Why am I riding? Well I need to get back into shape, lose some weight and what better reason than this awesome cause! I last rode in the Great Cycle Challenge last year and also had set a moderate 100 mile goal and met it, just barely. :) Hoping I can get some training rides in before this kicks off in September.

I have been impacted by cancer since an early age. One of my best friends Andy Christensen passed away due to cancer when I was about 10 years old. I never really understood or dealt with this loss and it was not until later years when other friends and family were fighting this disease that I realized the impact cancer has on us all. I started participating in the Cancer Relay for Life back in the early 90s, just after it began, in honor of my mom who was diagnosed with cancer and eventually my dad as well. We all know someone who has or is fighting this terrible disease. I personally know a family who IS family to me and they are all fighting cancer and lost their Mom to it a few years ago.