It’s a beautiful thing…

The midnight to 6 AM shift was challenging in numerous ways…the first of course being that midnight-6 am is meant for sleeping, and the second being that Tropical Storm Rick was threatening rain.  We’d driven through some of it, and Polka Dot had cycled through some of it, but we were under the impression that it had passed and was headed northeast…the opposite direction of where we were going.  Oh, were we wrong!!  About 3.5 hours into the ride, it started to rain…then it rained harder…then the wind picked up…then it got cold!  This was by far the most challenging leg of the trip, and by the time we reached our transition point, and the Yellow Team van drove up, I was in AWE of what we’d just done.  It was 5 AM CST.  I’d just ridden my bicycle 2 hours in a tropical storm, and WHY did I do this??  In memory of my father, and in honor of the many cancer warriors!  This journey is SO MUCH MORE than just a ride halfway across the US.  It’s a journey of healing for those whom have lost, and a sense of hope for those whom are fighting. 

So…6 AM EST, and I was sitting under a gas station awning in soaking wet clothes taking in the moment.  Dad would be SO proud.  And my journey, this Challenge to Conquer Cancer is quickly nearing a close.  My teammates were quickly changing into dry clothes, but I felt like I could go forever…I didn’t know that I really wanted it to end!  Sure, I hated being crammed in a KIA van with 6 other adults, but I loved the camaraderie, the people we’ve met along the way, the kindness of strangers, and the sense of purpose.  My purpose was to train, to raise awareness, to raise money, and to ride….all in the name of something that touches so many.  That is a beautiful thing, and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this challenge.

God Bless all of my teammates.  I enjoyed the adventure!  LiveSTRONG!!