The idea of riding The Great Divide Mountain Bike Race first grabbed me back in 2007/08. I was going to attempt this race with a friend, both of us without much knowledge of what we were getting into. It never panned out and the race was not undertaken by either of us. Fast forward to 2011. Tom Dailey is a good friend of my family, a good friend of mine. We share a passion for riding bikes and have shared many stories about our experiences. When Tom came to visit me one summer and told me he wanted to give me his bike because he could not ride anymore due to his battle with Alpha-1, it was a bittersweet exchange. For Tom it was tough to let his beloved bike go, for me it was amazing to receive such a gift but knowing the reason why was tough to accept. He asked only for a drawing of the bike in return. Done. I made the trip to Long Island and met Tom at his house to pick up the bike: a beautiful 1984 custom Tom Kellog lugged steel road bike. A classic!
This summer Tom came to visit again. I finished the drawing; ready for his visit. I also decided there was more to give to Tom. I felt there was more that I could do to thank him. Enter the GDMBR. The race was again on my radar and I finally decided the time was now. I decided I was going to ride the race and raise money for The Alpha-1 Foundation and make a donation in honor of Tom. There is nothing more statisfying than helping a friend, and also helping others that suffer from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. There is a proverb I recently found that moved me:
"If you want happiness for an hour - - take a nap
If you want happiness for a day - - go fishing
If you want happiness for a year - - inherit a fortune
If you want happiness for a lifetime - - help someone else"
-Anonymous
I am extremely lucky to be healthy enough and able to ride this race, why not do it to help others? I feel that raising money for a specific cause will help to motivate me, see me through the tough days and keep me going until I reach the USA/Mexico border.
I told Tom of my plans and presented him with the drawing. He told me I picked a good one and he deeply appreciated that I was doing this for him and in support of the Alpha-1 community.
Now I am asking for your help. I cannot do this alone. I have a wonderful, supportive wife and family that are helping to make this a reality. I am asking for donations to go to finding a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency. Whatever you can give would greatly help the Alpha-1 Foundation. Every dollar counts! A good place to start might be donating 1 cent per mile, or 5 cents per mile, or if you can 1 dollar per mile that I am going to ride. All donations are tax deductible. The race will cover 2,745 miles.
You can learn more about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency at: alpha-1foundation.org
A bit about the race:
On the second friday in June 2012 I will take part in a grand depart from Banff, AB CA and ride 2,745 miles self supported to the town of Antelope Wells, NM USA.
"The Tour Divide challenge is simple: Race the rooftop of North America by riding a bike self-supported along all 2,745 miles of Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The goal is to keep moving and be moved; to exist well outside the comfort zone as you tackle a cross-continent bikepacking odyssey as fast as possible (without cracking). She and he who can ride the fastest while making fewer, shorter stops usually hold the course records. With an average time-to-completion of three weeks in the saddle, Tour Divide is the longest–arguably most challenging–mountain bike time trial on the planet. It is a challenge for the ultra-fit, but only if ultra-prepared for myriad contingencies of backcountry biking."
You can learn more about the race at: tourdivide.org
Once the race has begun you can follow my progress and listen to my call-ins at the site listed above.
Thank you!!!