Charity Events - LiveSTRONG Challenge – Philadelphia, PA 2008

As a fairly new cyclist I guess my training is going ok so far. I purchased my first road bike upon my return from the livestrong challenge last year. So far this month I have ridden about 130 miles. I get out during the week for two 10-15 mile rides with about 1000ft of climbing. On Saturdays I ride about 25 miles with some climbing. So over the past few weeks I have been averaging about 55 miles a week. I still have a long way to go if I am to reach my goal of making the 100 mile route in Philly. I will be adding a 3rd weekday ride and increasing the Saturday mileage very soon. I am a week climber and have been working on it but it still is far from easy.

Dan, sorry to hear about your mom. :(

As for me, training still hasn't "really" started. I should be moved out of my dorm by May 6th (I hope) and that's when I will really start rolling.

I've been riding when I've gone home for the weekend, but that's not often at all. I would have done so this week if I didn't come down with a cold on Monday. :mad:

With fundraising, I'm at $700, and I still have the whole summer. I plan to hold a LIVESTRONG event at my public park and pool when it opens. (I'm still planning what it's exactly going to be.) They're not going to be open for LIVESTRONG Day on May 13, so I still have time to figure it out. I'll also be going door to door to see if anybody in town is willing to donate.

I received my fundraising materials this past weekend. So...
I got the OK from my boss to have a fundraising table near my university's cafeteria.
Raised $33 here so far! All the donations have been cash, and the Challenge FAQ says to have the money switched for a cashier's check and then make sure the totals for each donor is on a printed form. Good thing I had them fill out the forms!

A picture of my booth:
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5815/0000823fh4.jpg

Yup, even made a PowerPoint (which I'm going to fix up for tomorrow.)

^ Awesome! Nice work.

:beer: Looks great! Were those fund raising materials available through the LiveStrong Day program?

:beer: Looks great! Were those fund raising materials available through the LiveStrong Day program?

Go here: http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.3943235/

Log in and you can "Request Fundraising Materials" (free). Last year I picked up a bunch of the wristband magnets and gave them to some folks who donated. They're huge... I've got two on my truck and I see a few rolling around the neighborhood from time to time :D

I don't know anything about LIVESTRONG Day other than it's May 13th. I just log into my.livestrong.org, click the link on the left and went to Request Fundraising Materials.

Hey, it works! :)

Great Job

Today is LIVESTRONG Day 2008.

And in honor of the efforts this day stands for, in honor of those who are living strong while fighting cancer, in honor of those who fought and beat cancer, and in honor of those who have fallen to cancer, the LAF is offering 50% off registration fees for new registrants to this year's LIVESTRONG Challenges. Use discount code: LSDAY08

This promotion is only for today, May 13th, and will run up until midnight PST.

For me, I had been wavering back and forth about whether to register for this year's ride, but decided last night that I would do it. (LSC Philly). Like many of you, I have family members and friends who have been afflicted by cancer - some have died and some have survived. But my thoughts keep going to the mother of a friend of mine who went home to the Lord just several months ago. She had fought cancer for some time, but her condition began to deterioriate rapidly. I walked alongside this friend through his mom's last months and was again reminded of how ruthless cancer is to everyone involved. And so, this year's LSC will be riden in remembrance of her.

The route and the course profile are posted for the Philly LiveStrong ride... It looks like an extra incentive for me to get out of the Clydesdale Division by the end of the summer! :twitchy:

Thanks for the invitation, but I'm not going to support a guy who made and continues to make millions off of his Tour wins, when he tested positive for multiple banned substances. Not the heart of a champion in my books.

Thanks for the invitation, but I'm not going to support a guy who made and continues to make millions off of his Tour wins, when he tested positive for multiple banned substances. Not the heart of a champion in my books.

The issue here isn't whether or not Lance doped, but how can we fight cancer and help the millions of families who lose loved ones every year...take your antagonizing comments elsewhere.

Lance is a figure-head, like him or not he's started a movement that is helping people everywhere cope with the terrible disease... Don't have to love the guy to hate cancer

D

Thanks for the invitation, but I'm not going to support a guy who made and continues to make millions off of his Tour wins, when he tested positive for multiple banned substances. Not the heart of a champion in my books.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, and I can certainly respect your's. To be honest, I too have struggled with the "did he or didn't he" debate, and quite frankly, I haven't come up with a solid answer. It's possible that he doped, but it's also possible that he did not. I also don't care for the way he treated Filippo Simeoni during the Tour. This thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=378864) may be a more appropriate place to discuss the validity of his wins. However I'm sticking with the "innocent until PROVEN guilty" point of view. Testing samples from 1999 in a manner that deviates from protocol and lots of accusations don't amount to proof in my opinion.

However I am looking at this as an issue dealing with the cancer community, not as a sporting issue. An article in USA Today from several years ago noted how much of an impact It's Not About the Bike has had upon cancer patients. It has been very influential, to the point of some people referring to it in almost reverent tones as simply "The Book". These people don't care about whether or not Lance doped the same way many of his competitors did. They care about fighting cancer so they can hug their spouse, raise their kids, or live another year, month, or week. The fact that Lance won the seven Tours is secondary to the fact that he beat severely metastasized cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain.

Cancer is consistently one of the leading causes of death in the US. It affects so many people both directly and indirectly. In my case, my mom has successfully beaten two separate kinds of cancer. During the second incident, what was expected to be a one week stay in the hospital became a six week ordeal before she was discharged upon my family's insistence. Today she's healthy and doing well. I figure this is a good opportunity to combine my love of cycling and to help other people with their own personal battles. If cancer patients take inspiration from his story and the events organized by the LAF, then that is what's most important to me.

Earlier this year I had been planning to do a Gran Fondo event in Italy the week after the LiveStrong Challenge ride. Those plans have since changed. However what was most revealing to me is that I had actually been more excited about the LiveStrong ride (which starts only 10 miles away from my home) than about the ride in northern Italy. I know it means a lot to my mom, and I hope that it helps others as well.

Thanks for the invitation, but I'm not going to support a guy who made and continues to make millions off of his Tour wins, when he tested positive for multiple banned substances. Not the heart of a champion in my books.

Does that mean you're not going to sponsor me? ;)

The route and the course profile are posted for the Philly LiveStrong ride... It looks like an extra incentive for me to get out of the Clydesdale Division by the end of the summer! :twitchy:

Beat me to the punch! I forgot to to post that they got them up (although they're quite low-quality).

Were they going to mail us information packets about the Challenge? I only got postcards to send to people as a welcome and thanks for joining in sort of thing.

The issue here isn't whether or not Lance doped, but how can we fight cancer and help the millions of families who lose loved ones every year...take your antagonizing comments elsewhere.

Lance is a figure-head, like him or not he's started a movement that is helping people everywhere cope with the terrible disease... Don't have to love the guy to hate cancer

D

+23598498671.6136 billion x pi + infinity

The route and the course profile are posted for the Philly LiveStrong ride... It looks like an extra incentive for me to get out of the Clydesdale Division by the end of the summer! :twitchy:

Looks to be the same as last year from that zoomed out view. I think they post cue sheets at some point too (unless I missed them). I'll map it out again for the Garmin if anyone wants the file (not that I even used it last year since the road markings were everywhere, but it's nice to have).

Turn\Distance Cues Are Here (http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.4073059/)

Turn\Distance Cues Are Here (http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.4073059/)

Nice... thanks. I figured I overlooked it :)

For those of you that did the 100 mile course in Philly last year. Was it really as hard as I have heard?

For those of you that did the 100 mile course in Philly last year. Was it really as hard as I have heard?

It's really all relative to the kind of riding you already do and the climbing you're used to. I don't think a lot of people were expecting it to be as challenging as it was (like me) hence some bad vibes. For me, it was tough, and easily three times the climbing than I'm used to, but not impossible. My gripe about last year was that I think they made it tougher than people were expecting, and for some it had a negative impact on their experience, however, I've kind of changed my view since then. I'm starting to think that a lot of people just bit off more than they could chew last year without proper preparation, and then now make it seem like it was impossible, even though the elevation profile is given in advance. My thoughts now are that those people probably shouldn't have been on the century route to begin with - but kudos for giving it a go. There were a ton of people walking up most of the hills - at one point it was only me and one other person on our bikes and people were clapping as we rolled by :lol:

The tough part for me is that there's a lot of short, steep climbs, one after another. If you're not used to it, they can take a lot out of you, especially if you try and attack them too hard. I think the last 30 miles or so was a bit tamer though if I recall. My suggestion to anyone unsure is to go do hill repeats. Get used to putting out the effort and recovering, over and over again.

Also remember that all the routes go out in the same direction, so if at one point you truely feel like it's just not going to happen, and you've dug as deep as you can and there's nothing left, you can take a turn off onto one of the shorter routes.

On another note, if anyone is up for it, there's a ride that would be good training/practice/fun/test/whatever next weekend:

Sunday, June 22nd.... French Creek Iron Tour: http://www.irontour.org/

Ride lengths of 20, 50, 68 and 100. I'm considering doing the century, but will probably just do the 68. I'm open to anyone who wants to ride - I have no problem pulling for 68 miles :). I find it's always good to get a ride like this in to help with confidence going into a tougher course. It also helps you to know where you stand. Now is a good time to know too, since you'll have 2 months before the Livestrong challenge and can work on where you're the weakest.

I ride a lot of hills but never with that kind of distance. That is really what has me concerned. My training right now consists of three 16.5 mile rides during the week each with about 1200’ feet of climbing per ride. On the weekends I have been doing a group ride that ranges from 25-35 miles and between 1200’ and 2000’ of climbing. This past weekend was my longest ride to date @ 37 miles but only 1250’ of climbing. I am adding distance and will continue to add from now to the challenge but 100 miles and 8000’ has me a little worried that I might not be ready in time.

Yeah, you definitely need to up the mileage, but time in the saddle is even more important than distance really. Your body needs to get used to being on the bike for 6+ hours. Different aches and pains creep up suddenly if your body isn't used to it. Can you double up that 16.5 mile ride a few times a week (two 33 mile rides and 1 16.5? or at least turn those weekend rides into 50-80 mile rides instead. Just some thoughts.

EDIT: If you log into http://my.livestrong.org they have training plans for all the rides. Maybe check those out too for some ideas.

So how is Philly doing?

I'm back on my long rides again. This past Sunday was a nice 90 miles, 4h 57m with a Total Ascent of 5138 ft. I loved it!!!! I was solo too……

I want to hammer the Philly Challenge this year. :D


Grahny, your fundraising is looking good! :thumb:

So how is Philly doing?

I'm back on my long rides again. This past Sunday was a nice 90 miles, 4h 57m with a Total Ascent of 5138 ft. I loved it!!!! I was solo too……

I want to hammer the Philly Challenge this year. :D

Grahny, your fundraising is looking good! :thumb:

Nice job Tasr! Looks like someone is ready for August. I'm about there too: :D

:beer:

I'm playing catch up with my fitness. I recovered from the crash and the bronchitis in the late winter / early spring. I decided to switch frames, and ran in to a few problems. I discovered some cracks in my rear rim, and waited for a new wheelset to come in. I rode a bit, then started switching the components over to the other frame, only to discover that my BB is bad. The replacement is due next week, so I'm hoping it's smooth sailing from there. At least I still have time to build up between now and the end of August.

Nice job Tasr! Looks like someone is ready for August. I'm about there too: :D

:beer:

The most I've done in a day so far is 34 miles. Looks like I'm behind. And I'm 19. And doing the 70. :twitchy:

I've done several 65+ mile rides recently (today's ride included) and my weekday rides are 37 miles (4x this past week). There's a 40 mile loop I did last friday that had about 3,800 feet of climbing. I want to do it twice sometime soon to test out the climbing legs and my endurance, especially since my time SUCKED when I tried it last week...at the pace I was going, if I did it twice, it would have taken me 6hrs :twitchy: So I'm getting there - just really enjoying going out and riding though and not purposefully focusing on the Livestrong Challenge (although every hill I'm on I start calculating how many more would make up the challenge :D).

Two months until Philly, how is your training going?

My training is going well. I have been averaging 70 - 80 miles a week with a little over 4100' of climbing per week. I can now do a 40 mile ride with relative ease. Still have a ways to go but I am making progress.

Just found this (http://www.gitabike.com/media/ginews_laf.jpg) while following this (http://www.gitabike.com/cgi-bin/shop/custom_loadhome.cgi?user_id=id&file=custom.html) link in this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=434303) thread.

I already have the current kit but the men's jerseys only came in medium and up. I hope they make smalls in this batch!

^Nice... I like the jersey.

I think that looks sharp. I had e-mailed them to suggest adding bib shorts to the line. It's nice to see that they'll be available.

OH! I was thinking the same thing a couple weeks ago. For longer rides like the Challenge it'd be great to have the bibs.

If they come in small. :lol:

It's nice to see that they'll be available.
So, are you saying they are having bibs??

So, are you saying they are having bibs??

It sounds like they're planning to. It states at the end of the second paragraph that, "The line will feature men's and women's jerseys and shorts as well as bib shorts for men." :thumb:

The jersey they are using for a challenge incentive is pretty nice as well.
http://www.livestrongchallenge.org/site/c.frKPI1PAIoE/b.3998711/

Hopefully those bibs will have a decent chamois in them otherwise forget it... I'm pretty sure nothing but my assos mille a.360 is going to be between me and my saddle for that ride :) If they're made by Giordana though maybe we'll get lucky and they'll supply a top tier chamois... not so sure about Nike though - never heard a whole lot of good things about their cycling apparel.

It was 2:32AM! I read the thing 3 times after I posted it and I still didn't see it.
Now I see it! :lol: Thanks for pointing that out.

Guess I have to put some more money aside.

Still, I hope the jerseys come in small.

I like those incentive jerseys. I need to raise $1400 more to get one though.

^ Packet pick up is on Saturday, not Sunday ;)

You beat me before I double double checked and edited that question out.

I have to work on my reading skills. :(

It was 2:32AM! I read the thing 3 times after I posted it and I still didn't see it.
Now I see it! :lol: Thanks for pointing that out.

No worries! :)

I like those incentive jerseys. I need to raise $1400 more to get one though.

I like them too, but I will need to raise even more than the $1,400. I had sent the bulk of my sponsorship request e-mails during January and February. I think it was too far away from the event, and some people figured they'd do it later - after the dust had settled from the holiday shopping bills! I'll send a follow up e-mail in July and see how that goes. Many of the people I had e-mailed are riding friends, so I hope I can put a gentle spin on it by letting them know that the registration is filling up! :lol:

I like those incentive jerseys. I need to raise $1400 more to get one though.I have my name on one, I passed $2500 the other day.
:thumb:

I have my name on one, I passed $2500 the other day.
:thumb:

Nice job! :beer:

+1... Nice job Jay! The past two years I fell just short of $2,500... I'm hoping this year will be different. I too sent the emails out a little early (I try and send them out right around tax return time :D), but I always send out a 2nd round end of July/early August and most people that didn't donate before do it right away the 2nd time around.

I too sent the emails out a little early (I try and send them out right around tax return time :D), but I always send out a 2nd round end of July/early August and most people that didn't donate before do it right away the 2nd time around.

Good to know. I was hoping that sending out requests to the same people more than once wouldn't be seen as being too pushy, even though 3 to 6 months will have passed between requests. Of course I am pretty low key with the requests that I send out. No one will mistake me for Crazy Eddie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yYGoO5imyY) - at least not until they see me on the bike! (Sadly though, my riding will not be mistaken for Eddy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-NPYpCkBs)!)

Good to know. I was hoping that sending out requests to the same people more than once wouldn't be seen as being too pushy, even though 3 to 6 months will have passed between requests. Of course I am pretty low key with the requests that I send out. No one will mistake me for Crazy Eddie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yYGoO5imyY) - at least not until they see me on the bike! (Sadly though, my riding will not be mistaken for Eddy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN-NPYpCkBs)!)

FWIW... when I've sent out the 2nd email the past two years, I made it a thank you/there's still time to donate type letter and sent it to everyone in my address book - those who donated and those who didn't... and I also include a 'training report' of sorts to give an update to everyone - it helps to keep people involved to a degree.

Nice job! :beer:
Thank You

What I did this year is I sent out one email asking for donations shortly after registering. Every month after that I have been sending out an email giving updates on my training and fundraising. Of course included in the update email I give a link to view my donation page.:D It kind of acts as a reminder for those that haven’t donated yet. Guilt them into donating without asking.

My goal this year is $3000 so I can go to the pasta dinner the night before. From what I understand Lance will be there and it would be great to get the chance to shake his hand.

I have my name on one, I passed $2500 the other day.
:thumb:

Way to go!

I'm gonna try going door-to-door in my town with donation forms and some stuff, and maybe plan an event at the local park.

Anybody heard about the 50 free wristbands they're sending out to all the participants?? It was in the June newsletter. I don't have enough wrists to wear them all so I guess I'll give them to people I know.

grahny and Jay, thanks for the extra tips on ways to "reapproach" without over-doing it. :beer:

On a totally different note, has anyone else noticed that the LiveStrong Challenge - Philly thread is having far more activity than all of the other Challenge locations combined? :thumb:

OK, so I'm curious and don't feel like re-reading the whole thread again..

Is there anybody besides me doing the 70 and what are the chances of a BF members meet-up before the ride?