Today was a very relaxing day. We went 50 miles which doesn’t sound relaxing but it beats 100+ miles every day. Mine and my dad’s friend, Pete, came out to ride with us and it was very helpful because he had fresh legs. It made things easier to ride because he pulled us along. After we made it to Eureka, Utah, we got in the car and rode back to the hotel. We got here at 4 and decided to use “Ms. Wiggles”. She is a machine that shakes the lactic acid out of your legs and you sit there until your legs stop tingling and you feel like a new person.

This week was a very nice learning experience for me because it teaches me that the spirit can overcome the physical part of your body. You feel like your at your limits and out of nowhere you just get some feeling of freshness. It helps to ride for a cause. I’ve been hurting this week on my knees and today wasn’t much of a help for me. I wasn’t about to give up today though so I just chanted some names of people who have had cancer. Most specifically Aubri and Mark. They were both inspirations to me because it reminds me that no matter what I felt, I could guarantee that they were in more pain than me. Cancer isn’t a good thing because you never know what’s gonna happen tomorrow. That’s the thing that was so inspiring to me because they just perservered and pushed through the pain knowing that they were able to fight it. I also remembered a story that my dad told me about one of my cousins. He was 5 years old when his dad (Mark) died of cancer. My dad told Don that after my uncle died, my cousin Jared-who was 5 at the time-was asking my dad to be his dad because he didn’t have a dad. It’s a very touching thing to me because I want to try and make things better for those who have cancer.

These thoughts always push me through the day because it helps me to remember that no matter how bad I hurt, the people with cancer hurt more than I do and I can control my pain, they can’t.

Well, I am one of the less prodigous riders among the group and instead of dishing out 140 on my quads tomorrow, I took the rest day and rode 51.32 miles to Eureka. My good friend Pete Robinson came out and rode with us today. His road bike was in the shop and so he brought his mountain bike out and beat all of us to Eureka. I am grateful for the friendship, coaching, and mentoring that Pete has given to me and my son. I admire my friend’s dedication and service that goes largely unnoticed. Thank you, Pete.

“Rest Day” is an oxymoron. If you truly rest and don’t ride at all after the long, grueling days that we have put in, you will regret it. The legs need at least a little work or you will pay on Saturday. So, we put the day to good use and headed out on the 51 mile little spinner. It was the most beautiful day yet. The miles didn’t fly by, but my legs didn’t have the kick to make them fly by. It was just fun to ride the rollers and climb into Eureka, Utah. It is funny that I could almost see my house from the top of the mountain, but we turned around and are staying in Delta tonight. The Bountiful Mazda Mules will arrive early in the morning and we will be joined by even more riders in Eureka. I am excited to see family tomorrow. I mean ALL of my family.

Taylor continues to amaze his father with his riding ability. He was right there again all day. What a great kid.

The way we are all feeling tonight makes me wonder if instead of a Ride from Reno next year, I may start a Recline for Cancer competition complete with 72 inch big screens.

Today was a different day than any of the others. It was nice to not have to be up at 5:30 to be riding by 7! I found where the locals eat for breakfast and enjoyed eating some real food. We went for a “short” (seems like it after what we have done this week) ride of 51 miles from Delta to Eureka. Mike and Taylor’s neighbor came out and rode with us on his mountain bike with slicks and I still couldn’t stay up! I purposely hung back to keep my heart rate slow, to get ready for the ride into the Huntsman Cancer Institute tomorrow. We had sunny beautiful skies and little to no head wind. We sure could have used that yesterday some!

After yesterday, I am quite sore and was definately the hardest day of the ride. My back side hurts; I am sunburned; my lips are chapped; my face is windswept, but all that aside, after this ride tomorrow, I get to go back to the comforts of my house and family and life can get back to normal. Cancer patients don’t get that luxury. So, this week has shown me a glimpse into what they face every day. I hope to keep that attidude in my heart always.

Some additional thoughts about this week.
1. I think after this week, I feel that I can conquer anything. Some of you know that I was laid off from work a few weeks ago and have the added attitude that if I can do what I did this week, that finding a job can’t be as hard as this. Having someone say ‘no’ are just temporary set backs.
2. The surroundings. I have immensely enjoyed hearing the birds and wildlife and scenery (minus from the Utah border to Delta) from this ride. It has been a great thing to hear things at a slower pace that you would miss from being in a car.
3. The week spent with Jeff, Larry, Mike and Taylor has been an amazing ride and the experiences we have shared together will create a bond that will last forever. No one else can have those without being on the whole ride.
A thank you to all of them for their help and new found friendship.
4. Judy and Jim. Without these 2, this ride would be impossible. Period. A special thank you for all their patience and willingness to help us.

Enjoy. Another Groundhog Day tomorrow, leaving Delta at 7am to Huntsman.

It’s morning in Delta and the sun is shining and the sky is clear.  This will be sort of a rest day.  Just out for a short 60 miler, to keep the muscles loose.  I rode the first 30 miles with Jeff and the next 30 alone.  The other guys did the 50 miles from Delta to Eureka.  The group has plenty of sore muscles, sun burned body parts, puffy lips, aching backs and tender bottom brackets to go around.  Yet, all are out peddling away on this ‘rest day’.  What a great group to have spent a week with.  These are life changing experiences with people who will now be friends for life.

One interesting problem that develops on long rides like this is how do you keep up with the demand to provide 6-7000+ calories per day with proper nutritional balance to keep the body functioning.  How many energy bars at 210 calories each does it take?  And can you stand to eat that many?  For old guys like me, stuffing down enough food during the day to keep the fires stoked poses a problem for the digestive system.  There comes a point when eating is no longer enjoyable, but you know you have to stuff it in anyway.  The thought of another bottle of energy drink is not appealing, but down it goes anyway.   That Snickers bar use to taste good, down it goes in three bites.  The group stops for a short rest at the support car, you refill the two water bottles with energy drink you are carrying on the bike, you stuff your jersey pockets with a fresh supply of energy bars, shot blocks, or what ever sounds the best at that moment, wolf down a sandwich or candy bar or what ever and it’s back on the bike and do this several times a day.  Then by the time the body gets use to dealing with prodigious amounts of food the trip is over and you are left with a raging appetite and no way to burn it off.

Another interesting observation – we all deal with riding our bikes in different ways and with different strokes.  Jeff is a fast stroke guy, I’m a slow stroke guy.  To show the difference I estimated the number of times both Jeff and I will have turned over the crank from Reno to Delta.
Larry’s number of strokes = 119,000
Jeff’s number of strokes = 164,000

At age 65 many people question my sanity for singing on for this ride.  I just tell them; it’s not about me it’s about cancer and especially about those people whose names I carry.  Think of them not me and take some action today that will make their life a little easier.  There is no end to the things you can do to help – just think about it for a few moments.  If can’t be financial support for organizations like the Huntsman Cancer Institute, then it can be time.  Take some time to help with some laundry, clean a kitchen, help with a meal, mow a lawn, weed a garden, do some shopping, etc.

Today’s Stats:
Miles: 60  [OK for a rest day]
Time: 3 hrs, 23 mins
Avg Speed: 15.6 mph for first 30 miles, 21.7 for the second 30 miles.
Avg Heart Rate: 99 for the first 30 miles, 122 for the second 30 miles
Climbing: 900 ft  [pretty flat riding)

As a father, husband, and grandfather, I need to say “Thank You” to each member of my family who have posted messages in the Guestbook. In some cases their messages are sweet and cute, and others heart-rending. Reading how my cancer affected them is very, very sobering.

My oldest daughter, Megan, wrote about the very day I broke the news to my children that I had been diagnosed with cancer. I had brought all my family together so I could meet with everyone at once. As I finished speaking those words, “I have been diagnosed with cancer,” I looked around the room waiting for questions or comments, and all I saw were dropped jaws and looks of terror. I was totally unprepared for how my diagnosis would affect my family and cause them so much sadness, anxiety, fear, anger, and dozens of feelings and emotions I probably haven’t yet recognized to this day.

While a diagnosis of cancer causes the patient many of the same feelings and emotions, we’re pretty much in survival mode. We’re simply soldiering-on, completing the tasks given us: another surgery, another session of chemotherapy, and another radiation treatment. While we’re task focused, our families are there with us every step of the way, and want to take away the pain, the suffering, and make things like they were before cancer. Yet they’re powerless to do anything. I learned during my cancer experience that the disease is much more difficult on families than it is on the patient.

And, in part, I guess that’s the point: cancer may be limited to only one member of a household, yet its’ cold, harsh, reality takes every member of the family in its’ ugly grasp.

So we have the Ride From Reno, a fund-raising bike ride across Nevada and Utah, focused on raising money for Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City to help them find better tolerated, less toxic treatments for the disease. It’s a bike ride, yes, but the ultimate purpose is to raise money for HCI to help them achieve their mission to alleviate suffering.

Today’s ride (Day 4) was all about suffering. Don, Mike, and Larry have all written about what transpired but I have to add Day 4 (Thursday, June 18th) was one of the most difficult days I’ve spent in the saddle. The wind was relentless, which added to the fun, but the ride across Snake Valley, up Mormon Gap, and the final 60 miles through alkali flats and rolling desolate desert into Delta seemed interminable. It was almost as if God got angry at the Utah border. The lush, green, desert of Nevada was replaced by dry, brown, almost dead-feeling Utah desert. What a contrast!

I’m excited to arrive at Huntsman Cancer Institute on Saturday afternoon (around 4 p.m.) and hope you’re able to be there and help us celebrate.

Thanks for all your messages in our Guestbook; they’re like gold to us and we appreciate them more than you’ll ever know.

Jeff

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From my very first pedal stroke, I knew I was going to have a challenge. We went up Sacramento Pass and that was the only tail wind that we had going up. Don got some chalk from Lance Armstrong’s crew to raise cancer awareness. On the top, he (Don) and Larry, wrote “kick cancer” in the middle of the road on top of Sacramento Pass. It was pretty cool to see because it’s just a touching thing to see the riders suffer to raise money for research in cancer.

We then rode down all the way to the border and that was somewhat nice because it was downhill but the part that made it not fun was there was a head wind all the way down and for the rest of the ride. I was pushing guts out to keep up with Larry and stay on his wheel. We hit the state line and I was first one to cross and it pretty much made my day. We had lunch and got a picture at the border.

The rest of the day was just like every other one. It was pretty much groundhog day. We all stopped to talk to Ned Ryerson for a bit and then carried on our way. I’m pretty sure that today was February 2, not June 19. I’m excited for tomorrow because it’s our “rest day” and Saturday is the big day. I learned a lot today thanks to Larry and Jeff. I owe a lot to them and all my support. Especially from the Wills family because they have been so supportive of my dad and I.

Three words: Perserverance, Determination, and Grace. Today was Mark McGregor day. I thought about him early and often. Mark was an example to me of all three.

Today was ridiculous. We had a tail wind while we climbed up one mountain, but other than that, it was headwinds all the way. The wind blew and blew and blew. If not for the group, and I mean all the group including the drivers, I would still probably be out on the road trying to get to Delta. DEAD SERIOUS. I can’t say thank you enough to all the riders and support team.

About 90 miles into the ride, my big toe started to cramp up. That may seem like a small deal, but you only use it on each pedal stroke. I almost took Jeff out pulling over to address the cramping. Yes, my liability insurance is in force. I was feeling sorry for myself and trying to figure out how I could finish the day. It was a disgusting pity party that was about me. My thoughts turned to adversity and determination. My thoughts turned from woe is me to Mark and the example of determination in his battle. I immediately had a change of heart and focused on finishing the day with grace and determination instead of attitude. No matter how bad your day is, someone is having a worse one.

The major climbs are over now and I am grateful for that. The days are starting to wear my legs to nothing. But, with determination and persistence, we can accomplish more than we think.

Taylor continues to be a source of pride to me. His perserverance and determination have been a blessing to me.

We are officially on the downside of the trip. Today was so Groundhog Day that I actually had a discussion with Ned Ryerson about Insurance. Needless to say, I was not in the mood to discuss insurance with him.

First off, today’s stats: total mileage: 127.1 miles; time on bike – 8:02 (hours); average speed: 15.7mph; top speed: 39.2mph;

Since I didn’t finish the whole ride yesterday due to uncontrollable shivering, I started about 8 miles before the ride today. Larry and I left early to do that part. Right off the bat, we started our first climb, Sacramento Pass. In the words of Mike, it should be called “Suck”ramento Pass. It’s an absolutely beautiful mountain, but it is a long climb to the top. While at the summit, we used some Livestrong yellow chalk to write the words “Kick Cancer” on the road. On the descent, I saw the first view of Wheeler Peak, the 2nd highest mountain in Nevada. It snowed at the summit last night on its peak and was a beautiful site. After having already ridden since Monday around 375-ish miles, today was about getting to Delta. From the descent from Great Basin NP to Utah, it was almost 90 miles. Upon reaching the Utah border, it was literally tens of miles of completely straight roads and a non-stop head wind ranging from 10-40mph. Even though it was fairly flat while in Utah, it was a very demanding last 80 miles. Psychologically, seeing these straight roads for miles on end and by far the worst scenery out there, with the head winds, it was tough. In past year’s, I have done the last day from Delta to SLC, but riding the whole ride, there is absolutely no comparison to how demanding this ride is. I can say without question that this is the most physically demanding thing I have done. I look forward to tomorrow’s small day of 50 easy miles and then ready for Saturday’s big ride.

Some of my inspirational thoughts for the day: 1)Perseverence. Today was about finishing. Even though I hurt today, not finishing was not an option. 2)Perspective. While hurting in the head winds in Utah, I was riding behind Jeff and he was wearing a LOTOJA Cancer survivor jersey which reads “I survived cancer”. Maybe my pain isn’t comparable to surviving cancer. 3) The team, again. Jeff, Larry, Mike and Taylor. All helped. Great to be a part of this experience with them.

Enough rambling. I’ll enjoy the “rest” day tomorrow. After the past 4 days, 50 miles will be a cake.