Seagull Century 2013

Well...the century is complete, 100 miles...and for the first time i think it is a long way to pedal.....

103.11 to be more specific.....but this ride was not for me , nor about me...it is and was for others...some are still here , and fighting , and others have gone , and it is their memory and their honor that drives me , and sustained me at various points on the ride ....

    This year we rode for one of our corporate team members wife...Ellie Teachout, who has been battling , a primary tumor , complicated by a secondary diagnosis of lymphoma....UGH...but she continues to fight , and endure and go on....     

so......I pedaled......and rode ...and rode ...and rode....but not alone....I am part of a team, actually on event day , three teams....one - The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Team Flex which is a part of the subset of LLS groups, and finally our corporate group...

I am proud that as this is our 4th year riding for this cause we have topped over $200K raised through the generosity of friends , family and colleagues.

But this ride had its fun......

and it's pain.......

and it's.....ICE CREAM !!!!!!! at mile 85

i must confess, pie and ice cream never tasted so good....and after riding 85 miles on a long hot day , i knew nothing would stop me from completing the last 15....not when I had a purpose......so...it was there....the finish

after that the first thing I wanted was ...a beer , and a burger......without shame, without guilt, I just needed the carbs and the FAT....and it was good.....but i needed more ....i needed ...

rest

until the next moring ...when it was clear i needed the three things needed by all aging cyclists after a long hard day....

however there is one last thing i need to say ...and that is THANK YOU....to my cycling buddies Paul and Rich....if it were not for your support and encouragement and mocking of my unique cycling fashion sense , I would not have been ready for this ride and would not have safely been able to complete this ride, because my mission , and the teams' mission is not complete as long as blood cancers continue to afflict one single person!!!!!