Totally woke up from a dream this morning in which I went to a water park with the guys from NOFX... and their children. Fat Mike got mad at me because I was taking too long to put on sunscreen.
wut.
wut.
Crazy. Fooking. Summer.
Between training for the double centuries in Spring, concerts with the symphony, my private studio being much larger than last year, and Summer Music Camp, I have been going non-stop for some time now.
And it's not over. I just added a couple new private students to the studio, the symphony has a concert this weekend, the next set is at Davies Symphony Hall in SF and requires a shit-ton of extra brass players that I have to help find (only need 2 more!), playing Bye Bye Birdie in July, still trying to plan a trip to Oregon and a camping trip to probably the Shasta area...
And before I know it band camp will start in early August.
Teaching the Summer Music Camp was a lot of fun, but pushing yourself that much takes its toll. Not just on your body, but your mind. I start thinking about what I really want to do. Keep on trying to make a private studio and occasional gigs, clinics and sectional teaching work out? Or maybe think about grad school? There are some pretty brilliant teachers at this camp, some doing their post-grad work at some pretty impressive schools. And I think I can keep up with them.
Maybe I should at least think about that possibility.
But for now, a day off means a bike ride. Time to get on it.
Between training for the double centuries in Spring, concerts with the symphony, my private studio being much larger than last year, and Summer Music Camp, I have been going non-stop for some time now.
And it's not over. I just added a couple new private students to the studio, the symphony has a concert this weekend, the next set is at Davies Symphony Hall in SF and requires a shit-ton of extra brass players that I have to help find (only need 2 more!), playing Bye Bye Birdie in July, still trying to plan a trip to Oregon and a camping trip to probably the Shasta area...
And before I know it band camp will start in early August.
Teaching the Summer Music Camp was a lot of fun, but pushing yourself that much takes its toll. Not just on your body, but your mind. I start thinking about what I really want to do. Keep on trying to make a private studio and occasional gigs, clinics and sectional teaching work out? Or maybe think about grad school? There are some pretty brilliant teachers at this camp, some doing their post-grad work at some pretty impressive schools. And I think I can keep up with them.
Maybe I should at least think about that possibility.
But for now, a day off means a bike ride. Time to get on it.
Note to future self: On bike rides, before mooing loudly and proudly at cows at the side of the road, look around for other cyclists, equestrians, runners, hikers, road construction workers, farmers, and anyone else who may be out and about. Seriously, that farmer looked at me like I was from Mars.
Or maybe I should just stop mooing at horses, dogs, goats, ostrich... I even mooed at a cat once. It just stared at me.
The only animals I don't moo at are turkeys and vultures, and to them I just yell at to not fly into me. Because, you know, they do that sometimes.
Or maybe I should just stop mooing at horses, dogs, goats, ostrich... I even mooed at a cat once. It just stared at me.
The only animals I don't moo at are turkeys and vultures, and to them I just yell at to not fly into me. Because, you know, they do that sometimes.
I am a terrible blogger. I get these great ideas to write when I'm out on the bike, or at rehearsals or gigs, or out teaching. Then I get home and have no idea what it was, or I do get some of it down and it looks like pretentious trash begging for attention. You know, like the majority of internet forums and blog posts. Not for me.
Whatever. I'll get some new thoughts out soon enough. This whole Trayvon Martin thing is really unnerving, as well as the whole Prop 8/Same Sex Marriage debate, the Health Care Debacle... I could go on and on.
But for now, just a quick update:
The Solvang Double Century was this past Saturday. My first double century, and the first leg of my first California Triple Crown. It was awesome, albeit crazy hard. I flew the first half, finishing the first 100 miles in a bit under 5:15:00. The second half we had one of the fircest, most powerful headwinds they had seen in a while. So, yeah, that was fun. Pedaling as hard as possible, down on the aero bars, drafting the guy in front of me, struggling to keep my speed above 8 mph. For 45+ miles. Sucked.
But, I fought it, and finished.
202.4 miles
14 hours, 25 minutes, 31 seconds
147th place out of 332 finishers (550 started)
62nd out of 117 in my age group, Male aged 1-49
And I just signed up for the Davis Double Century on May 19th. New goal, now that I know what to expect: Crack 13 hours. Shouldn't be too hard, it shouldn't be as windy (knock on wood) and I now know I can spend much less time at the rest stops.
So we'll see!
The rig in the hotel room just before I left to head to the starting line.
The rig at Checkpoint #4, in the middle of some fierce assed wind.
Whatever. I'll get some new thoughts out soon enough. This whole Trayvon Martin thing is really unnerving, as well as the whole Prop 8/Same Sex Marriage debate, the Health Care Debacle... I could go on and on.
But for now, just a quick update:
The Solvang Double Century was this past Saturday. My first double century, and the first leg of my first California Triple Crown. It was awesome, albeit crazy hard. I flew the first half, finishing the first 100 miles in a bit under 5:15:00. The second half we had one of the fircest, most powerful headwinds they had seen in a while. So, yeah, that was fun. Pedaling as hard as possible, down on the aero bars, drafting the guy in front of me, struggling to keep my speed above 8 mph. For 45+ miles. Sucked.
But, I fought it, and finished.
202.4 miles
14 hours, 25 minutes, 31 seconds
147th place out of 332 finishers (550 started)
62nd out of 117 in my age group, Male aged 1-49
And I just signed up for the Davis Double Century on May 19th. New goal, now that I know what to expect: Crack 13 hours. Shouldn't be too hard, it shouldn't be as windy (knock on wood) and I now know I can spend much less time at the rest stops.
So we'll see!
The rig in the hotel room just before I left to head to the starting line.
The rig at Checkpoint #4, in the middle of some fierce assed wind.
Been a while... I actually thought about retiring from SG land, but I just re-upped for another year. Gotta hit my 10 year!
Anyway, not much has been going on. Actually, that's a lie. A shitload of stuff has been going on, it's just the same stuff over and over again.
I'm riding the Solvang Double Century later this month, as the first leg of the California Triple Crown. Training has been going really well, especially with the beautiful weather Cali has had so far this year. (I say that as I cancel today's training ride due to rain...)
So far this year: 1,467.6 miles in a hair over 45 hours. I'm definitely approaching the best shape and strongest fitness levels of my cycling life.
The music stuffs have been kickin' as well. The symphony is still going strong, we just finished Mahler 5, and have started work of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. Two of my favorite works.
I've also been playing for a friend in a local big band. I forgot how much fun that is, I haven't played in a big band regularly since college.
I'm still playing several musicals per year as well. I'm currently playing Legally Blonde, The Musical. Yup. It is what it is. Good show, terribly written music. Really, dude? Key of F#? Hell, there are a couple (not one, but a couple) of spots where I ACTUALLY have 9 (NINE) key changes on one page. Seriously. Who writes that?
Aside from all that and my trombone choir, the rest of my time is spent teaching lessons. My studio is starting to make a comeback after the recession, at one point I was down to only 6 students, now I'm back up to 13 with 3 more in the works.
Things are looking up!
OK, time to go do some writing. Gotta be somehow effective even when it’s raining!
edit:
Oh yeah, I also now have a blog on my cycling life, and my experiences training for new and exciting events. Check it!
Anyway, not much has been going on. Actually, that's a lie. A shitload of stuff has been going on, it's just the same stuff over and over again.
I'm riding the Solvang Double Century later this month, as the first leg of the California Triple Crown. Training has been going really well, especially with the beautiful weather Cali has had so far this year. (I say that as I cancel today's training ride due to rain...)
So far this year: 1,467.6 miles in a hair over 45 hours. I'm definitely approaching the best shape and strongest fitness levels of my cycling life.
The music stuffs have been kickin' as well. The symphony is still going strong, we just finished Mahler 5, and have started work of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra. Two of my favorite works.
I've also been playing for a friend in a local big band. I forgot how much fun that is, I haven't played in a big band regularly since college.
I'm still playing several musicals per year as well. I'm currently playing Legally Blonde, The Musical. Yup. It is what it is. Good show, terribly written music. Really, dude? Key of F#? Hell, there are a couple (not one, but a couple) of spots where I ACTUALLY have 9 (NINE) key changes on one page. Seriously. Who writes that?
Aside from all that and my trombone choir, the rest of my time is spent teaching lessons. My studio is starting to make a comeback after the recession, at one point I was down to only 6 students, now I'm back up to 13 with 3 more in the works.
Things are looking up!
OK, time to go do some writing. Gotta be somehow effective even when it’s raining!
edit:
Oh yeah, I also now have a blog on my cycling life, and my experiences training for new and exciting events. Check it!
Obligatory post on having nothing to write. It's Fall. Or Autumn? This season is so important it gets two names.
Anyway, it's that season. Which means all my time is spent doing the same things. Teaching band, teaching lessons, playing music.
Should be a good season with the symphonies, though. One is doing Scheherazade and Bernsteins Divertimento for Orchestra. Should be a great show. They are also doing Peter and the Wolf for a family concert in December, and Mahler 5 next Spring!
And I just got a call to sub for a friend in another symphony up the peninsula for their next set, which is Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 4, one of my favorites, also one of the pieces I played on tour in Eastern Europe years ago. That should bring back some good memories.
But anyway, it's marching band season. Pretty much all of my time and energy goes there, so expect a bunch of "nothing new to type" posts between now and... November.
Anyway, it's that season. Which means all my time is spent doing the same things. Teaching band, teaching lessons, playing music.
Should be a good season with the symphonies, though. One is doing Scheherazade and Bernsteins Divertimento for Orchestra. Should be a great show. They are also doing Peter and the Wolf for a family concert in December, and Mahler 5 next Spring!
And I just got a call to sub for a friend in another symphony up the peninsula for their next set, which is Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 4, one of my favorites, also one of the pieces I played on tour in Eastern Europe years ago. That should bring back some good memories.
But anyway, it's marching band season. Pretty much all of my time and energy goes there, so expect a bunch of "nothing new to type" posts between now and... November.
Thought I would pop this up here as well. An email to donors in my fundraising efforts for AIDS/Lifecycle 10, which starts this Sunday.
ALC 10 Pre-Ride Thank You
Hey everyone! First things first: The final count, as of right now, of my personal fundraising efforts: $5,235. A new record for me, I’ve never broken the $5K barrier before. So thank you! Of course, donations are still being accepted, so that number could still go up. I had to reach the minimum by tomorrow, June 4th, in order to take part in the event, which I did months ago (because you people ROCK!) but donations usually continue to trickle in throughout the ride.
And that means, yes, I will be climbing “Quadbuster” not once, not twice, but thrice! Woooohoooooo!!!
That being said, in two days time from right now, I’ll be well on my way to Santa Cruz from The Cow Palace in San Francisco on Day 1 of AIDS/Lifecycle 10. It’s amazing how time flies, it seems like just the other day I was arriving in Los Angeles after ALC 9, sitting in my hotel room with my mind jumping back and forth from the collection of William Faulkner short stories I was trying (unsuccessfully) to read, to still trying to process the 7 days I had just been through, to thinking to the future on fundraising and training for ALC 10.
Well, here I am. The floor of my room is covered with bits and pieces that need to eventually get packed into my backpacking pack, and I still have a large list of things to do before that can happen. (The last training ride, a short 20 mile recovery ride, being at the top of that list!)
I do want to take this time to thank each one of you for your help. I’ll be honest. I didn’t originally do this ride two years ago because I was personally affected by HIV/AIDS, or because I had friends affected, or living, with it. Or so I thought. It’s amazing what one can learn when one opens their mind and consciousness to lifestyles and cultures different from their own. I did it because as a cyclist, I wanted to ride down the coast, and to do that with this type of support would be amazing. And I was right!
But since then, having done this ride twice before already, it has taken on a different meaning and purpose. You learn a lot out there on ALC. You learn about people, you learn about friendship, camaraderie, and heart. And you learn a lot about yourself. So now I do this ride for a different purpose. Not only to raise money for research, prevention and education surrounding HIV/AIDS, but more importantly to raise awareness and spread knowledge about this global killer. The more we know, the better we can protect ourselves and future generations from a very frightening current reality, and the more willing we are to help those already suffering from it.
So, thank you all for the support you have shown. Whether you contributed to help fight HIV/AIDS, or to support me in my quest, or simply for the tax deduction. Whatever your purpose, I thank you for it, from the bottom of my heart. And not just for monetary support. Money is important, it makes the world go round; but sometimes knowledge, hope, faith, and simple words of encouragement are more important in the greater scheme of things. (I would say those things are ALWAYS more important then money, but that’s me…)
And like I already mentioned, the biggest goal here, in my view at least, is awareness. So to all of you how have shown support in whatever way you have chosen, be it a donation, words of encouragement, or passing on and forwarding my endless fundraising emails and messages, or even simple word of mouth gossiping. You have all done a great thing, and I cannot thank you enough!
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!
Stay tuned for online ride updates (see below) and another wrap-up email complete with tons of pictures and stories in the weeks following ALC 10.
Erik A. Dabel
Now for some helpful information: I will be updating periodically throughout the week on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. If you haven’t already, look me up on either.
Facebook: If you’re on Facebook and are not yet friends with me, just search for Erik Dabel. You can’t miss me. However, add me before Saturday night, as I won’t be able to confirm once I start the ride.
Twitter: If you’re on Twitter, I’m under @ErikDabel. Follow me. Simple.
The good folks at ALC also do their own updates, although they can be hard to find and I don’t think they are even up until the event starts. From the ALC homepage, find the link that says something along the lines of “Experience the Event”. There should be blogs, daily updates, rider and fan posts, and pictures posted each day.
Enjoy!
Once again, thank you for all that you have done. I couldn’t do this without you, and more importantly, you are doing your part to make the world a better place. Thank you!
ALC 10 Pre-Ride Thank You
Hey everyone! First things first: The final count, as of right now, of my personal fundraising efforts: $5,235. A new record for me, I’ve never broken the $5K barrier before. So thank you! Of course, donations are still being accepted, so that number could still go up. I had to reach the minimum by tomorrow, June 4th, in order to take part in the event, which I did months ago (because you people ROCK!) but donations usually continue to trickle in throughout the ride.
And that means, yes, I will be climbing “Quadbuster” not once, not twice, but thrice! Woooohoooooo!!!
That being said, in two days time from right now, I’ll be well on my way to Santa Cruz from The Cow Palace in San Francisco on Day 1 of AIDS/Lifecycle 10. It’s amazing how time flies, it seems like just the other day I was arriving in Los Angeles after ALC 9, sitting in my hotel room with my mind jumping back and forth from the collection of William Faulkner short stories I was trying (unsuccessfully) to read, to still trying to process the 7 days I had just been through, to thinking to the future on fundraising and training for ALC 10.
Well, here I am. The floor of my room is covered with bits and pieces that need to eventually get packed into my backpacking pack, and I still have a large list of things to do before that can happen. (The last training ride, a short 20 mile recovery ride, being at the top of that list!)
I do want to take this time to thank each one of you for your help. I’ll be honest. I didn’t originally do this ride two years ago because I was personally affected by HIV/AIDS, or because I had friends affected, or living, with it. Or so I thought. It’s amazing what one can learn when one opens their mind and consciousness to lifestyles and cultures different from their own. I did it because as a cyclist, I wanted to ride down the coast, and to do that with this type of support would be amazing. And I was right!
But since then, having done this ride twice before already, it has taken on a different meaning and purpose. You learn a lot out there on ALC. You learn about people, you learn about friendship, camaraderie, and heart. And you learn a lot about yourself. So now I do this ride for a different purpose. Not only to raise money for research, prevention and education surrounding HIV/AIDS, but more importantly to raise awareness and spread knowledge about this global killer. The more we know, the better we can protect ourselves and future generations from a very frightening current reality, and the more willing we are to help those already suffering from it.
So, thank you all for the support you have shown. Whether you contributed to help fight HIV/AIDS, or to support me in my quest, or simply for the tax deduction. Whatever your purpose, I thank you for it, from the bottom of my heart. And not just for monetary support. Money is important, it makes the world go round; but sometimes knowledge, hope, faith, and simple words of encouragement are more important in the greater scheme of things. (I would say those things are ALWAYS more important then money, but that’s me…)
And like I already mentioned, the biggest goal here, in my view at least, is awareness. So to all of you how have shown support in whatever way you have chosen, be it a donation, words of encouragement, or passing on and forwarding my endless fundraising emails and messages, or even simple word of mouth gossiping. You have all done a great thing, and I cannot thank you enough!
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!
Stay tuned for online ride updates (see below) and another wrap-up email complete with tons of pictures and stories in the weeks following ALC 10.
Erik A. Dabel
Now for some helpful information: I will be updating periodically throughout the week on my Facebook and Twitter accounts. If you haven’t already, look me up on either.
Facebook: If you’re on Facebook and are not yet friends with me, just search for Erik Dabel. You can’t miss me. However, add me before Saturday night, as I won’t be able to confirm once I start the ride.
Twitter: If you’re on Twitter, I’m under @ErikDabel. Follow me. Simple.
The good folks at ALC also do their own updates, although they can be hard to find and I don’t think they are even up until the event starts. From the ALC homepage, find the link that says something along the lines of “Experience the Event”. There should be blogs, daily updates, rider and fan posts, and pictures posted each day.
Enjoy!
Once again, thank you for all that you have done. I couldn’t do this without you, and more importantly, you are doing your part to make the world a better place. Thank you!
Finals week is so boring... As a teacher. I gave the option to students on whether they wanted to take the week off, and they all said yes. So, no lessons, no sectionals, only a couple night rehearsals and gigs this week.
So, I guess I can catch up on the innerwebs and get some good riding in.
A couple days ago I went out for my first century of the year. In the end it came out to 133 miles in 8:16 with 9990 feet of elevation gain. LOOOONG day. It was a great ride, though. Went from my house in South San Jose to Santa Cruz and back via some great local mountain roads, heading out north to La Honda and San Gregorio via Skyline and 84, then out to 1 for the long trek back South to Santa Cruz.
I don't remember what beach this was, but it was a small one with only a couple porta-potties. So I don't think it was an actual State Beach. Which I prefer.
My favorite beach to head to, Waddell Creek Beach, about 11 or so miles North of Davenport, which is 9 or so miles North of Santa Cruz. UBER windy.
So, I guess I can catch up on the innerwebs and get some good riding in.
A couple days ago I went out for my first century of the year. In the end it came out to 133 miles in 8:16 with 9990 feet of elevation gain. LOOOONG day. It was a great ride, though. Went from my house in South San Jose to Santa Cruz and back via some great local mountain roads, heading out north to La Honda and San Gregorio via Skyline and 84, then out to 1 for the long trek back South to Santa Cruz.
I don't remember what beach this was, but it was a small one with only a couple porta-potties. So I don't think it was an actual State Beach. Which I prefer.
My favorite beach to head to, Waddell Creek Beach, about 11 or so miles North of Davenport, which is 9 or so miles North of Santa Cruz. UBER windy.
So, I guess I haven't been around here much. I have, but only checking in every couple days to catch up on threads and what-have-yous and sort of lurking around.
The weather is heating up, I've been spending a boatload of time out on the bike, my private music teaching studio is still growing after taking a big hit due to the recession, and I've been playing a LOT. I've done 5 musicals now since December. Some awesome, like Chicago, of course, some just OK. But whatever, they want to pay me, I'll play whatever.
So, yeah. The new bike: (These pictures are way to big to fit here, but I'm lazy and tired from a training ride today, so if you want to see them, and I know you do, they are in my Pics section in the cycling file. Duh)
Other then that, riding, teaching and playing, well, nothings going on. Same ol stuff. I guess I'm lucky to have a career in something that is more of a hobby, which also gives me plenty of spare time to ride. Works for me.
I guess one big thing is coming up. AIDS/Lifecycle is in abut 3 weeks. 3,000 people riding bikes from the Cow Palace in San Francisco to the Vet Center in LA to raise money for AIDS research, prevention, testing, education and awareness. It's always an incredible adventure, and I can't wait for it!
Click here if you want to be awesome and donate to my ALC ride!
Anyways, that's about it. Time to go teach some high school kids how to play trombone. Yup.
-E
The weather is heating up, I've been spending a boatload of time out on the bike, my private music teaching studio is still growing after taking a big hit due to the recession, and I've been playing a LOT. I've done 5 musicals now since December. Some awesome, like Chicago, of course, some just OK. But whatever, they want to pay me, I'll play whatever.
So, yeah. The new bike: (These pictures are way to big to fit here, but I'm lazy and tired from a training ride today, so if you want to see them, and I know you do, they are in my Pics section in the cycling file. Duh)
Other then that, riding, teaching and playing, well, nothings going on. Same ol stuff. I guess I'm lucky to have a career in something that is more of a hobby, which also gives me plenty of spare time to ride. Works for me.
I guess one big thing is coming up. AIDS/Lifecycle is in abut 3 weeks. 3,000 people riding bikes from the Cow Palace in San Francisco to the Vet Center in LA to raise money for AIDS research, prevention, testing, education and awareness. It's always an incredible adventure, and I can't wait for it!
Click here if you want to be awesome and donate to my ALC ride!
Anyways, that's about it. Time to go teach some high school kids how to play trombone. Yup.
-E
