CVCCA - Parker's Team

Congratulations and HAPPY BIRTHDAY (70) to Grandpa for completing the "Climb to Kaiser"!!!!  What a birthday gift to yourself!!!!

Congratulations to CTK finishers Brenda B., Gina, Tracy, Suzanne, Carl, and all of our other members who rode today!  You guys are all AWESOME and I was sooooo proud to see you all in your team jerseys today!!!! 

Pictures: 

CTK ride Buddies Grandpa & Brenda B

Grandpa enjoing a downhill

Brenda, still smilling after Wildcat, Burroughs Valley, Tollhouse and Shaver Grades (6200' done 7300' to go)

The finishers, Brenda, Gina, Grandpa & Tracy (Carl & Suzanne finished too eary to be in pic as did Bill & Alicia on the tandem)

 

 

WOW!! Absolutely amazing. Having done the Millerton Metric yesterday in this heat I am so impressed by your accomplishments and how hard you have trained. Cavin, are you the oldest to ever complete this? And HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I would love it if you all posted your experiences. It is so great to have some women team members finish as by my observation it was mostly men who went out there. What a day you all must have had--and how proud you must feel. We can't forget the great coaching/pulling that went into your effort as well!

Congratulations to all of you!  You are awesome.  And a happy 70th birthday to Grandpa.  Gee, if I start training now, do you think I can do CTK by the time I am 70?

Momma M

Sue,

Absolutely amazing is an understatement.  I just counted only 18 female names on the entry list which means the 5 ladies (counting Alicia's ride on the tandem with Bill), from Parker's Team constituted 28% of the female entries.  In fact, other than our 5 there were only 5 other women from the Fresno/Clovis area entered.  The results are to be posted by July 6th and I strongly suspect our ladies might make upwards of 40% of the female finishers.  Speaks volumes about the training we all received as members of Parker's Team.  No, I was not the oldest to complete the ride, I met a guy that at age 73 was completing his 3rd CTK.  I like to say the ride was on my "Bucket List" and now that it has been checked off I never need to do it again.  That said, we are in the talking stages about a ride that might let future entrants know a little about what to expect. The tentative idea is to drive to Huntington Lake late this summer and ride the 8 miles (2300' climb) up to Kaiser Pass and return for a picnic at the lake. 

Grandpa

One more first time finisher from Parkers Team was Carl Owada. 12 hrs 52 min

Congrats

papa b

 

Hello Gang,

We just wanted to clarify...Griff and I thought we would try to do The Climb on the tandem.  We started off with that being the plan but by Tollhouse we were completely out of gas.  Kudos to Mike and Sue for their Kaiser tandem rides....an amazing task and you did it with speed and strength!!!

We jumped on the 4 lanes and headed to the car just after Tollhouse.  AC, ice cold drink...and the couch.

We do send much congratulations to all the finishers of The Climb!!  We know it is a booger and a half.  I did it once, 2005, and never...ever again.  Griff dragged me around that year and he has done Kaiser 4 times total. 

I have officially retired from ever attempting that ride again.  It is an amazing ride.  Congrats to all the finishers.  The weather was tough and you survived!!!  Along with the others mentioned...Steve Frisby...Parker Team Alum...completed the ride this year..again.

Excellent Job!!!  Alicia & Griff

Congratulations to ALL  riders, and especially new finishers.  This ride is one of the 10 toughest rides in the country (bicycling magazine, I think)   and has a couple of the best down hill 'E tickets"  around . Tamarac to Shaver and top of 4 lane to Auberry via Alder Springs... now if going up was as pleasant!

I kind of agree with Alicia (never again??)  after my 2005 ride at 55yrs... but then next year is 60... maybe if is get rid of my big a-- Uh extra baggage.....     this years excuse was Sandy's birthday trip to Disneyland.

good job all!

 

last 8 miles   I walked the nastiest of that in 2005..   BUT i like you idea of riding it later in the summer with a picnic at the lake..

If we can get orgainzed,? and get a bunch of riders  and their families,  I might be enticed to drag up my boat and water toys and drag the kiddies around..  it could be a fun outing for every age group.

 what do you guys think?

 

 

I am so impressed with all our finishers.  True grit......you all TOTALLY ROCK! 

Another finisher in the Parker's Team jersey was Kevin Emerzian (11 hrs 24 mins).   This was his third CTK ride - his last was in 2002 and even though he seemed disappointed that he did not improve on his personal best, I'm sure all sane people would agree that he did a fabulous job. 

Melissa,

Thanks for posting the great pictures. It was a really tough day and we were all so glad to finish. I won't say that I will never do it again (never say never...) because Brenda G. would be mad at me. A big thank-you to coach Sue for her awesome training and words of wisdom. Thanks to my training partners Brenda, Grandpa, Tom & Jonna. Also, thanks to all of the Parker's team members who were at the Shaver reststop and the finish line cheering us on. I saw Jane & Naomi on Tollhouse and Kaiser pass and they cheered me up. Seeing Dennis & Brenda G. at the Shaver rest stop on the way down was a wonderful surprise. And of course at the finish, Jim & Teri, Dennis, Brenda, Sue, the Fritsch family, Joe & Tamera, Mike Watt, (and anyone else I forgot), what a great feeling to be so supported by such wonderful teammates!

Thanks again,

Suzanne

 

Congratulations Cavin and Ladies!  You are an inspiration for us all.  You have shown what determination, hard work, and more determination can accomplish.

 

Dennis, look out; there is a new pimp in the neighborhood.