Texas 4000 for Cancer Atlas Ride

John Jordan

June 7, 2010

This weekend, I rode in the 2010 Atlas Ride supporting Texas 4000 for Cancer and had a fantastic time. The Atlas ride offered cyclists an opportunity to ride with the Texas 4000 riders on the first leg of their 4,500 trek from Austin to Anchorage. It started in Cedar Park where over 400 riders joined the 55 team members and rode to Lampasas.

Although I ride my exercise bike five mornings a week, I don't consider myself a "cyclist," because I rarely get out on a bicycle on the road. Because of that, I signed up for the 25 mile route (as opposed to the 50 and 70 mile routes), because I wasn't certain how far I'd make it. When I got to the ride Saturday morning, I learned that the 25 mile route circles back to the starting line and I'd need to drive myself to Lampasas for the post-party. Somehow, I had in my mind that there was a shuttle, but, clearly, I was dreaming that. So, since I was being dropped off at the starting line, I could either do the 25 and wait a few hours for a ride to Lampasas, or I could try the 50 that ends in Lampasas. So, with encouragement from Jimmy Schatte and Chris Condit, I did the 50 and never regretted it. I had a great time and really surprised myself. I'm even thinking of buying a bike to start riding with my wife who took up cycling up a few months ago while training for a triathlon.

I have to give kudos to Eddie at Jack and Adam's who set me up with a rental road bike, which I was very lucky to have. He took great pains to adjust it to fit me properly, and, 50 miles later, I had a great appreciation for his efforts.

BusinesSuites has supported Texas 4000 for the past four years with office space, services, volunteers, and contributions. I encourage everyone to follow the team on their 70 day journey from Austin to Anchorage. Along the way, they not only raise money for cancer research, but, more importantly, share hope and knowledge about how to prevent and survive cancer. They visit hospitals, survivors, churches, community centers, and schools. This is an impressive group of young leaders, three of whom are cancer survivors themselves.

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