Tour de Cure - Chattanooga, TN - May 17, 2014

[MexicanDragon]

Hey everyone,

 

I just signed up to do the 2014 Tour de Cure to help fight diabetes. It's going to be nice to have more than 3-4 weeks to train for it this year, but I'll make it no matter what.

If anyone would like to donate, or even sign up to ride with me (hey, it could happen), click the link below and check it out.

I did this last year and found out many more people that I knew are touched by this than I ever knew... even family members who came out to me, and I found out my late grandmother even had it. It's a fantastic cause and I'll be riding for my friends (both from here and throughout my non-HC world) and my family members who deal with this every day.

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/BrentLawson

This ride really meant a lot to me last year, and I know quite a few others have done them in their areas as well. I'm hoping it'll mean even more this year.

Thanks,

Brent

[Dreadhead]

Good for you Brent! I am guessing that I will be doing the local version of this and/or the MS Ride. When are you starting training?

If you want any cold weather gear that I have in your size you're welcome to it. I have a bunch of XL from performance.

[MexicanDragon]

Thanks Chris. It's been crazy cold, and I haven't been on the bike in a while. I'd be happy to talk to you about some cold weather gear. Otherwise, it'll be a while. Maybe I should look into a trainer when I get some extra $$$.

**BRENT**

[MexicanDragon]

So two months out and the weather is finally starting to normalize to where it's not sub-freezing/equally stupidly cold. Time to really work on training and get ready for a ride that's about 20% longer than last year, with *gasp* more elevation gain! I'm not quite looking forward to that part, but I remembered being at the closer turn-around point last year, and realizing that I was dealing with something tough for a few hours, while other people had been struggling/dealing with an issue for years, if not their whole lives.

I kicked things off with a self-donation today, and appreciate any and all donations.

Thanks!

Brent

[HeadphoneAddict]

Done!

[MexicanDragon]

Thanks, Larry!

**BRENT**

[Fitz]

So does this mean we'll stay up late drinking and go to Lamar's the night before, again?

[MexicanDragon]

So does this mean we'll stay up late drinking and go to Lamar's the night before, again?

Oh sweet baby Jesus, I hope not! At least not the night before I do a long-for-me bike ride. Some other night? (ANY other night), I'm in!

I want to say thanks to all of those HCers who've donated to the cause who saw things via email or on Facebook. I still have a ways to go, but I have a great start!

**BRENT**

[Fitz]

You know you want to. Get that cheap fried chicken at 2am.

[MexicanDragon]

I hate you.

**BRENT**

[Fitz]

You love me.

[grawk]

No he loves Colin. He just lusts you.

[Fitz]

Fair enough. As long as I still get that late night chicken when I'm up in TN.

[grawk]

done, sorry it took so long, been a tight couple months.

[MexicanDragon]

Thanks Dan, I appreciate it!

**BRENT**

[skullguise]

Can't believe I missed this, thanks for the bump reminder Dan.  Just processed.....good luck Brent!

[Torpedo]

Oh, I did it some time ago, but forgot to post here Cheers, Brent!!!!!

[MexicanDragon]

Thanks to both of you! I'm looking forward to this even though I just found out my riding buddy bailed due to a scheduling conflict. Now to round up some more people for my distance.

**BRENT**

[n_maher]

Done, sorry for taking so long.  

[MexicanDragon]

Thanks Nate! No worries re: when it's done. I started early because I knew about it. There is still plenty of time before the event. This year's route is going to be tough. Perhaps someone will get a video of me crying on the side of the road.

Brent

[MexicanDragon]

Final-days-before-the-ride-bump.

I've been talking to Xavier after I found out he can ride with a much smaller donation. I think I'm going to sign him up tomorrow and we may do the shorter "family friendly" ride, but I think it'd be a good thing to get out with him.

**BRENT**

[MexicanDragon]

Tuesday bump with confirmation: Xavier will be riding with me! It's going to be fun.

 

Feel free to donate to this guy

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/BradyXavier

 

or this guy

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/BrentLawson

Brent

Edited May 13, 2014 by MexicanDragon

[MexicanDragon]

So our May ride got rained out (the family friendly ride). Today, however, was our makeup ride and wrap-up party. About 15-20 of us made it out to do a ten mile ride at the riverpark, along the TN River. Xavier and I rode, and he was the youngest participant by at least 6 years. We wound up being swept and came in right as they were serving burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. We ate lunch, had the award ceremony (where our team won largest team), and then we said goodbye for a few more months to some Diabetes association friends and we signed up to do the 25 mile ride together next year. 

After everyone packed up, Xavier wanted to ride some more, so we did enough to make him realize he needed some bike shorts, so we called it a night and headed home.

Thanks to everyone who supported us and the cause to help Diabetes awareness and research, it's really appreciated!

All in all, we raised 123,000$ in the Chattanooga Tour de Cure! A little short of our goal, but still a pretty solid showing.

<3

 

Brent

[manaox2]

That's amazing Brent! Congrats to you and Xavier!