look at the climbing profile below and ask yourself...who in their right mind would ride this course? good question. a few months back a neighbor of mine (with whom i rode the moab gran fondo) alerted me to a fundraiser organized by the fat cyclist. the idea is that he creates a t-shirt, race plate and provides some swag from sponsors. then people pay $80 to enter the event and aside from the costs of the shirts and shipping the remaining proceeds go to the livestrong foundation. the event? ride anywhere in the world for 100 miles. preferably 100 miles in a loop you do over and over that symbolizes in a small way the constant psychological and physical pain endured by cancer patients.
good idea right? fatty decided to lead a group of cyclists over suncrest and back five times (10 total climbs including the north and south side of the hill.)
the end result of a route that looks mind and leg numbing is this...
why not? in my whole medical career--diagnosing and treating cancer patients--i've never given money to cancer research beyond a few 'livestrong' bands. i have fatty to thank for this opportunity to give to those attempting to find better therapies and ultimately a cure for the many types of cancer that afflict patients...
the worldwide group of riders was well over 500 strong, and our group here in alpine utah was close to 30. a few of us are shown here...
the day before i contacted my neighbor justin thomas (a mt bike racer for mad dog cycles) and we decided to give it a go.the event began for the alpine utah contingent at the old alpine city park with banner, name plates and a strip of paper stapled to the name plate for each lap completed... the first lap was deemed a social lap as we headed out and got to know each other. i was able to meet fatty, his wife--a nurse at UVRMC, chris--a physical therapy student studying in provo, mark--a local cat 2 racer among others. the camaraderie among riders was one of the many gratifying parts of the day.
i found myself able to hang with many of the stronger riders throughout the day (although i suspect they were taking it easy on me for the sake of camaraderie:) until the final two climbs when i fell off the pace a bit to ease up on my knees--both of whom were whispering with pangs and aches that threatened to become something more. but what's a minute or two off the pace in a 7 hour day on the bike?
two laps down..:)
another highlight of the day was my family... they were amazing. it was a lot of fun to have them out for the day. it was a convenient event to be a part of because of the proximity to the house and repetitive nature of the course--all you had to do was drive up and over suncrest and you were bound to find me. amy made posters with the kids after everyone awoke...
they then brought them out on the course for some much appreciated moral support!
one box filled in per lap...two to go!
there were a few times they came by chanting from the car...good times :)
one final lap to go! of the ten climbs, there were four where i found myself just off the pace and decided to put in the headphones for some audiobook goodness. there is just something about taking your mind to another place and forgetting the pain for those few minutes...
as the race day ended ella looked like i felt :)
success!
michael approved and that is what matters most :)
on a day in early summer with less than the ideal amount of climbing miles in my legs for this type of ride i found success. success on the bike, family success and a successful chance to donate and take part in a cause much larger than you or me.
and in video format..:)
