2015 Death Valley Summary

It’s hard to believe that another Death Valley ride has come and gone.  Fifteen of us from central Indiana ventured west for an awesome weekend in the desert, riding our bikes to raise money for a great cause — to find a cure for diabetes and turn Type 1 into Type None.

Weather is always a factor in Death Valley - but this year, rather than being faced with extreme desert sun and heat, we were greeted with clouds and rain.  It was very unusual to see thick clouds on the mountains and standing water in the parking lots.

 


The two weeks prior had been tough on the park with heavy rains and flash floods that damaged many of the roads. As a result, we weren’t able to do much riding on the days leading up to the big event.  Last year we rode up to Dante’s view.  This year we drove rental cars in the rain, through standing water and across debris fields on the roads.  The view looked very different from the top this year!

 


The alternating clouds and sun meant that we got treated to some spectacular light and surreal landscapes as we traveled around the park.

  

Between rain storms, the team did a short ride to Zabriskie Point on Friday and to see the canyons like we’d never seen them before.

 

The course for Saturday was changed several times during the weekend until the organizers finally settled on a 70-mile route that would avoid the areas with major road damage.

On ride day, the start was delayed as we waited for the storms the pass.  But team Indiana was set to go!


 


The new course was relatively flat but still allowed us to appreciate the raw beauty of the valley.  And it was odd to ride with standing water beside the road!



I got a flat tire at mile 67 — apparently a cut tire from crossing one of the debris fields on the road.  It took a bit of time and two support vehicles to get me back on the road, but I finished the 70-mile course without further issue.



We saw this rainbow on our way out of the valley on Sunday morning.  Unfortunately, it was a harbinger of serious storms that hit the valley later in the day, causing 1000-year flooding and closing every road in the park.  It will take months and maybe years for the park to recover from all the damage.

My hope is that the park will be recovered enough that I can return next year for my ninth JDRF ride.  Thank you, as always, for sharing in my ride; I truly appreciate your generous support of JDRF.  I may have been the one pedaling over the miles, but I carried your thoughts, prayers and support with me on each mile, and I would not have made it without you.  Thank you!

Please visit my ride site to see how I did on my fundraising and for links to the stories of my past rides.

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=5201&pg=personal&px=1269511

All my best,

Gary

Jim Malone's attempt at a Century at JDRF Nashville 1 Nov 2014

The event was a smashing success even though I did not achieve my personal goal of a Century (more on that tale later). We had over 250 riders from 32 states and Canada. Collectively we raised over $850,000 for diabetes research, searching for a cure of type 1 diabetes. Thanks again to all of my supporters who enabled me to raise 110% of my personal goal of $3,000. I could not have done it without my 60 supporters (family, friends and colleagues).

I have only a minor disappointment of not reaching my riding goal of 100 miles. I gave it my best effort but came up 5 miles short of the Finish Line (actually 97 miles on the Garmin - see my miserable stats at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/624653121)). First, the weather was brutal, 38-48F, with gusty swirling winds of 20-30 mph. The morning was cloudy and cold. Finally in the early afternoon the sun came out intermittently that helped our psyches somewhat. I was happy to make the 50 mile mark (see photo on the link below), thinking that the way back would have less hills and less wind (wrong on both accounts). I knew I was in trouble when I left the port-o-potty with my riding shorts around my ankles (the brain is first to go). Later I encountered some rough pavement and ended riding down an embankment into someone's driveway (coordination is next to go). Finally with 5 miles to go I encountered yet another hill (where did that one come from?) and decided to take an unscheduled break. Laying down on the grass to catch my breath a SAG truck came along sure that I had passed out. He didn't take no for an answer and whisked me to the Finish Line. It's a good thing he did because there were several more hills that would have killed me. I was completely out of gas. I sheepishly rode to the Finish Line from the parking lot. 

Oh well there's always next year!

Jim at Start Line

Jim at Finish Line

Visit my personal JDRF web link at http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?px=3043798&pg=personal&fr_id=3430&et=pqAd2TAtJ9KWzD--s_0d0A&s_tafId=144326

Death Valley Summary

Dear family and friends – all those who have supported me in the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes this year and in the past:

It’s hard to believe that another Death Valley ride has come and gone.  Twelve of us from central Indiana ventured west for an awesome weekend in the desert, riding our bikes to raise money for a great cause — to find a cure for diabetes and turn Type 1 into Type None.

Leaving Indy in the early morning hours of last Thursday, we were fortunate to get an early and direct flight to Vegas which put us into Death Valley at about noon.

With most of the day to ourselves, a small group of us decided find our bikes and attempt a 25 mile, 5500+ foot climb to the grandest vista in Death Valley — Dante’s View. 

We felt pretty strong at the start…





The climb was steady and gradual for the first 20 miles and then got very steep, with the toughest section in the last 1/4 mile. We rented a van in Vegas and two of our team drove it as our SAG vehicle (Support and Gear) — carrying water, gatorade and various spare parts — for the ride to the summit.

I needed all the support I could get — it was the hardest climb I’ve ever done...

At the top, looking a little more tired than at the start after 3 - 4 hours of climbing, we were able to enjoy one of the best views in Death Valley













The ride down was an awesome 25 miles of bliss, coasting very fast nearly all the way back to the start.

Friday started with an early breakfast and then the usual safety talks.  The park has a new permitting process and we were the first group to have an event under the new rules.  While hydration was still important, with temps “only” in the 80s and 90s, the focus of the talk was on riding single file, staying out of the way of the other park guests, and making sure we were off the road at the rest stops.

After the safety talk, we donned our riding gear and headed out for a short tune-up ride.  This was the first chance for the team to ride together…
 

 ...and we even spotted Santa on his bike!

After the ride, we grabbed some lunch and then spent the rest of the day driving the 100-mile course we would ride on Saturday.  It also gave us a chance to enjoy the scenery and wildlife in the park…

These two were several miles apart, so the roadrunner lived to see another day.





The official ride on Saturday was awesome as always… and though the road seemed to stretch on forever, I managed to make the seven-mile climb, turnaround at the summit, and complete the full 100 miles.

Thank you for sharing in my ride again this year; I truly appreciate your generous support of JDRF.  I may have been the one pedaling over the miles, but I carried your thoughts, prayers and support with me on each mile, and I would not have made it without you.  Thank you!

Death Valley Bound!

The Cure Chaser team is leaving on a jet plane tomorrow morning for our 2014 Death Valley Odyssey.

Doesn't seem like it's been 2 years but with the government shutdown last year it has been 2 years since the Cure Chasers traveled to Death Valley to ride in support of JDRF.

We have the lucky 13 going this year and it is a sold out show since January (If you want to do this epic ride with us in 2015 better start making your plans now so that you can be ready for sign up in January!)

We are leaving at 7 am tomorrow morning and will be in Las Vegas at 8:05 am their time with a direct flight on SouthWest Airlines - BAGS FLY FREE!

I don't know that I believe this but Weather.com says that themperatures at Furnace Creek are supposed to be in the low 90s,,, seems like they say that every year and they end up well into the 100s, guess we will just have to see when we get there.

This years crew includes returning DV veterans Coach Sam Scahill, Kevin Garner, Gary Martindale, Joel Russell, Ryan Noel, Rick Davis and of course myself!
In addition we have the following brave first timers joining us for 2014 Tom Berlier, Julie Davis, Amy Vandewielle, Laura Villanyl and Brian Wulff. (Plus our team photographer for this is event will be Nancy Wulff)

If you have a chance to reach out to these brave souls on Facebook with words of encouragement, I am sure that they would appreciate your support!

Some of us are planning a little trip on Thursday to the top of Dante's View (but I will tell you all about that when we get back - should be an epic side story!) We are all very excited!

Friday we will do our official ride tune up ride, likely to Golden Canyon. Then have a day filled with meetings about what to expect on the ride, riding with Type 1 diabetes and other interesting Death Valley Ride related subjects!

Friday JDRF will put on a great spread with accolades going out to the top fund raisers and limited mayhem in preparation for the early start on Saturday.  Our Cure Chaser team will meet for our traditional why we ride reflection pre ride meeting!  These are always great sessions!

Saturday morning before daylight, we will all gather at the start finish line at the Furnace Creek ranch and get ready for a long hot day in the saddle. The course is 103 miles to the top of Jubilee pass (a Category 2 seven mile long ascent) and back.

So tomorrow begins our 2014 adventure, be sure to check back and see all the exciting details and pictures!  I am sure that we will all have stories to tell on Monday!

Peace

Michael