Update 4/11

Welcome to our most recent registrants. We are so honored to have 19 participants who have committed to ride for the third year in a row! We have another 16 who will be marking their second year of riding and, of course, many first time QMDC riders as well.

Coach's Corner from Mari Holden

I know that everyone is getting excited about training! I keep seeing more and more QMDC jerseys on the road. Last week we talked about getting our equipment ready, but this week I want to talk a bit about getting ourselves mentally ready for the 20-week training program that starts in June. There is no question that we will all be able to do this ride down the coast. The training will build up to our big test, but if you follow the training you will not only have fun and learn a lot, but you will be fit enough to accomplish the huge goal of riding from San Francisco to San Diego.
All of us come into this event from different backgrounds. Some people have raced triathlons, and bike races, and others are just learning how to clip into the pedals. Don’t worry or be intimidated! We are all pedaling for the same reason. We support Challenged Athletes. Being a part of the QMDC means a lot more than just getting fit and riding down the coast. It means being a part of a dynamic group of people who want to help others accomplish their dreams, and that is something really special.

My challenge is to try and come up with a training program that works for everyone. My main goal is to make sure that anyone who is willing to commit to the training will be able to finish the ride. My secondary goal is to share my love of cycling, and hope that you come to love this sport as much as I do.

We have chosen a group of ride leaders who are committed to making your experience the best possible one we can offer. At our first ride leader meeting last week, I laid out my goals, and my feeling that the most important thing to share is motivation and keeping it fun. If anytime along the way you have any questions or issues, please don’t hesitate to call. That includes the time before the actual training program starts. There will be training tips from the ride leaders and myself every week along the way, and hopefully you will get to know us all.

I encourage you all to start riding now. It will make it much easier if you have some base miles in your legs before the training starts. Just enjoy yourself. Feel the wind in your face, and enjoy being out on the road. If you have any health issues, make sure you contact your physician before you start getting into your training. We’re going to have a great time this year. I’ll see you on the road!

Whole Foods Community Support Day for Challenged Athletes Foundation

On Wednesday April 16th Whole Foods Market in La Jolla will be donating 5% of total sales to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

With your help spreading the word to family, friends and neighbors, we hope to bring in the highest single-day sales to the store, thereby producing a sizable donation check for our cause. Please tell everyone you know to shop for their groceries this week at the Whole Foods Market in La Jolla on Wednesday April 16th between 7am and 10:00pm. CAF will have a manned table set up all day, so stop by and say hello.