Sweating for a Cause

You may recall that this is Isabel’s idea of hiking gear. So you can imagine her bafflement regarding her genetic connection to her son Nico, who in recent years has embraced triathlons, Ironman competitions, long-distance bike rides (including a 3,000-mile trek across the U.S.), and other body-torturing events. “How is it possible that he is my son?” she asked the other day, shaking her perfectly coiffed head. “Not only is he tall, but for some odd reason he likes to sweat!”

Still, I can tell she is secretly pleased with Nico’s latest adventure. Last weekend he set off across Northern California on the three-day Sea to Sierra ride from Sonoma County to Tahoe City, a route that covered 363 miles (approximately 584 kilometers for those of you who prefer your distances in metric) and climbed up and down, up and down, up and down—for a total of 20,680 feet (6,303 meters). Just imagine trying to catch your breath while grinding uphill at 8,000 feet (2,438 meters)…Whew! Anyway, it was all for a good cause, and one that is near and dear to Isabel’s heart. Nico and other Sea to Sierra riders pedaled in support of the Santa Rosa-based Women’s Recovery Services, an amazing addiction treatment center that provides a haven for women struggling with various forms of substance abuse. What’s especially wonderful—and unusual—about the organization is that it allows many of the women to live at the center with their young children.

Here’s a picture of Nico on the ride and an excerpt from an update he posted on the second day:

Yesterday I rode 120 miles from Santa Rosa to Folsom in 105-degree heat. Today is 85 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing…I LOVE this stuff (I know, it’s weird).

Isabel agrees that it’s weird but—no surprise—she was more than happy to support his efforts with a matching grant from the Foundation.