OPEN

Registration is open

for the

Luke's 5-Line Gran Fondo!

 

September 20-22, 2013

 

 

Registration for the second annual Luke's 5-Line is open! This was so awesome last year we've decided to make it an annual event. I'm excited to see what we can do when we all come together and ride to help others. Luke's 5-Line Gran Fondo will benefit two amazing organizations LIVESTRONG and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Please visit our website, lukes5line.com, to get all the ride details. Looking forward to you riding with us!

 

 

 

OCTOBER WAS BUSY

October has been an exciting and interesting month. First, let’s talk about the obvious thing so you understand my feelings about the news that has been on every news channel around the world...LANCE ARMSTRONG! I have my personal feelings about Lance and you may or may not share the same feelings but those feelings. The news was about him as a cyclist and the choices he may have made or did not make. I don’t know what happened. I wasn’t there and I don’t truly understand the pressures of having to compete at that level and what’s asked of you everyday. What I do understand is that he IS a cancer survivor! He and his foundation have made a difference in the lives of millions around the world. I will always proudly wear my yellow wristband until there is no longer a need because cancer has been cured. I will continue to support LIVESTRONG as they help those affected by cancer, their families and friends. I hope you will join me! I have included a video, set to music, so you can see what LIVESTRONG has done for millions since it began http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tENdDtkJX5E&feature=youtu.be.

Now, for the Luke’s 5-Line Ride...it was an amazing event! Our biggest hurdle was the weather which we couldn’t control. We woke up Saturday morning to bitter cold, rain and fog. Although the weather was crummy the spirit of our riders couldn’t be dampened. We went out, did the best we could to stay warm and dry and had a blast doing it! The community support was amazing, especially Felt Schools. They moved their Power Stop to their basketball gym and we were greeted by a cheering crowd and Felt cheerleaders. The gym was all decorated and we had a nice warm, dry place to eat some lunch, then get back on the road! After the ride, we had a great time back at camp with music by The Dizzy Pickers, a fabulous meal and some even enjoyed the beer donated by Black Mesa Brewing Co. We all had a super time! We are already planning for next year and are seeking a corporate sponsor so we can even make it even bigger!

During the concert by The Dizzy Pickers we drew the name of our raffle winner, John Otjen! Congratulations to John on winning the Trek LIVESTRONG FX! He told us he was giving it to his mom to help her with the rehab of her recent knee surgery! I know she’ll love it!

Luke & John

 As you know, my goal this year was to raise $20,000. I didn’t reach that goal but was still really happy to have raised $10,114! I have now raised over $21,000 in the past three years for LIVESTRONG. I also qualified for the Ride for the Roses for the second year in a row. I participated in that event this past weekend in Austin. It was a blast to see all my LIVESTRONG friends I have met over Twitter, Facebook and last year Challenge. We attended the 15 year LIVESTRONG Gala on Friday night, dinner at Lance Armstrong’s on Saturday and then rode 65 miles on Sunday! When I crossed the finish line I hugged my mom and told her that I did this for Poppy! I actually put so many names this year on the LIVESTRONG Tribute Wall and I rode carrying all of them with me! I was honored to be able to ride side-by-side with many survivors as well as those, who like me, had lost someone they loved or honoring those still in the middle of the fight! This is what LIVESTRONG is about...community, family, support!

Brad, Jennifer, mom & me

Lance & Luke 2012

Caner Warriors Scott Joy, Steve Bartolucci, me & Brad Didier

 If you get a chance go to our website and see our picture gallery from our ride http://lukes5line.com.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me in 2012 or in the past. I will continue to fight for those who are in need! The funds I raised will be used to help support LIVESTRONG services. These services include, but are not limited to, call-in cancer information line, survivorship planning tools, alliance of young adult cancer organizations, LIVESTRONG at School program, and now, an on-site patient navigation service (walk-in, for under-served and those without insurance), information classes and webinars, so thank you as you are truly part of making a difference in people’s lives.

I hope I can count on your continued support in 2013!

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!

WEBSITE LAUNCHED

Please check out our new website for the Luke's 5-Line for the most up-to-date ride information!! You'll find: What's Included, Routes, Photos, etc.

www.lukes5line.com

BIG NEWS for 5Line Ride

UPDATE (8/1/12) date change below

Please check out our new website for the Luke's 5-Line to get the most up-to-date ride information!! You'll find: What's Included, Routes, Photos, etc.

www.lukes5line.com

First, I'd like to welcome our newest sponsors CHAMOIS BUTT'R and Al's Bicycles of Edmond! Thank you all very much for your support! You can check out Chamois Butt'r products at www.pacelineproducts.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chamois-Buttr/39357123371. Welcome aboard guys!

OK, there have been lots of discussions over the dinner table, during long car rides, while riding our bikes and hanging out with my peeps about the Luke's 5-Line Ride! I can not tell you exactly how excited I am about this upcoming event!

I'm even more pumped to let you know we have added some additional distances. So...may...I...please...have...a...drum...roll??? We are pleased to announce you have a choice to ride one of the following:

GO TO OUR NEW WEBSITE TO SEE THE REST OF THIS POST:

www.lukes5line.com

5-7 October 2012!

Black Mesa, Oklahoma

100 riders ... 100+ miles ... 5 states ... 1 day

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

 

100%

I hear my parents say all the time “where has the time gone?”. I am kind of thinking the same thing. WOW! It really isn’t too long now till so many things happen!! I thought I would send you an update on how things are going!

FACTS:

My fundraising goal is $20,000

I have raised $4,246 to date

8 weeks till the Luke’s 5-Line Ride
11 weeks till I need to turn in my fundraising money

14 weeks till I'll be riding in Austin's LIVESTRONG Challenge

CYCLING:

I'm getting in lots of base miles because the racing season has slowed way down. I've been working on many areas of my cycling so I will be ready to ride 65 miles in Austin.

FUNDRAISING NEWS:
I am still selling 5-Line t-shirts and decals at Dwelling Spaces in Tulsa, or you can contact me if you’d like to purchase one of these items.

100% of the proceeds will benefit LIVESTRONG.

I am raffling off a 2012 Trek LIVESTRONG FX bike. The raffle tickets are only $5 and, again, you can contact me to purchase.

100% of the proceeds will benefit LIVESTRONG.

I held a LIVESTRONG garage sale this past weekend and raised over $600!! I will be holding another sale as soon as I can gather some more items from family, friends and neighbors!

100% of the proceeds will benefit LIVESTRONG.

The biggest news is we are putting all the pieces together on the Luke’s 5-Line Ride. We have had riders signing up...how cool is that!?! We are lucky to have support from the local community in Boise City and the surrounding towns! I have to give a big thank to my Tulsa friends (who don’t want a lot of glory) but who are a huge help to make this ride a great time! I think it’s so cool that all our riders will be covered by ICE.events (In Case of Emergency). ICE.events is a system connecting your bib number to your identification, medical information and emergency contacts. If you’d like to come and ride with us you can get registered at https://www.usacycling.org/events/index.php?event=2054&year=2012. There is a limited number of spots so sign up early!

Registration for the ride is $250 ($200 will be tax-deductible and going straight to LIVESTRONG) Remember: This includes complimentary lodging in the bunk house for the first 25 riders and tent accomodations for the next 25, 4 meals and ride entry!!

I am very excited with the amount of donations I have already received but the fight is still on to defeat cancer. And, I still have a long way to go to reach my goal. If you are still trying to decide if you want to contribute please consider this:

“Where the Money Goes

LIVESTRONG endeavors to be the best possible stewards of the outstanding financial commitments made by its donors and partners and to leverage those funds in the global fight against cancer.

We gratefully thank our donors on behalf of the people served through your generosity.

Making a donation—at any level—can be a complex and difficult decision. For that reason, we are as transparent as possible about how we have been, and will continue to be, good stewards of your gifts.

Since our inception, we have raised more than $400 million dollars for the fight against cancer, and 81 percent of those funds have gone directly to support our programs and services for survivors.

2010
In 2010 we had functional expenses totaling $35,746,206, and 81 percent of every dollar raised went directly to programmatic funding totaling $28,954,426.”

Read more here http://goo.gl/YQzF2.

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 millions living with cancer. You can donate online at http://laf.livestrong.org/goto/lukeisthebikeman. Don't forget you can also follow me on my blog, Twitter (@lukethebikeman or @lukes5line) or Facebook!!

Thank you to those of you who have already donated. I am very excited with the amount of donations I have already received but the fight is still on to defeat cancer. And, I still have a long way to go to reach my goal. Check out my Tribute Wall (below) to see those I will be riding for in Austin. I will carry your loved one with me as well and put their name on the Wall of Honor in Austin with a donation, no matter the size. As always, my main inspiration and how I got started on this path was because of my grandfather (Poppy)! I think he would be proud!

LIVESTRONG

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 father)-Angel
Austin Dej-Rose (survivor)

Christopher Parks-Fighter

Makenzee Highfill-Fighter

Loralei Decker-Fighter

Ronnie Slawson-Angel

Lance Armstrong-Rose (survivor)

Doug Ulman-Rose (survivor)

Chris Brewer-Rose (survivor)

YOUR COVERED

We are stoked to make this announcement!!!

Dear Luke's 5-Line Riders,

Your safety is extremely important to us. In an effort to protect our athletes we are happy to inform you Luke’s 5-Line Double Ride is officially registered with ICE.events. ICE.events (In Case of Emergency) is a system connecting your bib number to your identification, medical information and emergency contacts. You will be receiving an email from ICE.events the week of the ride, please take the two minutes to read the email and update your records before the event.

We care about you and are proud to have our riders protected by ICE.events.

(To learn more about ICE.events click here: www.icedot.org/events)

Thank you ICEdot.org for being a sponsor and protecting our riders!!!! 

CALLING ALL CYCLISTS

UPDATE (8/1/12)

Please check out our new website for the Luke's 5-Line to get the most up-to-date ride information!! You'll find: What's Included, Routes, Photos, etc.

www.lukes5line.com

It's the ride of a lifetime

5-7 October 2012!

Black Mesa, Oklahoma

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

    

SKA-DOOSH!

This is our official logo for the Luke's 5-Line Double Ride! We are so excited that Aaron Whisner (artist) created this great logo! We are super pumped that Dwelling Spaces in Tulsa, OK will carry our merchandise. This is so cool because they are also going to sell our merchandise during Tulsa Tough! A portion of the sales will benefit LIVESTRONG.

We are also pleased to announce our latest sponsor:   Lee's Bicycles of Tulsa!! It is because of all of our amazing sponsors that this will be an EPIC event! We would like to thank all our sponsors: Whitten-Newman Family Foundation, ExplorOlogy, ICEdot, Buchanan Bicycles and Lee's Bicycles. We owe a special thanks to Team Rad Racing for helping us permit this ride through USA Cycling!

You don't want to miss this AMAZING event! Register at USA Cycling (https://www.usacycling.org/events/index.php?event=2054&year=2012).

There isn't any fee to register and remember this ride benefits LIVESTRONG so 80% of your registration fee is tax deductible!

AMAZING SPONSORS:

SPEECHLESS

I haven't been able to write about this because I have been so blown away I couldn't find the words to express how I felt and still feel!

My mom and I were on our way to do a training ride. We didn't make any stops except at stop lights and at a railroad crossing. We were just a few miles from our location when my mom looked in the rear view mirror and saw my bike was GONE! I totally freaked out! I couldn't think clearly! I started crying "That's my baby! I have a race in two days! That's my baby!" It was the most horrible feeling I have ever felt over losing a thing!

We quickly turned around and began the search. Mom tried to keep me calm but it wasn't an easy task. We saw a good friend and fellow cyclist, Andy Chasteen. He was out on a training ride and offered to help us look for my missing bike. Thanks Andy!

Mom and I continued the search for four hours looking in every bush, ditch, drainage areas... EVERYWHERE! NO LUCK! I was devastated! My mom kept telling me, "There's a greater and overall meaning to this. It may be that we need this experience to help us grow. Or, it may be that it's because someone else needs to grow... but God has a plan and we need to trust!" She always says this when things are good and when things are bad. I knew she was right but it didn't make it hurt any less.

I had a time trial I was supposed to race in that coming Saturday (March 31). I wasn't sure what I would do when our friends the White's offered us a loaner bike!! Miracles were already taking place. I was going to be able to race.

I had a good race because I just kept thinking the guy in front of me was the one who took my bike! I took 4 minutes off my personal best!!!

Every night I prayed we'd find my bike! We did find it a week later posted on Craigslist! These guys were trying to sell it! I couldn't believe it. There's a whole other story here but the bottom line is we got my bike back. When we took it to the bike shop to get it repaired I had the BIGGEST surprise EVER!!!

My friends, Ryan Lenhart and Tobin Vigil, at Buchanan Bicycles were there when I got to the shop. Ryan took me in a separate room and began telling me "A lot of people were really sad when you lost your bike. And, you are always thinking of others with what you do for LIVESTRONG. So, a bunch of your friends who are cyclists pitched in a bought you a brand new bike!" The words I heard but couldn't believe. He took me into another room and there was the new bike all setup ready for me to get a fit! Tobin was taking pictures and I just walked around the bike in shock. I just kept saying "I can't believe this!"

 I don't know who all did this and may never know but THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!! I still look at it  2 1/2 weeks later and I'm still in speechless! You all are the best friends a guy could ever have! I feel blessed! GOD IS GREAT!

 

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

UPDATE (8/1/12)

Please check out our new website for the Luke's 5-Line to get the most up-to-date ride information!! You'll find: What's Included, Routes, Photos, etc.

www.lukes5line.com

It's the ride of a lifetime

5-7 October 2012!

Black Mesa, Oklahoma

Calling all cyclists - from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado:

 

Here's the plan:

100 riders ... 100+ miles ... 5 states ... all in one day.

The distances you can choose are: 20, 40, 95 or 120!  Join us for this epic event! 

 

BLACK MESA OR BUST!! 

 

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

    

DRAMA

Last week was the best and worst week in a long time! I was preparing for my first Race of Truth and two days before the race my bike was stolen!!!!! I'm not ashamed to say, I cried like a baby for my baby...MY BIKE!!! This felt like the worst thing since losing my Poppy! I had nightmares that night...a pit in my stomach for days! But...race day was still coming and I needed to be focused! 


So, I had a teammate go off just one minute in front of me. He's my friend but I kept thinking he stole my bike. Oh, this kept me focused! I am pleased to say I set a new PR. I took 4 minutes off my best time on this same course!! I was happy to get some good news when I had been feeling so sad! 


There has been some good out of all of this! I have been overwhelmed at how many offers from other cyclists to help me find a bike to ride, build up a bike, give me a frame or parts to help me rebuild a bike. This is so cool that so many would reach out to help! THANK YOU to EVERYONE who has offered help or came to my rescue! I feel honored!


OK...onto a new subject...I am so excited as I am getting ready to make a BIG announcement! There are still a few details to be worked out before I can tell. This is all I can say right now...100...100...5...more to come! 

STAY TUNED

2012 Racing Season Debut

Well, the 2012 racing season is underway in Oklahoma. It always starts with the Salty Creek Criterium/Tall Chief Cove Road Race. I had signed up to race in the Jr. category for both days but when I got there, on Saturday, they informed me that the Jr. road race had been cancelled for Sunday due to bad weather being forcast. I was really disappointed. So, my coach Mark Teruki suggested I race in the Men's 4/5. I was excited to be able to race, since I wanted to see if I had improved since last year, but I was a little nervous to be in my first men's race.

Saturday's criterium went OK. I made a major mistake at the beginning and although I finished closing the gap and feeling really strong at the end it was too late to make up the time I needed. I took third and learned something for future races. One thing about racing is you are always learning and getting more chances to do better!

Sunday I woke up feeling ready for the road race! I ate my new race breakfast, courtesy of Biju Thomas, and knew I was feeling better today. It was cold and wet and started pouring just before our race began. I felt really good and when the day was done I had taken 29 minutes off my time from last year and placed 11th. It was a long way from a win but it felt like a victory in a small way to me. I overcame my nerves, raced with men and showed a significant improvement over last year. I know I haven't come even close to my full potential and I will continue training hard but I will take small victories and build off them!

Next race...TIME TRIAL...this weekend!

LIVESTRONG

THE RACE IS ON!

H.E.L.P.

Hope. Empower. Love. Provide.

I have started my 2012 fundraising efforts to STOP cancer! Last year inspired me to do even more after being with 1000’s of survivors, cancer fighters and meeting my hero Lance Armstrong. I know one person can make a difference for millions. I’m a 14-year-old cyclist, I want to H.E.L.P. STOP cancer and make a difference in the lives of MILLIONS. 

Can you GIVE H.E.L.P.?

http://laf.livestrong.org/goto/lukeisthebikeman

LIVESTRONG,

Luke

It's ON!

LIVESTRONG 2012 is ON!!! 

Well, I raised over $10,000 in 2011 but I've raised the bar and I'm going to raise over $20,000 in 2012. And, I've already started! So, if you would like to help me reach my goal I would really appreciate it and so will the 28 MILLION living with cancer plus their families and friends. Your donation can help so many! It's super simple just click on the link below and it will take you to my donation page! I will ride for your friend, family member or you with your donation! I wish you all a Happy Holiday season and a Happy New Year! 

DONATE

LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE-RIDE FOR THE ROSES-2011

amazing:
astonishing, astounding, awesome, awful, eye-opening, fabulous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stunning, stupendous, sublime, surprising, wonderful, wondrous, blindsiding, dumbfounding, eye-opening, flabbergasting, jarring, jaw-dropping, jolting, shocking, startling, stunning, stupefying

inspiring:
breathtaking, charged, electric, electrifying, exhilarating, galvanic, galvanizing, hair-raising, heart-stopping, inspiring, intoxicating, kicky, mind-bending, mind-blowing, mind-boggling, rip-roaring, rousing, stimulating, stirring, thrilling

I bet you can tell how my LIVESTRONG weekend went by just the list of adjectives above and still I don't think they fully describe how I felt at this year's LIVESTRONG Challenge. I have to say I really didn't think last year could have been topped but was I wrong. The only bad part was I had just gotten my braces plus my palate expander and my mouth was so sore. Oh well, I still had an incredible time!

I am still in shock at having raised over $10,000 for LIVESTRONG and qualifying for Ride for the Roses. I know that may not sound like a lot if you are a big time fundraiser. But, I just turned 14 years old and last year I only raised close to a $1,000 so this was BIG for me!! I just can't tell you how PERFECT this weekend was for a boy whose passions are CYCLING and LIVESTRONG. Keep reading and you'll find out why!

First, I need to say "Thank you, thank you, thank you" to everyone who helped me reach my goal!!! I raised $10,112 for LIVESTRONG and I was so excited!! I wanted to give you a glimpse at my AMAZING LIVESTRONG weekend you all helped me be able to experience.

We got to Austin on Thursday night really late and could hardly wait for Friday. Friday started with us going to the Ride for the Roses registration and I got jerseys, posters, jacket, bib numbers and so much more. We met our friends, Brad and Jennifer, I met them on Twitter. It was like we had been friends forever. Next, mom and I checked our bikes in with Fred the head mechanic. Mom needed her fit worked on and he got her all fixed up. Then, he took our bikes to store them where they would be cared for by some top folks. Next, we went down to the LIVESTRONG village at Mellow Johnny’s. Mellow Johnny’s is the bike shop that Lance Armstrong owns! It is such a cool place! It has all kinds of awesome bike stuff and you’ve got to see the 7 Yellow Jerseys hanging on the walls from his Tour de France wins. The village had all kinds of booths to check out. We picked up my dad’s registration stuff and met another friend from Twitter, Mrs. Flanagan. I couldn’t believe it! I even saw my friend, Mr. Hesketh, who checked me in last year and gave me my first LIVESTRONG jersey! It was starting out to be such a great day! I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed! We had to hurry back to the hotel so we could catch the bus for our tour of the LIVESTRONG Headquarters. WOW...it was full of amazing art, it’s a green building with lots of recycled materials and I loved it! Next, we met Mister Cartoon (Mark Machado) he is a tattoo and graffiti artist and he painted a fantastic mural on the outside wall at headquarters. His work has been used by Nike, Toyota and others. We got to watch him sign his artwork and then he autographed our limited edition posters he designed for the Ride for the Roses participants! Now, it was time to rush back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. The only thing we knew was dinner would be outside and we needed to dress appropriately...really it meant mom shouldn’t wear high heel shoes...LOL!

OCC LIVESTRONG motorcycle-gas tank looks like a TT helmet!

Brad & me in front of Mister Cartoon's mural on the side of LS headquarters

Mister Cartoon & me

We boarded the bus and headed to dinner. I was having a great time with all my new friends and the weekend was just getting started. Chris Brewer, a Sr. Manager for LIVESTRONG, was the host of our bus. He said, “I think I can now tell you that we are headed to LANCE ARMSTRONG’S house for dinner!” I thought my eyes would pop out of my head! I was so shocked! Well, needless to say, it was AWESOME!! I met Chris Horner and Ben King (both are riders on Team Radioshack), my friend Annemieke from the Netherlands, Ryan O’Donoghue my bud at LIVESTRONG plus so many others and OF COURSE...LANCE ARMSTRONG! I just have to say I was shaking all over I was so nervous and excited! Mom took our picture and you can tell I was in shock! This is funny...all I could think to say to him was “you are my hero”! It was the most PERFECT night EVER!!!

Mom, me, Brad & Jennifer in front of Lance Armstrong's

Chris Brewer in LA's LR

LA's backyard

Mrs. Flanagans & me

Chris Horner & me

Ryan O'Donoghue, me & Amy with GOOGLE

Annemieke, Jennifer & mom

Me & LANCE ARMSTRONG

 Saturday morning we went on a fun Photo Op ride with Stephanie from Mellow Johnny’s. We saw some really neat areas of Austin, took pictures and learned a little about Austin history. We even saw some protesters! Saturday evening was the Appreciation Dinner and this one my whole family was able to attend. I was really glad to have my mom, dad and Grams with me! This dinner was held outside at LIVESTRONG Headquarters. OK...you won’t believe this...Doug Ulman, the CEO of LIVESTRONG, got up to talk. There were about 700 people at this event. Alright, so Mr. Ulman is up on the stage talking about LIVESTRONG and all the programs the money we raised would help fund. Then, he said “there’s one person I really want to recognize tonight...LUKE NEAFUS where are you?” I couldn’t believe it! All of these people were looking at me, he starts talking about my cycling and all my fundraising. He even said I was part of the future of LIVESTRONG! I was shaking all over AGAIN! WOW...I was totally shocked! It was another PERFECT night!

me & dad

 

family pic

 

Guess who?

Sunday was the ride and it started with a 4:30 am wake up call! This bus ride was pretty quite! We had breakfast, got our bikes and then got lined up to start the ride. Lance addressed the crowd of over 2300 cyclists. I was ready to get going...I felt charged! It was a very cool morning but as we rode the day became perfect. I rode 45 miles with my friends, Brad, Jennifer, Mike and Stephanie (the lady from Mellow Johnny’s). I challenged everyone to hill sprints all day long! I had so much fun! True joy! This was the longest ride I have ever done but I felt great at the end...I will go further next year for sure! My Grams was waiting at the finish line and it was the PERFECT way to end this journey!

 

My biggest honor of the whole trip was to ride with the names of many on my back! I rode strong for ALL OF them! I wanted to make them all PROUD! After the ride I posted their names on the LIVESTRONG Tribute Wall! I rode for the following: Poppy, Scott Raffe, Alex Teruki, Mrs. Myers, Janis, Alice, Jeff, Chad Kavanaugh, Andie Ersman, Christopher Parks, Susan Ringer, Ronnie Slawson, Granddad, Charlene Mattingly, Lonnie, Shorty Thurman, David Copeland, Don Cook, Ida Yeager, Grandma Pettit, John M and John Calhoun! I WILL NEVER FORGET the way these Angels, Warriors and Survivors gave me strength!

November is known as MOvember! This is when men start with a clean shaven face and grow a moustache throughout the month to raise awareness and start conversations about men specific cancers. Early detection is key! So, men let’s grow a MO and not be afraid to talk to our dad, our sons, friends and co-workers about prostate and other male cancers. Come on men the test can be as easy as getting some blood drawn and early detection is key! Let’s spread the word!

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season and next year...I think I’m going to try and raise $20,000! I’ve set a goal to HELP STOP CANCER! I hope I can count on you next year!


LIVESTRONG