The 2009 edition of the Challenge to Conquer Cancer is finished.  We completed our journey safely from Greenville, SC to Austin, Texas.  It was an incredible journey that I put into two separate parts.  One part was the riding, the other part was the opportunity for personal growth.

As a ride, what else can I say but we endured various challenging weather conditions while doing our best to cover as many miles as we could during our shifts.  I was quite confident the Polka Dot team could cover 100 miles every time we got on the bikes (for a 6 hour shift) and I was proven correct as we managed to complete back to back century rides  for our 2nd and 3rd six hour shifts (105.4 miles and 100.1 miles respectively).

Our first 6 hour shift challenged us with some difficult climbing and very cold weather.  While we did not cover 100 miles during this shift, we did manage to cover 75 miles under some very difficult riding conditions.  One of our team-mates was pulled from the ride at about mile 25 for borderline hypothermia.  Thankfully, she was fine once she was able to get her body temperature back under control.

Excitement ensued while riding along the Natchez Trace near Jackson Mississippi.  The Park Ranger pulled us over and asked “Do you have a permit?”.  Quite funny.  He delayed our ride for a few minutes, but ended by allowing us to continue without our support vehicles riding along with us.  The support vehicles leap-frogged to the next opportune vehicle pull-outs while we continued on the bike.  This was our 105 mile day.

The second part of this experience was an incredible personal growth opportunity.  It is thanks to the contributions of my supporters that I was able to participate in this event.  Thanks to all of you who contributed because this personal growth opportunity has provided me a different perspective on life and the challenges faced by people with this horrible disease we call cancer.

An additional yet somewhat unexpected benefit also came from this grand experience.  The fine group of people who participated with me have become very close friends.  I have not experienced this camaraderie since my Military days.  We shared an incredible sense of purpose that gave us true unity in spreading the message.

That message was not all negative either.  We heard many stories about and met many people who are survivors of this disease.  It was also a message of Hope.  Sally, our support driver, wore a pink cape for the entire journey.  On the back of her cape were the words “Hero for Hope”.

In some ways, we all became heroes for hope.  Not just those of us out on our bikes or those participating in a direct support role, but all of you too.  Those of you who contributed to this excellent cause should consider yourselves “Heroes for Hope” as well.

Thank you!

John Davidson
jd – Team Polka Dot

p.s.  You can view the photos I took through the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28674&id=1612725450&l=9e9ac2dacc

p.p.s.  If you did not have an opportunity to follow the C3 squad during the ride, you can read all of the squad blogs at www.ridetoaustin.com.  Remember they are posted in reverse chrono order (most recent posts first).  I’ve posted under the user name JohnD.

You can read my personal entries here:
http://windinmyhairbugsinmyteeth.blogspot.com/2009/08/jds-challenge-to-conquer-cancer.html

Another C3 ride has been completed and we all continue to reminisce over the cheers and tears that made the experience so memorable. No one has been more moved by the experience than the group’s oldest rider, me.
Last year, as a support driver, I made a personal commitment that at 70 years of age, I would do what had to be done to participate as a rider. With the help of my personal inspiration, Jeni Schumacher, a rider and cancer survivor, I committed to weight loss and a physical fitness program that included three spinner classes a week. It certainly paid off as I completed all assigned shifts of the C3 bicycle relay to Austin and the Livestrong Challenge.
It was an experience I will never forget. When asked why, at your age do you do this? I simply respond, “I can because there but for the grace of God go and I am inspired by our cancer survivor riders and warriors, who choose to LIVESTRONG.
On the ride, the most demanding time for me was riding on the Natchez Trace Parkway from midnight to 6AM. During this 6-hour period we rode in Tennessee, Alablama and Mississippi. Throughout the night, with each cycle of the crank I paid homage to those that I honored and memorialized. Unfortunately both lists continue to grow and some that were honored last year are now memorialized and new names have to be added to the honoree list.
I was emotionally moved when upon completion of this six-hour shift, at 6AM, virtually every member of the Pink team, who was releiving us, gave me their heartfelt congratulations and stated they felt I was an inspiration to each of them.
While I certainly appreciated their support, the real inspiration comes from those that have been afflicted by this dreaded disease. In particular I ride for fellow riders and support. who have become dear friends. Please excuse me if I omit someone but Laurens, Dustin, Jeni, Sally, Chasse, Renae, Keith, Kathy, Susan and Don, “This ride’s for you”. You have my love and respect and I pray that God blesses each of you with health and the resolve to perservere.
I also plan to LIVESTRONG and if God continues to grant me good health, be assured I will ride with you again next year.
Always remember “Yesterday is a cancelled check, Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is Cash….spend it wisely.”

Joe  J.

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Well, the reason for wearing the Pink SuperHero cape the whole week was because we ALL are Heroes for Hope as it says on the back…..but it took on many meanings during the trip!

As I read Dustin’s statement that he is not only a cancer survivor but a CANCER FIGHTER I could not stop crying……I just LOVE that! So we all are now cancer fighters since we took this journey to hopefully save people from this dreaded disease!!!! So I will look into getting EVERYONE capes for next year!

The cape got many comments during the LAF run and ride over the weekend! Many people asked me why I was wearing it which gave me time to tell them what the Challenge to Conquer Cancer was all about which was GREAT! Other people would run or ride by me (notice that I was getting passed ALOT!) and say…”Love the cape”, or “great cape”! On the ride I answered that with “I had hoped it would give me super hero powers but it wasn’t working that day!” But their fun comments spurned me on!

On Saturday I did the 5K…thinking I would walk/run it since I haven’t been able to train much in the last couple of months. But I hooked up with Kim and Chasse and they kept me going! I ended up hand in hand with Chasse, who I so love and admire, sprinting and laughing crossing the finish line! A very special moment for me!

On Sunday I decided to shoot for the 45 mile ride. The longest ride I have ever done was only 31….but the 10 and 20 mile seemed too short so I wanted to do the 45. Well….at the second sag stop, which came AFTER the turn off to the 20 miler, I realized that I bit off more than I could chew. My lungs were burning and huffing/puffing, my legs were already feeling like jelly……maybe trying 45 only 2 months after the hysterectomy was too ambitious. I was very upset and considered asking a sag van to carry me back to the 20 mile turn, or ahead to the sag stop closest to the finish so I could ride across the finish line (cheater!)……I really wanted to quit and I was about to cry and throw in the towel. Chasse and Jessica urged me to get food to feel better. Just then I got a text on my cell phone and looked down to read that a man, whose name was on an “In Honor Of” magnet on our van had died that morning. Another person lost to cancer. I really wanted to kick something, punch something….but instead I decided to get my butt back on the bike and finish the 45 miles even if it killed me. I’ve never met the man that died but I rode for Woody Koonce and so many others. I finished with the help of Annette (who had only ridden 20 something miles before this!) and the last 5 miles with Will Flanagan pulling me! But I finished.

I am home now, back with my husband Kevin, who let me go on this journey and who was my ROCK thru everything I’ve been thru in the past year….double mastectomy, reconstruction, chemo, total hysterectomy…etc etc. Cancer sucks and we have to continue to do all that we can to help each other and others get thru it.

To my polka dot team and the P3C3 TEAM, I send huge hugs, tears of admiration and love and hope…….and I hope that the vulnerability that so many of us discovered along the way stays open so that we all can help anyone heal, learn, love………thanks for such an inspiring trip!

Sally

One of the regrets I have from last week is that I don’t have video footage of every team. Ideally, what this project needs is a film production crew to follow it on its journey. Every team could then be involved in the telling of the story. A group devoted to the development of the narrative could interview the various riders and warriors. It could be a great way to experience the week for those thinking of joining the crew for future attempts.

So, having said that I point you to my last video of the ride.  You can find it at LowCadence.com in the post, “Decompression.”  I’ve included all the video I could of the group as a whole.  Perhaps the remaining footage of Team Green will serve to remind everyone else of the experiences they enjoyed even if they don’t see themselves in the frames.

As I slept for 12 hours on Monday to Tuesday morning I woke up only to think Nooooo I really have to get up? I never felt like that on the trip. (well, except the day of the run/walk ewwww) I don’t sleep much and when I do I sleep hard. During the trip yup i was tired but never to the point where I did not want to wake up. I wanted to push through every mile with my team mates. I have never been so driven and determined to GET ER DONE.

Now that I am home… I am in a state of shock. My body does not want to move the way I want it too. Nor does it want to sit on that saddle for a few days… well…maybe saturday.

People are asking me ” Did you have Fun?” “How was it?” My answer has not changed… Very humbling, life changing, and a challenge that I will do again. I cried everyday and laughed everyday. I hated some moments and cheerished others. I grew a lot on this journey. As a survivor, a mother, and wife. I can tell you I am changed for the good. I am so blessed to have friends and family that followed me on this journey.

Thank you for your comments, for following us on this journey. For your encouraging words. Was it fun? There were evenings that were fun after the ride but during the ride…. our team was focused, heartfelt, and determined to accomplish what we needed to as a team. For me, that was to have closure, for others it was understanding, encouraging, and mentoring others. Dawn and Sally – After God there are you two. Thanks for being the glue that held us together. Our team really did an awesome job being a family.

To family and friends, Bless you all for the prayers as they were all answered. Thank you for encouraging words from your heart. I will be doing this ride again next year. Hope that we all stay connected on this fight. God Bless you all.
Love, XxOo Jeni

For all the hours, weeks and months of training and riding,

Future families and friends are saved from suffering.

For every sprocket spin and gears a-clicken,

The months are extended for the stricken.

Miles ridden through sun, sleet and rain,

Goes towards numbing the pain.

Riding through the night as the pain is rushing through the body as you are completing your 6 hour shift,

This Pain is taken away from someone known or unknown and to them, it is a GIFT.

For all the sweat and blood shed during training each day,

May it fertilize the ground for new riders to take on the fight and to stay.

I ride as one of many small soldiers out to Fight for those who cannot,

So that one day the ride can stop.

And as this conquest will one day be complete,

Volunteers, riders and donors will WALK home victorious in Cancer’s defeat.

well, I’m at the airport waiting to board up and head home. Today was the day I needed. Jerry and I were destroying the pack (3,800 riders) when at the 7 mile point my foot came loose I went to unclip my pedal and the entire pedal fell off! I tried to fix it by banging it with a rock but who knew that wouldn’t help. I sent jerry on his way and I had a decision to make, hang it up or ride with one foot. I looked around and thought about where I was, I was with a group of people who raised 4 million dollars to help people like me. So I looked down and relized I was going 18 mph again. I can not describe how baddly this hurt and I was going to have to come up with an exit strategy. I pulled into the first sag stop just to have a mechanic tell me to hang it up for the day because it was too dangerous to ride with one leg. I told him I was going to find the next sag vehicle and ride in and of course i couldnt do it I kept pedaling. I got to the 20 mile exit and i was deep in thought about the year and I couldnt turn off there either, I was all in now and I was also sure that i was a retard. I got to the next sag stop and the mechanic had a flat pedal he could put on and i was very gratefull for anything. Well great news because that was worse than before because my clip from my shoe was slipping off of the pedal and 2 times i kicked my chain and it came off. So im at the side of the road in serious pain, covered in chain grease when a support vehicle pulled next to me and told me I probably needed to load up. I just could not see how i was going to cross the finish line in a van so I said no. I looked at the clock and realized I had to get moving. I was giving it what I thought was everything when a rider came up behind me and asked if I was the “one with a broken pedal” I told him yes and he said “I heard people talking about you earlier, you’ve got alot of heart.” That was all I needed. I rode in the last 10 miles harder than I have ever ridden. I turned the corner at the finish line and I heard my name over the loud speaker, I heard the annoncer tell them where i had come from and how I got there, I pulled into the survivor lane to be greeted by hundreds of cheering people and it hit me… this will be one of the best moments of my life.
Thank you to everone who supported me with words, gifts, golf tournaments(todd), and most importantly hope. I know we are winning this fight and I know next year we will all stand shoulder to shoulder and show how we have chosen to liveSTRONG.

I’m back home. It has been a busy time trying to get everything settled — getting the children from their grandparent’s home and various other odds and ends. One thing on the list was to type out a blog entry for LowCadence.com. No lie – I dozed off twice while typing it! However, I do want to put a word here and a link to the video of our final ride before hitting the sack.

I am often asked, “Did you enjoy this year more than last?” Many times this was concerning the route. In answer to that specific question I answer, “Yes!”  The route this year was much more varied and enjoyable.  Sure, the climbing was a little tough in the beginning, but – at least for me – it wasn’t any worse than last year. This year, more teams got to experience the joy of climbing!

The Natchez Trace was great.  The walking horse country of Tennessee was some of the nicest riding I’ve experienced. It wasn’t until we entered Texas that the 2009 ride began to seem like the 2008 one.  I vote they do this one next year.

Now, as far as the other aspects of the ride… I can’t say that I liked one year more than the other.  For me, they were so different, they just don’t compare.  They were both wonderful experiences for completely different reasons. I enjoyed my teammates from both years. 2008 was a bunch of guys out to hammer the miles. 2009 was a mixed group that was just as serious about getting the job done, but not quite as strong as the previous team.

So, as I said in my blog post at LowCadence.com – in 2008 we gloried in our strength – and I loved it.  In 2009 we gloried in each new accomplishment – and I loved it. I would not trade either experience for the other. The two together complete a memory that will be with me always.

Read about my attempt to catch Lance and see video from the LiveSTRONG Challenge in the post “I didn’t ride with Lance” at LowCadence.com.

Hi. It’s Lars, the Towel Boy again (inside joke) having returned to Greenville earlier today. Big Joe, Joey, Jeff and I shared 20 hours worth of driving duties in bringing the bus, bikes and LOTS of luggage back from Austin. I never realized I could contort my body into a 2-wide bus seat in so many ways, all in search of 15-minute cat naps. Anyway, it was a great opportunity to reflect on events of the past week with Jeff (a friend from our college days), Big Joe and Joey. I think we were all in agreement that it was an amazing week. It was very different from last years ride and, in many respects, even better. Sure, there were challenges but, when you bring 40+ people together with a common purpose, challenges become opportunities for good things to happen. Again for the second year, the support and encouragement from friends, family and “fans” back home meant all the world to the P3C3 team. And once we got to Austin on Thursday, the energy and focus and purpose of the nearly 4,000 people in town for the LiveSTRONG Challenge energized us even more to continue our fight. To all those who participated in the 2009 P3 Challenge To Conquer Cancer, thank you for for making the past 9 days so memorable. The battle with cancer will continue in 2010 and beyond and I’m sure P3C3 will be leading the charge from Greenville.

LiveSTRONG!

Dennis

I have not posted since our midnight to six shift and a lot has happened since that amazing night honoring and celebrating the lives of the names of friends and family we were riding for.

Our next shift was the 6AM to noon shift on Thursday and we were all very excited that  were finally going to be able to ride in the daylight.  Our previous 3 shifts have all been in the dark.  We could not wait to start because this was the day that Laurens was going to join us on the road.  One thing we were not expecting was a tropical storm from Mexico moving into the pathof our ride.  I don’t mind riding in the rain but I don’t like starting a ride in the rain.  Watching Team Green come in from their shift soaked to the bone, i was starting to dread the ride.  As they pulled in my mood changed when we got huge smiles and hugs from Team Green.  The rain did not slow them down and excitement started overtaking my body.  If all went well, we were going to be the team to bring the ride home to Austin.  We took off in the rain and it didn’t take long to be wet down to the skin even with rain gear on.  We road as cars and trucks passed by probably trying to figure out why 5 people were on their bikes out in this type of weather.  At one point, Tedd and I were on the back of the paceline and an 18 wheeler came flying by and hit a puddle and a wave the size of a house curled over us as we surfed thru it.  At that point, we were already soaked so it did not matter and we had to laugh.  As we rode thru a small town we sent the support van ahead to find all of our turns and as we came down a road we saw the van leave ahead of us and Laurens was standing there waiting for us to pass by.  As we did, I noticed she had her bike bag which got me excited because that meant she was going to get her gear on and come ride with us.  The bus picked her up as we continued to ride.  At our next sag stop, Laurens was ready to ride.  That was a huge pick up for all of us.  The rain had slowed down and our spirits were amazingly high.  We continued to get closer to Austin and this was the point I realized our team with Laurens on the road with us were going bring this ride into Austin.  Tears and joy overtook me and I could not imagine doing this with a better group of people.  We were within 10 miles of the hotel and we had our first flat of the ride.  Tedd blew a rear tire.  Quick change then off we went getting closer and closer.  THe ride turned slower as we got closer because of lights and stop signs then bam, another flat.  This time it was Laurens.  Another quick change then off we went.  We knew we were getting closer because we saw Ray and Joe Julian on the side of the road cheering us on and continued to see them several more times.  The wind picked up and we had our first tough head wind.  I was happy for that head wind because it slowed us down more and I did not want the ride to end.  I think it was the people we have lost to cancer thinking the same thing.  We made our final right turn and we put Laurens, Robin and Beth in the front as myself, Tedd and Joey were behind them and our two wonderful support ladies in a vehicle behind us.  Team Yellow was bringing the ride home.  We saw all the other riders and support folks cheering us on as we approached the hotel.  Tears were in all of our eyes again and we pulled into the hotel.  We got off the bikes and Team Yellow all embraced for several minutes.  We did not want to let go of each other.  We all became such great friends on the journey.  We celebrated our arrival with the rest of the folks then went into the hotel showered then cleaned up our bikes.

Friday morning was our final ride of the 2009 Challenge to Conquer Cancer.  All the teams and support who brought their bikes rode together into downtown Austin lead by 2 LAF employees.  It was a beautiful ride through the neighborhoods of Austin.  We stopped by Lance’s house but he was not home so we were not invited in.  I am sure if he was home, he would have made us breakfast.   We made it to our hotel downtown where we would stay for the next 3 nights.  Had another small celebration then went to lunch and the expo for LiveStrong weekend.

Friday night was the Challenge to Conquer Cancer celebration dinner.  It was at Scholz Garten and it was a great meal.  Brats, smoked turkey and brisket wre on the menu and we all had full tummies.  We got to see the pictures taken by EagleShotz (www.eagleshotz.com)  and reminisce about the ride.   I told my most memorable story about the ride and then asked others to come up and tell theirs.  It was an emotional evening.  Lives were changed on this trip and it was wonderful hearing the different stories about our ride.

Saturday was the 5k walk/run.  Over 3000 people participated and it was a sea of yellow.  Most of us walked with our warriors and survivors.  I was touched by the strength of so many people.  I saw an old friend that I met in 2007 at the LiveStrong Challenge.  Brian Fox is his name and he is a 5 year brain cancer survivor.  He was one of the 3 people I met that year that changed the way I was going to deal with cancer.  Before meeting Brian, Kim and Jenn in 2007, I felt sorry for myself because my dad died because of cancer at the young age of 61.  After meeting them, I was inspired to celebrate life and do something to beat cancer and that is how we came up with this ride.

Sunday was the LiveStrong Challenge ride.  I decided to do the 65 mile ride and hoped not to miss the turn this year like I did last year and ended up doing th 90 miler.  I started out with Tedd and Beth and 3800 other people.  We stayed together for a few miles but because there were so many people we got split up.   I had mechanical issues with my bike and had to pull into sag for repairs.  After getting it fixed I took off and rode most of the ride by myself.  It was nice to have some alone time to reflect on the ride and think about all my friends and family who have been affected by cancer.  I saw so many people out there with “in memory”, “in honor” or survivor cards pinned on their jerseys and prayed that I will never have one on my jersey with Jennifer or RJ or Reed or Ridge or anyone else.  Each year my list gets longer of family and friends with cancer and I want that list to stop growing.  I saw Chasse in the last sag stop and we continued the ride together.  We caught up with Jessica  and finished up the ride.  I laughed at all of Chasse’s one liners and was so proud of Jessica for doing her longest ride ever.  We crossed the finish line and I saw my beautiful wife who was walking towards the line after she completed her ride.  After the ride, I watch Joey and Joe pack the bus and trailer with precision and sent them home with the help of Dennis and Jeff.  The rest of us went back to the hotel to shower then went out for our final dinner in Austin.  Went to a great Irish Pub for dinner with a great group.

Monday morning we woke up early for our flight home.  I was concerned we would be delayed because bad storms but we made it out just in time.  I understand after we got out, they cancelled all flights heading east.  We made it back to Greenville around 12:30.

This years ride was incredible.  The route was great, everyone arrived safely and we had a great time.  I did not want the week to end but I was excited to get home.  Jennifer and I went to pick up Reed and Ridge from school and they both reinforced why I do this ride.  They both came running at us full speed and jumped into our arms.  RJ was the same way when he got home from school.  Like I said earlier, I don’t want to see their names on any card.

Thank you everyone for your support.  We will start planning next years ride soon and hope to max out the riders.  I would love to double the $200,000 we donated to our charities this year, next year.  Until then …

ScottStong, RideStrong, LiveStrong