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On the
Road
Again
PHOTO BY SHERRY MCRAE
Sun City Texas newcomers Cinde and Eldon Gramley are avid cyclists who raise money for children’s charitiies.
By Maureen Griffin Breathless Agony. The Torture Clinic, a feet), completing 70 miles.
program developed by Robert Kahler, a
Fifteen years ago, if someone had former coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Buoyed by their respectable finish, the
suggested Spandex would dominate Center, improves cardiovascular fitness, Gramleys completed other century rides
the wardrobes of Cinde and Eldon reduces body fat, improves cycling skills – rides of 100 or more miles in distance,
Gramley, they would have thought them and challenges participants physically focusing on those benefiting various
crazy. Nonetheless, 15 years later, that’s and mentally. For two and a half hours, children’s charities. The Tour de Palm
the case with this cycling couple. The twice a week, for nine weeks, cyclists push Springs, a Southern California tradition
Gramleys, recent transplants from the themselves to their limits on machines since 1999, hosts more than 1,000 riders
Southern California community of Orange, simulating various cycling conditions. and benefits 115 local charities. The Palm
began cycling to address fitness issues and Having survived, the Gramleys entered Desert Century climbs from 201 to 1,448
to relieve stress. Cinde explained, “I had their first timed ride. feet and includes a time trial between miles
a weight problem. We looked at our lives 35 and 50. Proceeds benefit the Boys and
and realized we had to make a change. We Breathless Agony is a 114-mile ride Girls Clubs of the Coachella Valley.
began riding bikes, and it brought us closer from Redlands, California to Big Bear,
together. It’s been great.” California. The riders climb over 12,000 One of their favorite rides was The Amtrak
feet. Some sections of the route have an Century. Riders begin in Irvine, California
Dodging the impatient Southern California average grade of 11.4 percent, leaving and end in downtown San Diego. The route
traffic, the Gramleys persisted. Weight riders “breathless.” Riders face the takes them along the scenic Southern
came off and they looked forward to riding additional challenge of cars and trucks California coastline with checkpoints in
together after work and on weekends. passing on the narrow mountain roads. the historic Spanish mission cities of San
They heard about a local bike club ride Unfortunately, the Gramleys didn’t finish Juan Capristrano and San Clemente. At
and enrolled in a Torture Cycling Clinic, the ride due to cramping. They did get mile 60, they climb 3,200 feet through the
preparing them for their first test – a within four miles of Onyx Summit (8,443 Torrey Pines Forest. The riders also endure
legendary 100-plus mile ride named an eight-mile stretch on a California
62 | SUNRAYS SEPTEMBER 2017 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
