Originally, back in the summer of 2012 when my friend Geert Pallemans, (cancer survivor, lymphoma), asked me if I'd ride with him in my first Pedal the Cause, I said yes after only a brief hesitation. He seemed a bit surprised. I think he sensed that I was under estimating the commitment I was making, how right he was.
I guess I thought of it as just a fun diversion. A bike ride in the park, the crisp fall air, help a great cause . . . but nothing is ever that simple.
My first 'training ride' brought that home to me clearly. Two days of soreness, and I'd only gone half the distance I had signed up for. I've stayed a lot closer to 'ride-day-shape' since that first year, but the emotional side never gets any easier.
Riding offers much time to think. As I ride, I often think of my father, Victor Markus. He succumbed to colon cancer in 1996. He was diagnosed in the late 80's. Doctor visits. Radiation. MRI's. Colostomy. More doctors, radiation & testing. After five years of clear tests he was considered 'cured'. However, it wasn't too long before a check-up showed the cancer had reappeared, this time more aggressive than before. In short order it had metastasized to his liver & lungs. More tests, treatments, doctors visits and radiation, but this time nothing could stop the slow fade.
As I ride I think of the grandchildren, (And now great grandchildren), he never met . . . I wonder; What would his advice be on a current dilemma ? . . . or, What would be his take on current events? . . . The birthdays and holidays not shared . . . I wonder, if today's treatments were available back in the 90's, would he be riding with me this September ? (Probably not, as Dad would be over 100 years old if he were still here. However, I'm sure he'd be cheering me on.)
This Is why I ride, there are new treatments now in development that hold great promise but are stalled due to a lack of funding. By riding I do my small part to make new and better treatments available. Let's not look back in fifteen or twenty years and wonder what we could have done. Join me on the ride, make a donation via the link above. Let's not just sit and do nothing. There are grandchildren to hold, advice to give, birthdays to be celebrated.
