FAITH, HOPE, STRENGTH & COURAGE

Biking For Breast Cancer Research 2006

Thank you for your continued support in my "Biking For Breast Cancer Research"
bicycle journey.

This was my 5th year raising money for Rush University Medical Center and my 2nd year
riding to Eagle River, Wisconsin. This year the pledges totaled $10,735.00 with
your generous support. Our five year total is over $57,000.00 !!!!

This year's ride was a bit different from last year with a few more people, a lot more
rain and no getting "turned around".

DAY #1
On Sunday July 9, 2006, myself and seven others riders left from my house in
Chicago to start the first leg of the ride to Kenosha, WI. It was a beautiful
morning. Our first stop was in Glenview to pick up a friend for the ride
and enjoy coffee and bagels with his family. The group set off on the North Branch Bike
Trail with a few pit stops along the way. We lunched at a park in Lake Forest in which
our SAG vehicle met up with us. The day got hotter as we pedaled on but that
didn't stop us from having a great time. A little bit of sunburn and 52 miles later, we
arrived at the Best Western in Kenosha, WI. We shared a lot of laughs and stories about
the day as we enjoyed dinner together. The group trailered home that evening as I
prepared myself for my next day of pedaling alone.
Day #1 totaled 52 miles

DAY #2
Day 2 started off with quite a rain storm. I slept in a little longer hoping it would clear or at
least ease up a little. The rain stopped just as I was getting ready to take off from the hotel.
It was cloud covered, very windy and a bit chilly that morning when I left Kenosha
and headed for Brookfield, WI. The sun came out as I was about half way to Brookfield.
I was able to shed the sweatshirt and enjoy the beautiful day that it had become. I met up
with my friend Bill outside of Brookfield who rode with me. The SAG crew
arrived late that evening. The SAG crew consisted of my two daughters Alyssa and
Candice, my nephew and a friend who wanted to share the journey with us.
I was feeling stronger than I remembered feeling the last year and not being so
intimidated by the hills.
Day #2 totaled 52 miles

DAY #3
This year we had four people riding from Brookfield to Eagle River, WI. Everyone
had met at Bill's home, loaded up on carb's and watched the dreaded weather station.
The forecast didn't look pretty, calling for rain most of the day. We were able to pedal to
our first pit stop in Slinger, WI without any raindrops. That didn't last for long. No sooner
than we pulled out of the gas station, drops, drops, and bigger drops fell from the sky.
We pedaled on for about fifteen miles in the pouring rain and finally pulled over under
some tree cover as it was almost unbearable. The experienced cyclists I was riding with
had their rain gear and their hats. I on the other hand, still learning, stood there in my
shorts and tank top shivering away. After about twenty minutes or so and the rain not
letting up, we decided to pedal on to our lunch stop which was about another fifteen miles.
We were all so cold and wet that we couldn't stand there any longer as you could
feel your body temperature dropping. We needed to get riding to get the body warm
again, even in the rain. The SAG vehicle stuck close to us as the conditions were bad.
It was very slippery riding up and down the hills. We arrived in Campbellsport, WI for lunch.
we were soaking wet as we walked into the restaurant. A bowl of soup and a
sandwich helped to warm us up and refuel us for the next forty miles. The rain was still
coming down as we left Campbellsport. It continued to rain for about another twenty miles.
The rain subsided when we arrived in Calvary, WI for our last pit stop. It was smooth
riding after that all the way to Chilton.
Day #3 totaled 80 miles

DAY #4
We headed out of Chilton around 7:30 a.m. We rode up the east side of Lake Winnebago
for a very scenic ride. It was a warm day with temperature's in the high 80's. We stopped
for lunch in Seymour. (I didn't think we were ever going to get there) After lunch we were
stopping at a corner on a country road for a snack and water break when this big dog came
running from a little farm house. The man yelled "He doesn't bite" but he came running so
hard he hit me in the stomach with his dirty head as I was pedaling and almost knocked
me down. He scared me more than anything. He ran back home as we pedaled away from
him. We had our last pit stop in Bonduel which was about 9 miles from Shawano, our final
destination for the day. The day was filled with good conversation, lots of laughs,
and enjoying the scenic beauty on the back roads of Wisconsin.
Day #4 totaled 80 miles

DAY#5
We had gotten an early start out of Shawano at 6:30 a.m. as the weather forecast was
predicting the mid 90's and sunshine all day. We headed north on Highway 55 through
the Indian Reservation along the Wolf River. It's a very scenic two lane road in
the north woods. We tried to stop at several places along the way to eat but due to
us riding so early nothing was open when we went through. We finally ate lunch just outside
of Mole Lake. We had our last pit stop in Hiles at our favorite "watering hole". We
continued on our journey to Eagle River. Our group of neighbors and friends
were standing outside the Hideaway Bar, cheering us on as we pedaled in. What an
incredible day.
Day #5 totaled 100 miles

Total
364 miles in

This year's bike ride was great fun, even in the rain, the sun, the heat and the hills.

I was privileged to ride with some wonder people.

On day #1 my wonderful, supportive husband Jeff rode with me along with my daughter
Alyssa, my brother Wayne, my nephew Kevin, and our friends Carl, Angelo, Ryan and Arne.
The SAG vehicle on day #1 was driven by my daughter Candice and her friend Jackie

On day #3 I was joined by my friend Bill( who last year had taken me under his wing to
do this ride for my first time) along with his friend Bob and his son-in-law Dale.
The SAG vehicle on days # 3, 4 and 5 was driven by my daughters Alyssa and
Candice, my nephew Kevin and our friend Jackie.

Reflecting on this years ride compared to last year, I felt a bit stronger riding the hills and
didn't feel those shaky legs at the end of the day. The one thing about last year was
I didn't know where I was going to be stopping for pit stops and lunch. This year I
kept thinking in my head, aren't we there yet. I don't remember it being so far !!!

I have been blessed with a group of people who support me with pledges, that support
me in riding and that most importantly support Breast Cancer Research.

I've met many wonderful people along the way and heard many heartfelt stories.
I passed out pins and tried to raise awareness about breast cancer to the people I met.
My heart goes out to each and every one.

"Faith, Hope, Strength and Courage" was this year's theme. Together we
have it all. Thank you again for your generous support.