Drum roll please …
Team Pink and Pearls is taking on Tour de Pink East Coast 2014!
I was driving myself crazy with the decision to ride again this year after the dates were announced a few weeks ago (Sept. 19-21).
This year’s route includes a 100-mile day 2 (instead of 90 miles like last year) that goes through Delaware and is a lot flatter than day 2 last year. Instead of ending in Washington, D.C., riders finish at the beach in Maryland among wild horses. How much more beautiful could it get?
Anyway, long story short (and I’m sure you’ll hear the long version at some point), I decided I am not going to ride this year. However, because TdP and the YSC are such an important part of my life and I want to stay involved, Sean decided he is going to ride (he decided this during 2013’s tour, actually) and head our team, Team Pink and Pearls.
I am going to be involved the entire way, though. I am going to help with fundraising and training (and will even train with the team) and be AT Tour de Pink, cheering on the team from start to finish, just like Sean did for me last year.
It was an incredibly tough decision for me not to ride. Tour de Pink was one of the most phenomenal experiences of my life. But with some other things going on right now I decided I couldn’t give TdP all of my attention like it deserves.
So this is the best solution: Sean can ride like he always wanted to, we can bring in a team of our family and friends, and I can still be involved and help raise money for the YSC without the pressure and stress.
I am happy to be in charge of scheduling training sessions, designing and ordering jerseys and riding with whatever team members are local. I am thrilled, actually, to be involved again. Sean and I talked and talked and talked and I cried and cried and cried over the decision, and we finally agreed this situation is win-win. I’m involved but not to the point it will overwhelm me, he gets to ride and of course, most importantly, we are dedicating our time and resources once again to raise money for the Young Survival Coalition.
Here is what our team page says:
Welcome to Team Pink and Pearls!
We’ve made an exciting commitment to participate in the YSC Tour de Pink, a 200+ mile bike ride for breast cancer. It’s a huge challenge for all of us, but together, we know that we can do it. We each have our own reasons for joining in this effort and we are each committed to supporting Young Survival Coalition, the premier non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and education to young women affected by breast cancer. With the motto “Ride. Support. Inspire”, the YSC Tour de Pink is much more than just a ride, it’s a chance to honor survivors, raise awareness and support important programs for young women with breast cancer. We are each required to raise at least $2,500 in donations, but we plan to raise even more. Because we are working as a team, with your help, we know that we can do it. Please support us today.
Team Pink and Pearls was formed in honor of Marjorie Stromberg Miller, a three-year breast cancer survivor who rode her first Tour de Pink East Coast last year. She rode the entire 200+ miles all the way from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.! Tour de Pink 2013 was one of Marjie's greatest life changing experiences. She discovered strengths she never knew she had, made lifelong friends and become part of an organization that is changing the world.
Marjie was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2011 at the age of 26, just two months after getting engaged. Today she is healthy and strong and has made it her mission to raise awareness about breast cancer in young women, and to challenge her mind and body through publicly sharing her story and embarking on physical endeavors, such as Tour de Pink! Since her inaugural ride last year, Marjie can't picture her life without Tour de Pink and the Young Survival Coalition. That's why her husband, Sean, and her family and friends have decided to take on the Tour de Pink challenge and support young women affected by breast cancer.
This year, Marjie has decided to take the year off from riding so she can support Team Pink and Pearls throughout the entire journey, from training and fundraising to the finish line! So, in Marjie's place, her husband Sean will be leading the team from the start to the finish.
Soon after Marjie was diagnosed, she started a blog, Pink and Pearls, to document her journey of planning her wedding while dealing with breast cancer. Pink and Pearls has become an important part in Marjie's healing and recovery. Hence, the team name was born!
Please support Team Pink and Pearls to make sure no young woman faces breast cancer alone. From the bottom of our hearts, we truly thank you for your contribution. We'll see you at the finish line!
I know I don’t owe anyone an explanation, but I truly do feel bad and guilty for not riding this year. Like I said, the decision was a tough one. I know my TdP friends and my teammates will understand, that with the adoption and some other things, I don’t feel I could give it my undivided attention. And I know I have to listen to what my heart is telling me. Even if it’s not the most popular answer. And I was torn because of how important TdP is to me. And I know all of my TdP family is counting on me, and I will be there for them, just not in the same capacity as last year. At least this way it can still be a part of my life and Sean and the rest of Team Pink and Pearls can experience the amazingness that is TdP. And I’ll be cheering them on the whole way.
So I am happy to officially announce Pink and Pearls the blog has become Pink and Pearls the cycling team, and we are accepting donations! I was overwhelmed and humbled to raise more than $5,500 last year on my own; I can’t wait to see what the entire team raises!
Our seven-month preparation begins now! We have a lot of work to do but I am excited for the challenge and the adventure. September will be here before we know it! I can’t believe I am saying this, but I am so happy to say it: TOUR DE PINK 2014, HERE WE FREAKIN’ COME!
Team Pink and Pearls can be found here:
http://www.ysctourdepink.org/site/TR/TourdePink/TourdePink-EastCoast?team_id=6170&pg=team&fr_id=1400
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