Notice the 6th Photo!
http://www.wcfcourier.com/story_tools/player/?type=slideshow&id=60
Monday, July 30, 2007
Im interviewed in an article for the Waterloo Courier for a second time
link to article http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/07/30/features/ragbrai/doc46ac78b115dda278749372.txt
Monday, July 30, 2007 1:52 PM CDT
Cancer the common thread of Team Armstrong
Monday, July 30, 2007 1:52 PM CDT
Cancer the common thread of Team Armstrong
LAMONT --- A week ago, they were 150 people from all parts of the country. They had never met, but describing them as strangers assumes too much.
Each shares a story.
"We all have a cancer connection. So we do know each other in a way," said Rob Gray of Chicago.
They are even more familiar now after 477 miles on bicycles. RAGBRAI XXXV unified Team LiveStrong through seven days of sore muscles, humidity, tents, pork chops, beer and an overnight thunderstorm.
"It's really been a family," said Cindy Trent of Rolling Meadows, Ill.
The individuals came together after accepting a challenge from Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor and a professional cycling legend. To be eligible as one of Armstrong's riders, each participant had to raise $1,000. Many apparently overachieved --- Team Armstrong actually generated more than $300,000, twice the expected amount.
Armstrong's goal is to make cancer research a national priority. The money will help fund that mission.
Gray, a native of Cedar Rapids, wants to take the battle against the disease farther.
"I want to see it end."
Cancer claimed his father when Gray was 3 years old.
"It's meaningful to me since a lot of my family members have had it, especially my father, who I didn't get to know," he said.
Mike Hauser of Kansas City joined the team, then learned he had more reason to ride than he originally imagined. After being accepted by Armstrong's organization, Hauser learned a cousin, Steven Kreitz of Cedar Falls, had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
"That makes it even more important," Hauser said. "So I'm riding for him."
The issue is personal for Jennie Brantman of Coralville: Not long ago she beat cancer.
"I'm just four years out."
Brantman is on her 16th RAGBRAI but rode her first with Team LiveStrong.
Jolene Galligan of Waverly always looked at RAGBRAI as a fun event she would like to try someday. She only decided to join RAGBRAI, however, after seeing an opportunity to combine the recreational challenge with what for her is an even greater purpose.
Galligan, 45, lost her identical twin sister, Jacque Cayton of Kalona, to leukemia in January. The sisters were diagnosed with different types of blood cancer at the age of 38.
Galligan, in remission for three years, is a team member.
" ... If we can somehow make a small difference ... ," she said.
Trent, the cyclist from Illinois, lost five family members to the disease.
"And I have a very good friend living with cancer right now."
Like the others, Trent decided her bicycle could be the vehicle to affect attitudes. So she raised money and joined Armstrong's riders.
Before arriving in Iowa, Trent bought dozens of buttons to distribute. Some of her favorites read "Hugs Heal" and "Cancer Sucks."
Trent shared another button with Lisa Thomas of Elk Horn, a Team LiveStrong rider. Thomas is undergoing chemotherapy, and her head is covered with nothing more than stubble.
The gift to Thomas reads "I pay my oncologist big bucks for this hairstyle."
A young cancer patient in Dunkerton also touched Trent's heart. His wish was to meet and ride with Team LiveStrong, so on Thursday the group converged on his house.
He had no helmet, so a team member loaned his to the boy. With that, Team LiveStrong was able to escort him around town.
"He was on his little Huffy bike," Trent said.
The group pedaled together for a few blocks.
"That was probably the high point of the trip," Trent said.
Brian Bigelow lives in New Hampshire but went to college in Davenport. As a former Iowan, he was aware of RAGBRAI.
"But I never really realized it had grown to this proportion," Bigelow said.
As a sendoff, one of Bigelow's friends, Heidi Fagerquist, gave him a faded gray T-shirt. The back shows a map of Iowa with lines running from Council Bluffs, through Waterloo and on to Dubuque. At the top, it reads SAGBRAI 74, a reference to the Second Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa that rolled out 33 years ago.
As a team member and seeing his former state with new eyes, Bigelow decided he must return the shirt.
"After having the experience and knowing what RAGBRAI is all about, I couldn't keep it. This is a whole culture," he said.
Gray, the cyclist from Chicago, thought everything came together.
"It's really exciting and it's a good cause and it's a great time. It's a double, a triple, whammy," he said.
Today, Team LiveStrong pedals into Bellevue, and members will go their separate ways. Gray on Friday predicted saying goodbye will be difficult.
"There's mixed feelings. It's sad I'll be leaving them ... "
But he is also excited about the team's future.
"And I know we'll be back together, better and stronger."
Contact Dennis Magee at (319) 291-1451 or dennis.magee@wcfcourier.com.
Each shares a story.
"We all have a cancer connection. So we do know each other in a way," said Rob Gray of Chicago.
They are even more familiar now after 477 miles on bicycles. RAGBRAI XXXV unified Team LiveStrong through seven days of sore muscles, humidity, tents, pork chops, beer and an overnight thunderstorm.
"It's really been a family," said Cindy Trent of Rolling Meadows, Ill.
 Title: RAGBRAI FridayDate: Jul. 27th, 2007 Courier Regional Editor Dennis Magee continued his coverage of RAGBRAI and Lance Armstrong's team as the annual ride across Iowa left Independence on their way to Dyersville. PLAY » |
The individuals came together after accepting a challenge from Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor and a professional cycling legend. To be eligible as one of Armstrong's riders, each participant had to raise $1,000. Many apparently overachieved --- Team Armstrong actually generated more than $300,000, twice the expected amount.
Armstrong's goal is to make cancer research a national priority. The money will help fund that mission.
Gray, a native of Cedar Rapids, wants to take the battle against the disease farther.
"I want to see it end."
Cancer claimed his father when Gray was 3 years old.
"It's meaningful to me since a lot of my family members have had it, especially my father, who I didn't get to know," he said.
Mike Hauser of Kansas City joined the team, then learned he had more reason to ride than he originally imagined. After being accepted by Armstrong's organization, Hauser learned a cousin, Steven Kreitz of Cedar Falls, had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
"That makes it even more important," Hauser said. "So I'm riding for him."
The issue is personal for Jennie Brantman of Coralville: Not long ago she beat cancer.
"I'm just four years out."
Brantman is on her 16th RAGBRAI but rode her first with Team LiveStrong.
Jolene Galligan of Waverly always looked at RAGBRAI as a fun event she would like to try someday. She only decided to join RAGBRAI, however, after seeing an opportunity to combine the recreational challenge with what for her is an even greater purpose.
Galligan, 45, lost her identical twin sister, Jacque Cayton of Kalona, to leukemia in January. The sisters were diagnosed with different types of blood cancer at the age of 38.
Galligan, in remission for three years, is a team member.
" ... If we can somehow make a small difference ... ," she said.
Trent, the cyclist from Illinois, lost five family members to the disease.
"And I have a very good friend living with cancer right now."
Like the others, Trent decided her bicycle could be the vehicle to affect attitudes. So she raised money and joined Armstrong's riders.
Before arriving in Iowa, Trent bought dozens of buttons to distribute. Some of her favorites read "Hugs Heal" and "Cancer Sucks."
Trent shared another button with Lisa Thomas of Elk Horn, a Team LiveStrong rider. Thomas is undergoing chemotherapy, and her head is covered with nothing more than stubble.
The gift to Thomas reads "I pay my oncologist big bucks for this hairstyle."
A young cancer patient in Dunkerton also touched Trent's heart. His wish was to meet and ride with Team LiveStrong, so on Thursday the group converged on his house.
He had no helmet, so a team member loaned his to the boy. With that, Team LiveStrong was able to escort him around town.
"He was on his little Huffy bike," Trent said.
The group pedaled together for a few blocks.
"That was probably the high point of the trip," Trent said.
Brian Bigelow lives in New Hampshire but went to college in Davenport. As a former Iowan, he was aware of RAGBRAI.
"But I never really realized it had grown to this proportion," Bigelow said.
As a sendoff, one of Bigelow's friends, Heidi Fagerquist, gave him a faded gray T-shirt. The back shows a map of Iowa with lines running from Council Bluffs, through Waterloo and on to Dubuque. At the top, it reads SAGBRAI 74, a reference to the Second Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa that rolled out 33 years ago.
As a team member and seeing his former state with new eyes, Bigelow decided he must return the shirt.
"After having the experience and knowing what RAGBRAI is all about, I couldn't keep it. This is a whole culture," he said.
Gray, the cyclist from Chicago, thought everything came together.
"It's really exciting and it's a good cause and it's a great time. It's a double, a triple, whammy," he said.
Today, Team LiveStrong pedals into Bellevue, and members will go their separate ways. Gray on Friday predicted saying goodbye will be difficult.
"There's mixed feelings. It's sad I'll be leaving them ... "
But he is also excited about the team's future.
"And I know we'll be back together, better and stronger."
Contact Dennis Magee at (319) 291-1451 or dennis.magee@wcfcourier.com.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
What a Ride!
Greetings!!
I finally have some connection with the world. I was unable to get internet connections in the last three towns I have stayed overnight in. I am in Independence, Iowa inside a Middle School waiting out a rain storm while my tent is getting pounding with rain and wind.
There are so many experiences I can share...I will post a couple of photos. I hope to create an online photo album when I'm done with the ride for all to see. Tomorrow morning we have a photo opportunity with Lance and then a group ride out on the route. Lance is probably leaving soon to fly to France because the 1st and 2rd place riders in the tour de France are from Discovery Channel which he is part owner. Very exciting!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Im in an article in the Waterloo paper
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/07/25/features/ragbrai/doc46a76f5544ca0246069261.txt
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 7:55 PM CDT
Blind RAGBRAI rider learning smells of Iowa
CEDAR FALLS --- Clark Rachfal is like many first time RAGBRAI riders.
He's still getting used to the long days. He is enjoying the people, the food and communities that welcome the riders along the way.
But, Rachfal's experience is also unlike many others. The Maryland man is legally blind. He is riding the route with the Verizon team and his tandem partner, Andy Masterson. Though both are riders this is their first real outing together.
"We trained for about 100 miles, but that's nothing," Masterson said.
While many riders are taking in the sites of rural Iowa, Rachfal said he finds himself relying on his sense of smell to clue him into his surroundings.
"We'll be going down the road and I can smell corn, or pie," he said. "I can now distinguish between the smell of a cow and a pig."
"The pig is much worse," Masterson said.
Though the ride is only halfway over they both say there are plenty of tales to tell. Like the one about the 71-year-old man who has completed every RAGBRAI on a 1941 Schwinn. Or the tandem team who tried to ride with them Monday. Masterson and Rachfal couldn't keep up.
"We have youth, strength and good looks. They have the experience," Masterson said.
But it is the food that will live forever in their memories.
"You can eat anything at any time of day. That is one of the biggest selling points," Masterson said as he finished a gyro. "You can have a pork chop or pie at 8:30 in the morning."
3:30 p.m.
Armstrong greeted like a rock star on Hardball
Some of his team members had just rolled into Cedar Falls when Lance Armstrong took to the stage Wednesday afternoon.
The seven-time Tour de France winner joined Chris Matthews of Hardball on the University of Northern Iowa campus shortly after 3 p.m. A small crowd gathered around the stage awaiting the star of this year's ride.
A few of Armstrong's teammates, wearing the yellow and black Livestrong jerseys, were on hand to show their support. Rob Gray of Chicago was only three years old when he lost his father to colon cancer.
"Lance has been very supportive of our team and very encouraging," Gray said. "I wanted to come out and support him. He's done so much for cancer. He has supported us 100 percent and I want to support him, too."
The 150 team members raised over $350,000 for cancer research and education.
Gray also addressed the rumors that Armstrong may leave RAGBRAI early to cheer on his Discovery Channel teammates in the Tour de France.
"I think it's just that, rumors," Gray said. "I think he is committed to us and will stay. But, if he decides to go, that's his choice."
Armstrong was greeted by everyone from sweaty and tired RAGBRAI riders to the Peet Junior High cheer team. His interview with Matthews covered everything from stem cell research to politics to doping scandals.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 7:55 PM CDT
Blind RAGBRAI rider learning smells of Iowa
CEDAR FALLS --- Clark Rachfal is like many first time RAGBRAI riders.
He's still getting used to the long days. He is enjoying the people, the food and communities that welcome the riders along the way.
But, Rachfal's experience is also unlike many others. The Maryland man is legally blind. He is riding the route with the Verizon team and his tandem partner, Andy Masterson. Though both are riders this is their first real outing together.
"We trained for about 100 miles, but that's nothing," Masterson said.
While many riders are taking in the sites of rural Iowa, Rachfal said he finds himself relying on his sense of smell to clue him into his surroundings.
"We'll be going down the road and I can smell corn, or pie," he said. "I can now distinguish between the smell of a cow and a pig."
"The pig is much worse," Masterson said.
Though the ride is only halfway over they both say there are plenty of tales to tell. Like the one about the 71-year-old man who has completed every RAGBRAI on a 1941 Schwinn. Or the tandem team who tried to ride with them Monday. Masterson and Rachfal couldn't keep up.
"We have youth, strength and good looks. They have the experience," Masterson said.
But it is the food that will live forever in their memories.
"You can eat anything at any time of day. That is one of the biggest selling points," Masterson said as he finished a gyro. "You can have a pork chop or pie at 8:30 in the morning."
3:30 p.m.
Armstrong greeted like a rock star on Hardball
Some of his team members had just rolled into Cedar Falls when Lance Armstrong took to the stage Wednesday afternoon.
The seven-time Tour de France winner joined Chris Matthews of Hardball on the University of Northern Iowa campus shortly after 3 p.m. A small crowd gathered around the stage awaiting the star of this year's ride.
A few of Armstrong's teammates, wearing the yellow and black Livestrong jerseys, were on hand to show their support. Rob Gray of Chicago was only three years old when he lost his father to colon cancer.
"Lance has been very supportive of our team and very encouraging," Gray said. "I wanted to come out and support him. He's done so much for cancer. He has supported us 100 percent and I want to support him, too."
The 150 team members raised over $350,000 for cancer research and education.
Gray also addressed the rumors that Armstrong may leave RAGBRAI early to cheer on his Discovery Channel teammates in the Tour de France.
"I think it's just that, rumors," Gray said. "I think he is committed to us and will stay. But, if he decides to go, that's his choice."
Armstrong was greeted by everyone from sweaty and tired RAGBRAI riders to the Peet Junior High cheer team. His interview with Matthews covered everything from stem cell research to politics to doping scandals.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
We have arrived!! Let the FUN Begin!
Loaded Up and Ready to Go!! We had people taking pictures of this trailer on the way up. It was a loooonnngg 6 hour ride because we decided to stop in Lemars, Iowa and have a famous sandwich written up in Gourmet Magazine and have some Ice Cream. Lemars claims its the Ice Cream capital of the world because Blue Bunny Ice Cream is headquarted there.
Team LIVESTRONG meeting each other for the first time. They set the agenda for the week and said we will be having a social hour every day at 6, complete with free drinks.
CAMP LIVESTRONG!!
A RAGBRAI Tradition of dipping my rear wheel in the river on the west and I will dip my front tire in the Mississippi River when I finish.
This is "Rock Rapids"Iowa!Friday, July 20, 2007
The Excitment is Building!
On Saturday I leave for Rock Rapids, Iowa in the northwestern corner of the state. I learned its the boyhood home of Jerry Mathers......Beaver from Leave it to Beaver. I look forward to starting out early Sunday Morning. I am a member of Team LIVESTRONG. LIVESTRONG is Lance Armstrongs Foundation. Lance is riding across the state with us. It should be fun. If you want to know more goto www.ragbrai.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
New Begining
I have experienced many wonderful and exciting things in my life. I have decided to create a space where I can share my journey with those who may be interested. I look forward to the adventures ahead. I would love to hear from you any thoughts you may have. All the Best!
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