Why Ride for Cancer?

People have asked me, why ride for cancer? One's "causes" are generally personal. This one is no different for me. Eighteen years ago this summer my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and eleven years - and countless battles later - cancer took her life. She was the fourth person in my immediately family to have been diagnosed with cancer. Three others since have been diagnosed with and have battled cancer. My first family member to die of cancer was in 1982; so you could say that cancer has been part of my life since then. Ministering to and supporting others who have cancer or have family members with cancer seems natural to me. So riding in honor of those battling cancer and in memory of those who've lost their battle with cancer just seems right. Because of my family's history, I have worked to reduce risks often associated with cancer; exercise has been a part of that plan. So this bicycle ride seems like a perfect blend of my own battle against cancer and supporting individuals who have had to live with cancer in their lives as well.

TWENTY-ONE days before the ride!

The Pan Hope Ride

On August 9th I will set out for a 300 mile plus bike ride between Cleveland and Cincinnati to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Hope houses located in both Cleveland and Cincinnati. Join me as I train for this ride and while I'm on the road beginning August 9th.

To learn more about this ride visit my Pan Hope page at:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=2008525&fr_id=2530&pg=personal

Ride along as I archive my thoughts on training, riding, and inspiration.

My First Century

Today I completed my first century! Whaoo! The Hancock Handlebar Hundred is a wonderfully flat century and thereby a great century for my first. The weather was ideal - overcast and cool. The first 50 miles was flat and fast. After a brief lunch stop I set out to complete the final half only to discover that the remainder of the ride would include a stiff headwind. While my pace slowed, the flat terrain made this ride an enjoyable accomplishment for this novice rider. A year ago I had trained for my first century only to give up the goal after a very hot 60 mile ride resulted in salt depleation. A difficult lesson in training and hydration that I learned well and utilzed as I trained all summer for this ride. I completed the ride in 6:00:01 for 100 miles. This included a 15 MPH pace. With an average HR of 139 I burned 2263 calories. With my first century behind me it is now time to find my next bicycling adventure.