40 Miler
Woo hoo! I made it through the "Big Ride" - 40 miles on Saturday. I think we fell a few miles short based on my bike-ometer, but close enough!
There was one major hill that almost killed me. All I could see was the sun and a church in the distance. I prayed the entire time that I would not fall over into traffic. My prayers worked apparently b/c I am sitting here to type this blog entry:).
I am getting more excited for the ride every day. And so is Lee.
Now I just need to make more progress toward my $2,500 goal. I'm not worried b/c I have faith that people will give to such a worthy local cause.

by Rachel Webb on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 @ 10:27 PM

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23 mile ride
Just wanted to update you and let you know that I have tacked a 23 mile ride - not quite the 75 that I need to go each day of the event, but getting closer! I am loving being on the bike more every time we go out and hit the country roads.

by Rachel Webb on Tue, Jul 14, 2009 @ 1:23 PM

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What Cancer Cannot Do
Don't worry - I haven't fallen off the cycling train. Just haven't updated my blog in two weeks. I found inspiration to do so when I read this beautiful thought on the site for a young girl who has brain cancer -
What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
It cannot claim the victory, Because JESUS already has!
Revelation 1:17-18
There is no comfort like the Word of God........
The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

by Rachel Webb on Wed, Jul 08, 2009 @ 6:05 PM

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Weekend Ride
I went for a 14 mile ride this morning with other Team Shelby riders, and let me tell you, it was fun. I wanted to turn back early, but they cheered me on and we got through it together. It makes such a difference to ride with friends - old and brand new (b/c of the Ride)!
The ride was beautiful. We went down country roads (Burkes Branch, Clear Creek...). And the wind kept it cool enough.
Can't wait till our ride on Monday...
GO TEAM SHELBY, GO!!!

by Rachel Webb on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 @ 1:13 PM

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Owwww
I have the strangest sensation after completing a ride. It's like steel is wrapped around my legs. The muscles remain in the flexed position for a good 15 minutes - probably a sign that I need to do a better job of stretching beforehand.
I feel completely inadequate to complete the 150 mile round-trip ride in September, but I am also completely commited to crossing the finish line. Any words of encouragement and advice are appreciated.
I WILL DO THIS!

by Rachel Webb on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 @ 8:45 AM

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Keeping It Local
One of the things that I like most about the Ride to Conquer Cancer is that all of the money raised will stay local.
There are so many good causes out there - runs, walks, rides, and everything in between...
The fact that the dollars that I raise through the Ride will help MY neighbors, family and friends makes it special.
But it's also cool to think that the research and clinical trials that they are able to do will help people all over the world!

by Rachel Webb on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 @ 10:13 AM

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Benjamin Franklin
A friend who I haven't spoken with in a few months just called after receiving my e-mail for support and told me that he wanted to donate to my ride - $100.
I was blown away.
Not that I didn't expect people to give, but his generosity was humbling. He joked and said that now I only need 24 more people to do the same. I have to believe that there are more people like him out there who are able and willing to give to the cause...

by Rachel Webb on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 @ 1:08 PM

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Times are Tough
It's tough out there right now. There's a lot of uncertainty in the economy, which is leading to job losses and major panic among the private and public sector alike.
I would be lying if I said that the lag in the economy doesn't ever weigh on my mind.
That being said, I have made a personal decision not to let the down market deter me from asking family and friends to support my ride in September.
I have found that people don't just want to give when things are good. If the cause is important enough, they will give when there doesn't seem to be much to give.
Follow me...
Cancer doesn't care about the economy. It doesn't slow down and wait for research dollars to catch up. It doesn't stop attacking our loved ones just because we have less time and money to make it obsolete. It just keeps coming.
That is why I firmly believe that we cannot stop our efforts either.
Thank you to all of you who are stepping up to support my effort to fight cancer by giving what you are able.
May you be blessed for your generosity. And may we all remember the old saying that "tough times don't last, only tough people do."

by Rachel Webb on Tue, Apr 14, 2009 @ 1:01 PM

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Old Lessons Coming Back
I went for a ride around my mom's neighborhood today - the place where I grew up riding. Somehow the hills seemed a little less steep back then. A few old lessons came back to me as I peddaled around the block-
-Don't leave you mouth hanging open when you ride. Not good. You get that painful, dry feeling back there.
-Don't try to wave at neighbors when you're going up a hill. Keep both hands on the bike and your eyes on the road.
-Do keep the headphones/ibuds out of your ears. Why block out the noises of spring? Birds singing, children laughing, lawnmowers, dogs barking...We spend enough time with our electronics. Just pull them out and enjoy the simple things in life.

by Rachel Webb on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 @ 8:15 PM

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Another Reason
One of our family members is fighting lung cancer as we speak. He was rushed to the hospital this weekend in critical condition - another scare in this difficult journey. Today, he found out that there's another spot of cancer that they missed last time around. It seems to be a never-ending battle. But we have faith that he will get through this and emerge stronger than before.
The emotions that I feel for him and his family - his children and grandchildren - give me another reason not to back down from this challenge.

by Rachel Webb on Wed, Mar 18, 2009 @ 8:53 PM

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Padded shorts and fannie packs
Biker fashion is a tad different from the look you will see at the mall on any given Saturday. I mean, what woman wears padded shorts? A women riding 150 miles, that's who!!! And I'm thinking that I need to bring my fannie pack back into circulation to hold my keys and such during rides. I thought it had seen its last days. Not so much...
I have a feeling that looking stylish will be the last thing on my mind when I go for my first long training ride.
But I do want to know if the helmets come in pink...:).

by Rachel Webb on Wed, Mar 18, 2009 @ 8:49 PM

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On one side and off the other
I decided to get out this weekend and pal around on my husband's mountain bike (until I get my own). Apparently, the seat was a little too high b/c I went on one side and off the other. I was more embarassed than hurt. I was mostly relieved when I made sure that none of my neighbors saw the whole ordeal. I'll lower the seat first next time:).
This ride is going to be a MAJOR physical and mental challenge for me. My body is not in shape to go that far for that long. And my mind is not diciplined enough to stick with the training it will take to get through. But I am commited 100%, and I know that I have the support through my team, friends and family to complete this journey.
I may be on one side of this challenge now, but I will be on the other side before I know it!

by Rachel Webb on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 @ 12:39 PM

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