A rare ride

It has been tough getting out to ride this October. We've had lots of rain. And when it hasn't rained I've had to rake leaves. We have lots of trees at our house and they drop lots of leaves. I once read that a mature Maple tree has 250,000 leaves. Of the 30+ trees on our lot, nine of them are Maple trees. So I get to rake a lot. But Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day so I jumped on my bike at lunch time and rode a quick 16 miles. I traveled north on the White Pine Trail through Rockford and then returned home. I rolled over many crunchy leaves as I dodged a plethora of walkers. Question: Why don't walkers feel the need to follow the same trail etiquette at cyclists? Regardless it was a great ride and it felt wonderful to be outside on my bike again.

Film wins another award

We just got word that our documentary "More Than 100 Miles: Riding to Cure Diabetes" won a Silver Screen Award at the 2009 Nevada Film Festival. No prize money comes with that, although I do get a free VIP pass to the festival and banquet on November 21st. Anyone want to donate a plane ticket to Las Vegas?

Death Valley Days

From Death Valley Ride 2008

Even though Mary and I aren't heading to Death Valley this year, 11 members of the West Michigan team are. The majority of our team fought the cold and rain in Killington, Vermont back in August. Our teammates will be fighting 102 degree temperatures and relentless sun this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them as they ride 105 miles in one of the most desolate areas on the planet. Having completed four century rides in Death Valley I know what kind of pain they are about to endure. But hat pain will help ease the pain of all those suffering with Type 1 diabetes. To my teammates I say have a great ride, I wish I was going with you.