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08-11-03, 10:34 AM
This weekend my family and many friends participated in what will now be an annual bike ride in Idaho celebrating my Uncle's life.
My Uncle died of a heart attack last year doing what he loved, biking with his family. He was only 52 at the time.
He was a wonderful man who shared his love of cycling with everyone he came in contact with. He was extremely intelligent, kind, friendly, and his sense of humor could keep you laughing for days. He left a legacy of family unity and love behind him that all of us would want to achieve one day.
To celebrate his life our family decided to hold an annual bike ride having all proceeds benefit his favorite cause (MS). There were two rides to choose from, a 25 mile MTN Bike ride or the 50 mile Road Ride.
I opted for the 50 mile road ride. It's a great ride of fantastic climbs and descents! The first time I did this ride I stuggled the whole time partly due to the heat and partly it was on the brink of my ability. I worked really hard over the next month to be ready for the ride.
This Sat. I got to try it again. I felt great until the big climb at the end. I got dropped by the pack and the SAG vehicle was at my heels. There is no relief from the sun and the wind is so still is makes it hard to breath. This is where my personal struggle began. I could have stopped and I wanted to stop. The SAG vehicle was right there inviting me in, luring me with the idea of air conditioning.
Fortunely I dug down deep and kept going. There was no possible way the I would let my family or my Uncle down by not finishing this ride! After that something happened. I picked up my cadence and increased my speed. I stood up and started to grind up the mountain. As I got over the top I was reminded of something Lance Armstrong said about his favorite stage win in le Tour. " There were four feet pedaling that day."
I caught the pack and finished with the rest of my family and new friends.
Granted this wasn't le Tour de France and it wasn't even a race nor was it even a really long ride and some people would laugh at how easy this ride was. But for me that last climb was climatic. Ignoring the heat, the exhaustion, the cramping legs and just going for it was something I'll always remeber.
That his how my Uncle lived his life "Going for it!"
Hopefully that will be how we will all be remebered.
Thanks for reading.
My Uncle died of a heart attack last year doing what he loved, biking with his family. He was only 52 at the time.
He was a wonderful man who shared his love of cycling with everyone he came in contact with. He was extremely intelligent, kind, friendly, and his sense of humor could keep you laughing for days. He left a legacy of family unity and love behind him that all of us would want to achieve one day.
To celebrate his life our family decided to hold an annual bike ride having all proceeds benefit his favorite cause (MS). There were two rides to choose from, a 25 mile MTN Bike ride or the 50 mile Road Ride.
I opted for the 50 mile road ride. It's a great ride of fantastic climbs and descents! The first time I did this ride I stuggled the whole time partly due to the heat and partly it was on the brink of my ability. I worked really hard over the next month to be ready for the ride.
This Sat. I got to try it again. I felt great until the big climb at the end. I got dropped by the pack and the SAG vehicle was at my heels. There is no relief from the sun and the wind is so still is makes it hard to breath. This is where my personal struggle began. I could have stopped and I wanted to stop. The SAG vehicle was right there inviting me in, luring me with the idea of air conditioning.
Fortunely I dug down deep and kept going. There was no possible way the I would let my family or my Uncle down by not finishing this ride! After that something happened. I picked up my cadence and increased my speed. I stood up and started to grind up the mountain. As I got over the top I was reminded of something Lance Armstrong said about his favorite stage win in le Tour. " There were four feet pedaling that day."
I caught the pack and finished with the rest of my family and new friends.
Granted this wasn't le Tour de France and it wasn't even a race nor was it even a really long ride and some people would laugh at how easy this ride was. But for me that last climb was climatic. Ignoring the heat, the exhaustion, the cramping legs and just going for it was something I'll always remeber.
That his how my Uncle lived his life "Going for it!"
Hopefully that will be how we will all be remebered.
Thanks for reading.