Die Hard Double, Nov 3

[dnakai]

Hello all,

One day I'll ride with the club.

On November 3rd, the Die Hard Double will start in Oceanside and ride to Borrego Springs and back.
http://www.dieharddoublecentury.com/

I'll be riding this in recognition of a bicyclist with terminal brain cancer.  Many may know her.  Her husband puts out the Bicycling San Diego magazine and she contributes a column called Kimberlee's Course.
I met her as she showed up for a Sunday Century ride.  She is out going and a strong rider. A competitive rider who left us guys behind up Palomar.  One Sunday she was to lead a ride and no one showed.  (It was on Mother Day)  She was not happy.  I told her next time she leads a ride, there will be a lot of riders. 
Well that Sunday, we had the most people show and she did not.  On Saturday, she crashed on Del Dios.
From riding with us, she learned of the California Triple Crown and Double Century.  She will do three and achieve the CTC award.
She was learning about randonneuring and was riding Brevets.  She says she found something she enjoyed, long distance riding.
Then she had mono.  Then it was something else.  Then came an e-mail, Kimberlee is sick.  She had cancer.
I did not really know how bad it was as she would give reports and write in a very light, humorous manner.  It wasn't till I was told it was bad.  She fought the disease, kept active as long as she could.  Tried to keep bicycling.
I was happy to read her messages, yet sadden to know of her fate.  Of late, I have not receive anything from her and feel for the worse.
I've always thought it is late to have a memorial ride when the recipient has pass on.  I am riding the Die Hard Double in celebration of her life rather than a memory.
If you wish to contribute, send a check to the American Cancer Society in the name of Kimberlee Caledonia. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp

I've read the post for Relay for Life.  Though I am in LA, I will consider this.  Here'a a thought.  How about a bicycling relay, 24 hours and see how many feet of climbing can be achieved.  There must be a hill riders can repeatedly climb up in San Marcos, perhaps Coronado Hills.

Happy safe bicycling, David Nakai