Challenge to Conquer Cancer - Cycling Relay to Austin, TX » Chasse

Pink Pedal Pushers FinishStrong

Chasse — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:00:19 +0000

Well, we all headed out from the hotel at 5 this morning (no sleeping in late on this trip) to participate in the Livestrong Challenge Ride. There were about 3500+ cyclists riding various routes from 10, 20, 45, and 65 or 90-mile courses on beautiful but windy day. The coolest part was getting to ride with some of our support folks – way to rock out the 45 miles Jessica and Sally. And just when I thought my crying was done, it started up again on the ride as I made sure to speak to every survivor I passed.

There were very cool sag (rest stops) on the route but the best was Mellow Johnny’s which included an espresso bar and beer keg! I also managed to have two flat tires on the ride but it was all good because I at least flatted on the top of a hill!

However, say a few prayers because there were many wrecks on the course today, including two cyclists who hit a deer and they needed to be transported away by an ambulance.

I have decided the worst part and the thing that has frustrated me the most of this whole ordeal – the male cyclist shave their legs more than I do!!!!!!!

Well time to shower, grab some dinner tonight, post-ride party at Lance’s bar and then early flight home to South Carolina. I am very homesick and miss Peter and my kids .

Pink out until next year…………..

Sitting pretty in Pink

Chasse — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:47:59 +0000

I am sitting here in hotel room in Austin staring at Scott Shuey’s bike and trying to process the multitude of emotions from last several days. Surprisingly one of the reoccurring emotions is one of gratitude. Even though cancer carries with it the sting of death and suffering, I have experienced and witnessed the personal growth and beauty that is the result of cancer. Just look at the effect of Scott Shuey’s life on 42 people who had never met him but who have been inspired and changed by his story. Most of the group never come in contact with each other in the regular rhythm of life and without cancer, would have never met. This P3C3 group has come together because of cancer not because of cycling but they have turned into cyclists. In the words of Bo, we are not cyclists but P3C3 members. A group so special that we have reached a level of friendship levels beyond the brief time we have been together. Cancer has caused life transformation and people to step out of their comfort zones to do something for some else and no longer solely focus on their own issues.

Friendship formed, even though this group has included various cycling abilities, ages, backgrounds, non-cyclist and folks who probably will not interact in the rhythm of their regular lives but are now family.

Without cancer the dynamic trio of Kim, Kerrie and Chasse would not have formed! I have also discovered the secret unrecognized powerhouse of encouragement for apparently every runner in Greenville and surrounding area in the powerhouse form of the humble Shopping Marathon Momma – Kerrie Sijon. I am convinced that Kerrie is the heart and soul of the entire group!

Pink out-off to LAF survivorship dinner!

Tickled Pink in Texas!

Chasse — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:09:38 +0000

Well everyone has arrived by God’s guidance and grace!!!!! What a sight to see Laurens leading the Yellow team into the arms of the waiting teams. Tears and pent up emotions flowed and are still flowing………

First thing, word up everyone one for Kim Stancil’s birthday today – everyone send her a message! (I think she will remember this one!)

Ok, for the Pinkly adventures of yesterday: we had the honor of being the inaugural team crossing into the Texas state line after crossing an approx 1 ½ mile bridge into the state. After stopping for multiple photos we then had the pleasure of multiple miles of Texas rollers – no wonder Lance won the Tour! Some people have a personal trainer; I have a personal pacer – thanks Arthur who was always there to pull me back into the group after the lovely rollers. My tough moment came about 5 hrs into the ride when I started to bonk but remembered our team motto “shut and ride” and that we hoped to go 10 more miles before we took a break! Well, I sucked it up and took a Hammer Gel – big mistake. I spent the next 30 minutes on the bus holding a barf bag – but hey this old girl recovered and finished the ride with the gang hauling at a 20+ mph pace!!!!!

Pink out and on the town!

Pink Bottoms from the natchez trace trail

Chasse — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:54:26 +0000

Pink Team checking in with Pink bottoms from 90 miles on the Natchez Trace baby!!!!!! What a team with a wicked trim paceline burning up the road! After our transition with White team (who did fantastic job) during our early 2 hr portion of the shift in the dark, we all noticed that somehow the red light attached to the seat of Scott’s bike was turned on and served as another lighthouse for our group. My crying moment today occurred around 8:15 when suddenly daylight broke, the fog lifted, and a blazing sunrise appeared on our left, while on our right was the silhouette shadow of Scott’ bike atop the van followed by the shadow of 7 cyclist in a line. Cry, cry, and cry good thing I had my nose and face covered with Vaseline for skin protection!

Also shout out to Arthur for pulling me back into the group after I faded on a few hills and all my teammates. I did a few ceremonial pulls at the beginning of ride and then snapped back to reality and safely tucked myself into the center of the pack.

Now for our team round up: Keri did the entire ride hammering in the big ring, Coach Barry made sure our form was excellent, Dustin blocked the wind for a 2 mile radius, Ray was a work horse pulling, Jeff was the silent stealth rider, Kim and Jessica kept us in line and for goodness sake would Joe please open up and tell us what he is really thinking instead of making us read his mind.

Ok for those of you shocked at the amount of emotion and thought that I am spewing in these posts – I blame it on sleep deprivation, hypoxia and lactic acid build-up – doubt it was the Corona I just drank!

Pink out!!!!!!!

(Damn, Yellow Team just vandalized our van with yellow paint – revenge is in the air!!!!)

Pink Eyes in Tupelo

Chasse — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:52:59 +0000

Not red eyes but ”pink”, not from infection or alcohol (sigh) but from lack of sleep and overexposure to moon and van light. Well Kim woke us up at 2:30 after returning from her 1:30 pre-driving work-out. Now we are fumbling and packing and starving but ready to ride!

Pink out early!

Pink Ice on Bikes

Chasse — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:44:16 +0000

Pink Team finally checking in after 36+ hrs without sleep, 18 hrs riding in van, 3 hrs of bike riding, now with full bellies and checked into a hotel in Tupelo, Mississippi. Our bodies have finally thawed out but now our minds are frozen shut. Our ride began in somewhere in a TN park, ask our support person Kim Stancil (she seemed to have spent her entire childhood roaming these backwoods and knew every nook and frozen cranny like the back of her hand) without a map. Kim said her knowledge of the area had something to do with a moon shining and state lines or something. Anyway, we became Pink Ice on bikes in the 28 degree foggy night weather and had to pry the frozen bikes out of our hands by transition time. At one point when I was teetering on miserable, I looked up and saw Scott’s bike on our lead van and suddenly it didn’t seem so cold anymore – thanks Scott. So a shout out to our wonderful drivers-Kim/Jessica, entire Pink riders and ScottStrong for the pull! Big John and Kevin we missed you! Pink out!!!!!!

Pink Team checking in!

Chasse — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:42:00 +0000

Well, we are currently sitting in the IHOP in Anderson,SC. Carbo and caffeine loading! Jumbo hot chocolates abound! Will squish,trust me, it is only word appropriate to descibe how we all fit in our van! Once squished, will drive up the mountain to near Murphy, NC – where we think we will transition to start our 3 AM – 6 AM shift. Pink out until later!

From our 2008 Warrior

Chasse — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:32:50 +0000

As the departure date approaches I know the excitement is building and last minute preparations are being made as I have been following all the emails from the beginning and will follow your blogs along the way. I can’t wait to read all the new experiences.

I just wanted to say for those of you who will be riding and those who will be the warriors for 09….I will be thinking of you all and fondly remembering the wonderful experience I had last year as a warrior. I was privileged to ride along the way.

I thank you riders for your dedication to this ride as it helps all of us going through the devastating disease of cancer feel a little more hope that through these types of events, one day there will be more for fighting this disease than chemo and chance. There will be cures! Cure is a word that as a cancer survivor has become my mantra and I will never lose hope for a cure because there are folks like you who continue the fight when we can’t.

I also want to say to the support folks along the way, the ride wouldn’t be possible without you – so thanks to you too. Riders you are in “good hands” with Renee and Dennis. Get it….(had to throw that in)

You all will be in my thoughts and prayers that God watches over you as you travel to Austin either by bike, car or plane.

Again I thank you GO TEAM!

Janet Rigdon

ovarian cancer survivor – 9 yrs and still in my journey but never giving up HOPE!

Chasse — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:41:54 +0000

Why am I doing this crazy ride again this year? Well, I am not a great cyclist or athlete, I can’t stand to ride when it is less than 50 degrees, I have tons of other commitments between work, husband and three kids. I had felt trained until 2 weeks ago when I got a cold and my knee started to hurt and I hate asking people to donate money. So why am I doing this? Because of hope. Because 7 years ago this month, I was bald and on chemotherapy for breast cancer and could not ride. Because my Mother died from pancreatic cancer and I miss her. Because Scott Shuey wanted to do this ride and he can’t. Because Laurens was trained for this ride and she can’t ride now. Because I have seen and grieved over too many friends and patients dealing with cancer and too many of them dying from cancer. Because I believe in the power of cancer survivors and the hope that we can become stronger physically, mentally and spiritually from cancer. And while some cancer survivors may die from an incurable disease, many can still achieve healing. I believe that God allows cancer for reasons that we cannot understand but hope that we will understand some day. So while my hair might not be much improved over baldness, my heart and my spirit are greatly improved as a result of being a survivor. I am doing this ride by God’s grace because I can, once I couldn’t and many still cannot!

Hope tells me that…

The future will be better than today.

What’s broken will one day be fixed.

What hurts will one day be healed.

What is wrong will one day be made right.

What has been missed will one day be compensated. (Scott Hodge)

From our Warrior – Angie Suttles

Chasse — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:16:19 +0000

Just Two Words

As I was searching my heart for just the right words to say to you guys for this incredible commitment and display of strength, I just kept coming back to two simple words. Nothing extravagant or powerful, nothing glamorous or well-rehearsed, not a well-written quote with great punctuation, not a poem with a beautiful rhyme or a long story filled with intrigue and passion. Just two words;

“Thank You”

Angie Suttles, Survivor

Pull me Scott! From Chasse

Chasse — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:34:53 +0000

My friend, Scott Shuey, just died less than 12 hours ago, today October 5, 2009 after his courageous fight with lymphoma. Scott was only 45 years old. Scott was a Christ follower, devoted husband, devoted father and one heck of a cyclist and runner. I rode in his honor last year and he had planned on riding with us to Texas this year before his lymphoma recurred. I had the opportunity to spend time with Scott and Kim, his wife, last Monday – he was truly a Great Man and God has granted Kim great strength and perspective throughout this whole ordeal. I told Scott that the only way I finished my first full century ride last month was by thinking of his strength and by “drafting off him” when I felt like quitting. I think Scott knew: “…to live is Christ and to die is gain” Phil 1:21, so while we lost a great one, he is now healed and home.

So Scott (ScottStrong) this P3C3 Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride to Texas is for you and I will only make it by “drafting off you”

Chasse

Sore Tale Finished in Austin

Chasse — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:01:35 +0000

We participated in the LiveStrong Challenge bike ride this morning, what a great way to end an incredible surreal week. We had options of riding 10, 45, 65 or 90 miles today – I had signed up to ride the 65 mile loop but my cramping calves said otherwise, so I rode the 45 mile loop, bringing my total mileage for the week to approx 360 miles!!!!!!! We apparently rode one of Lance’s training routes with a few rolling hills – no wonder he won the Tour! I missed Big John and the boys pulling me!

Quite an eventful ride as it turned out – first I stopped to help a rider who took a curve too fast and flipped off a bridge – looks like some facial fractures and she was starting to go into shock when the EMT arrived, say a prayer for her. They also had a lot of cattle crossing guards you had to ride over – must work great because I never saw a single cow! Lots of supporters cheering along the course which is always great. When I passed one group tailgating, my keen eye saw a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Crème, so I turned around grabbed Lisa and told her to follow me. We rode upstream for a moment and then joined the nice folks for a shot of Bailey’s and a donut – best rest stop ever!

Well I finally had my first fall of the trip, I wiped out in the port-a-john and almost did a face plant in the urinal! Cleats don’t work well on slippery floors!

We have one last function tonight which is a party at Lance’s bar, so we will see how it goes….. But overall one of the most incredible weeks of my life! However I miss my hubby and kids and want to go home!!!

A quote is sticking in my head from the Livestrong donor dinner last night which sums up this week and my heart:

“Cancer may leave your body but it never leaves your life”

Chasse

Livestrong

Sore tale ends in Austin!

Chasse — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:12:42 +0000

Ok, today was tough for me, it hurt physically. Shed a lot of tears today and they were not all tears of joy or gratitude. We started at 6 AM this morning and it was windy, dark , cold and HILLY. Rene and Ron joined us from team 3 today which was great. I guess it was the excitement of having another female in the group because I actually pulled some today! So I felt good for first hour or so but don’t know if it was the wind, the cold, the hills, my talking with Renee or a combo of all but I bonked! We were riding up a hill and I don’t know what was higher my heartrate or my cadence (Michael doesn’t call me the hamster for nothing!) but I felt bad. Dizzy, light headed and ready to quit! So I got on the bus for awhile. The bus was very nice and great music. I ate lots of calories, drank plenty of fluids, caught up on my text messaging (Lynn you will never know how much you helped me today and how much it meant to me!) So after some more Nutter-Butters (Lori you know how these help) I was determined to ride again and into Austin. Told the boys they shouldn’t make me pull! I told the team that they might have to pry the bike out of my cold dead hands but I was riding into Austin! After rejoining the group I felt better but my legs still hurt and I kept crying! I started thinking of all the people in my life that have helped me get to this point and accomplish this adventure. I thought of the many gifts that God has given me through cancer. Thought about Peter and the kids who never complained, my training buddies (Lori, Nancy, Andrea), Katie for my training plan, my team 4 teammates who took care of me on and off the road, Micheal and Lisa who kept it all together for us. I also thought of my parents who are gone and all my patients who have been touched by cancer. Now I had to keep wiping my nose and my eyes. I would get myself together and then think of someone and start crying again. I don’t know what is more sore my nose or my bottom! As we approached the hotel for the longest 5 miles of my life, the boys let Renee and I pull, I mean lead the group. Renee is also a breast cancer survivor and let me tell you that cancer picked the wrong woman to mess with – she rode 12 hours today! When we finally got to the hotel the other teams were in the parking lot with cowbells and lots of cheers – of course I started crying again. I probably got dehydrated from crying! So we are HERE! And remember a bad day on the bike is still better than a good day in the chemo room!

Livestrong

Chasse

More sore tales from the road

Chasse — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:40:03 +0000

Wahoooo, I just soaked in the hot tub (no spa available), used some energizing shampoo in the shower and I am ready to go!!!!!!!!!!! Go eat that is and maybe drink a much over due beer. Not bad for having been awake for over 28+ hours. Riding 6 hours every other day is one thing but then not sleeping in between adds a whole new level of “excitement”. We started out in Alabama yesterday (I think) and the team is still giving me a hard time about making them wait on me while I got a massage at the hotel spa. Geez, I cancelled the pedicure! Team 4 has bonded nicely – lots of teasing and laughing, which is just my style. We had the midnight to 6 AM shift last night and it was quite an adventure – I do not think the scenery would have been any different in the daytime – we rode through NOWHERE, Louisiana! Things were going smooth until about 3 AM when we started riding on a road with loose coarse gravel – I was terrified!!! Part of the road looked like a sandbox, I was riding white knuckled scared to blink, wipe my nose or take a deep breath. The boys didn’t seem to mind by the pace they kept despite my feeble protest! Of course the majority of the roads were awful; we might need to send some funds to start a highway campaign. It was so bad that I told the lead man that instead of warning of an upcoming hole or bump to just tell me when it is clear – would save his breath. After a 4 AM pit stop the boys got frisky again and had us pacing around 20-21 mph for about 10 miles until I yelled “uncle”. After finishing our ride we once again hopped in the car and drove to Benham, Texas! I think that is part of the strategy – you become so miserable riding in the car you can’t wait to get on the bike again. We have the 6 AM shift into Austin in the morning – I can’t wait – assuming I can walk down the stairs from my second floor room to the car. Ok, I need some food! But first a shout out to Cheyenne Hedrick who is quickly approaching her survivorship mark after kicking a Wilm’s tumor butt (I actually delivered you baby girl!) – your name is on the bus!! And where has Micheal Clapp been all afternoon, must crash hard after drinking that grape energy drink all night!

Sore Tales from the Road

Chasse — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:11:23 +0000

Wow what a night, my boys on Team 4 were feeling frisky – we covered about 91 miles with 17-18 mph average, best and longest ride I have ever done! I thought riding at night was tedious but it is no comparison for riding into Pensacola, Fl at 5 PM in rush hour traffic over a 4 lane bridge that is only 2 lanes due to construction and the only lane we have to ride in is gravel! I’ve found night riding to actually be somewhat serene since noone really talks in a paceline and all your hear is the night sounds and bike gears changing. I had my closest call with a near wreck last night, when the rider in front of me suddenly yelled and quickly jerked his bike to the left – there I was 2 feet from a quickly approaching sidewalk curb on a bridge! I didn’t have enough time to do anything besides pray and close my eyes! But somehow this ole girl managed to get her bike up over the curb onto the sidewalk. I’m sure it made a funny picture to then see my team riding below me on the road as I’m flying over the bridge on the sidewalk! Then the fun ended because I had to then get off the sidewalk! Somehow again through the grace of God I came flying off the curb and landed right back in place in the paceline! I learned the pure joy last night of haveing a Clydesdale Ironman pulling at the front of your team – wow! Big John also came to my rescue as we headed into Mobile over the biggest bridge I’ve ever seen in my life around midnight last night. I’m spinning as fast as I can but somehow not moving when suddenly a hand takes hold of my jersey and pulls me up the bridge. He even gave me a little sling slot push at the top – wheeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Ok off the find a massage! Oh yeah I have a horrible cold that just keeps getting worse – can’t imagine why? Thanks for the prayers – we feels them!

LiveStrong!!!!!!!!!

Bald to Buff

Chasse — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:41:05 +0000

“Bald to Buff” – is now my life motto after having been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 and subsequently undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy. After the experience of being too weak to walk to the bathroom or too tired to even think during treatment, I wanted to move as far to the other end of the physical and mental spectrum as possible. So endurance sports seemed the answer, even though I didn’t run, didn’t own a bike and couldn’t swim the length of the pool. Since completing treatment I have participated in many 5k races, half-marathons, a marathon, dozens of triathlons and two Half-Ironman triathlons. My goal is to complete an Ironman triathlon for my ten-year survival anniversary. I am also completing a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine to help other survivors heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. The Ride to Austin is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of cancer survivors and funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Cancer Association of Anderson. And no matter how hard the ride might be, it is still easier and better than chemo!

Follow-up Livestrong Summit

Chasse — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:09:51 +0000

If you have had any recent doubts on a long training ride, about why you have committed to raising money and riding to Austin, Texas – let me tell you about stories from the LAF Summit. Check out this site for pictures and info http://livestrongblog.org/ I heard and spoke to so many amazing people, from parents who had lost children to cancer, children who had lost parents and young survivors trying to adjust to a new life after or with cancer, that I was overwhelmed by their emotion, passion, and strength for fighting cancer. The young woman who had a brain tumor and suffered a stroke during surgery leaving her partially paralyzed but attending this meeting to learn more about raising money for cancer research. Remember:

“There are 12 million Americans living with cancer today. This year alone, 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, and 560,000 will lose their lives to the disease. Cancer is a public health crisis that touches every American and costs our economy more than $400 billion per year.”

I always remind myself on long rides that I am doing this because I am physically able, because it is still easier than taking chemo and because so many people have had their future altered by a cancer diagnosis that they are unable to ride.

PS: I didn’t meet Lance personally, but I did meet his mom Linda and he husband Ed Kelly. I spent a long time talking to her and telling her about our team and she looks forward to seeing us in Austin! She did the 10 mile Ride for Roses course last year.

LiveStrong Summit

Chasse — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:14:03 +0000

Hello fellow Austin Riders (the majority I have not met yet), I will not be riding this weekend because I’m attending a meeting with “The Man”. Yes, I’m going to see Lance Armstrong this weekend! I’ll be attending the Livestrong summit:

“This weekend we are excited to bring 1,000 current and potential leaders to the LIVESTRONG Summit at the Ohio State University. These leaders have been selected from across the country because they care about cancer issues and are willing to champion the cause in their communities. They will be inspired and empowered by renowned keynote speakers and hands-on training sessions, so they can return to their communities with the necessary tools to support the Foundation’s efforts to make cancer a national priority.”

Hopefully, I can stir up some PR for our group and ride! See you next ride!