I will be doing a apache raindance here for you here in England, in hope for lightning!xxxx
Bookseller to the Stars | Homepage | 10.10.05 - 4:19 pm | #

You've got one cool sister and boyfriend!
M
Mary Larson | 10.10.05 - 7:33 pm | #

Hi!
I'm the sis-
The ride was great- if you ever want to spend a weekend seeing the absolute best in the human spirit- go do a fundraising ride, or walk, or whatever. I met the most amazing people, and I have to say, on the note of "looking bad"? - There was a rider at Asheville that not only raised ** $11,000+ **, not only rode the friggin' CENTURY PLUS (105 miles), but did it on his first ride ever! It just gave me more motivation, (and admiration). I have to say, the last 5 miles were the hardest. Not physically, but emotionally- Everything that I was riding for hit home. I knew it would. And I was not the only rider to cross the line choked up or crying. It was a great and humbling experience.
One small correction though- John, my BF, did not get to ride- he had a stage 3 separation of the shoulder in August (He took a curve too fast and fell on a training ride, the daredevil!) and his surgery 2 weeks ago pretty much guaranteed he couldn't ride. However, he did volunteer at checkpoint 2, and fixed bikes as they came in, having worked summers at a bike shop in H.S. (handy, that!) He also helped prep the bikes the day before the ride.
Kudos out to the Iowa team, who raised $50K in a small town of 4,000- and brought about 50 riders! (Illinois had only 10!!! Including Chicago!) So lots of motivation to kick butt next year- and cure JD!
Big hugs and kisses to you all- I will send photos and call when I can- (I just moved last week, too, so I have to wait for the phone guys and internet guys... I am finally considering a cel phone after holding out...)
Love to you all,
Ingrid
Ingrid | 10.10.05 - 8:58 pm | #

Hi Ingrid,
I will share this report with my diabetes list! Congratulations! We all appreciate it! Love, Martha
Martha | 10.10.05 - 9:06 pm | #

I'm just reading my own post here, and I think I am off on the number for the Iowa team, I think it was 20K. Hmm, I don't know how to find out for sure. Anyhow, there were so many awesome stories- A three generation team- Grandma-Dad-Son (type 1)- A guy whose bike got shipped with the wrong chain and rode the century using only his low gears- OUCH! I rode with Melissa and Megan on the 68 miles- strangers at the start, by the end we were friends! Megan was probably in her mid-late 20's and type 1, though she had to stop to test a lot, we started and finished together. There are just too many cool things to tell.
Love ya!
Ingrid
Ingrid | 10.10.05 - 9:16 pm | #