Day 6. Delta to HCI
If you are wondering is it over? Yes and no. This year’s ride from Reno officially ended yesterday. After 680 miles and 25,313 feet of elevation gain we are off the bike. The need for continued research persists. Will there be a next year? If the sun rises another 365 times then yes.

The most memorable moment occurred at the last moment. Traditionally we gather as a group just before then entrance to HCI with Jeff and other cancer survivors leading the way. This year Steve a recent cancer survivor put a little girl on a tag along bike (A tag along bike is an attachment which connects to the seat post of a standard bicycle, it has its own seat, handle bars, and pedal set with a wheel). This girl, Echo, is a recent amputee as a result of Cancer in her right leg. There we were humble assistants as Steve and Matt put Echo on that tag along. She was grinning ear to ear as she struggled to pedal; this was a completely new experience for her, her first time on a bike. Steve powered his bike while the tail wagged the dog all the way to the HCI; we witnessed a new hope being born in Echo. As we approached the balloon banner and the cheers from the crowd began, I repressed the urge to weep. It is so humbling to be among these great individuals and to be schooled by Echo, a young lady that may just barely be old enough for the first grade. Live life to its fullest. Enjoy the moments, the struggles, the adversity, good heath, friends and family, the mundane, the adrenalin, as all of these are simply living.

As I look back over the last 680 miles it is odd how the pain has faded. On day one when the agony started around 138 miles, Day 3 when nausea threatened, Day 4 when the wind Buffeted and slowed us to an agonizing crawl, all of these seem like a distant memory. But the good things still seem fresh:
• Watching Ravell sprint with a cadence of 120 + to catch on to the wheel of anyone descending faster than he is going or has he sprinted to the top of what will forever be known as Ravell pass. Viewing with awe a few of the photos that he took during this trip. I had no idea he was so incredibly talented.
• Seeing Scott in the distance fly up a steep grade in an effort to be the first to the summit. Knowing I am going to climb that same grade at half the speed. Scott rode all the same miles but just got stronger as we went. He is a man after my own, working with his hands and head to make a living, not afraid of grit, grease, or sweat.
• Having Steve block the wind during seemingly endless miles, then at dinner tell stories from his past. Always with a smile showing he knows the value of living.
• Coleman, always light hearted, even when he was struggling, joining the ride to show support for his big brother, Jeff.
• Joe making a remarkable recovery every day. It would seem that he was struggling and then he would appear looking fresh and pedaling like a superstar.
• Larry, what can I say about this incredible man? For my way of thinking he is a tremendous combination of strength, intelligence and compassion. The cap and gown of his PhD never gets in the way of getting his hands dirty, wiping sweat from his brow, helping a fellow human to become better.
• Jeff Warren. It has been said and I am in full agreement: heart of a lion, will of iron. Jeff like Steve has a new life perspective given to them by their personal struggle and current involvement with the battle against cancer.
• Me, I feel like a boy among men. Despite the accomplishments each of these men have achieved there truly is not arrogance in any of them.
• The gathering of cyclists in Delta to participate in the Huntsman 140. Riding along with the fellow club members from BMBBC and with those I have only just met. We had a few comments from impatient motorists. I am always amazed how a sane person can get behind the wheel of an automobile and turn into a raging idiot, willing to endanger the life of someone on a bicycle because their time is too important to slow down, move over, or even wait for 5 minutes, they forget that the individual on the bike is a person with a job, family, and friends.

In less than a week I have been thoroughly schooled on the bicycle, about life lessons, with the most resounding lesson coming from a six year old girl. I hope some of the lessons stick.

It is nice to be home, for this father’s day and what will be my 46th birthday.

One final shout out to the individuals that drove support. Without their help this would be a drastically more difficult task. They gave a week of their life the same as those of us that rode on a bike, Thank You.
Last and certainly not least, thanks to all of you that have followed along on this journey and that have made contributions to assist with research.