I picked a fight with Lance Armstrong

It was in Montgomery County on Sunday August 24th 2008 and together with other riders, runners, walkers, volunteers , and donators we raised nearly $3 million dollars for the 12 million Americans living with cancer today.

In the words of Lance
"Cancer is defiant. So we're going to defy it. It's persistent. So we have to persevere. It's discouraging. So we must have courage." The LIVESTRONG Challenge is an event uniting people to pick a fight with cancer.



I have done many organized events in the past, but the LiveStrong Challenge has been the best event I have ever had the privilege to be a part of from the packet pick-up to the post ride event everything is top notch and efficient.
On Saturday afternoon I picked up my registration pack and visited the expo center were I checked out some of the vendors like Yakima and Trek. Afterwards I filled out the cards that I would pin to my Jersey the next day during my ride They were in Memory of My Grandfather and Aunt and in Honor of a friend Don Gardner who is currently battling Lung Cancer.

This is always a moving experience as I do not generally spend time thinking of how Cancer has affected me. While I have been fortunate not to have been diagnosed with Cancer, It has taken away my Aunt, Grand Father, and few friends. During this time I am saddened that they are no longer here but at the same time I am inspired and motivated to do the ride and raise even more money for LAF.

After I left the indoor Expo center I visited the Trek Tent again and took a Their All Mountain bike the Remedy 7 for a test ride.
The guys at the Trek Tent were really helpful and Dialed in the suspension great for my Test Ride. This bike is fun to ride, wheelies great and the suspension made the Jump I took of the Loading dock feel like a drop from a curb (barely a chain slap)


On Saturday evening the team received our bike jerseys and later met for Dinner at the Iron Hill Brewery a great place to eat and drink with some great brews made on the premises.

The Livestrong Challenge provides riders with an exceptional route that is clearly marked. Police and/or course marshalls are at almost every turn, Rest stops are every 10 miles and compete for your vote to be nominated the best rest stop. Roving Sag and Maintenance vehicles were visible throughout the ride.

This is my second year doing the Livestrong-100 and it was definitely more difficult for me than last year.
(My riding has been erratic at best Having weeks with 150+ miles comprised of structured rides and endurance miles followed by weeks where I am lucky to ride to the corner store.)

I found myself struggling to keep any kind of a pace on the climbs (In the past I would welcome the climbs and power or spin up them) This year I was standing on the pedals in the smallest gear I had slowly making my way up. On some of the climbs I was able to find my old (or should I say younger) self. I also found inspiration in a Poster that was in the expo center. It had a quote from Lance that said "Pain is Temporary If I quit however, it will last forever" I was able to dig deep during the last 15 miles trying to finish in 6 hours I pushed the pace to 20 mph finding other riders to pace line with and leapfrog between when I finished I was spent I went to my car and laid down for a while with a cold water. Afterwards I got changed and met with some of the team members at the Beer Garden Yes there is a Beer Garden along with a great post ride meal that is nothing short of a feast with Pizza from Pizza Hut, Pasta, Salads, and a Variety of Hoagies;Subs;Po-boys or whatever they call them where you are from.

I was a member of Team Charlie's Buds Which was started In Memory and Honor of Charlie Yates. The team was made up of 39 members and beat it's Fundraising Goal of 15K by raising over 23 thousand Dollars this year

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I would like to thank those who Donated:

Carolyn Pullman, Diane Haser, Elissa Nelson, Karen Williams, Mark Sganga, Susan Williams Tim McConville , and Trish Williams, BP for their Sponsorship, and our Team Captain Ian Fisher for keeping us motivated and informed.

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