What a difference a day makes. That’s what I was saying Friday afternoon when there was no wind in Delta and at the same time yesterday we were battling 35 MPH gusts. Why couldn’t the days been shifted? Then Sunday rolls around and it’s rained all day.

The last two years we suffered rain on the ride in from Delta. Mother nature miss by one day this year and served us up spectacular weather for a memorable day with both new and old friends on the bike. It was inspiring to see the dozens and dozens of riders meeting at 6:30 in Delta to ride to the Huntsman. There was lots of excitement in the air. The film crew that showed up Friday night to document the ride made the event seem very ‘official’. The crew interviewed several of us Friday night and Saturday morning busied themselves recording stories of why people were up at 5:30 to ride the Huntsman 140. Later they told me the theme from everyone was the same but the stories were all different and inspiring. Filming the event and talking to a few people hardly touches the surface of emotions and brotherhood that develops on the road. I wish the ride had been 500 miles so there would have been more time to chat with those who joined with us in Delta. They brought tangible energy to the ride and made the miles just float by for me. But that energy was not limited to just those on bikes. It came from families, and friends of riders, the Huntsman staff who made this work, those that helped with the lunch and those who road around in those fancy cars, what great people they are. As bad as cancer is, it seems to bring out the best in people and makes them even better. What a privilege and honor it is to be associated with such wonderful people.

There is not enough time to say everything that should be said about the seven men I road with and the 4 who provided support for the ride from Reno. This is the 4th time I have made this ride, three times with Jeff, and twice each with Coleman, Joe and Jason and now with Scott, Steve and Ravel. The road is the same, the motels are the same, even the grouchy waitress in Austin is the same, but each ride is different. Each ride has it’s own unique character. That character is set by those that ride, the weather, the events that happen along the way and the support staff. This year the weather did not play a very big role but the story lines, within the stories, within the events did. It might be 5 flats the first morning, or 4 guys working together to change a flat, or someone suffering from exhaustion or a bad stomach, or Ravel’s ‘egg beater’ legs, or Jeff’s peddling style, or Joe’s miraculous recovery, or Coleman’s everything is great attitude, Scott’s push to best Larry on a climb, or Steve’s awkward gate that churns out power on a bike, or the rocket Jason ignites on a down hill run. These few words conjure up many memories in the minds-eye of those who road all 5 days. Saturday is the icing on the cake, but Monday through Friday is the cake.

The 30-40 riders who were with Jeff as we road under the balloon arch at the Huntsman surely felt the rush of accomplishment of completing the day and knowing some help was going to those with cancer. But my most touching moment was not at the arch, but a half mile away. Steve had attached a child’s bike to his to so Echo could ride with us the last mile to the Huntsman. Echo is a little girl of about 7 with a smile that reveals 2 or 3 missing baby teeth. She lost her right leg to cancer and was struggling with her prosthesis to keep it on the bike peddle as it went around. Matt, who had lost his leg from just above the knee down to cancer about a year ago suggested we tie her foot to the peddle. Those of us riding from Reno had a blue ribbon around our arms. We stopped, Matt took mine and tired Echo’s foot to the peddle. When Steve started again Echo could now peddle the bike. She looked up at me with a big toothy grin and that was it for me and the sweet on my cheeks was washed away by tears. This is why we do this ride! I have done Lotoja and the Moab Skinny Tire event, both to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. These rides are fun, but do not match the real connection to people with cancer like the Huntsman 140. Come join us again next year for a life changing event.