Hills, Hills, and more Hills.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the support, phone calls, emails, text messages and most importantly, your financial donations for my JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes last weekend.

I traveled to North Carolina on Friday, August 8 with my great friend, and fellow rider, Matt Martin. We loaded up our bikes Friday morning and made the 7 hour drive, arriving mid day in Asheville. Friday’s activities included registration, dinner with the group, and a few beers for good luck. Dinner was a special time for me. We recognized new and returning riders, we thanked our top fund raisers… NOTE: new goal for me in 2009 … and we laughed and cried with others impacted by Type 1 diabetes. I met some wonderful people at dinner, particularly – Chuck Salomon from Long Island, Barry Falcon from Atlanta, Alan Westendorf and John Dallman from Cincinnati. When Matt from Western Michigan talked about how Type 1 impacted him, I couldn’t hold back my emotions, it was both inspiring and moving.

Saturday morning started with a bang. We awoke early, loaded up on food and fluids, and made our way to the start gate at 7:00 AM. Looking through the crowd, I saw Chuck surrounded by this three cutie-pie daughters with his wife videotaping the start of the race. The visual imprint and emotional takeaway to me was that his wife was crying while videotaping. In a surreal sort of way, it was beautiful. After the playing of our national anthem, the 100+ riders aligned in three groups for the start. Matt and I positioned ourselves in group 3 and pedaled through the start gate around 7:30 AM.

The first 20 miles were crisp as they were all downhill. The weather was in the mid 50’s and there was steam coming off the river we followed; it was a beautiful morning. Equally beautiful was the fact I was in front of Matt during these early miles – granted, he got stuck behind a truck… We stopped 33 miles into the ride for food and fluids. We were just over the two hour mark for riding time. After the stop, the hills began. Matt, being a great hill rider, was soon out of site. Luckily for me, I found myself riding alongside Chuck. Over the next 30 miles, Chuck and I grinded out hill after hill; we coasted down and crawled up. Chuck and I talked a lot during our time. I learned of his lovely daughter Natalie’s fight against diabetes and how great and supportive his wife Patti has been.

At the 55 mile break, we stopped again for food and fluids. At this point in the race, the weather was in the mid 80’s. Matt was waiting for us and we all wished each other luck during the remaining 45 miles. As there were plenty of hills left, I knew I wouldn’t see Matt again until the finish line. Chuck and I jumped back on the saddle headed for the hills. The next 37 miles was a nightmare. We did break once during that timeframe, but the hills were relentless. At one point I yelled to Chuck that I was pedaling as fast and as hard as I possibly could and I was doing 4.6 miles per hour. He yelled back, “I know, I’m behind you…”. I’m not sure how I made it to the 92 mile break. I do know that Chuck dragged me there from mile 78, so thank you Chuck; I’m not sure I would have made it without you.

At mile 92, we broke for food and fluids and a much needed break. We got back on the saddle determined to finish. The last 8 miles were rough, but honestly, I don’t remember them very well. I knew I was close and I know I was going to finish. As we approached the finish line, Chuck steamed ahead to the cheers of his family. With tears in my eyes, and surrounded by some great people, I crossed the finish line, traveling 100 miles on my bike in 7 hours and 15 minutes.

After spending a few extra minutes in the medical tent getting my heart rate down and feeling better, I poured my first beer with Matt and Chuck to celebrate our success. Matt finished in 6 hours and 15 minutes, and honestly, looked a whole lot better than Chuck and me. We celebrated as a group that night at dinner. It was the end of a truly great event. I want to thank my fellow riders, volunteers and event organizers. It was first class from top to bottom.

Thank you for sharing in my Ride to Cure Diabetes; I truly appreciate the support I received. I may have been the only person pedaling my bike up and down those hills, but I carried your thoughts, well wishes and support with me every mile of the ride – I would not have make it without you. Thank you.

All the best and I’m looking forward to the 2009 JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes…. Be ready, I’m recruiting more than Matt to ride next year.

Joel.