. 330 miles is a long way to ride, and even though this is my third year, I’m still a little nervous. But with the support of the other riders, a first-class support crew, and all of you back home, I know I can make it. And we’ve been promised excellent weather!

As I did last year, I am dedicating this ride to my friend Ken Piercy, who succumbed to AIDS on April 10th of 2011. He was loved by many and an inspiration to me, and a long time member of the Cathedral Choir. And I am riding in companionship with my awesome team the River City Roadies!

For those of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter, look for daily updates!

And I hope some of you can join us on the west steps of the State Capitol on Sunday at noon, for our closing ceremony. There will be music, tears, food trucks, and lots of other fun stuff.

Again, I am DEEPLY appreciative of your generosity and willingness to support someone with HIV whom you will never know. I love you all.

The Red Baron versus the Volcano

With less than three weeks until the beginning or NorCal AIDS Cycle, I have switched into “desperation” training mode. A family gathering in the north state over the weekend, presented the opportunity to spend a couple of days at the family cabin near Lassen Volcanic National Park. This was a great opportunity to get some badly-needed training on some hills. On Friday I rode up from the town of Mineral along hwy 36, up into Lassen Park. The park road is still closed to autos, but open to cyclists, so I rode up to about 7000′ of elevation near the Sulphur Works geothermal area. It was a bit surreal riding up a highway that still had steep snowbanks on either side, but it was beautiful and there was no traffic to contend with. And… it was (mostly) downhill all the way back to Mineral. There is hardly anything more thrilling/terrifying than careening down a state highway at 50 kph, especially with loose gravel and sand still on the road from winter. The next morning, I took a short “recovery” ride to the small town of Mill Creek via Mineral Summit, for another bit of short but steep training.

Now, it’s just a matter of getting as many miles under my legs as possible over the next three weeks.

Fund raising has been coming along reasonably at this point. My benefit organ concert at Trinity Cathedral last week netted a thousand dollars, giving my fund-raising a much needed boost, and bringing my total so far to just under five thousand dollars. I still have a way to go to reach my seven-thousand dollar goal! If you’ve been putting off making YOUR contribution to NorCal AIDS Cycle, time is running out! Just click the link below to contribute online. It is quick and easy.

At my benefit concert last week, I shared some interesting statistics:
>Worldwide, over 33 million people have HIV or AIDS
>28 million of those are in sub-Saharan Africa
>Nine million people have HIV or AIDS in the United States
>There is a new HIV infection every nine minutes (which meant that there were seven new infections during the course of my recital)
>In Sacramento County, there are approximately five thousand diagnosed with HIV or AIDS

Now in the big picture, five thousand doesn’t seem like such a big deal. But… if you’re one of those five thousand, it’s a big deal. If your son or daughter or sister or brother or partner is one of those five thousand, it’s a big deal. NorCal AIDS Cycle provides funds to agencies providing direct services to those with this disease. I know for a fact, that many of them would have to close their doors if they lost the funding NCAC provides.

If you haven’t contributed yet, I encourage you to do so. Any amount, small or large, makes a big difference to someone who is suffering. And just maybe, we’ll eradicate this disease once and for all. And as usual, a HUGE Thank You to those who have supported me in this project.

Click here to contribute to NorCal AIDS Cycle 2013: http://norcalaidscycle.kintera.org/2013/sierracanon

Benefit Organ Concert for NorCal AIDS Cycle 2013!

On Sunday, April 21st at 4:00 pm, please join me for an afternoon of pipe organ music, to benefit NorCal AIDS Cycle 2013. Not only can I pedal a bicycle, I’m not bad with the organ pedals either!

NorCal AIDS Cycle is a 335 mile/four day bike ride through Northern California, which benefits agencies in the Sacramento area serving those suffering from HIV/AIDS. This year, I have teamed up with the River City Food Bank to form a NCAC team, the River City Roadies.

The suggested minimum donation is $10, and we hope you’ll join us!

Marche Triomphale “Nun danket alle Gott” – Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Melodia in B flat (opus 129#4) – Max Reger
Variations (organ concert opus 4 #1) – G. F. Handel, edited Trevor
Pedalexercitium (BWV 598) – J.S. Bach
Adagio in a minor (BWV 564) – J.S. Bach
Canzona in d minor (BWV 588) – J.S. Bach
The Chimes of Gloucester Cathedral – T Charles Lee, transcribed for organ by A. Herbert Brewer
Chorale in E major (opus 37) – Joseph Jongen
Pim’s Toccata (1982) – Alan J. Wilson

Trinity Cathedral is at 2620 Capitol Avenue at 27th Street in mid-town Sacramento.

NorCal AIDS Cycle April update

Looking at the calendar today, I realized that NorCal AIDS Cycle is only about six weeks away. Panic started in, as I realized that a) I haven’t been training enough, and b) I’ve been lax about my fund-raising.

With Easter nearly past however, training starts in earnest. All days off will be occupied with bike riding for the next six weeks. And I predict some extra days off in there too.

On the fund-raising front… for those of you who have been planning to support the ride, the time to donate is now! Overall, giving to the ride is down this year from the last two years. Though we’ve managed to raise over a quarter of a million dollars for each of the last two years, at this point, total donations are under $100,000. So we have a long way to go if we are going to match or surpass last year’s total

Our team, River City Roadies is very excited about our team jerseys, which have now been ordered and are in the process of being manufactured. Jakroo did a wonderful job of taking our rather vague instructions and logos, and making a very classy looking jersey. We’re looking forward to wearing them out on the road!

Mark your calendar!  On Sunday, April 21st at 4:00 pm, I will be giving a benefit organ concert for NCAC at Trinity Cathedral. I hope you will plan to join me for an afternoon of great pipe organ music, which is also an opportunity to support this great cause. You’ll hear more about this soon!

Ok… time to get back to work. It’s Easter Eve, and I have a little bit of work to do!

To donate to NorCal AIDS Cycle 2013, click here: ”http://norcalaidscycle.kintera.org/2013/sierracanon

River City Food Bank

For over forty years, the River City Food Bank has been one of Sacramento’s most respected agencies serving the poor in the Sacramento area. Many people may not be aware, that RCFB is partnered with C.A.R.E.S. (Center for AIDS research, education, and services) to provide groceries to AIDS patients who have trouble making ends meet. RCFB is a beneficiary of NorCal AIDS Cycle.

This year, I am pleased to strengthen the ties between the RCFB and NorCal AIDS Cycle, with the founding of a NCAC fund-raising team, Team River City Roadies! Our team is growing with eight members, and we’re still recruiting new riders. River City Roadies has already taken a leadership role in NorCal AIDS Cycle, by sponsoring fund-raising workshop for NCAC riders, and sponsoring training rides to get people ready for the over three-hundred mile ride coming in early May.

There are two great ways to support River City Food Bank. The first is the food bank’s annual “Empty Bowls” event. Empty bowls is dinner and luncheon event which the biggest fund-raiser of the year for the food bank. More information about “Empty Bowls” and to purchase tickets can obtained at their website: https://rcfb.webconnex.com/emptybowls

The second way to show your support, is by making a donation to NorCal AIDS Cycle. NCAC has made a goal of raising a half-million dollars to support local agencies serving those in the Sacramento area with HIV/AIDS, including the River City Food Bank.

Thank you as always, for your generous support! It’s time for me to get out on the bike… 330 miles is a long way to ride, and I have some training to do!

Click the link below to support NorCal AIDS Cycle and River City Food Bank.

http://norcalaidscycle.kintera.org/2013/sierracanon

Bach’s Passion

 

Johann Sebastian Bach’s largest scale works… the b minor mass and the two famous passions, are towering masterpieces deserving a unique place in musical history. So, when the chance to hear the American Bach Soloists perform the St John Passion came along, I jumped at the opportunity.

The St John Passion sometimes has the reputation of being the “ugly step-sister” of the incredible St Matthew Passion. In Bach’s defense though, the St John account suffered from the lack of a good librettist, which he had in “Picander” who supplied the text for his elegant setting of the Matthew. What the St John Passion lacks in lyrical expression though, it more than makes up for in drama.

Additionally, in contrast to the St Matthew, there are no less than four different versions of the St John, so there is no true “definitive” version of the work. The ABS chose to use the second version of 1725 for this performance. 

The American Bach Soloists performance was quite simply, one of the best performances of a Bach choral work I have ever heard. I thoroughly enjoyed Jeffrey Thomas’ unfussy yet expressive conducting style. In many performances of Bach’s choral works, the singing of the chorales seems to be a necessary annoyance, sung more out of a sense of duty than anything else. This performance was notable for the highly expressive singing of the chorales… it seemed that as much attention to detail had been taken with the chorales as with all of the other parts of the work.

The soloists in this performances were outstanding. Aaron Sheehan carried the taxing Evangelist role with ease. And ABS veteran William Sharpe lent his expressive singing to the role of Jesus. Also notable was the young countertenor Brennan Hall, who should have a brilliant career ahead of him.

Kudos to Maestro Thomas and his crew for a most satisfying performance. Looking forward the ABS “Mass in b minor” performance this summer. Check it out!

http://americanbach.org/