I’m so excited and up for the challenge of riding 400 miles in this year’s Great Cycle Challenge!

**RECORD SCRATCH DISCLAIMER ** This is my eighth year actively participating in the Great Cycle Challenge-- my 9 Year Legacy badge is thanks to year 1 when I had cold pedals!-- and under normal circumstances, I would pledge to ride 800 miles this year, not 400. So, why am I cutting myself short? Because every year I have challenged myself in 100 mile increments and comfortably surpassed that goalpost. With 600 done for Years 7 and 8, I have officially met my mileage match! For Year 9, road closures, lots of construction at my work place, and a general busy schedule with my family are all giving me excellent reasons to scale back this year. I've never made a Challenge Goal that I haven't met, and I won't start now. So, 400 miles it is. Should be easy!

This year, my reasons to ride are two fold. I'll be riding in memory of my good friend and fellow GCCer, Tony Reyes, who sadly and suddenly lost his life in June 2024. Tony was my cycling buddy and his death has had a profound effect on me. I have ridden with Tony in Great Cycle Challenges since 2021 and it simply won't be the same without him this year and future years, riding with and cheering each other on.

Additionally, I continue to ride for all of the families (including Hadley's) that still need support after the day comes that they can watch their kiddo ring the bell, proclaiming that they have beat cancer. It is in these "after" times that families are most sensitive to the physical and emotional toll of a cancer recurrence and it can be hard to know how to give support. One way I know I can always help is by raising awareness about pediatric cancer and money for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund to pave the way for new treatments and therapies so our babies can have more options for helping their bodies recover from this horrible disease, and stay recovered.