Bike Raffle to Benefit Pet Cancer Research

CANIDAE will be at all stages of the Amgen Tour of California, continuing to promote an active healthy lifestyle that includes pets and raising funds for the fight against cancer in pets.

Felt F5 Team BicycleCycling fans can visit CANIDAE at the Amgen MBT Lifestyle Festivals, located near the finish line at each stage finish. The first stage of the Amgen Tour of California begins Sunday May 16th in Nevada City where CANIDAE will begin a multi-day charity raffle to benefit the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation to fund cancer research in pets. The grand prize winner of the raffle will receive a Felt F5 Team Bicycle [pictured] donated by CANIDAE.



Founded out of a love for pets and family, CANIDAE Pet Foods promotes an active lifestyle and Responsible Pet Ownership, which includes healthy lifestyles for all of us and our pets. Part of CANIDAE's Responsible Pet Ownership message includes proper medical care and support for pets with health issues such as cancer. Nothing is more central to the core values of CANIDAE than the health, happiness and well-being of pets.

At the end of the Amgen Tour of California, the Grand Prize Winner of the CANIDAE Road Bike Raffle will receive a Felt F5 Team Bicycle with an estimated value $2,299. CANIDAE donated the bicycle to the raffle ensuring that all of the proceeds would be available for the AKC Canine Health Foundation and their fight against cancer in pets.

Winners may choose their bicycle size and need not be present to win. Tickets for the CANIDAE Road Bike Raffle will cost $2.00 for one or $5.00 for three and will be available in person at the CANIDAE Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival booth at all stages that comprise the tour.

In addition to selling raffle tickets benefiting the cause of fighting cancer, CANIDAE Pet Foods will hand out samples and coupons for its line of all natural holistic pet foods. CANIDAE pet foods for dogs and cats adhere to the highest standards of excellence for product quality, palatability, and customer satisfaction. Formulated for the long-term health of dogs and cats, these pet foods are proudly made in the U.S.A. using the highest quality U.S. ingredients. CANIDAE stands behind the guaranteed analysis of each and every one of its products and invites cycling fans to discover for themselves and their pets the healthful benefits of its pet foods.

Monday

Bill was out and about early today around Bonelli. A breath of fresh air for those of us on the ninth floor in Santa Ana, California.

SR39 to Angeles Crest Highway

Packed a cooler with Gatorade, bottled water and a turkey sandwich. Loaded the bike, backpack (stuffed full of water, shoes, and extras), cooler and the rescue beacon into the car. Drove out and made my way to Highway 39. Passed a couple of dozen cyclists pedaling uphill. Parked at West Fork parking at mile marker 27.19. I spotted a pair of cyclists gearing up to do the same. We met at the first gate a mile up the road. Darren and Phil were on their way to Crystal Lake. I commented that going solo, I had no worries about keeping up. They sprung ahead, then stopped. I passed them by as they checked on cell phones and gear. A brief time later, Darren zipped passed me alone. Phil somewhere behind. It was comforting to have others on the road. Darren stopped six miles in and then we road together for approximately three miles. As I rested Phil caught up with me. We rode off and on for the next seven miles. Sometimes Phil in the front, sometimes I took the lead. At the critical junction, the proverbial fork in the road where the signage seemed lacking, take the right hand turn to Crystal Lake. Phil followed me left and up the hill. It was good to have people in the line of sight. Long story short. I made it to Angeles Crest Highway. Round trip 34 miles. Ascent 4941 feet. Highest altitude ridden: 6447 feet.

Road conditions. From West Fork to Crystal Lake good to ok. Beyond Crystal Lake, SR 39 deteriorates but still ride-able at slower speeds. At the fourth gate or thirteen miles in, the road narrows to a single lane. More cracks in the road filled with tar. More bumps and irregularities. Water from snow run-off. See photos. Again all doable. I made it. Also note the plan is to open SR 39 to motor traffic in October 2010. Get your ride in now.

Most of the pictures are from the downhill portion of the ride. Going uphill the bugs attracted to my sweat and skin made pedaling uphill as fast as possible imperative. On the way down, I rugged up and the bugs didn't bother me at all.



Great weather. Great ride. Great people along the road.

Saturday Ride

The plan is to ride from West Fork up SR39 to Crystal Lake and then beyond to the Angeles Crest Highway. I want to be biking about 8 am.

Check out the ATOC maps for Stage 6. I am headed somewhere between KOM at Cloudburst and the KOM at Dawson Saddle.

Stage 6 Route Map

Stage 6 Profile

KTLA News on GMR

Talked to a cameraman for the Channel 5 News (KTLA). Chip Yost aired a story on racing on GMR. The teaser of thirty seconds was shown on the six o'clock news. I expect a bit more on the ten o'clock news.

The teaser was enough to recognize the tale of woe from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. One young man who drove a Nissan GT-R recklessly on the mountain, crashed into wall while missing the turn. Lucky for him he didn't go over the side. His next misstep was he claimed his sister drove the car when the accident happened on the 60 freeway to the insurance company. The insurance company caught wind of a youtube video showing his car crashing on a downhill race on the mountain. He tried to back out of the repair request, unfortunately he now has six counts of fraud lodged against him.

If the SGV article isn't found try this one. Archived forum

The cameraman didn't give away any details of the story. He certainly picked my interest. I thought this might be a fresh look at the road. In this instance the print media is ahead of the game. Drive safe. Ride safe.

Sunday

Rode along West Fork once again. Bill and I made it to the Cogswell dam. Pictured above is Bill's photo of the reservoir. Last week we were very close!

Saturday Trek

After the hard Wednesday ride up SR39, Glendora Mountain Road seemed like a breeze. Most likely due to the seven pounds of reduced weight. Leaving the backpack at home was an easy decision! It was good to have folks around passing you by, then you pass them! Three mountain bikers and I played tag along the road.

Met Kelly and Matt at the shed. Discussed Crystal Lake and Palomar Rides. It has been since December when Kelly and I last chatted. I continued on to Fork plus four. A bit windy, I wanted to get back for a family event.

At the bottom of Monroe met up with the Magormold crew. Steve, Matt and Marion.



I am hoping someone will write and fill me in on all their names!



Spring continues to astound.