I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who donated in support of me in the Wapiyapi Classic. Donations easily eclipsed the $200 requested and by the day of the ride, $811 had been pledged through my fund raising page to help children with cancer and their families. Thank you.

As for the bigger picture, the grand total of all the funds raised by the 300+ riders was around $200,000, and when you consider the annual budget of Camp Wapiyapi is in the neighborhood of $140,000, it’s safe to say it made a difference. At least that’s what Lance Armstrong told me as we rode up Castle Creek Road.

As for the ride, well, it was a little chilly at the start but once we got going and things warmed up, the day was nothing short of spectacular. And riding with the lead pack for the majority of the ride was fun, particularly early on when it seemed as though everyone we came upon– spectators, riders, photographers, etc.– were rooting me on. Eventually it became clear, as we passed a group of people furiously waving and snapping pics with their cellphone cameras, and as I looked to my right at Lance, that none of the cheering was actually directed at me. Funny.

Thanks again everyone.