Cyclist Sees Long Road Ahead

The first time Frances Fujii got on her new bike, she rode to the corner and fell over.

But she got back up and kept riding. Now, five months older, 10 pounds lighter and using hitherto unknown muscles, the 47-year-old Thousand Oaks woman is ready to embark on a 612-mile ride to raise money for a disease that has hit her close to home.

The California Coast Classic, which leaves from San Francisco today and ends in San Diego on Oct. 14, is a fund-raiser for arthritis research and education. It is sponsored by the Southern California chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, of which Fujii is a new board member.

Fujii runs a Westlake Village consulting company with her husband, Tom Voccola. Her journey began in May, when she was searching the Internet to find treatments for arthritis, a disease that has stricken her two stepdaughters, 27-year-old Jennifer and 34-year-old Jean Voccola.

Fujii soon became involved in the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and when she learned of the ride, she decided to try it.

An avid hiker who four years ago hiked to the top of 14,496-foot Mt. Whitney--11 miles up and 11 miles back down--in one day, Fujii thought she was in good shape until she discovered that riding a bike used muscles she had not worked in a while.

Using an old mountain bike she had acquired years ago, Fujii began training on the 45-mile South Bay Bike Trail, beginning in Venice. That first day, back in May, she had to stop several times because of leg cramps, and the ride took five hours.

Since then, she has bought a better bike and joined the Conejo Valley Cycling Club, joining members for weekend rides that sometimes surpassed 100 miles.

Fujii realizes how fortunate she is to be able to ride. She has watched as her stepdaughters have become increasingly debilitated by arthritis, an umbrella term for a variety of diseases that cause pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and connective tissue throughout the body.

Jennifer, who was athletic and very independent, developed symptoms five years ago. She now lives with her father and stepmother and suffers so much that there are days she cannot get out of bed, Fujii said.

On a recent trip, Jennifer was alone in her hotel room and could not unscrew a cap on a bottle of water. “It’s frustrating to not be able to do things for myself,” she said.

Before she became ill, Jennifer ran track, played soccer and enjoyed swimming.

Fujii, who hopes to raise more than $2,800 during the ride, will be one of more than 100 participants. She will camp along the way, with her tent and sleeping bag carried by a support vehicle.

Jennifer is thrilled that Fujii has worked so hard to raise funds for the event, she said.

“Frances puts all her heart and soul into everything she does,” Jennifer said.