The Circle of Life

With less than 24hrs until the start of the Pan Mass Challenge, I find myself reflecting on a cycling season that is not only an athletic endeavor, but a learning experience that has taught me just how precious and at times how fragile our lives can be.

Having been blessed with a son last year, my wife and I spent the beginning of the year struck by how rewarding new life truly is. Yet our world was about to change in a way that neither of us anticipated.

Rick and I had agreed to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge early on and had planned our racing seasons around it. Before we could even think about the start of the year’s 1st road race, Rick was diagnosed with testicular cancer. What went from a worthy cause, in the Pan Mass Challenge, hit close to home when your fellow athlete’s life is threatened by the very disease that you were raising awareness for.

Fortunately Rick’s rehabilitation has gone well and he is back on the bike racing and getting ready to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge with me this weekend.

Yet this story has only just begun. Soon after Rick’s battle, my mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer. She too has fought her cancer and on mother’s day of 2008 I dedicate my cycling season to her. You may have seen my fabulous pink bar tape, well that’s for Oma!
As part of my pledge to ride the Pan Mass Challenge, I have committed to not only fund raise for the event, but to match my sponsor’s generosity with my own personal challenge.
For every $100 that I have been sponsored for my completion of the Pan Mass Challenge, I will also ride up the simulated Alp D’Huez climb at TARGETRAINING in under 1hr.

This may not be an easy way to raise money, but it’s nothing like the fight against cancer. Looking beyond this weekend’s event, it is my goal to help spread the word about cancer prevention and management through diet and exercise. Mother Nature brings us life, and she provides us with the tools to nourish it.