|
Thoughts from a training ride…
October 9, 2010 Target mileage: 51-53 miles
The weather was perfect for hitting the road at 7 a.m. I am feeling strong as I head east, straight for the ocean. I head north, following the Atlantic coastline. I quickly settle into my training pace- 18-20 mph. The miles click off on my computer. Eventually, I find myself on the last section of the training ride. I am heading north on Fort Lauderdale Beach, with about 10 miles left. I begin feeling an unpleasant feeling in my right calf…a cramp. Then my left quad starts acting up. Soon, my left calf and right quad are also ganging up on me. Eventually, both legs are essentially two giant cramps. Do I get off of the bike and stretch? Do I ride through it? Do I call home and have someone pick me up? The pain increases. Eight miles…A thought rises above my pain. “Why am I doing this ride?” A child with cancer does not have the option of getting off of their ‘bike’ to take a breather. A child with cancer does not have a cell phone in their bike bag to call home and have someone come and pick them up because it hurts. A child with cancer has to keep riding and riding and riding, through the pain. There is no rest stop, no sag wagon.
I finished the ride- 52.35 miles in 2 hours, 54 minutes, 50 seconds.
“We can be heroes, just for one day.”- David Bowie
|
Cure on Wheels raises money for Tampa Bay families coping with a diagnosis of cancer through an annual Cure on Wheels Bike Challenge.
This year our event takes place at the beautiful Flatwoods Park located in Tampa Florida. As Florida’s only ride to benefit cancer research, Cure on Wheel’s intention is to successfully meld support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to Cure on Wheel's goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift.
Our hope and aspiration is to provide Tampa Bay families the necessary resources to help them cope with the potentially debilitating diagnosis of cancer.
|
