Biking For Breast Cancer Research 2005

A big "Thank You" for your support in my "Biking For Breast Cancer Research"
bicycle journey.

To put it lightly, the ride was AWESOME !!!! I want to share with you some
of my daily adventures from my bicycle ride.

DAY #1
I left on my bicycle from my home in Chicago on Tuesday July 5, 2005. The sun
was shining as I headed north to my office to finish up a few last minute details.
I left my office and started my ride to Kenosha. The route to Kenosha was a
familiar one as our past bicycle rides for breast cancer research were to Kenosha.
It brought back great memories of special times shared with friends and family
all for such a great cause. This day was easy compared to the days I had ahead
of me.
Day #1 totaled 55 miles in 4 hours and 6 minutes.

DAY #2
Day 2 started off as quite an emotional day for me. As I awoke in the hotel at
7:00 a.m., my thoughts and prayers were with my sister who was in surgery fighting her
own battle in her fight against breast cancer. The skies were grey and it looked
like rain. I was heading out on unfamiliar roads and trials heading to Brookfield,
WI. I somehow misread the map in Racine and had gotten a bit turned around.
Those bicycle maps aren't as easy to read as you may think. Before long, I was
back on track and pedaling away. The sun popped through the clouds and it
was a warm beautiful day. As I neared Brookfield, I could see that the roads
were getting quite a bit hilly. I met up with my friend, Bill who was going to be
riding with me from Brookfield to Eagle River. My support crew (my daughters
Alyssa and Candice) arrived in Brookfield and were ready to start their journey
with us the next day. I do have to admit I shared with my girls that I wasn't sure of
the intimidating hills and if I could make it. They of course said, "Don't worry mom,
you can do it."
Day #2 totaled 55 miles in 4 hours and 2 minutes.

DAY #3
Day 3, we loaded up on carbs and we were off. We left Brookfield and were on our way
to Chilton. We rode the country back roads away from the main stream traffic. The first
half of the day was just as I expected, HILLS, HILLS and more HILLS !!!!
All I could see for miles and miles was one hill after the other. I definitely learned about
my "granny gear" up a couple of those monsters. After lunch in Campbellsport, we ran into
some light showers and the sky was threatening. We pedaled on and made
it out of the rain. However as we were riding, we missed our "S" turn and were heading
east instead of north. A very nice man stopped his pick-up, took out his county atlas and
helped us to get back on track to Chilton. What he told us became the quote of the day,
"Don't worry about what you did to get here, focus on where you're going" (doesn't that say
a lot about life.) Needless to say we arrived in Chilton a bit tired but we made it.
Bill told me that after Day 3 of riding I would be getting stronger, instead of more tired. I was
really hoping he was right as we had some long days ahead.
DAY #3 totaled 84 miles in 6 hours and 13 minutes.

DAY #4
Next stop, Shawano. We headed out of Chilton by 7:30 a.m. and headed west
towards Lake Winnebago. The major hills subsided, the roads just seemed to have
1/2 mile to mile uphill grades. I would look ahead on the roads and say to myself,
"Not another one." We ate lunch in Seymour, home of the hamburger. There was
not a cloud in the sky and the temperature was in the upper 80's. Those newly
blacktopped country roads got pretty hot. We arrived in Shawano safe and sound.
DAY #4 totaled 77 miles in 6 hours.
In the hotel, Bill, Alyssa and Candice were going over our next two days of riding on the map.
The plan was that Day #5 was to be about 60 or so miles to Crandon, spend the night there
and then a short 40 miles or so from Crandon to Eagle River the following day. Somehow I
got asked the question, "Hey it's about 100 miles total, Do you think you can do it in one day?" I'm thinking, I just rode 261 miles in four days and you want me to ride a 100 miles
in one !! Then I learned from Bill that it is a cyclists achievement to ride 100 miles
in a day, it's called achieving a "Century". I had no choice in my mind than to go for it
(A little encouragement from Candice, Alyssa and Bill didn't hurt either.)
The call was made and we cancelled our reservations at the hotel in Crandon. It was
Eagle River or Bust.

DAY #5
We left Shawano and headed north through the Indian Reservation up along the Wolf River.
What a beautiful road. It was a busy two lane, winding, hilly road with no shoulder. It was
head down and nose to the white line. The road was tree covered in the morning so it wasn't
too hot. It didn't take long to be out in the sunshine again as we pedaled along. I
was not intimidated by any hills as I rode, I didn't look ahead and panic, I just pedaled.
There weren't too many places to stop along the way for food. Good thing for granola
and nutrigrain bars in our bags. I could definitely feel my body running out of fuel, knowing
I needed more Gatorade and more carbs. My body was hanging in there, nothing that a few
Ibuprofen couldn't take care of. As we were within 20 miles or so from our final destination,
we stopped at a little "watering hole" for a "pop" or two. Nothing could stop me now !!! We
pedaled on and were greeted on Military Road, not too far from home, by Jeff and Alyssa
on the 4-wheeler. I made sure I pedaled 100 miles that day to achieve my "century" before
I got off my bike. We arrived at the Hideaway, a local bar by our cabin, and were greeted
by around 20 people cheering and clapping. There were banners in the trees which
made for a very heartwarming arrival. It was AWESOME !!!!
DAY #5 totaled 101 miles in 7 hours 44 minutes.

TOTAL
372 miles in 28 hours 5 minutes and averaging 13.2 miles per hour for the entire ride.

372 miles of pedaling, sweating, talking, laughing, thinking, and praying. I did it !!

Most importantly I raised almost $7,000.00 for Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical
Center for breast cancer research. I was sent off with such generous donations and
supportive notes from many people. I met many wonderful people along the way,
many with their own stories of how breast cancer has affected them or someone near
and dear to them. My heart was touched by everyone. I am proud to have such wonderful people supporting me in my efforts. I would pedal forever if I could make this disease, that affects so many, disappear. What I did was nothing compared to the brave people fighting this disease, they are the true heroes. Thank you again and again.