9-25 through 9-27! What a Weekend!
Great friends!
This weekend has been extremely busy! One would think that once I got eliminated from the Scott & BR Cycling Contest, it’d be all free and clear for my weekends right? Sooo not the case.
Friday, September 25th was a fantastic event at Joy and Adam’s “BREW BASH TO BENEFIT THE CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION” at the La Jolla Brewhouse. It was a huge success. Right when I walked in, there was a massive backroom that was filled from wall to wall with tons of great prizes and items to either be auctioned off, to a huge table that had everything from goodie bags to a Spinergy Stealth Carbon Wheelset to be won!
The place was absolutely rocking, with a number of familiar faces, including QMDC’s Scott Rhodes and Mike Jennings, Houter and Mike Henderson, CAF’s Vikki Indermuehle and a number of the Qualcomm riders like Chintan, Dr. Frank, Steve, Joe and David Lee. A whole bunch of us XX 1090 Cyclists were in attendance to support the cause and our TOP THREE teammates! Rob Millum, Pat Thomas, Mark Vandierendonck and Joe Weickgenant, who all donated a number of great items for the Brew Bash. The evening was a great success along with some fun Singles Auctions and a couple of songs by this Yogurt Shop Guitar Playing Guy. Congrats to Joy and Adam on a job well done!
Saturday, September 26 was Adam’s “POKER RUN TO BENEFIT THE CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION” and we all rolled out of
our beds with very little sleep from the previous night’s festivities and took part in a fantastic fundraiser. About 30 people came out and had a great time on this 45 mile ride, picking up cards along the way to see if they could win a prize for the best or worst poker hand.
Joe, Alex, Joy, Rob Lindbloom and I all came out to support Adam’s fundraiser and we all had a good time doing it. Had a chance to ride with some of my great riding buds Edson Bandoy and Mark Estrada, whom I haven’t had a chance to ride with in some time. It’s always fun to ride with those guys and they had a chance to see how we help one another up hills and how quickly Joe Weickgenant can change a flat tire! One of our great QMDC friends Sue and her husband had a chance to ride out with us for the Poker Run and Sue was pushing pretty hard up the hills and needed a hand, so Alex and Joe took turns placing their hand on her lower back to help her along and I pulled in front to take the wind off her. Sue was so happy that after the ride, she gave us all big hugs for a job well done.
Afterwards, we all took part in yet another CAF event by eating at Rubios Fish Taco for our post-ride meal! I got a two fish taco combo. Nice.
Sunday, September 27th was scheduled to be a Vista SLR ride, but due to the heat, the ride leaders decided to change it to a San Clemente ride, and to be honest, I couldn’t have been happier! With Friday’s Sweetwater Canyon mountain bike ride, Saturday’s Poker Run and Sunday’s ride ahead, I was feeling pretty tired by this point. But hey, if I get the great opportunity to ride alongside my teammates on the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge, it’ll be seven days straight, so what am I complaining about?
Had a great chance to congratulate the TOP THREE, Adam, Joy and Alex on their great accomplishment! After the morning announcements, we all broke into our groups and a bunch of us XX 1090 riders decided to take the opportunity to ride with Group 4 and support them along this long ride to San Clemente. It was a wonderful treat, getting to ride with Julie, Dr. Bob, David Lee, the Brents and bunch is always a fun time, and they’re always the most social group to ride with.
At the halfway marker at the 7-Eleven in San Clemente, I was starting to feel some pain behind my left knee, but I figured I just had to “suck it up” and keep plugging away, but the pain began to become more intense and I found myself pedaling the last 30 miles of the ride focusing all my power with my right leg. Woke up this morning and was limping around all day at work, but after my medical investigation as to what the issue is via good old Google, it appears that its just a muscle strain that comes from, you guessed it, OVERUSE, so I’m gonna take the next couple days off and hope that I’ll be all good to go later this week!
Keep riding friends!
-BB
9-24-09 – “One more sprint, one more climb, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
Friends, family and teammates,
Thank you for your continued support of me, not just for the Scott & BR Cycling Contest and the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge, but in supporting me in everything that I do.
As I’ve been eliminated from the contest, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a bit more about myself.
One thing that not a lot of people know is that when I was born on October 11, 1978, I was born with a condition called Kawasaki Syndrome, an inflammatory condition that effects the blood vessels and arteries, and in some cases heart complications. The syndrome shows up in a very small percentage of children each year, and in most cases with proper medical attention, most children after just weeks of treatment show no signs of the syndrome in their systems. I was the rare exception, and was in and out of doctor’s offices and clinics for my first year.
As a result, my loving parents (and brother), were always protective of me, keeping me out of physical activities and pushing me more towards music instead. While my friends and classmates got to ride their bikes and play in Pop Warner football, I got to play the piano.
Well, mom and dad could only keep me away from sports for so long as I started wrestling in the sixth grade (at the 95 lb weight class) and ended up being a 3 year Varsity letterman in Wrestling at Rancho Bernardo High School. Did I completely quit on music you might ask? Heck no, I lettered in Choir too.
Then, after years of training in a martial art called Kendo (Japanese fencing), I finally earned my first degree black belt, and had a wonderful opportunity to build great relationships with the San Diego Kendo Club and had a chance to compete in tournaments with some of Southern California’s best kendoists and well as have an opportunity to learn from a number of guest instructors and visitors from Japan, including two Japanese World Champions.
So now, being part of the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge and the
Challenged Athletes Foundation, I’m proud to support an organization that not only provides support to the athletes and veterans who have sustained great physical injuries, but also provides the kids who were born with these challenges an opportunity to build relationships and enjoy all of the fruits that competitive sports has to offer.
After growing up always being told that you can’t, I’m proud to be a part of an organization that tells people that they can.
I said it when I started this contest and I’ll say it again – win or lose, elimination or no elimination, I’m glad to have had this great opportunity to make a difference and make lasting friendships that will continue on well after this experience is over.
I’d like to thank my wonderful wife Becky 
who encourages and supports me in everything that I do as I certainly would not have gotten this far in the contest had it not been for her.
Over the years, from showing up to Kendo matches to shaping up my diet to bearing with me through mountain bike and road bike adventures that have kept me out of the house for countless hours, my wife continues to cheer me on and keep me motivated in all that I do.
I will certainly keep on moving forward, promoting and fundraising for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and will do everything I can to make it to San Francisco in October. And if, by chance, I don’t make the trip, I’ll always know that my efforts made a difference.
“One more sprint, one more climb, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
-BB
9-24-09 – BB ties for 4th Place in Scott & BR Cycling Contest!
Good morning Great Friends!
Today we had yet another elimination in the ongoing saga that is the Scott & BR Cycling Contest for the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge. Since starting out in June with 30 original XX 1090 riders, today Scott & BR made the cut to THREE! After cueing the Survivor Music, and knowing that Joy was selected as one of the three to move on to the next round, we got to find out the results!
Alas, your TOP THREE that will move on to the next round and continue on the contest portion of the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge will be Joy Muehlenbein, Adam Beck and Alex Hamlow! Congratulations to all!
While my teammates Joy, Adam and Alex will continue with the contest portion of this journey, let me first tell you a bit about my friend Rob Millum.
Rob is one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met, with such a compelling story. Through mental toughness, a willingness to live a healthier lifestyle and the support of his wife Jayne, Rob lost over 150 pounds and has kept it off for good. In fact, when Rob first started in this competition, he didn’t even have a road bike. He came in with his mountain bike, not having rode a bike in some time, bought a road bike, worked hard and ended up becoming one of the TOP FIVE.
More than that, Rob is one of the people that everyone enjoys talking to over the course of a ride. I had an opportunity to ride 103 miles up from Solana Beach to Rancho Palos Verdes with him and I’ve never had the ride fly by so fast. He’s a great conversationalist and after being married for more than 20 years, he gave this rookie husband some great advice on how to be a better communicator and some tips for a happy and healthy marriage.
While we’re both temporarily saddened by the fact that we’ve been eliminated from the contest, our journey is far from over as we have 3 more weeks of training rides and will do everything we can to raise enough funds to get to San Francisco and join the rest of our teammates in October!
-BB
Brew Bash to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation
Good afternoon friends!
XX 1090 rider, Joy Muehlenbein is holding a “Brew Bash to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation” on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 7:00pm and doors close Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 12:00am at the La Jolla Brew House (www.lajollabrewhouse.com) on 7536 Fay Ave.
Silent auction, live singles auction, raffle, goody bags, cool people, tasty beer and a great cause! What else could you ask for? How about a tax deduction? Yep, you get that, too!
Also, I’ll be playing a couple of tunes from 730 – 845 p.m. and will be selling tickets for an opportunity drawing for my Yamaha Acoustic-Electric Guitar, so come on down, have a brew, listen to some music, meet some new folks and do it all for a great cause.
Hope to see you there!
XX 1090 ELIMINATION UPDATE!
I got a phone call from John “Pratty Boy” Pratt from XX 1090’s Scott & BR Show and said all five of the TOP FIVE riders will be on the air tomorrow morning at 0645 a.m. to find out which two competitors will be the next to be eliminated!
Whatever happens tomorrow morning, thank you all for your continued support throughout this fantastic journey!
-BB
9-20-09 – Great Western Loop
Great Friends!
Today’s ride took us to the East County off Jamacha Road for the hilly but fun Great Western Loop! There were a number of Qualcomm riders in attendance as well as a number of XX 1090 Riders including Joe Weickgenant, Mark Vandierendonck, Rob Lindbloom and finalists Rob Millum, Joy Muehlenbein and Adam Beck. Comeback Kid Alex Hamlow was on travel for this ride, but will catch up with us this coming Sunday.
Prior to starting the ride, Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge Head Coach Mari Holden gave us tips for what to expect on the ride, particularly the amount of hills we’ll be expecting, the importance of taking in fluids and food to keep from “bonking” and especially to stay cool in the heat.
At first, I wondered what she meant about the “heat” as it was super overcast, almost foggy and there was no indication that we’d be getting any sun on this ride. Boy was I wrong!
With Mike Henderson and Mari heading the group, I rode out with Group 3 today, and we were immediately met with hills on the way to Sycuan Casino. For some reason, whether it be the cookies I had for breakfast or the battle tested quads I gained from the previous weekend’s back-to-back centuries, I just felt great today and pushed it a bit on the hills!
The group went through a number of rigorous hills, which Mike classified as “appetizers” and
“main courses” for the depth of difficulty for each hill we encountered, and as the sun decided to beat down on us, we all needed a break from the climbing and as we climbed up at around mile 18 or so, we were met by Vikki and her truck with plenty of water for us to refill!
This ride, though only about 45 miles in length, was a definite test on my legs, my lungs and my heart rate for sure. But, like all XC mountain bike riders know, good things come to those who wait when it comes to hill climbing, and we got to absolutely bomb down some of the windy roads that the Great Western Loop had to offer!
The group had one more break at just past the halfway point and were met by Tina who had a fantastic spread, which little bowls filled with PB & J Uncrustables (which, for the record, are the most popular food at the SAG stops), Dudley’s Bread and apples! What a great treat, full of great carbs and energy perfect for the last push to the end.
After our SAG stop, Mike Henderson let us know that we’ve got some great downhill, a couple of hills, some more downhill, and then we’re back at the parking lot.
When he said downhill, I figured it be a couple short swoops down the roads, but we had a fantastic hill that we absolutely plowed down.
My legs and my confidence felt good, so I got in the tuck, grit my teeth, and rocketed downhill at 53 mph! I let out a “WOOOOO!!!” as I passed Mari, who was holding up for the rest of Group 3 and when we had a chance to stop, she asked me how I liked going that fast and I said I had drool coming out of the corners of my smile on the way down!
Overall, this is one of those rides that’s finally close by my house, something that I can take my best buds on without fear of losing them to massive mileage like some of the longer rides we’ve been on throughout this great experience with the QMDC.
-BB
9-18-09 – XX 1090 Jam Session at the Star of India
Good morning friends,
After Wednesday’s Acoustic Night, I decided to keep the jam session going and set up an impromptu stage at the Star of India’s Maritime Museum off Harbor Drive here in Downtown San Diego!
We set up bright and early and got to play for an audience of early bird runners, walkers and cyclists speeding by and was jamming for about half an hour when I got stopped by the Star of India Security who wanted to know if I had a permit to perform!
After explaining that I didn’t, I had an opportunity to tell them about the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the QMDC and the reason for my jam session — the Scott & BR Show which was going on live on XX 1090.
One of the security guards was a fan of the Scott & BR Show and said “Hey man, are you the Guitar Playing Yogurt Shop Guy?” and I said “Heck yeah!” and the security guards let the show go on!
After Philly Billy’s interview on the Scott & BR Show, I called up the show and
was on the air letting the guys know that I’ve got a big banner, a wrapped guitar and am rocking out as loud as I can on this early Friday morning. Apparently, as I was jamming, Scott & BR mentioned that my buddy Joy was swimming naked in La Jolla to promote the show and Billy Ray mentioned that I should get naked and play the guitar out there!
With the elementary school kids that just started popping out the the Star of India as they were on an overnight field trip and my buddies the security guards keeping an eye on me, I figured playing naked might not be the best idea!
All in all, it was a blast and I got to raise some funds for the CAF as well!
This Sunday, we’ll be doing the Great Western Loop, another fun hill climber ride, so stay tuned for Sunday’s update!
-BB
8-16-09 – Acoustic Night for the CAF!
Hey friends!
Tonight we had a fun group come out to L’Amour de Yogurt for an Acoustic Night to promote the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge and XX1090!
Among the folks who came out to support the CAF tonight was XX 1090 rider Chris Glossner, whom we haven’t seen since the Fitness Quest clinic in August. Chris went out with a back injury, but had it not been for his injury and subsequent rehab, he would surely be in the running for the coveted top spot in this XX 1090 contest. It was great to see him, Joy, Adam, Cowboy and a bunch of proud supporters throughout the evening.
As an addition, after our challenge that we were given earlier this morning from our radio interview on the Scott & BR Show, where we were told we needed to utilize about 20 feet of XX 1090 banner in the most creative way possible to help promote the station, I went ahead and wrapped my entire guitar with the banner and it definitely caught a lot of attention!
Thanks to all who came out this evening!
-BB
9-16-09 – No Eliminations Today!
Great Friends,
Today, the Top Five contestants in the XX 1090 Cycling Contest were live at the XX1090 COX Communications studios with Scott & BR. After having an opportunity to tell the folks on the airwaves a little more about ourselves including what we’re doing to raise funds and awareness about the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Survivor Song came on which is the dreaded backdrop for the “sharpening of the knives” followed by the “cut” sound effects.
But today was not that day. They announced that after our excellent efforts at the 206 mile back to back century weekend, no one will be cut today and we’re all safe for another week, however next Wednesday, TWO of the riders will be cut!
As the remaining Fab Five, we’ve been given a challenge over the next two days to get XX1090 visible out there in San Diego and let the station know what we are doing…. stay tuned to that dial between 5a-9a tomorrow and Friday to hear what we’re doing out there!
Thanks again to Mr. Billy Ray Smith for purchasing a ticket for the Yamaha Acoustic-Electric Guitar Opportunity Drawing! The drawing ends on October 1st, so e-mail me if you want an opportunity to win at savoycourt11@hotmail.com!
Hope to see you all tonight at Acoustic Night for the CAF!
-BB
XX 1090 Cycling Update – Elimination Wednesday 8/16/09 Live in Studio
Good evening all!
As an update, the top five riders in the XX 1090 contest will be in studio for the Scott & BR Show from 0630-0730 tomorrow morning. I’ll try to send out a text message before we get on the radio.
If you don’t have a radio in your office, you can listen online at:
http://www.xxsportsradio.com/pages/main
Also, if your computer can support it, there’s also a live studio camera feed on the website as well!
Thanks again for your support and whatever happens, I’m glad to know that I made it to the Top Five along with my friends Joy, Adam, Rob and Alex!
Also, elminated or not eliminated by tomorrow, I’ll be at L’Amour de Yogurt Wednesday night for the Acoustic Night Fundraiser from 8-9 p.m. and hope to see you there!
-BB
9-15-09 – Reminder re: Upcoming Acoustic Night to Benefit the CAF!
Hello friends!
As a friendly reminder, tomorrow, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009, I’ll be holding an Acoustic Night at L’Amour De Yogurt at 9975 Carmel Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation!
I worked with Tuan from L’Amour De Yogurt and from 800-900 p.m., I’ll be singing and strumming the guitar for any and all guests who are in the mood for some evening entertainment and delicious frozen yogurt! What’s even better is 20% of the proceeds for the Acoustic Night will go to the CAF!
Can’t make it out on a school night and still want to donate to the Challenged Athletes Foundation? You can donate online by clicking on the green ribbon on the right hand side of this page!
Please see the flyer below for more info and I hope to see you there!
-BB
