30,000 ft of Elevation Gain for American Cancer Society

I've never signed up for fundraisers like this before, so I send this out humbly. Though I volunteer as a coach for a local youth mountain bike team, I'll admit that my motivation is attached to selfish roots. I would be lying if I said that I don't continue to volunteer because it is an excuse to ride and justifies spending money on frivolous gear, both of which make me feel good at the end of day. Even my signing up for this fundraiser is fueled by these thoughts, and I'm no doubt feeding my own ego to able to say that I met this cycling challenge.

At the same time, I can't deny that I owe everything...my material possessions, my greatest achievements, and my psychological well-being...to the friends and family who continue to support me. No different from the rest of the world, the people I know, the people I cherish have in some way encountered the wrenching reality of cancer. We have been stricken, we have wept, we have been flooded with despair. Or better...we have prayed, we have celebrated, we have awoken to yet another sunrise with greater resolve and with the people we love in mind.

I couldn't say for sure whether this gesture, my riding and your donation, will make a difference. This act may very well be a drop in the bucket. Yet, I want to do this. The original challenge is to cycle 300 miles by the end of May. Too easy. For me, there is no challenge in riding for hours on flat terrain. I want to climb. I want to summit. For myself, sure, but more importantly, with survivors and with the departed pumping my heart all the way until 30,000 feet in elevation gain.

I don’t want praise or applause, only participation, whether riding for your own health or donating in support. If 25 people donate $10.00, you can help me hit the minimum goal of this challenge: $250.00. If this message compels you, and if donating is within your means, let's shoot for 4x the amount. I've done the math, if 40 people donate $25.00, we can reach $1000.00. I will be the first on the road, on the dirt, up the mountain, and the first to donate.

To keep myself accountable, I will be posting photos of every ride to this page and my social media account. You'll see total mileage and elevation gain as well as the summits that I reach. May these images, which always make the climb worth it for me, provide a sense of solace for you. Know that I ride with thoughts of you, and my prayers come in the form of words and sweat as I work to meet this challenge.