So, Nikki and I have been home since Saturday afternoon. Most of that time has been spent resting and trying to top the tanks off to re-enter the normal world. I can’t believe that the ride has come and gone, and now I’m watching Facebook and Twitter posts from everybody as they make their way back home. How quickly this experience has passed.

Everybody’s heard about Team Awesome’s crazy battle with Tropical Storm Rick, so I won’t belabor that, other than the fact that we have another nickname because of the effects of all the rain, wind and cold: Team Snot Rocket (goes with the green).

However, I made a promise that night before we set out on our shift. I want to thank Deputy Sheriff Daniel Wagner of Grimes County, TX for keeping us company at that lonely gas station before we met up with Team Polka Dot. He was a super nice guy and gave us some pointers on how to get through College Station in the dead of night. Thanks Deputy Wagner…

Anyway, I want to drop a quick note about what has been one of my biggest challenges on this ride: reverse culture shock. It’s a phenomenon I’ve experienced several times when returning from stints overseas to friends and family back home. It’s odd. You go on a journey, become changed by the experience, and you come back, and everything is just a touch “off.” It takes some time to reintegrate with people that didn’t share those experiences along with you and go through the same changes. It’s like they don’t understand.

In any case, I’m feeling it again, now that I’m back in the real world. There are no maps to check, transition points to scope out, kits to clean, or food to be shoveled down in anticipation of the next shift. What’s more, there are no more of the intense emotions of triumph, loss, fellowship, pain, joy, and friendship that I got hooked on while with you all. I talked with my father after we completed our last shift and he said to me “you know, I reckon you’re coming back from this a completely different person.”

Know what? My Pop is right. I’m different, and I’m glad for it, even if it makes me feel a little out of place for a while. I guess this is my weird way of saying that I miss everybody already, and I hope that you all get home safe and get some rest so that we can get out on the road (or dare I say the trail for those of you with mountain bikes) soon!

Safe travels, and God bless

BoZ

Big Joe, myself, Jeff and Dennis all arrived home this morning from driving the bus back from Austin. 20 hour’s straight but it worked out great with all of the extra drivers (it made life a lot easier than last year). I got in some sleep and took the wheel at 3am until about 6:15 when we all got out to have some breakfast at McD’s. Thank you all for helping us drive back the bus!

It is funny how this week went by so fast. I was thinking about it as the bus rumbled along at speeds just slightly above the speed limit. What a great week. This year was a totally different experience than 2008 for me personally. In 08, I rode on Team 1 and we had a little different mentality about the ride (we rode pretty hard). That said, team 1 was a fantastic group of people and we all got it (we all were there for the same reason). This year I rode with the Yellow team. It was similar in feel but the connection of the team was completely different. This year was a lot more personal. Having a person on the team who is currently doing treatment really took it to another level for me personally and I think the team felt the same way. I think it was made a little harder by the fact that I see the same thing at home on a weekly basis with Susan.  

So, now it is time to get back to work, back to reality, and back to the shop to unload the bus and the trailer. I must say that I am truly thankful for all for all of the riders, the support personal, the sponsors and the personal supporters that helped  put together this ride. The ride was safe, the riders all rode well and we all completed this year’s challenge. It was a fantastic week!  I am excited about the prospect of 2010!

JOEY

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!!

I did not expect todays ride to be this challening. the ride for Roses was today. I had originally signed up for the 90 but my legs left me at mile 4. My awesome team mates JD (my angel), Perry, and Ed pulled off with me at the 65 mile route. It was emtional. Why, because my body hurt so bad. My legs, my back, my bottom, my hands and my heart. I realized that This year was way more challenging then last. I think I finally accepted my father’s passing, I realized that when you don’t talk to your roomate as often as you like to, she is still your best friend for life. I never knew how much time she spends with people who battle this disease until we had quality girl talk the other night. I miss those talks….emotional.
Finishing the ride as God intended…Humbling me because the Polka Dotta team has been kickin some miles the this entire week and it was really hard for all of us. Finishing today with JD, angel, got the hug first for pulling me the ENTIRE way through the 65 miles of Wind. The kind of wind that whips you around like a flag. Perry got the second hug…. we were both crying at this point. He rode for his father. Watching him have closure was memorable. I rode for my father… accepting his death hurts. I also rode knowing that the uncertainty of my future is just around the corner. I am not looking forward to Dr. Slice and Dice appointment next month. I never do. But I realized today that I personally have accepted the “not knowing”. I am becoming less self-conscious of my scars and ready to accept what decisions are ahead of me.

Thank you P3C3 for the Challenge, the Emotions, the opportunity, the memories will last a life time.  Will I do this again….. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!!!

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…………..

  I thought the ride would be the hard part but come to find out that was the easiest part of the week so far.  I am just coming in from the Lance Armstrong survivor reception (and yes i have great pics).  And I am mentally exhausted and it has nothing to do with the long night of  checking out the Austin night life.  But let me tell you a quick list of what i have seen and experienced in the last 24 hours.

 Yesterday morning we rode into Austin as a group and myself and the other survivors led the way into downtown Austin.  As i got closer i rode in silence while I thought about what a year this has been.  I am 2 weeks away from the anniversary of my diagnosis, its been 6 weeks since I lost my grandmother (although she showed up several times this week, and i am wearing her necklace while I’m riding as well) I ordered a bike before I could even walk this last winter and now I’m 1 mile away from saying I rode my bike to Austin.  It was indescribable the feeling I got when we came over the bridge and the first people I see are my best buddy Carlee, my grandfather, and my parents standing in the middle of the road as we pull in.   Later last night we had our reception dinner (huge thanks to New Belgium brewery and Todd at Eagleshotz) and although it was completely unplanned people stood up one at a time and told their story on why they ride and I know there was not a dry eye in the house. But what I realized is I stopped doing this for me a long time ago.  I am doing this with this crazy idea that we are going to beat this disease in our lifetime and I am with a bunch of morons who have the same belief. 

I woke up this morning and did the Livestrong challenge 5k and once again all of the survivors  and warriors crossed the finish line arm in arm in-front of 3,000+ people and we showed them how united our team is.  I was even stopped at starbucks 30 minutes later and had a woman say how she saw us finish and how she could see how special our p3c3 group is.   Then came the survivor reception,  and I could go on all night about how cool it was but im too tired. However during a Q&A part with Lance someone asked if he was in fear of his cancer returning.  I almost couldn’t look up because I didnt want to hear the answer because Lance had the same as I did and I know i am always in fear, but he could not have put it any better than when he said “I know my chances of a re accuring cancer is much greater than most people’s, but I stay physacly healthy and I am not sitting idle waiting for it to happen either i am fighting back in the mean time”.  And just like that its game on for me, if it was bad before its going to be terrible now.  Im going to go to bed and get up early to do the Livestrong 45mile race, Im going to beat the shit out of my bike and my body on the ride, and Im going to go back to Greenville tomorrow and show the world how to liveSTRONG.  I’m not a cancer survivor anymore….I’m a cancer fighter.

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!

We finished the ride yesterday.  It was awesome to see the survivors and warriors lead us into downtown Austin.

This morning we all participated in the 5k walk/run. It was a great walk and awesome to see all of the P3 folks in the bright yellow shirts. RunIn provided those shirts and boy did we stand out. It was awesome and lots of people commented on them throughout the morning.

I am not sure if I will get another opportunity to blog (I plan on trying when I get home), but I think i am most thankful that we had a great ride. We have a great group this year and I think it shows in the positive attitude and tremendous spirit that they have all brought to this event. The ride was safe. The weather was not the best but it was not bad. This is after all a challenge. With every challenge there must be a point where things get tough. We all had those points and we all made it through like champions. Cancer patients live a daily challenge. We simply have had a 5 day challenge. I like to remember that when I see my wife and our friends who have battled cancer.

2009 p3 Challenge to Conquer Cancer has been a super event with a super group of people! Thank you all to my personal supporters and all of our event sponsors. Without your support none of us could help in supporting the fight!

JOEY SULLIVAN

Okay I have dyslexic fingers and spelling is not the best. Just read the lines and not the words and it will all come to you if something is spelled wrong.

Sometime earlier this year Megggan sent me an email asking if I would be interested in joining a ride that she new about. She sent me the registration for the kick off banquet at the Palmetto center. I went, listened, and asked questions about the ride and decided that it would be something that I was interested in. I had been participating in another much larger ride for the past several years and was ready to change for reasons that I will not go into. Riding to Austin sounds interesting enough so I joined up.

For me this ride started out not as a way to bring awareness to conquer or cure cancer, but as a more challanging bike ride. I had sent Ron several emails getting information and asking questions about the ride.

The training rides started and I went to as many as I could. Bakery run at 7 a.m. sharp from Furman. Ron what’s your phone nuber so I can call you to let you now if I will be a few minutes late? I had a friend riding with me and he stayed back with me so I would know the way to the bakery. I had told Ron that I die in hills. When we got to the bakery the rest of the group was there and Ron greated me with a hugh smile asking how was it and with a big “You made it”.

Oct 18 was drawing near and I was sweating the fund raising. I was still $1000 short on Thursday before the ride. Friday afternoon several large donations came in so I told Ron at the shop I was officially in!!!!!!!!!

Sunday came and it was still another ride for me. I was feeling bad for Laurens because she was having to fight again and that she could not ride.

The white team is made up of bionic people. Joe has an artificial hip, Judy has 2 new knees, Kathy has lost one of her lungs to cancer, and me, well I have jsut lost part of my mind. So we were all missing something we were born with. We started out on US 76 where the Trail crosses. Kathy ook off like a bullet hollering into the night WE WERE FINALLY OFF AS A TEAM. It didn’t take long for me to realize what a struggle it was for kathy to do this ride with one lung. Can you imaginewhat it would be liek? Soon she was on the bus for a while. The hills just killed her. Judy started giving me background info about Kathy . During that night the ride turned from riding to Austin to figure out how we could keep Kathy on the road as long as we could. I remebered what Joe had said earlier in the year: “It’s not about how many miles or how fast we go. Don’t forget it is about the cause”. We finally made Murphy N.C. for our transistion. Off we go to find a bed and our next point of entery in the ride. Judy and I were still having our own conversations about how to keep Kathy on the bike as long as we could.

Then came the Natchez Trace. I had confettie popers to use at one of our transistion points and had planned to use them Tuesday night. We waited in Collenwood Tenn. for 3 hors tring to rest. The people in this small town were so nice to us. We were dressed and ready to ride and as we pulled out I spotted a vehicle with bikes on top. It was Laurens and Ann. They stopped us and we chatted. We told them e had a surprise for their team. We started down the Trace looking for a change over palce. We discussed the paty poppers. Mike got a phone call from Laurens saying that the team was down and needed some serious boosting. We turned around to find them and the decision was made to not use the poppers because it might cause someone to wreck. So thinking back for a moment to something we saw earlier taht was meant for the white team, I told Mike to drive by them slowly. As we got near them a new moon suddenly came oout from nowhere. We turned around and as we went by it suddenly appeared again. My “Mr. innocent” was blown. No one expects Uncle Milty to be the one. I was more than glad to do participate in something that would help the others out as we were not just the White team to Austin, but the P3C3 team.

We got on the Trace and off we go!!! I took the lead and slowed the pace down for Kathy. We wanted her on the bike as much as psooible. I tild her to stay behind me and I would pull her. when we got to hills I slowed down really slow hoping to help her conserve her oxygen. She stayed on the bike for almost 2 hours. We were so proud of her. encouraging her to keep going as long as she could, get in the bus and rest and to come back out when she was rested. . We stopped about every hour to make sure Joe got fed and watered. It had to be hard on him. He is 70 years old you know. We rode through part of Tenn. all of Alabama, and into Mississippi that night. So off to get some needed sleep and on to somewhere La.

After getting 4 hours of sleep we were off. A short cut urned into a long night for us as we had a flat tire. After gettting it fixed we were off down the trace again. We stopped just short of the Mississippi line ( I would tell you the name of the town but I can’t spell it lolol) for a short nap. Ron had tod us that it would be okay to be a little late due to our flat tire.

The yellow team was waitng on us when we got to our transsition point. It was still just another ride for me and and trying to keep Kathy on the road. After we had dressed Beth called me over to tell me something. She told me how they wre dedicating each mile to someone. Beth who made me laugh now made me start crying by bring into focus what the ride is really about. The ride then turned very emotional for me. Remembering the friends and family, my father, who died from camcer. It was just too much for me. I cried for most of the morning. Thinking why did Steve have to die young from cancer, Myria who didn’t get to spend much time with her new granddaughter, Why does Laurens, who is such and inspiration to me, have to fight it again. Sue, Sandra, and Spence wtih breast cancer, Jack with non hodgkins lymphoma.

Thank you to everyone on the P3C3 team. To the ones that rode their butts off not realizing that Laurens would decide that dhe would ride into Austin,
to Don for being the best photographer an individual team could have, to everyone one on the team that for making me feel like part of the larger team, the good times and the bad times, to Meggan for bring this ride to my attention, and to Ron for having a vision, and the rest of my new family and friemds!!!!!!!!!!!

the best tquote I can think of to leave everyone with with is to remeber: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

This morning at 10am the 2009 C3 team
started for its last ride as the group to
accomplish their goal to Austin.
We had spent the night about 20 miles outisde
Austin in the ‘burbs and this was our final leg
of the right.
First we gather for the group photos, individual
team photos, hugs, etc.
Then, we called all of the cancer surviors/warriors
that were part of the gruop to the front of the
group to lead us to downtown Austin.
What a sight as Sally Dunn rode with her pink
breast cancer cape blowing behind her as she
rode.
The LAF ride leaders tried their best to keep us
together, but it would been easier to herd cats
for the next 20 miles.
Keep in mind that almost all of this group wa composed of rider who had spent the past
several days in a tight paceline formation with
leass than a foot between each rider.
As we wound our way through the streets of
Austin towards our hotel, took the time to enjoy the
the sights.
Within a few miles of our hotel, we regrouped, br
brought our cancer rides to the front and lead
us the rest of the way to the finish.
We were done. We had reached our goal.
We were in Austin.
Cheers became louder as more of the group
arrived under the canopy of our hotel.
The expressions on the faces, the smiles, and the
the look of accomplishment on the faces of
our cancer surviors/warriors made all of the
training rides that started almost a year ago
seem meaningless.
As I stated in my ride bio, my hope was that
my participation in this ride would provide a
special day for someone fighting the fight
with cancer.
Today, for those cancer riders leading us into
Austin, my hope is that today was a special
day for them.
Whenever I would ask my friend Dennis about h
his experience on last year’s ride, he would simpl
simply reply that it was “awesome”.
So, when you ask me about my expriences this
year, I will also reply that it was “awesome”.
Words can not describe all of the emotions,
love, tears, hugs, cheers, etc that take place
in one week unless you have ridden “C3 ride to
Austion”.
Thank you is not enough to say to Ron and
Jennifer Jerina for ALL of the work that
went into the logistics of the ride.
Team Pink – what a group!!!
I have never been prouder to been part of a
team as I am of our team. We all wore PINK
at the celebration dinner to let everyone know
that real men can wear pink too.
My heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped
with their support that enabled me to participatre
in this “awesome” event.
Thank you.
In the words of Chasse – PINK out!!