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.

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.

Team Green rode into that storm.  It’s name was “Rick”.  We rode through it.  It didn’t beat us, but rather built us up.  I guess it is true, what doesn’t break you makes you stronger.  Many parallels between these struggles and those of our courageous warriors whom we ride for, don’t you think?

Any way, I hope to put down into words my thoughts on that night when I get a little more time and the screen doesn’t seem so blurry in front of my eyes.  Until then, enjoy some video from that Day Four at LowCadence.com:  Have you ever ridden in the middle of a named storm?

Thanks for following us all online this year.

I’ll be honest, I knew we had a good bunch of people for the “in-between” times. However, I wasn’t so sure how it would be on the bikes. I have been very pleasantly surprised.

Jerry – he is a BIG dude. Normally that translates into some problems climbing. Sure in that very steep first leg he struggled just a little, but he was right there with us. On these flat sections he is a God-send! He is powerful and because he is big, he punches a huge hole in the wind. I’ll ride behind him any day!

Meggan – I call her “Meg-a-watts”. She is my favorite wheel. Her cadence is like butter. Oh, we both share a sadistic attraction to climbing. I now understand why her nickname given by others is “Afterburner.”

Bo – again, I was surprised after that first night. Bo fell back a bit on that ride and I thought it might be the way it would be for the week. Now I call him “The Closer” or “Horse”. I found that by the end of the ride when I am feeling tired and I look back I find Bo right on my wheel. Then he is around me chomping at the bit heading for the barn.

Then there is Nikki. After her very hard fall that first night and the subsequent pain and stiffness, I would have expected to hear someone complain or stay in the safety of the vehicles. Nope, not her. Tape her up and prop her on the saddle. She IS going to finish this memorial ride for those she loves and supports. I’m not getting in her way!

Me? I feel like this is MY team. As the most experienced rider, I feel some responsibility to their safety and success. After finishing the century last night – three of the five on our team got there very first – I was beaming like a proud papa.

In case you are wondering, there is a video up of the day. You can find it at LowCadence: http://wurl.ws/zYai

You can also read about my experience during the ride here.  What a great week!  Now we’re all headed out tot he airport to fly home.  I’ll miss you guys!

:: Challenge to Conquer Cancer Ride – Team One Day Two

:: Challenge to Conquer Cancer Ride – Team One Day Three

My first participation in the Palmetto Peloton Project was in 2006.  I had just started riding a road bike and the only reason I signed up was so I could complete my first organized metric century.  Sure, I was aware the money was going to a worthy cause, but it didn’t carry a lot of personal meaning to me.

Soon afterwards my friend, Mike McCaskill, learned he had a cancerous brain tumor.  His battle had begun and I watched the toll it took on him and his family.  I knew at that time the next Palmetto Peloton Project would have new meaning.

My goal was to raise as much money for the fight as possible and then at the conclusion of the ride, present a special jersey I had created for the event to Mike.  I did not have that opportunity.  The $3000 dollars I raised and the ride I rode was in his memory — not for his encouragement.

I determined at that time that I would participate in a ride each year in memory of my friend.  Of course, when I learned of this ride, it was obvious that it was what I needed to do for the 2008 version of my Ride For Mike.  www.rideformike.com