Last weekend REMAX RESULTS was the presenting sponsor for The Hartford Breast Cancer Ride. The beneficiaries were Susan G Koman and Open Arms of Minnesota.
And yes, I rode my bike in the event. The event consisted of 111 miles in two days. Around 50 miles the first day and 60 miles the second day.
When the challenge was first presented to me I was quick to agree to participate.
Having an event to train for in the summer months gives me a reason to work out and try to stay in shape.
REMAX RESULTS planned training rides for Saturday mornings and we rode our bikes around the Twin Cities anywhere from 18 to 35 miles each week. I did my own personal training rides two other days a week riding from 15 –25 miles each ride.
I would be a hypocrite if I were to tell you that I was riding for “cancer causes”. I was riding strictly for own selfish reasons. I was riding to push myself to physical limits that I had not yet achieved in my life (A bucket list?) I was riding so I could say to my friends and peers who would never consider a feat as this at our age “I DID IT!”
The event was approaching and I was pumped and ready to ride!
The forecast for the weekend was hot and sunny with a chance of rain at night. This was good, as I love and seem to thrive in the heat. I had purchased a rain jacket and packed it and a visor but NO WAY did I plan to ride in the rain.
Saturday morning we arrived early at the Mall of America. As I was getting my bike and gear ready I noticed the clouds thickening and the skies darkening.
We were not a mile away from the Mall when the first raindrops fell. The rain was persistent and my pedals were slippery. I wished I had purchased cages for my pedals. My sunglasses were rain covered and I wished I had brought along the Chamois that I owned to wipe them clear. I was on Pilot Knob Road when I finally stopped to put on my visor to clear my vision. A mile or so later I finally conceded and removed my really cool REMAX RESULTS biking jersey, that our whole team was wearing, and put on my rain jacket.
I was really bummed and grumbling to myself about how uncomfortable I was and how inconvenient the rain was making my ride. This is when I had my AHH HA moment of the event. This rain was nothing compared to what people who have gone thru chemo and radiation for cancer treatment had to experience. I was choosing to do this ride. They had no choice but to go on their journey.
I finished my first day in just under 5 hours.
Sunday morning we woke to heat and sunshine but this morning brought on new challenges. The hotel forgot to give me my wake up call. I woke up and had only an hour to eat and prepare to ride. When I got to the bike pit, my bike was the one and only one left.
I started out on the country road, alone. No bikers in front of me for me to follow, no one behind me in case I had trouble. All I had were little red and while arrows, about every half-mile or so, letting me know I was heading in the right direction. What a scary and lonely feeling.
This brought me back to the thoughts of Saturday night when we all listened to cancer survivors tell their story of their journey from diagnosis through treatment. Once again I was reminded, I am doing this by choice. I know when, where and how this event will end. They were never given the choice to do their journey and yet they fought on not knowing what they faced ahead.
I caught up to other bikers at the first rest stop and finished my second day in 5 hours and 50 minutes with a 100 degree heat index.
This event was exhilarating and exciting. It was well planned and well organized.
My challenge to you is to get off your couch potato butts and start training NOW to ride this event with me next year. We not only are raising money for a good cause but you will push your body to new physical heights. There is no better anti-depressant than physical exercise. “Can’t ride” for health reasons? Sign up to be a crewmember. Steve drove the sweep vehicle. They are the ones who drive along the bike route helping participants who need first aid or help changing a flat tire. He loved helping. We could not have done this event with out all the help of crew and volunteers.
Come join me in my challenge
See you next Aug 6 and 7th as we ride for the Cure
This blog is in honor of my friends and family who have survived their battle with cancer; Susan, Kathy, Diane, Steve, MOM, Art Norma, Angela