Good Morning Wheels Team,
The final week we before we descend upon Copper Mountain in a wave of Navy and Gold. I get so excited this week it is very difficult to focus on anything else, I am truly a little kid about to go to sleep-away camp. I know I cannot train anymore from here, this is as prepared as I am going to be. So, what’s left?
This is a deeply contemplative week about what got me here. This is my 12th Courage Classic, it took me 6 to complete the Copper Triangle. Nothing about cycling came easy for me, my lungs, my knees, my… saddle… I think I bought 4-8 before learning you just have to sit on it until you stop complaining about it. That might be approximately 5,000 miles… Not sure.
Every Friday I swim (or try to) and as I come up for air on my right side I look at Martha’s flags blowing in the wind on my parent’s back deck. I think about everyday that I have enjoyed and she has not. I look at the bracelet on my wrist that I was given at her funeral 814 days ago and I have not taken off. I think about Will, Trevor, Koby, Nathan, Delaney, Cooper, Arlene, Juliana, Jared, Hazel, Fynn, Luke, Jack, Theo… and the days their families have not had with them….. and, so, I ride. And I get deeply into my head.
Bradley & Suzanne have told me while they ride, they think: left foot, right foot, ooo look at that… and not much else.. Fascinating, not the case for me, I am in deep personal reflection and therapy on that bike. I was brought here by the story of a survivor though, and I celebrate them thoroughly and LOVE that we get to ride with survivors. We want everyone to be a survivor, and that’s the whole point.
I am confident that we will have raised over half a million dollars before we cross the starting line next week. Don’t forget all donations are matched through July until we reach $150,000. We’re about halfway.
I thank all of you for your commitment and love to this team and what we are dedicated to.
I’d like to celebrate some pictures of commitment who have been riders and virtual riders for decades;
And last, but certainly not least, BRUCE PEARSON 30 YEARS & TIM DEHERRERA 34 YEARS!!!!
The details for the weekend are all available below, I will do my best to respond to emails and calls this week but it’ll be slow. I look forward to seeing you all next weekend and for those who cannot make it this year, you will be missed!
Sincerely,
Amber
