Another imunity challenge

QMDC update: This was our off training week, so all we had to do today was ride from Solana Beach to Torrey Pines for a time trial up the hill. My time 8:39 was 3 seconds better than the average, not bad. Before we embarked we had an imunity challenge as they are cutting 2 of us this week. We had a pop quiz. We had to name the 7 cities where we would be staying in hotels during the QMDC. I lucked out here as I had read up on this last night.
My answers:
1) San Francisco
2) Santa Cruz
3) Big Sur
4) San Luis Obispo
5) Santa Barbara
6) Marina Del Rey
7) Laguna Wrong! (correct answer Newport Beach)
6/7 second place. Congratulations Adam on getting them all correct!

2 Cut later this week. Probably Wednesday at 6:38am

And now there is 8

At 638am, xx1090 announced in a dragged out fashion the Efrain and Rob L had been cut. At this point, I wish all 10 could have made it to the end and the winner picked then. Hopefully, Efrain and Rob can keep riding. If we raise $90,000, all 10 of us would get to do the ride.
http://mdc2009.kintera.org/markvd

Elimination tomorrow morning

2 of the 10 remaining get eliminated.
Listen in to XX1090AM between 615am-645am
I hope I make it. All 10 of us need to do this ride.

13 Week recap

Thursday, May 27: After Paula suggests for the third year in a row that I apply for the Scott & BR Cycling team, I finally apply.

Tuesday, June 1 6:45am: We hear my name on XX1090AM that I'm one of the 30 people selected for the Scott & BR Cycling Team.

Tuesday, June 1 6:48am: What have I gotten myself into. That old tri bike I have hasn't moved in a year and that's just because we moved into a new house.

Sunday, June 7 7am: 1st QMDC group ride from Flower Hill Mall to Oceanside and back.

Sunday, June 14: QMDC group ride from Solana Beach to Scripps Poway Parkway all the way to the 67 and back.

Sunday June 21: ride from Solana Beach to Oceanside to Bonsall to Vista to Carlsbad and back to Solana Beach

Sunday, June 28: Take a train to Angels Stadium of Anaheim and ride back to Solana Beach

Sunday, July 5: Track clinic. Got go to the Balboa Park Velodrome and learn how to ride a bike with one gear, no breaks and the only way to stop pedaling is to stop.

Sunday, July 12: Del Dios Hwy to Escondido, Lawrence Welk Village, Bonsall (right by Terry's house) to Oceanside and back to Solana Beach

Sunday, July 19: Solona Beach to San Clemente and back. On the way out I got caught up with a really fast group. Getting back was tough.

Sunday, July 26: Climb up Palmar Mountain. I had to miss it as I was in Nebraska for a family reunion. (perfect attendance until now)

August 2: Clinic at Sportsquest 10. This is the place that works LT, Drew Brees and more. Great workout with sledge hammers, monster truck tires. Awesome!

August 9: Biking in the Mountains. Around the backside of Mt Laguna to Sunrise Highway to Cuyamuca and back to Pine Valley

August 16: Del Mar to Poway to Ramona and back to Del Mar

August 23: Solana Beach - Oceanside - Bonsall - Valley Center - Bonsall - Vista - Carlsbad - Solana Beach

Here's a picture of me and Alex at Jr Padres Photo Day on the field Saturday at Petco Park.

Yesterday we rode from Solana Beach-Oceanside-Bonsall (right by Terry's house)-Valley Center-Bonsall-Vista-Carlsbad-back to Solana Beach. It was not too hot. We've been blessed with not having horrendous heat for our rides.

Kudos to Joe W. for changing the car tire for the woman in Valley Center.

Two of us get cut this week. I'm hoping my fundraising will keep me around. Thanks to all of you who have donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation in my name. You guys are the goods! More information on CAF and/or to make a donation go to http://mdc2009.kintera.org/markvd

Three years ago, when Scott and BR announced they were forming a Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge cycling team, I thought to myself, “I listen to Scott and BR and I have a bike. I could be on that team.” I never got around to applying and when I heard the amazing resumes of the people that they selected, I thought I would never be able to do this.

My wife Paula encouraged me to sign up each of the last 3 years, so I finally sent in my application since it now required less than 56 words. I never thought they would pick me, but lo and behold in June I heard my name on the radio and they picked me.

Apprehensively, I showed up for the first ride. I was thinking, “can I ride with these guys?” and why are they asking me to fundraise? I figured I had nothing to lose. The worst thing that could happen is that I get into better shape. My plan was to keep showing up until they told me to get lost. There were originally 30 of us radio people. Now I can say I’m in the top 10.

The first 2 rides I got dropped from “Scott and BR” group. Each week I noticed my cycling get stronger and stronger. I decided to get a fundraising page. I could raise some funds. I’m so excited to have raised over $3100!

The CAF is an unbelievable organization. The rides are so organized. The 4-6 hours riding just fly by. The ride leaders are such nice people. I’ve learned so much from them. It feels good to get into the fundraising spirit after a year off. 2006 and 2007 I raised money for MS. So far this year I’ve almost surpassed both years combined.

The contest, immunity challenges, and fundraising have been a great distraction that I may be embarking on a 620 mile bicycle ride. I don’t think it has actually sunk in how far that is.

In college, my friends G and Suz made the ride from the Bay Area to San Diego, so guess I figured I would do the ride someday, and I figured what better way than on the Scott and BR cycling team.

If you would like to donate to CAF in support of my ride: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/markvd