Pressing On

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the long delay since my last post.  I’ll give you a brief update on our physical riding, and a better update on the actual ride is going!

We had a grueling 8 days of riding before finally passing Arizona, through the southeast tip of Utah (saw where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country run!), and into eastern Colorado.  Arizona was a very diverse and amazing state.  We encountered the hottest desert in America, climbed through several national forests on our way through Prescott and Sedona into Flagstaff, and enjoyed a few days in Navajo Nation as we saw the Painted Desert and came within a few miles of the Grand Canyon.  Our one night in Bluff, UT was gorgeous, and it was a bit of a refresher to mark another state off of our list in less than a day of riding!  I encountered a bit of a setback with a knee injury in Bluff and had to sit out 2 days of riding as we came into Pagosa Springs.  It was a tough decision for me as I want to be on that bike more than anyone knows, but I knew taking a 2 day break from riding with our rest day following could be just what it needed to get back in shape.  Besides, riding in the vehicle with Jordan I was able to do some other things to help out the team .

As I write this blog, we are currently in Pagosa Springs, CO discussing the day tomorrow.  We have a 42 mile day with a 10mile climb over the Rocky Mountains.  It will be a grueling challenge that could lead to battles with fatigue, elevation sickness, cold temperatures near the snow-covered peaks, or even a bear encounter!!! =P  Okay, hopefully the last one doesn’t happen, but what a story that would be!  My status for riding tomorrow is TBD, based on how the swelling on my knee looks in the morning.  We are looking forward to this 3-day stretch of riding before a 4 day break in Dillon, CO.

The coolest part of the trip since last time I posted has been how much our cause is really starting to catch on!  Meeting people who have gone through the struggles associated with the disease is what this ride is all about, and we have ran into many incredible people.  We encountered a couple from Virginia (Evans and Karen Cochran….a video of them is on our YouTube channel!) in Tuba City, AZ and enjoyed a nice night with them involving Bluegrass music and stories of how they have been affected by Alzheimer’s.  It was really inspiring when they told us how they would put us in their prayer journal.  Last night here in Pagosa Springs we randomly asked two men from Southern California (Kevin and Steve- private pilots) what they were doing in town, and proceeded to talk about how Kevin’s father had Alzheimer’s for several years.  Talking to him about his experience with the disease was awesome- I could tell he hadn’t recollected those memories in awhile.   It is so incredible how this ride helps people recollect what their loved ones were like before the disease and to give them hope about the future of it!  I truly find it heart-warming when someone shares their stories about Alzheimer’s because I can relate so well.  It was tough knowing my grandfather, a man who was so strong-willed and someone I looked up to a lot, was a completely different person his last 4 years.  But talking to someone who has suffered in a similar way is such an inspiration and is so motivating to continue to fight against this disease.  Today, we met a girl (Molly) at an outdoor shop in town who’s grandmother had Dementia and now has Alzheimer’s.  I was able to interview her a bit and she mentioned how the ride makes her want to get more involved with raising awareness and money for the disease.  That is what its all about ladies and gents!

Also, I found out today that one of my Residential Counselors from my Gatton Academy days’ (Beth Hawke) grandmother passed away from the disease this past Thursday.  Tomorrow is her funeral, so we will be riding in honor of their family tomorrow.  Please keep them in your prayers, as well as all of those who are affected by this terrible disease.

It has been so incredible to see how the Lord has placed people and events in our path that make this cause what it is.  Meeting people like we have the past few days has inspired us more than words can explain.  Each morning, as we do our daily dedications, I feel like all of the riders really understand what this is all about.  As we’re pedaling up the mountains gasping for air and wondering why the heck we are out here doing something most would (or do!) consider borderline crazy, these are the things that keep us going:

Knowing that someone’s uncle who used to be a pastor is now clueless and off in a “happy place”, rather than being the wise, strong-willed man he used to be.

Knowing that families who cannot take on the responsibility of care giving have to place their loved ones in nursing homes just to keep them safe.

And knowing that their are people all around this globe affected by Alzheimer’s that want to see a change and want to help bring hope to finding a cure!

Thanks and God Bless to all of you who support what we’re doing- it would be nothing without you

I’ll try to start blogging more often!!

Tyler

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