Words of encouragement – this cause is a grand one…

Dear P3C3 Team,
I wanted to take a few minutes to plant a few thoughts with each of you before the upcoming journey to Austin. First, I want to thank each of you for amazing experience I have had while just entering the world of road cycling. You are an amazing group of people who have taken me in an allowed me the pleasure of getting to know you & grow as a person. While my life was touched by cancer by losing my Dad 18 years ago, I have generally been one to ignore the impact that it has on our lives (probably just so I wouldn’t have to deal with it emotionally). Being a part of this group has brought home just how much we as individuals, families & as a race are in a battle against cancer and that it has real warriors & real victims.
As each of you get prepared to start this journey on Sunday, I want to leave you with two things that hit me hard the day that Tedd, Robin, Beth & I rode 100 miles just a couple weeks ago. As most of you know, I have just started cycling this summer & even though I have done some longer rides, 100 miles was a huge goal for me. The first leg of the ride to Greenwood was great. I was feeling pretty pumped. 50 miles down and halfway home! Well, the only problem with that was the 2nd 50 miles was coming back up & against a strong headwind. I was in over my league. Up to that point, I have mainly done rides in the 30-40 mile range with a few rides in the 50-70 mile range. As my thighs were aching and I was starting to fall back feeling like I was standing still, I had this thought. “Who am I to quit this ride or challenge?” As our Cancer Warriors know & those of us who have had cancer close to us know, they cannot quit this fight! They live it day in and day out and their families do as well. So when you are riding either in the brightness & heat of day or the darkness & cold of night & thoughts of taking a break enter your mind, remember that our Warriors cannot quit. The other thing that had a significant impact on me was that as I was fading quickly pedaling into a strong headwind with about 20 miles to go and felt like I was going to die on Hwy 25, two of my fellow riders came to my aid. They did this by coming off of their impressive pace and took turns to protect me from the headwind so I could finish. This spoke to me on so many levels. First, I was thrilled that I finished & achieved the goal. Second, I was so grateful that my crew was looking out for me and supported me. Without them, there was no way I could have finished the ride on my own. This to me draws a strong parallel to how friends, family & the P3C3 group among others support Cancer Warriors in any number of ways, whether it be with a meal, a ride, someone to talk to, or contributing to the Challenge to Conquer Cancer. Your actions speak very clearly to all of those whose lives are affected by cancer.
Know that each of you who are embarking on this journey are doing something great. You are inspiring all kinds of people in many different ways. You are inspiring some of us to be better cyclists. Making others more aware of the cause that unites the P3C3 group. And most importantly raising money for research so we can beat cancer and inspiring Cancer Warriors everywhere to give it all that they have. As you prepare to start the journey in a few days, know that I wish I was riding with you. It is an honor to know & ride with each and everyone of you. RideStrong!

Rob Bailey