Last year, my daughter Lindsay rode in Tour de Pink East Coast I kind of invited myself along, so I was glad that I was welcomed enthusiastically by both Lindsay and Jon, her partner.
I was concerned about Lindsay riding 211 miles in three days while undergoing chemotherapy. I was concerned not only about the ride being too grueling for her in her less-than-optimal physical condition, but also the mental repercussions if she fell short of her goal. I had a lot of questions:
How would she deal with a ride this long?
Would she be out there riding alone?
If she had trouble, who would be there to help?
Could she handle it physically?
Is this actually healthy to do while undergoing treatment?
Was her bike and equipment up to the challenge?
Would she know when to throw in the towel if her body was not up to the challenge?
The ride was three days. 60 miles the first day. 100 miles the second day. And 51 miles on day three.
Day 1, 60 miles
As I looked around at the other participants on day one, I saw lots of strong, experienced people. Did any of these ladies have cancer too? Or were they riding in support or in memory of someone else? I could tell Lindsay was nervous and I tried to be positive and encouraging but I wasn’t sure I believed she could do this. As they lined up for the ride, they asked the survivors to line up in front. I now noticed Lindsay’s jersey had the word “Survivor” on the sleeve.
"I was concerned not only about the ride being too grueling for her in her less-than-optimal physical condition, but also the mental repercussions if she fell short of her goal."
There were about 50 women, most of them between 25-50 years in age, lined up at the start of the ride with “Survivor” on their jerseys. I teared up a little as they took a group photo. I immediately felt better about Lindsay and her chances of completing the ride. She wouldn’t be alone out there!
Once the ride started, I assumed the roles of spectator, cheerleader and pit crew. Jon and I jumped in the car and would drive ahead to the next rest stop/cheer station to be there as they rolled in. We cheered for each rider as they made it to the next checkpoint, all the while looking for Lindsay to come riding in. As she came in, I would immediately bombard her with questions:
How are you feeling?
How is the bike working?
What can I get you?
Do you need anything?
How are you feeling now?
Is it going well?
Do you feel strong?
I am sure it was very annoying for her to deal with this at every rest stop, but she didn’t show it. Jon and I would help get her fed, refill her water bottles, check her bike, make sure she had what she needed and get her back on the road. Then we would jump in the car and head to the next rest stop. As we drove, we would update via text Lindsay’s family and friends. I was so proud of her as she rolled across the finish line at the end of day one. She had ridden 60 miles.
Again I annoyed her with all the questions. She was tired but feeling pretty good. But would she be up for a 100 mile ride tomorrow?
YSC Tour de Pink.
Day 2, 100 Miles
The next day started early. Again I bombarded her with questions. How are you feeling this morning? What can we do? What can we get you? As we sent her off, I was concerned. Yes, she did 60 miles yesterday, but did it take a toll? 100 is a lot more. Can she handle it? As she headed to the starting line, she joined a new group of riders she had met the day before. Yes! Again she had someone to ride with and would not be alone.
As the day progressed, we went to the rest stops like we had the day before. Each time I was amazed by her stamina and attitude.She always left the rest stops ready for the road ahead.
"That’s when I knew, she would not only finish the day today but she would finish this ride...all 211 miles."
The rest stop at mile 88 was major. It had been 36 miles since their last stop. She rolled in, in good spirits -- tired, but ready for the final push. That’s when I knew, she would not only finish the day today but she would finish this ride...all 211 miles.
I felt extremely proud of her.
Day 3, 51 Miles
Today she had joined up with a huge group of riders, “The Clydesdales,” a large diverse group of riders that had raised over $100K for the YSC on this ride. Again, I was glad she would have some folks to ride with!
Jon and I hit both of the rest stops, cheered, and got her going and then headed down to Cape May for the finish line.
As Lindsay rolled in, I got a picture of her crossing the finish line and went to give her a hug and congratulations. I was surprised how emotional it was and I teared up as I told her how proud I was. She set out to do it, and she did it. AMAZING!!!
As I look back on the ride, I was really impressed with how organized and supportive it was. Everything went off very smoothly and the level of support she received from other riders was tremendous.
The ride is an easy metaphor for what she is going through. Cancer is a long ride. Treatments are the ride, scans, are the rest stops, the continual questions….how are you feeling? But the community is very supportive and she has a VERY strong partner in Jon to cheer her on and support her. Lindsay is a very strong woman, and what I learned most this week is that she is a Survivor.
"Lindsay is a very strong woman, and what I learned most this week is that she is a Survivor."
