Day 5 & 6- Rest And End Of A Journey!!!

Day 5- Rest day in Delta, Utah.  At 51, you kind of pride yourself on the ability to still work hard and get things done without feeling exhausted and worthless.  This is simply not the case when you roll into Delta Thursday evening, wrapping up 4 straight days of cycling across Nevada, exhausted from the emotion of Sacramento Pass, along with the physical reminders that what you just finished was demanding and comes at a cost.  For me, and I believe most of us including support team members, day 5 is the opportunity to “Recharge” and prepare for the final 140 miles on Saturday.  So, that’s exactly what we did.  A lot of lounging around, staying out of the heat, and letting our bodies rejuvenate.  It’s also a time for serious reflection on the purpose of this adventure.   A reality check if you will, that no matter what I’m feeling, I know and understand there are pains and disappointments for too many who are facing the impact and treatment of cancer.  To all of you, not just those I focus my ride for, I encourage you to never lose hope and maintain the strength that is yours.  A strength that far surpasses any physical labor to ride a bike.

I’m so grateful for the rest day and what it teaches me.  In addition and probably the high-lite of my day 5 rest, was the incredible opportunity to re-read a special book given me by my daughter MaKenzee.  Several years ago she took a book entitled “100 Reasons why a daughter needs a Dad” and added on each page her own words.  You cannot imagine the impact it has and the motivation it provides to have these kind and rewarding words dancing in your head and heart as you prepare for day 6 and the final 140 miles.  It alone is motivation to never stop, never give in, and keep driving to the end.  Thank you MaKenzee…what a treat having you help mom with support this year.

Day 6- The solemn feeling of being with just the RFR Team is replaced with an energy and excitement due to the hundreds of riders we now link up with to ride the final 140 miles to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I will be brutally honest here….a part of me, as selfish as it is, wants to continue and finish with 9 of the most incredible people I know.  All of which have helped and inspired me along this journey.  Yet, I would also like to yell at the top of my lungs and express the jubilation I feel that so many others are committed and doing all they can to help fight this damnable disease.

With an early 6 AM start we begin the final leg of this years adventure.  Immediately, I’m grateful for the cooler temps and heaven sent tailwind that is hinting it could stay with us a while.  The temperatures have been brutal for me this year and I’m thanking my lucky star it’s not too hot.  So fun to have other kind riders acknowledge and respect our fearless leader, Jeff Warren. Good for that!  I love it.  Thanks to the mighty man he is we all have this opportunity to join in a great cause and make a difference in the battle against cancer.  Jeff…YOU ARE A ROCK STAR…thank you for allowing me and my family to be a part of something so incredibly wonderful.  These memories last a lifetime.

Well, the wind continued to act as Angel wings as we inched closer to our final destination.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  However, on what I’ve always considered the toughest section of the final days ride, the turn through Elberta to the backside of Utah lake and into Lehi, the wind decided we needed a little more spit and polish.  FINE!  No worries…I’m surrounded by 8 other incredible friends and cyclist who know how to share the load and lead us home.  Yes…I have that confidence in all of them and will forever consider them life long friends.  I express my deepest thanks for their strength and support, both on and off the bike.  I only hope they can forgive any weakness I may have brought to the team this year.

As I’ve mentioned time and again, one of the highlights of riding as a team is just that.  TEAM means every member performing at their optimum best, total physical limits being tested, mentally focused on holding lines and distances as to prevent what could be disaster in mere seconds.  It’s hard to explain if you’ve never ridden within a group of cyclists before but magical if you have.  Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of such perfection.

We arrived at lunch in a respectful time frame and again linked up with those supporting us and helping along the way.  After downing a couple ham sandwiches, a small bag of Ranch flavored Doritos, 2 Mountain Dew’s, and a chocolate chop cookie(No worries Darcie…not even close to as good as yours), we were off and headed home.  Only 40 miles to go and the day will be done.  This thought in and of itself gives you the strength to carry on and even helps the temperatures a bit.  Wait, maybe that was the 2 Mountain Dew’s.  Either way, we were on our way.  Again, many kind words from other riders, recognizing our total journey from Reno.  So grateful for those words of encouragement, and so excited to see and recognize riders who where pushing their own limits on what could easily have been their own biggest cycling adventure as well.  To you I say job well done and keep it up.  I only gets better!

Soon we arrive at our designated resting point to regather ourselves and listen to a few final heartfelt remarks from Jeff.  To me this is always memorable as a flood of emotions overtake me.  So close…you can hear the music playing in the background, the announcer over the PA System calling out the names of those who are finishing.  I’ts also the moment for me when from somewhere deep inside, those I’m riding for touch my heart in such a way it’s as if they are there in person.  It’s also one last chance to quietly express from inside the love and gratitude I have for all of them, the team, our support crews, the experience as a whole.  Is love to strong a word?  Today I think the world try’s to tell me not to love but think only of oneself.  I’m sorry….to this I refuse! I will not budge but will take the taunts and jabs for seeming weak.  In my mind…Without Love, what is life?

Navy and Danelle….Thank you for who you are and for the inspiration you bring to me and my family.  All of our love and prayers are real and genuine.  I hope they bring you hope. I hope they bring you peace.  And I hope with all that I am that through these incredible efforts, a difference can be made.  Treatment can be improved, and the vicious disease that currently inflicts you can be eradicated from this earth.

Navy…be you always.  Love your family because they love you.  Live, laugh, and play hard.

Danelle…Thank you for being there at the finish line despite the pain and energy required to make it happen.  You’re an inspiration and you bring smiles to so many.  DO NOT STOP FIGHTING!  Numbers can change, treatments can improve, and you can continue to enjoy this life and all that comes with it.  I know we will not stop fighting and praying on your behalf.

Finally…to my awesome support team.  Karin, the love of my life.  You may never know the depth of my love for you.  This would not be possible without your love and support.  Each rest stop along the way I needed to see you.  When you came into view, all was right with the day.  Lucy Lou…I love you!  MaKenzee…my precious daughter.  See, I told you this was not a vacation!  Thank you for your love and concern, your ability to manage and help in any situation.  I love you and I’m so grateful you had the opportunity to join us this year.  You are amazing my “Little Peanut”.

Until we meet again or until there is no reason to meet….that would be incredible.

Todd, Karin, Makenzee