Cancer is a dangerous disease and I want to help. Last year I did the 30 mile ride and this year I am doing the same. 4 years ago, my Papa died of cancer. I really hope in the future that families won't be split apart from cancer. The reason that I am riding is to raise money so Roswell workers can find cure for cancer. Last year I raised $1,000 and this year I want to raise $1,500!
I am doing the 30-mile river ride with my Dad. I am looking forward to riding to find a cure. I wrote a book last year in school about my first ride and I wanted to share it with you:
"Wake up!" my dad said softly. "Time to go." I felt tired. We were up early. I think we are going to have a fun day. I got dressed quickly and got in the truck. Then we drove to Roswell. We parked and rode our bikes to the main area. I ate a lovely, juicy and sweet pear and dad ate a mushy banana. Then we waited at the starting line and saw the people who were riding 30 miles. Dad and I were planning to ride 20 miles. Then it was our turn to start. My bike went Clickety click click, clickity click click so at the first stop we went to the person who was repairing bikes. The chain was a little off. I was about 10 miles in. While my bike was being adjusted, Dad asked me, "Do you want to go 30 miles?" I said, "Yes!" He said, "Are you sure? If you get tired, you have to go 30." I exclaimed, "Yes I am totally sure!" and that was that. I was going to ride 10 extra miles and I felt amazing, nervous, but proud. We left the first stop, and then crossed the bridge. The 30- mile path is right by the lake. I could smell the fishiness, hear the ripples of the lake on the stone, and see the emerald, green water. When we were by the lake, it was less hot and more cool. I could feel the lake's fishy breeze and the warm sun beating down on me. The smell of the lake filled my nose. I was going into the cool shelter of the trees. "Uh-oh" I thought, "Sun!" We were going to stay by the lake but go into the blazing and scorching sun. We started riding on a bike path and then saw mom's car! We talked and Mom and my brother Jack said they were super proud of me and that they were going to root for me. That made me feel warm inside, and now I'm warm all over. Then we started going again. I took a turn, and I got shaken. I swerved once, twice, and then got back on track. We were getting to a stop to check for cars. Dad said it was clear and that we could cross. I was getting tired. Finally, we came to the second stop, and I was relieved and surprised. The first place we went was to get more water and some food. I filled up my water bottle fully. I had a donut and crackers. Then Dad went to another stand with me. Suddenly we stopped. We saw the best stand yet. I ran over to it. It was a misting tent. The tent had two Ryobi misters in the corners, and it felt like paradise 100 times. It sounded almost smooth and crackly at the same time. Like all great moments start, they always have to end. We got back on our bikes and were 20 miles in. We had 5 miles until the next stop, but as we were riding not close to the lake and in the sun which made it feel like 10 miles. I was super tired, but what kept me going was the thought of "I don't have it nearly as bad as Papa did." I miss Papa. He was an amazing person. He was good at art even though he was color blind a lot of colors. He died of lung cancer, and they found it too late to save him. No matter how hard I rode it didn't feel like enough. When I got to the third stop, I was so excited. We were 5 miles to the finish of this amazing bike ride. We took some pictures, and then we were on the path to the finish line! We were riding for about 11 minutes when the finish came into view. I was relieved and proud and just had so many emotions. When I got close, a song started. I could hear my name announced by the same person's voice, like every year. I saw my mom and waved. We got to the place to stop. When I got off my bike, we met up with Jack and Mom. Since I raised over $1,000, I was in the extra mile club (AKA EMC.) There was better, tastier food like lemon chicken and pasta salad. I took up a plate, and then when I was finished in the line, I had what is better than a good lunch... a great lunch! We got some Gatorade and found a table. I enjoyed the tart, but a little sweet and sour, and also chickeny lemon chicken. The pasta salad was super good too. My dad used to ride with someone else for years. A few times, my dad could not wait to finish and see us, so he left without him. They always met up though. This year we saw him and Dad talked with him. Every year we go to the monument thing by UB and take a picture. We also sit by the water. Most years we see ducks or geese, so of course, this year we saw those honking things. We headed to get on our bikes. Then I rode back with my dad. I looked back on the ride as we went. Right then I realized how far I could ride and how determined I was to do it.