|
LIVESTRONG Challenge 2007 - Portland,
Oregon |
|
|
Thank You
to all those who supported us with finances,
encouragement and prayers!
The total amount raised in 2007 by the LIVESTRONG
Challenge rides
in the 3 host cities was nearly $9 million to help fight
cancer! Awesome! |
|
|
On
September 30th 2007 we participated in a bike ride as part of the LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE in
Portland, Oregon. We rode with
Mark Nelsen and the team from KPTV Fox-12.
This was special for us since just
two years earlier Michelle finished her last
chemo treatment following cancer surgery.
(You can read her story on our
Cancer Survivor page.)
For you in the Portland area, you probably know
Mark as the chief "weather guy" at channel 12.
Well he wasn't much help with the weather on
Sunday! You can see the forecast graphic below,
and the three of us already wet before the ride
even started. As it turned out, we had near record rainfall
for the date and tied the record for the coldest
afternoon high temperature at 56! Wayne
Garcia (KPTV news anchor) was also there with us, in an unusual position
for him, behind the camera taking our picture. |
|
|
|
|
The pictures below will give you a flavor of what the
ride was like. I would like to have had more, but
I couldn't keep the rain off the camera lens (as you can
see in many of the photos). I had created a rain
cover for the camera, but with the rain and wind, it
wasn't enough to keep it dry. The weather was so
bad that they had to cancel the 100 mile ride because of
dangerous wind and rain on that part of the course (map
here).
We had planned on riding the 70 mile route, but settled
for the 40 mile ride because of the nasty conditions.
One rider I talked to started down the 70 mile route
but turned back because the wind was blowing the bike
sideways! In spite of the weather
conditions this really was an awesome experience.
We will definitely do it again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the day before at registration |
before the race, finding our place |
Mark Nelsen with us and our bike |
|
|
|
|
|
|
encouragement from Lance & others |
Lance Armstrong leading the pack |
we head out of the gate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
leaving the Nike Campus |
shortly after starting out |
still pretty bunched up as a group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
a feel for how wet it really was |
out in the countryside |
rest stop |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and more wet roads |
we only saw one other recumbent bike |
pretty views |
|
|
|
|
|
|
another rest stop |
great volunteers at each stop |
on the (wet) road again |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I thought this was a cool shot |
down the final stretch |
the end in sight |
|
|
|
|
|
|
turning into the Nike Campus |
special finish line for cancer survivors |
Michelle receiving her rose |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here we are after changing into dry clothes |
Rob, Corrie & their kids (our kids & grand kids)
held up this sign and cheered for us as we rode past |
|
|
|
|
What an awesome
experience! From the time we arrived to pick up
our materials on Saturday, through the Post-Event
Party on Sunday, everyone was enthusiastic in the
fight against cancer, excited about the event,
and encouraging to the cancer survivors. We
talked to many people, both volunteers and
participants, who were cancer survivors
themselves. Others were there to honor family
members who have fought cancer in the past, or
who are currently in the midst of it. Whatever
their situation, everyone was united in the
desire to put an end to this deadly disease. Lance Armstrong, in his speech before the
race, made a comment about the time and
commitment put into such an event, and even more
so when the weather was so unfavorable. If the
day had been nice and sunny, a nice bike ride
would have been fun. However, it felt as if we
were really in the midst of the fight! What a
great feeling!
We were truly amazed at the number of people
involved. We have heard that there were 3100
participants. When you add the huge number of
volunteers, both at the Nike campus, and on the
road to point the way and man the break
stations; the law enforcement officers
protecting the riders from the traffic; and
supporters who stood on the roadside cheering;
or those who drove by honking or clanging cow
bells, the number soars! The spirit of
LIVESTRONG was electric!
If a time comes when we don't ride for LIVESTRONG,
you will find us among the volunteers.
As the ride progressed the spirit of unity in
commitment to purpose continued. Riders
offered words of encouragement to other riders.
New acquaintances were made as we pedaled
side-by-side with others. Several
bicyclers took turns playing leap frog up and
down hills with us, joking about who was ahead
and who would be ahead on the other side of the
hill. "Where are you from?" and "How long have
you been a survivor?" were common questions as
we rode along. There was no belittling of
slower riders; we were all in it for the same
purpose. We were a team!
Although we were disappointed to shorten our
expected ride of 70 miles to just 40 miles
because of the weather, it was a good decision.
It was difficult enough to be a challenge, but
short enough to actually enjoy it. Even as
we finished the ride, and as tired and as wet as
we were, we were already saying, "If they were
doing this again next week, we'd do it again!"
Can't wait for the details for next year's LIVESTRONG
ride!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
The cards below were pinned on our bike for the
ride. They identify Michelle as a cancer
survivor,
and honor the special people listed by
our financial supporters when they made their
gifts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIVESTRONG
website here --
Our LIVESTRONG Challenge
2008 pictures
here |
|
|
|
|
|