It's getting close...

 

The last time I updated you I had raced at the OK State Criterium Championships and Hotter’N Hell road race. Well, this past weekend I raced in the OK State Time Trial Championship. I was going into this race a bit under the weather. My mom took me to the doctor on Friday and we found out I had strep throat. I was totally bummed because the race was on Sunday and I was afraid either my mom or coach wouldn’t let me compete. Happily, they both agreed I could. I went out and gave it everything I had. I took almost 2 minutes off my time from last year and set a new personal best. I also brought home a silver medal for my second place finish. I was really happy for my teammate who took 1st and the jersey. So, it was a good day! I’m now training for the State Road Race Championships in a couple of weeks.

I can’t believe it … I have ONLY 303 hours before all my fundraising money needs to be turned in! I am hoping to average $11 per hour so can at least meet my goal from last year! I still have a long way to go to reach but I’m hoping I can count on you to help the 28 million living with cancer.

FACTS:
Goal: $20,000 (click HERE to donate)
1 week till registration for the 5-Line ride closes
2 weeks to turn in ALL fundraising money
3 weeks till Luke’s 5-Line ride
5 weeks till I’m riding in the LIVESTRONG Challenge

If you are planning to come to the Luke’s 5-Line ride please go to http://lukes5line.com to get all the details and find the link to registration. Remember registration closes in 5 DAYS, September 21, 2012!

We still have raffle tickets, shirts and decals for sale.

The raffle tickets are only $5 and we will draw for the bike at the ride on October 6th! You don’t have to be present to win! Hurry as you don’t want to miss out on your chance to win this awesome bike! BRAND NEW TREK!!!

Again, I hope you can help me meet my goal by making a tax deductible contribution. I will ride for your loved one or friend with your donation! The fight to defeat cancer is still on and I will never fighting for those who can’t!

If you have already donated …THANK YOU!!! Your support is greatly appreciated!

August UPDATE

I am excited to tell you all the things that have been going on! First, let’s talk about Lance Armstrong and my stand!

 

YES...I SUPPORT LIVESTRONG! YES...I SUPPORT LANCE ARMSTRONG! YES...LANCE WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO FOR MORE THAN HIS ACHIEVEMENTS ON A BIKE. HE'S HELPED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FACING CANCER. DON'T BE A HATER UNTIL YOU'VE WALKED IN HIS SHOES AND DONE WHAT HE'S DONE FOR MILLIONS WHO NEED HOPE!! OK, now let's move on! 

FACTS:

My fundraising goal is $20,000

I have raised $5,477
5 weeks until I will turn in all my fundraising money
6 weeks until the Luke’s 5-Line Ride
8 weeks until I‘ll be in Austin at the LIVESTRONG Challenge

CYCLING:

I raced in the 2012 Oklahoma State Criterium Championship last weekend. I didn’t win the State title but felt like I was really racing better. I raced at Hotter'N Hell 100 this weekend in Wichita Falls, TX! This is a huge race and my first year to race in it! I was super excited. I felt ready since I’ve been training for the 5-Line and LIVESTRONG rides. I have to tell you we all faced BRUTAL WINDS ALL DAY!! I set a new PB in a road race and I was happy with how I did. I placed 8th but had my fastest mph so I can't complain!

 FUNDRAISING NEWS:

Well, the big news is we have a website for the 5-Line ride!! Please go check it out http://lukes5line.com! We are also pretty psyched because we have a new friend, Jim Beach, who has joined us to help make this ride something super special. He’s been putting on amazing rides like DAM J.A.M. and Tulsa Tough’s Gran Fondos for many years. We feel really lucky to have him helping us! Thank you Jim! We think you will train us to be worthy ride Jedi's!!

We still have 5-Line shirts and decals for sale at Dwelling Spaces in Tulsa. There is going to be a super cool art show at Dwelling Spaces on September 22 with the focus on the beauty of Black Mesa (where our ride is being held)! You should really plan to attend!
 
You can see how cool our t-shirts are on our website! Go check out Doug Ulman, CEO of LIVESTRONG, wearing his 5-Line shirt! 100% of the proceeds will benefit my LIVESTRONG fundraising goal.
 

There are raffle tickets still available for the 2012 Trek LIVESTRONG FX bike. 100% of these ticket sales will go towards my LIVESTRONG fundraising goal. The tickets are only $5 each and the bike is worth $600!! Heck of a deal!

 

The Luke’s 5-Line is coming together! We made the front page of the Boise City News! We have secured complimentary food/lodging for all our riders. We have hired a caterer to prepare and serve all 3 meals on Saturday, October 6! The routes and feed zone are set! We’re getting more sponsors! In fact, we even have a beer sponsor, Black Mesa Brewing Co. How perfect is that?? It is really getting exciting!

Have you ever wondered why we call it the 5-Line ride? Well, the riders will chose how many state lines they want to cross in a single day! How cool is that?? They can chose between a 20 mile family fun ride, a 3-Line ride (40 mi), 4-Line (95 mi) or the 5-Line (120 mi). They will travel through one of the most beautiful parts of Oklahoma! You gotta come see it! We are planning to make this an annual event but if you don’t come this year you can never say I was there at the first one!! People can find the link to register for the ride on our website under Details/Registration! There’s a limited number of spots and registration closes on September 21, 2012. So what are you waiting for???

This year LIVESTRONG will celebrate 15 years of work to inspire and empower people affected by cancer! They started the same year I was born and I’m stoked to be able to celebrate this in Austin! I’m so excited with the amount of donations I have already received but the fight is still on to defeat cancer. I still have long way to go to reach my goal. If you are still trying to decide if you want to donate please think about this, 81% of every dollar goes right back to support the programs and services for survivors. This year alone they have saved clients $3.1 million in services and been able to launch 87 new programs throughout the country!! You are helping make a difference!

Please consider making a donation. Your tax deductible contribution would be one more weapon in this fight and would go a long way to help meet the needs of the millions living with cancer.

Thank you to those who have already donated!!! I truly appreciate all your support! Please check out my TRIBUTE WALL (below) to see the names of people I will be riding for this year. I will happily carry your loved one’s name with me and post it on the Wall of Honor in Austin with a donation, no matter the amount. As always, I have dedicated my mission to my grandfather (Poppy)!

Don’t forget you can follow me and the ride on Twitter (@lukethebikeman or @lukes5line) or Facebook (Luke’s 5-Line Ride)!

Thank you in advance for your time and generosity! I look forward to hearing from you and will be sure to keep you posted on my fundraising/training progress.

TRIBUTE WALL

Jim Pemberton (my Poppy)-Angel

Scott Raffe-Angel
Theresa Hild-Angel
Mrs. Myers-Rose (survivor)
Aunt Norma Jo-Angel
Alex TeRuki (coach’s dad)-Angel
Christopher Parks-Fighter
Makenzee Highfill-Fighter
Austin Dej-Rose (survivor)
Loralei Decker-Fighter
Ronnie Slawson-Angel
Lance Armstrong-Rose
Doug Ulman-Rose
Chris Brewer-Rose

 

Races-End of the Year

I finished out my racing season with some good results.

My next to last race was the Team Exfuse 9-11 Circuit Race. The Jr's distance was 28 miles (2 laps) and was out at Lake Stanley Draper. The back part of this course is hilly and the roads are a bit rough but after the last climb is was fast and smooth. I climbed really strong but I still need work on my downhilling skills. I will work on this in the off season, for sure! I had a 2nd place finish. I made some mistakes but I will use these to help me become a better racer.

The last race of the season was the Bison Bicycle Classic Oklahoma State Road Race Championships. There was a larger field in this race and I was feeling really good. I was aiming for my teammate and I to both end up with podium finishes. We had about a 2 mile neutral zone and then the race took off. I stayed with my teammate, Dallas, for a few miles but then began to fade a bit. I had another kid trying to draft off me and I wasn't going to drag him to the finish line. So, I picked up my speed and dropped him. I loved this course and really rode my race. I had max speed of over 34 mph but set an average over 18! My coach and I were pleased with my numbers for this race! The best part is my teammate and I both took podium spots! Dallas took 1st and I took 3rd! I was really proud of my effort!

Luke 3rd, Dallas 1st, Austin 2nd

Teammates/buds wearing some hardware!

Overall, I've had a good year of racing. My results for 2011 are as follows: 16 races, 3-1st place, 3-2nd place, 2-3rd place, 3-4th place, 1-5th place, 1-9th place, 1-11th place, 1-15th place, 1-DNF (crash)

After the crash (didn't take pictures of the worst parts)
 but I did race the next day!

I'm already training for next year! I can't wait!

HAPPY RIDING!

Blue Canyon State Championship Time Trial-June 5, 2011

My mom (in all black) crossing the FINISH LINE

This has been a great weekend! First, my mom ran in her first 5K. I was really proud of her. She is a cyclist and has not run since she had her knee surgery in 2008. Hey, she wasn't the fastest but she finished strong and absolutely wasn't last. She said that was a win! I don't know about that but I was still proud.

5-4-3-2-1 GO!

So, why else was this a great weekend? It is because this was the weekend for the Oklahoma State Time Trial Championship! It was a super race put on by the OKC Velo Club! Thank you!

I have been battling bronchitis so mom & dad were worried but I knew I felt like it was going to be a good day. I got up at 4:45 am, ate a good breakfast, got the car loaded and then slept all the way to Lawton! It's good to be a kid! I ate my pre-race snack, warmed up and got to the start line ready to RUMBLE!

And, I'm off!

Well, I felt good and strong and finished the same way! And, when the results were posted it was an AMAZING day for Team Rad Racing. My teammate, Sawyer, won the 15-16 and I won the 10-14! So, we are both STATE CHAMPIONS!!! The guy who won the 17-18 is Grahmm Smith. He is really cool and races for Chipotle Jr. Development Team!

Two REALLY Happy Guys!

I was really happy because when I got home my mom checked and I had taken 6 minutes and 22 seconds off my time from this race last year! WOO HOO! I am getting stronger and faster! I love being on the bike!

State Champs Luke (10-14) Sawyer (15-16) Grahmm (17-18)

Ok, I know this is silly but last year when I won we drove to the top of Mt. Scott and took a family picture. So, we did it again this year! My parents are pretty awesome! Don't forget to LIVESTRONG!

Top of Mt. Scott