75 Miles for 75 Years: Pictures and Stats

Event name: 75 Miles for 75 Years

Purpose: To raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation

Reason: In memory of my father, in honor of my brother, and in hopes that all men will some day be free of this disease

Start time: 7:25 AM

Finish time: about 3:45 PM

Location: the Veloway

Long loops: 22 loops at 3.1 miles each (68.2 miles)

Short loops: 6 loops at approximately 1.22 miles each (7.34 miles)

Total miles: 75.54

Nutrition: 8 dried dates, 12 rice crackers, 3 bananas, 1 package of shot blocks, 12 – 15 peanut butter filled pretzels, 24 ounces of Gu Brew, about 60 ounces of water, and 8 ounces of chocolate recovery drink. All but the liquids, the dates, the crackers, and the bananas were supplied by the amazing people who came out to support me. My planning was woefully inadequate, and I've fired the planning chairwoman. From now on, I'll listen to my coaches!

Speed: Approximately 10-11mph, average, accounting for a rest stop every 4 loops

Peloton: 4 to 20 riders at any given time

Pit crew: Between 7 and 40 people

Funds raised: $2,821.00 as of 01/25/13

Donations: My personal page at the Prostate Cancer Foundation is still up and able to take further donations for about three more weeks: http://www.pcf.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1011816&supid=365788231

Future cycling plans: I would consider "76 Miles for 76 Years" but not at the Veloway. That short steep hill got the better of me.

My gratitude level: Way off the charts

Lessons learned: People are amazingly generous. I have the best friends and the best son and daughter-in-law in the world. If I can overcome my fears and push through my limits, so can anyone. It's never too late to set an impossible goal and achieve it, even at the age of 75