I did my first century yesterday. Self-supported, 100.6 miles, 6:03:12 moving time, 6:38 total time. I did it to commemorate one year from the end of my second series of chemo following a diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer. If the cancer comes back this year, as is likely, I get to look forward to a slow, painful death.

I read a study that shows a strong correlation between physical activity and the lack of recurrance of colon cancer, so I ride long and fast, trying to get stronger either to keep it away or to make it easier when it returns.

Colon cancer is a useless way to die. It is practically entirely preventable by getting a colonoscopy, which will remove pre-cancerous polyps. Everyone over 50 should get one, which means YOU, which means stop putting it off and get it set up today. It's not the most pleasant procedure, but take it from me, it sure beats surgery (I've had seven, three major and four minor), radiation (20 sessions), and chemo (total of about 14 months in 2 series). Don't think that because you're activity, not overweight, don't smoke, etc. that it can't happen to you. It can. Make August 07 the month you get the test.