I’m Riding the California Coast Classic Again: 525 Miles for an Arthritis Cure

Last September, I pedaled my bike 525 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles as part of the California Coast Classic – the Arthritis Foundation‘s signature cycling event.

For eight days, I rode down coastal highways with knees that don’t always cooperate. I pushed through pain, doubt, fatigue, and that brutal hill in Daly City that still haunts my dreams. IYKYK.

And it was one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done.

Every challenging moment was proof that rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t define my limits.

Why I’m Doing It Again

When I was first diagnosed with RA, I grieved the active life I thought I’d lost. I wondered if I’d ever do anything physically challenging again.

The California Coast Classic proved me wrong.

It showed me that chronic illness might change how I do things, but it doesn’t stop me from doing them. It also connected me with hundreds of other riders who understand what it’s like to fight your own body every single day.

So in September 2026, I’m doing it all over again.

What the California Coast Classic Funds

The California Coast Classic isn’t just a bike ride, it’s a fundraising powerhouse for the Arthritis Foundation.

Every dollar raised supports:

Arthritis Research

Finding better treatments and ultimately, a cure
Understanding disease mechanisms and triggers
Developing earlier diagnostic tools
Exploring prevention strategies

Patient Support Programs

Exercise programs (like Your Exercise Solution)
Educational resources for newly diagnosed patients
Support groups and community building
Tools for living well with arthritis

Advocacy Efforts

Fighting for better healthcare access
Pushing for increased research funding
Educating policymakers about arthritis impact
Protecting patients’ rights

Awareness & Education

Combating misconceptions about arthritis
Training healthcare providers
Public awareness campaigns
Community outreach

My 2025 Goal: $8,000

Last year, with your incredible support, I raised $7,727 for arthritis research and programs. This year, I’m aiming to exceed that goal.

Here’s what your donation accomplishes:

$30 helps provide educational materials and online information so that the 1 in 4 Americans with arthritis can fight back against this disease
$50 helps address the needs of the 300,000 kids diagnosed with arthritis, and their families, through educational opportunities, camps and other resources
$100 helps advance research to discover better treatments to reduce arthritis pain and increase mobility
$200 helps us advocate to remove barriers to care: high costs of treatment, difficulty accessing medications and more
$500 helps us address the shortage of rheumatologists by funding new fellowships
$1,000+ makes a significant impact on finding a cure

No amount is too small. Seriously. If everyone reading this donated $10, we’d make a massive difference.

Training with RA: What’s Different This Year

Last year, I didn’t know what I was getting into. This year, I know the challenges, and I’m better prepared.

What I’m doing differently:

Adaptive strategies: Modifying my bike to be more efficient and comfortable for my specific arthritis needs.

Mental preparation: I know now that some days my body won’t cooperate, and that’s okay. Progress isn’t linear when you have chronic illness.

Community support: Connecting with other cyclists who have chronic conditions. We’re not alone in this.

I’ll be sharing my training journey here on the blog and on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. And of course there’s always Strava and Garmin. The good days and the bad, and everything in between.

Why? Because I want other people with chronic illness to see that we can do extraordinary things. We just have to do them differently.

How You Can Support

Donate

Every contribution gets me closer to my $8,000 goal. Donate early and often!

DONATE HERE!

Every $1 makes a difference.

Share this post, my fundraising page, my training updates. Spreading awareness matters just as much as dollars.

Follow the Journey

I’ll be documenting everything – training rides, fundraising milestones, race preparation, the event itself. Join me for the ride (pun intended).

Join the Ride

Want to actually ride with me? The California Coast Classic welcomes cyclists of all levels. There’s also a virtual option if you can’t make it to California. On the east coast? Check out the Carolina Hills Classic!

Host a Fundraiser

Want to support in a creative way? Host a fundraising event (virtual or in-person) to support my ride. I’ll provide materials and help!

Let’s Find a Cure

In 2025, I learned that having rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t mean I can’t do extraordinary things. It just means I have to do them differently.

This year, I’m riding for every person who’s been told “oh my knees hurt sometimes, too.”

I’m riding for better treatments and ultimately, a cure.

I’m riding for the nearly 60 million Americans living with arthritis.

I’m riding for the 300,000 children growing up with arthritis.

I’m riding for my younger self, who thought RA meant the end of adventure.

I’m riding to prove that chronic illness doesn’t define our limits.

Will you ride with me?

DONATE NOW!

Thank you for believing in me, in this cause, and in the possibility of a cure.

Let’s make 2026 unforgettable.

P.S. If you supported me last year, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you’re new here and want to join the fight for a cure, welcome. Let’s do this together.