Great Day Houston

It was a cool thing to be on TV, even if it was only for a minute or so. Initially, we were told, I would have a chance to talk about the bike ride. But, when time is running short on live TV, they need to pick and choose what is on the air. Getting the message out about Cancare rightfully took priority. At last count, there were 10 callers that were placed with volunteers before the show even ended! Mission accomplished.

Here's the link:

http://www.khou.com/great-day/gdh_051210_seg6-93593314.html

I never thought my mug would be on TV!

A couple of days ago, I sat down and began to write. It turned into a rambling mess about the traffic in Houston and the challenges of riding during the week. The more I wrote the angrier I got. In effect, I caught myself wallowing in frustration about a situation that will not change. So I set aside the laptop, put the leash on the dog, and headed to the park for what turned out to be one of the most relaxing tempo runs I have had in some time. No, it wasn't saddle time, but at least I got in some training without having to bob and weave my way through the evening traffic.

After returning home, I cleaned up, and decided to check my email before I, once again, began to write. I was amazed at what I found. There was a message from Cancare asking me if I would be interested in appearing on Great Day Houston with Debra Duncan. I mean, how cool is that! The subject matter is young cancer survivors, my bike ride across America, and Cancare. Who would have ever thought that a short time ago I was struggling to regain my health while trying to come to terms with a terribly uncertain future. Now, I'm back teaching school, I will be riding my bike across the U.S., was highlighted in a Cancare newsletter, and will appear on TV in the morning.

I'm blessed. That's all I can say. I get to go on TV, if for only a few minutes, and talk about riding a bike for an organization that I feel so strongly about. Wow! I suppose it's a good thing to think to reach for what is possible rather than spending time dwelling on what will never change.

The show will appear May 12th on channel 11, from 9-10am. I have no idea what to expect, so I hope it goes well. Either way, it's a cool thing to let people know that Cancare does good for those currently not at their best. Wish me luck!

Morning Silence

There are occasions when I ride, when the sun is coming up, the streets are empty, and silence is broken only by the hum of tire and pavement. The world, it seems, is waking from rest.

Cancare Interview

Cancare was nice enough to include a write up about the upcoming Trans American trip in their newsletter. I'd like to think, in some small way, it raises a little awareness for their organization. I'm proud to be a part of the service they offer!

The link is below:

http://www.cancare.org/data/news_newsletters/other/14_AboutLife-2-2010%20FINAL.pdf

Riding pics

Whenever I ride, I bring my camera. Here are a couple of pics taken of things I see when zipping around town with my riding buddies on Sunday morning. Enjoy!

http://www4980.ssldomain.com/cancare/make-donation.asp

Kema and the Space City ride

The Space City ride made for a good time. As things worked out, I met a buddy in Kema who was riding with his wife. I got to their house about 6:30 am, and we left just shy of 8:00. We hadn't seen each other in a while so it was good to catch up and slowly get ready for the ride. The weather was so good we road from their front door to the start and added about 15 miles each way to the ride.

It seemed to go unsaid that we were not going to push the pace or even worry about speed. I stopped and took a couple of pictures. Now that I think of it, they were taken from the parking lot of a kalache shop and the front of a coffee house. It was a day of little concern and steady miles. Not exactly training, I suppose, but 65 miles is 65 miles and, at this point, I'm after time in the saddle.

I got home in time to start paitning the upstairs bedroom. A project which took a bit longer than anticipated. In fact, it cut into a lot of after work riding time this week. Either way, it's good to start getting some of the projects around the house done before the Trans Am ride.

With the trip planned and details in order, the focus, for this month, is long miles and time in the saddle.

Coworkers

Donate to Cancare:

https://www4980.ssldomain.com/cancare/make-donation.asp



In a few days I will send an email to my coworkers explaining my intentions to ride a bike across the United States. I have been reluctant to make this announcement, in fact, I have told few people about my intentions. I have been reluctant partially because it is surprisingly easy to write in a blog about such a trip. There is no possibility for ridicule and the vulnerability from potential failure is lessoned as there is no interaction with others. The blog has, in affect, offered a haven.

If I opted to remain in this "secure" haven, I would make my close friends and family aware of the trip, and then roll down the road. If I kept the trip to myself, however, there would not be funds raised for www.cancare.org. In addition, I would suppress an opportunity to express gratitude for a return to health and a life of hope. In fact, in many ways, not making an announcement is an indicator of a lack of full commitment. Part of pursuing any significant goal, I am learning, is directly confronting potential failure. It is through this confrontation that a strength and resolve is derived. A strength which is acquired only through a public announcement that I will be riding my bike across the United States.

If you are so inclined to donate to Cancare, please do so at the link above. All money will go directly to Cancare and a receipt will be mailed to you. No money goes to my trip as I don't think it is right that others work so I can ride.