The Final Days

It was a long journey to Austin for us. Over the past year, we, the riders, invested significant time in planning, training, and of course, fundraising for this great cause. Our 5 teams rode 25k through the city and then converged to ride as a full group to the downtown Radisson Hotel. We were met with cheers as we arrived to reunite with our Cancervive Warriors, family, friends, and supporters. It's difficult to describe in words the experience...

Over the weekend, we all participated in the LiveStrong Events taking place in Austin. Cancer survivors from all over were here to support and raise awareness for cancer survivorship and prove that the disease can be fought and won. We did a 5k walk with Cancervive Warriors on Saturday. We then did a 65k bike ride with Lance Armstrong for the LiveStrong Foundation on Sunday ('with' is a very general term...Lance and his Peloton zipped by us pretty quickly partway through the route!).

This Wellspring Cancervive experience is one that I will never forget...the many friendships made along the way...the adrenaline of riding through the night...the opportunity to view the small towns, landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, on our unique route by bike...and the constant energy of a great group of people all dedicated to a great cause. It's a rare experience and one that I would recommend to everyone.

I'm preparing to work my way back into reality now. Its strange not to have to get on my bike for 6 hours a day at all hours! Thanks again to everyone for your support!

Photos:

Our full team...riders and volunteers before our final ride into Austin:


Riding into the city:


Arrival celebrations with our Cancervive Warriors, family, and friends:





It was awesome to see Gail, Mya, and Benjamin...and I hope this experience will encourage Mya and Ben to be involved as they grow up - Mya has already indicated that she wants to do the ride when she is 18!


All the riders have signed Jerseys to be framed for the sponsors as a gift:


At the LiveStrong 5k walk with our Warrior Kim and her friend Mitzy:





Cancervive Warriors and supporters after conquering the 5k walking with arms linked:


Start and finish line for the LiveStrong ride...on the same training roads used by Lance Armstrong. Hills and S-curves throughout....another awesome ride:








- billy

Day 8: Arrival at Bee Cave

We woke up that morning to see the final team arrive at Bee Cave. This team also included Shae, who had surgery for breast cancer only 1 year ago and proved that it can be done and that she can win the battle. We are all so proud of her!

With all the teams now together, we rested and celebrated as an entire team, riders and volunteers as one. Our day concluded with some short speeches, recognition to the volunteers without whom we would not have been able to make it happen, and a great dinner at Salt Lick to replenish our fuel for the final group ride into Austin the next morning.

Photos:

Team 5, supported by Team 1 - coming into Bee Cave:



Lots of congratulatory hugs, including this one for Shae:



Our team captain, Bill, who lead a safe and successful ride this year also celebrated his birthday:



Mark and Gwen, guests at the hotel, heard of what we were doing. They brought us these balloons for us to write the names of those we were riding for...and then they were released into the clear sky. Another example of the awesome folks we have met along the way.






Dinner and celebration at the Salt Lick...an example of the all you can eat Texas BBQ to the extreme...





- billy

Day 7: Riding to the light of the full Texas moon

Our last long ride was today from 6pm to midnight. The weather was perfect for cycling with no problems with rain, wind, or cold temperatures. We were able to bike in our shorts and jerseys for the whole time. We saw the sun set as we started the ride and the full moon lit up the roads for us the rest of the evening.

Along the way - we had to watch out for the many deer on the side of the road. We also met up with Maurice who allowed us to use his driveway for a rest stop. We chatted about what we were doing and he also joined us for a drink.

We completed 124k and handed off the baton to Team 4 before heading I to Bee Cave Texas by 3am. This is the location where all the team converge so that we can ride in together as a complete group on Friday morning.

We really can't ask for any better for our last long ride. It was dedicated to all those who use and benefit from the services offered by Wellspring.

Today's photos:

Notice the unique art on the fence of our motel:



We found a great authentic Mexican restaurant in a small town along the way:






As each day progresses...so do the games, pranks, and dares between the teams. A great way to share the fun and keep the spirits up through the long time spent in the saddle and sleep deprivation:



And yes....the games included modification of cycling attire...






- billy

Day 6: Photos

Entering Texas!


Along the way...


Wind farm...


This trailer thought he could do a U-turn for some reason...obviously he was not successful...



Charlene and Wayne, our RV drivers had moist towels for us at the end of the ride! Awesome!


Outside of the restaurant at dinner...


- billy

Day 6: Some friendly Texan's along the way

Our transition point for our noon ride was on the side of the road just across from a BIG Texan farm. As we prepared our gear and bikes, the owner of the farm came out to see if we were okay. He graciously offered up space on his property for the transition so that we don't have to be on the road, as well as wanted to know how he could send in a donation to support our efforts. Awesome.

Later on in the day around 9pm at a rest stop for Team 4 (we had stopped by to say hello)...the Sheriff's deputy dropped in to see if the riders were okay. His wife had called him letting him know that she saw a group of cyclists riding on the dark road as well as the 'silage' in the air. Apparently it can be dangerous when exposed to it too much in the air....no wonder my lungs felt like they needed to be cleaned out after our ride! Haha...all is good...

We did 113k today...toughest day in terms of riding due to a very strong wind (the wind farm we passed by was probably a big clue!).

Last long ride tomorrow. The 110k cap is apparently off and we my try for a full century (160k) - something to check off my list if we get there!

I will post photos from the day in a separate blog update.


- billy

Day 5: What's that big yellow thing in the sky???

Well...the last 24 hours has been pretty good for us. We started this round near Holyoke Nebraska and the rain has finally moved on. Our ride was from 6am to noon. We had to begin coordinating our transition point around 430am. So yes...very early start to the day!

Regardless of the start time - it was a fantastic day. We enjoyed watching the sun rise as we began riding....and once the sun was up - the skies were blue and it warmed up significantly. So much that we had to change into our summer gear!

Bill and Rod, our experienced cycling teammates showed Tom and I how to 'echelon'. It's a technique and riding formation which allows several cyclists to 'share' the work and support each other by constantly rotating positions. We completed 105k today - slightly less than planned due to a minor delay when our support ambulance stalled for a short period of time.

Getting closer to our destination now - we are staying in Boise, Oklahoma tonight and then will likely start biking tomorrow near the Texas border.

Today's photos:

Still lots of gear on for the cold morning start...


At the end of our ride...the gear is off and sunglasses were on!


We had our first flat tires today as well - Rod and Tom - one of them caused by part of a road side plant that has some very tire unfriendly thorns:


Team 4 in Burlington Colorado:


Once in a while...we are able to meet up with a few of the other teams and volunteers between transition times - here with Team 4 and 5:



- billy

Day 4: Most people probably won't understand...

...how it could possibly be enjoyable to bike 110k from midnight to 6am through the Black Hills of South Dakota at near zero degree temps along with having to contend with rain off and on...but it was...

The opportunity to ride through the Black Hills with the entire road to ourselves is rare. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the ride uninterrupted by vehicles. We enjoyed riding through small towns in their complete darkness. And we enjoyed seeing the wildlife active in Wind Cave National Park when people are normally sleeping. The herd of 25-30 elk streaming across our path was an awesome sight.

So far...this ride is tops among all the ones we have done so far.

Some photos from the day:

Our breakfast restaurant in South Dakota...the animals were staring at us from all the walls:



Team 5 at lunch - Shae, Vanessa, Erik, Joy, and Peggy:



Team 1 at the start of their day's ride (yes, I was hanging out the side of the van to take this shot...) - Alison, Tom Z, Tom E, Darrell, and Richard:



Team 1 has had a number of very tough rides - we left a bottle of wine for them on the side of the road...hopefully they found it!



Quick stop at Mount Rushmore with our RV volunteer drivers Greg and Rick:


Team 2 at the end of their ride - our transition point (notice the rain) - Laurel, Lavina, Kathryn, Steve, and Gavin:


At the start of our midnight to 6am ride - in full rain gear and smiling at this point:


- billy

Day Three: We met a few new friends today....

Mr. Wind, Mr. Hill and Mr. Rain...

Our ride was from 6pm to midnight...it didn't take long to get dark, so really, it was essentially a night ride with our new friends. I use the term 'friends' very loosely...we were fine with Mr. Rain...however Mr. Wind was coming from the side for a good portion...and Mr. Hill challenged us on a regular basis. Our team worked together to complete 111kms despite what was being thrown at us.

It's now been 3 days of riding...with 6 more to go. Despite all my training - my body is giving me some signs that it's not that happy with the daily pounding. Food intake has been important. We are burning about 6000+ calories each day and also fully messing with our body clock. If we don't eat enough - we will run into problems by day 5 or 6 or even sooner.

Getting ready for our next ride...we are going to make a stop at Mount Rushmore on our way to the midnight to 6am transition point.

Photos from the day:



On our way to the transition point...we came upon this scene where the road was completely under construction. Team 2 would have had to cross this path. Luckily they were able to get their bikes into the support vehicle and bypass the mess. You know its bad when they even need a pace vehicle for cars to avoid getting stuck in the mud.










The scene at our transition point...lots of movement of bags, gear, and bikes between teams and vehicles:



At the completion of our ride a bit after midnight...and still smiling!



And here is the Toronto Team 4 at the beginning of their midnight ride:



- billy