Bike 4 Breast Cancer

Day 18

2004-09-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday rode witht the Harford Velo Club. Met a couple of nice guys and plan to do some riding in the future with them.
Today I rode from Perryville, MD to Washington College in Chestertown, MD. I had some company today We were met by the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority had some scooby snacks and pink lemonade. A short day but definately needed. I haven't been feeling well and now Ben has contracted what I have. We were all up most of the night.

Day 14

2004-09-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Well, another day in the gym on a stationary bike - boring! 72 miles. Watched Ellen for the first time. Nothing too exciting. The weather is suppose to be great the next several days.

Day 13

2004-09-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

Went to DC to ride the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. If you are from the area and want to enjoy an afternoon of cycling, relatively easy, paved, safe and very straight go to the WO&D. My only other recomendation - make sure there is not a tropical storm in the area.

The trail heading out was slightly graded uphill. Not too bad, just enough to know it was going to a faster ride home. It was bearly spitting when we first started. As we headed west it seemed to stop for several miles.

I was amazed the amount commuters despite the projected weather.

The ride back was quicker (for the most part) but certainly not dryer. It rained pretty good for the better part of the ride back. W e were about 15 miles from DC (mile 89) when the rain stopped and the wind began to pick up. We barely had time to load the bikes and get our wet and muddy cloths off before the rain came in buckets.

That was one of the nicest showers I have ever had!

Day 12

2004-09-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

Had a great day of cycling. The weather was perfect and had some company for the entire 100 miles. I thought for sure it was going to rain but "Frances" has slowed considerably and has held off for another day. Tomorrow (Wed) I am going to Washington DC to ride the Washington & Old Dominion" Bike Trail. I am excited about the change and in desperate need of it.

We skipped the hills today. Road "KANSAS" - flat, right?

My bowls of ice cream are getting larger and larger. Add a couple oreos and it's perfect.

Day 5 thru Day 11

2004-09-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

It's been a pretty decent weekend weather wise. It has cooled tremendously compared to the first week. Except for this past Satuday and Sunday I have been cycling between 110 and 120 miles/day. I feel as tho I know these roads inside and out. I have been cycling them on and off for over 11 years.

At this stage of the ride the pshychological challenge is far more difficult than the physical challenge. The monotony of cycling the same roads is wearing very thin.

Day 5

2004-08-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

Started out super great. Headed east on Rte 24 with a great tailwind. Flew down Rte 24. I felt great all the while dreading the next two right turns. Right on Rte 40 and Right on Rte 152 and into the headwind. Headwind, tailwind, headwind, tailwind was my day as I circled around Harford County.

Day 4

2004-08-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

Despite the wonderful hospitality from the Bel Air Athletic Club, I think by far this was one of the toughest days of my cycling - ever. I only cycled 64 miles but it was all done on a stationary bike. Yes, how many times can you watch ESPN's Sport Center in one morning? I tried to pump out out another hour and another 16 miles but ... And, it was continuous pedaling. No coasting and taking a breather but then again no going up hills either. I'm hoping tomorrow will bring some more pleasant weather although, it is not looking good.

First 3 Days

2004-08-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - Had a wonderful send off from the Breast Cancer Surgery Center located in Dr. Frederick Walkers office in Forest Hill, MD. We gathered with breast cancer survivors the Walk of Hope support group representatives from our sponsors American Design and Build and supportive members of the community. The Rev. Earl Ussery blessed me and the ride. I rode 104 miles.

Day 2: Fort McHenry, Star Spangled morning in the city! Wonderful place, rode about 40 miles downtown, didn't like the slower pace with the lights. Completed another 52 miles in Harford County.

Day 3: Bel Air to Westminster, MD. Nice rolling hills today. Got too much sun. Starting to feel it in my body tonight. Rode 96 miles.

Ride Update

2004-08-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

As many of you are aware Bike4BreastCancer was planning a transcontinental bicycle ride for breast cancer awareness beginning in Los Angeles on August 27, 2004 and ending in my hometown of Bel Air, MD on September 22, 2004. Unfortunately, due to very recent and disappointing news B4BC has had to step back, regroup, and move in a different direction. The RV to be used for the cross-country event has been sold and made unavailable for our use. Therefore, the "official" cross-country Pink Ribbon Ride has had to be slightly altered. I now plan on riding approximately 2500 miles in and around the Maryland area.

While it was a tough decision to cancel the cross-country portion of the ride, it was the best decision to make in light of the enormous costs involved in renting an RV. B4BC is committed to using 85% of funds raised for breast cancer and this goal was not achievable after factoring in rental costs.

So, in the spirit of making the best of what life deals you we are moving on…

I am contacting everyone to share with you our new itinerary. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, we have not had ample time to properly promote these new changes so I am asking for your help in disseminating this information to your friends, family and co-workers.

This Friday, August 27th I will officially kick off my “Tour de Maryland” at the Breast Cancer Surgery Center located at 2005 Maurice Drive in ForestHills, MD (410-836-0909). On Saturday, August 28th, we plan to meet at Fort McHenry at 8 am to ride around the area then head back up to HarfordCounty. Each day I will cycle an average of 110 miles to surrounding communities, including Carroll, Howard, Baltimore, Frederick, Anne Arundel & CalvertCounties, sharing the importance of proper breast health and early detection. B4BC’s current routes consist of a series of loops starting or ending at various “places of interest” such as Fort McHenry, Annapolis Capital Building, Chestertown College, Maryland State Fairgrounds, etc.

Each day’s ride will have predetermined places to pick up cyclist of varying skill levels. We are also planning a bicycle relay where several cyclists will cycle nearly 300 miles in a 24 hour period starting on Saturday, September 18th and culminating at the Harford County local Pink Ribbon Ride on September 19th at Tydings Park in Havre de Grace, MD. Please log on to http://www.bike4breastcancer.com/cross_country.html regularly as we will be updating frequently with details as we get them finalized. And for those bicycles that need a little attention, Bike4BreastCancer sponsors, American Design & Build and Black Cat Bicycles are hosting a Pink Ribbon Ride bicycle tune-up on Saturday, September 11 from 9 am to 11:00 am in the parking lot of American Design & Build located on Gateway Drive in Bel Air. Bring the kids for a short ride with me to the Mill by way of the Ma & Pa trail.

And lastly, if you’re not a cyclist but want to be involved I am in need of volunteers to drive the support vehicle. Vehicle will be provided by Bike4BreastCancer. Contact me directly at 1-888-906-2453 if you are interested in supporting us.

Warm Regards,

Kathy Betz
Founder, Bike4BreastCancer