40-mile group

This years Champ’s Challenge for CF was a great success raising over $7,200!  Sunday, July 12th could not have been a more beautiful morning to ride - 70 degrees, sunny skies (breaking a 60-day rain streak) and gorgeous views of the Adirondaks, Lake Champlain, and Green Mountains brought a wonderful day for 70 people.  Steve Trull and Erin Evans led the 40-mile figure-8, while I, Brian Callanan, and Shannon Moulton led the 7-mile group.  Everyone had rave reviews on a spectacular course (with the roads virtually to ourselves), great signage, break stations and amazing cookout put on by Basin Harbor Club right on their North Dock! 

I can’t say enough about the committment to detail and planning of the organizing committee - Steve Trull (Event Chairperson & Board Co-Chair), Michelle Everleth (Task-master), Alex Geller (ChampsChallenge.org designer), Deb & Peter Evans (water stations & volunteer coordinators), Ross Evans (Media master), Erin Evans (All the loose ends) and myself met weekly for months trying to design and implement bullet-proof logistics.  Thank you all!!

Our sponsors also provided tremendous support in many ways that also contributed to the success and possibility of putting this event on - Basin Harbor Club, Ski Rack, North Star Sports, Key Bank, Lavoie Dental, Merchant’s Bank, Green Mountain Coffee, Jelly Belly, Local Motion, Hannafords, Shaws, Grand Union and Northend Hardwoods - we thank you each for your support and contributions to Champ’s Challenge for CF and hope for your continued support!

While I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone, I want to also reflect a bit on the significance of your participation in this event.  While this summer has not afforded much cycling time, and the 40 mile ride would have been quite a challenge for me (thanks for having me lead the 7 Steve :), I also recognize the perspective of you riders coming out for a fun ride, and to accept this challenge in support of those living with the daily challenge of CF.  While I have grown up with the daily regimine of medications and therapies, there are times of painful hill-climbs as well as flats with a steady pace.  Although I have practice of stepping up to the challenge everyday, there are still times of fear, distain, and mental struggle of ‘can I do it?’.  But like riding, you get on the bike, you pedal, you move, and eventually you get there.  Sometimes it is fun, sometimes it is scarry, sometimes it is painful, sometimes it is just work.  But while riding in a group can perpetuate great energy and a comrodery of shared experience - the challenge of CF does not allow for such luxury.  It can be a lonely path that might be supported by loved ones, but the risk of infectious bacteria in the lungs of CF patients prohibits the opportunity for interaction with those that share the same challenge. 

Point being, your coming out to step on the bike, and accept Champ’s Challenge for CF helps create the energy (and the funds) to help those with CF keep pedaling.  I feel so incredibly gifted with the opportunity to generate support and provide activity as a lifeline to others with CF whose ride inherently has a bit more of an incline - even on the flats!

Thank you, thank you, thank you again to all of you for coming out, and I hope we will see you again next year on July 11th at Basin Harbor for Champ’s Challenge 2010!! 

Remember to check out our slideshow as well —