From Mike

Today was amazing. You can always push yourself harder than you think. All five riders completed the 132 mile ride today. It was a good wind day. The wind was mostly favorable and helped us more than almost any day that I have ridden. I could not have finished all the miles without significant help from Joe Plater, Larry Peterson, and my phenomenal son, Taylor. Sometimes you need to be reminded that you just can’t do everything alone.

It was a large feeling of accomplishment to finish all the miles for two days. I am thankful to all of the people who have helped me prepare; my wife who is amazingly patient and all the riders in Mapleton especially Pete Robinson whose parents both died of cancer. My family and extended family who have supported me in this crazy endeavor. Thank you. Another 120 miles with five climbs awaits me tomorrow. We missed Jeff today.

From Chris (Comments for both Day 1 and Day 2)

I was very nervous for the first day considering my longest ride had been just under 40 miles. All considered though, the day went well. I climbed pretty well up to Virginia City and somehow left enough in me to get through the rest of the 100 miles we had the rest of the day. Of course, the McCombs brothers and Katie played a huge part as the pulled us all most of the day. I did have one minor glitch when my leg cramped going up a hill. A few electrolyte pills and a lot of water later it went away. I was so happy to see that shoe tree at the end of the day!

Day 2 was a much better day for me. I was really sore to start the day out but that went away. After that my legs felt pretty well the rest of the day. No cramping and a lot less stiffness than the first day. I did bonk a little coming into Austin but I rode all the miles today. A special thanks goes out to Larry for pushing so hard into the wind all day at the front of our paceline!

Time for bed and a lot of climbing tomorrow!

There is no cell phone service here in Eureka so a quick shout out-I miss you tons babe. I was thinking all day how much I wanted you here with us. I can’t wait to see you on Wednesday! I love you!

From Coleman

First, Thanks to Maryann Schrupp, my new favorite co-worker, for pulling us through the dry, Nevada desert for 100 miles. Once again, I wonder what keeps me out here riding day after day, farther than I ever trained for, but them I’m reminded that it’s for those suffering from the dreaded disease of cancer. That’s enough to inspire me to go even farther than the 135 per day we are riding now. I want to thank the great co-workers at Microsoft Licensing for supporting me throught their donations and words of encouragement. It’s no wonder we were just voted the best way to work. Wife & family, I love you. See you tomorrow.

From Joe

Yesterday was a let down when Jeff left us because of Josh. I felt uninspired this morning. Thanks to Yolanda and Jim for all their support. Thanks to our families for their support. Without Jeff”s cause to raise money for cancer, I might have gone home . Who needs to ride 600 miles in 5 days. Thanks to Maryann and team McCombs for leading out yesterday. The best part of the day: me and Mike making Austin summit.