Tour de Pink 2015!

Just a quick update: Team Pink and Pearls completed Tour de Pink 2015 and raised nearly $28,000 for the Young Survival Coalition! My personal total as of today (more donations will be coming in from the fundraisers) is $6,155!!!! (More than I raised in 2013).

AND! I completed my first century (100 miles!) on day 2. I took it easy the rest of the weekend, riding only the first 20 (hilly) miles on day 1, and about 30 on day 3. Team Pink and Pearls crossed the finish line together at Rehoboth Beach, DE, early in the day this past Sunday. We were greeted by both sets of parents (Mom Ruth + Lloyd, Becky + Jeff) and little Adele, who wore a tutu and cheered and danced when we rode in!

I will update more later, as it's been a whirlwind (as usual), but I want to say I am so very grateful to have completed this ride a second time, and I am so blessed to have ridden with Team Pink and Pearls - Sean, Dan, Julie, Rob, Sarah, Maddi and Bob - you guys are all amazing and rock stars and I love you!

Tour de Pink 2015 was so rewarding in so many ways. I got to ride with so many of my friends I rode with in 2013 (Evan, Lauren, Ishiuan, Laurie, Team Why We Ride, Team I Ride 4 Her) and met SO many new friends, like the lovely ladies of Team Unicorn, Barbie, Erin, etc. We got to meet the Nickerson twins, whom I had fallen in love with via Facebook. (pics below). It was such an incredible weekend to be surrounded by so many friends and family. The YSC community is so big but so small. The inspiration, the passion, it was all there, exactly how I remember from 2013. People cheering us on, lots of hugs and kisses and crying and smiles. Lots of "you're doing great" and "keep up the good work" and lots of high-fives and "whoop whoops!" I wish I could write more, but for now I'll just post some pics. AGAIN, I AM SO GRATEFUL I COULD ACCOMPLISH THIS CHALLENGE AGAIN.

I also want to recognize one woman who rode last year but who was not with us this year. We miss you, Kara. And also all the women (Ish, Tiffany) who rode this year and are living with metastatic breast cancer. YOU are my inspiration. I ride for YOU.

I wish I could put into words what the Tour de Pink and YSC community means to me. I really wish I could. There is just such a strong love there, that forms in the very beginning, based on absolutely nothing except we're all there together. In 2013 I didn't know anyone I rode with. But within minutes those people changed my life and continue to change my life today. We became a family. Sharing baby pictures, updating each other on our lives, counting down til the next YSC summit or Tour de Pink. That love forms so quickly. There is something unspoken. It can't be explained, only felt. It's crazy to say I feel so much love and connection for so many people (200!) at the same time, in different ways, yet in all the same ways. I really wish I could put it into words what this community and organization has done for me. The men and women who ride. I wish I could. Just, for now, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For touching my life. For being in my life. For loving me, for loving Adele, for loving Team Pink and Pearls. And to Team Pink and Pearls: thank you for riding with me. That sentence has more depth than it seems. You rode with me and you rode for me. Thank you. (Finish line/beach photos by Lloyd Wolf)

Photo by Lloyd Wolf: Adele at the finish in Rehoboth Beach!

Photo by Lloyd Wolf

Adele with her grandmas!

Friday night dinner: all the survivors who received Liv/Giant bikes!

Crossing the finish line! (Does this pic look familiar to 2013? Yep, same wings and same jersey!)

I did it! Rehoboth Beach for the win!

Lauren and I, and pickles. 

Crossing the finish line with Team Pink and Pearls! That's Maddi up front in the yellow.

Lauren! This woman encouraged me to ride 90 miles in 2013 and 100 in 2015. I love you, Lauren! 

Team Pink and Pearls! From left, Rob, Sarah, Bob, Maddi, Sean, myself, Dan and Julie

Tour de Pink babies! Adele meeting Tessa and Gracie, Jamie and Kevin's gorgeous twin daughters!

FLYING! Picture by Christine Malloy's GoPro!

oh my gosh this moment --- finishing 100 miles on day 2 with Evan, who rode with me pretty much the whole day! He stopped when I wanted to stop and encouraged me to keep it up. This man is amazing. There are no words for Evan!!!!! 

Day 2, first rest stop. Showing off my Tour de Pink tattoo as I mentally prepared myself to ride a century

Final day outfit! Same wings I was given on day 3 in 2013 by Sue, who encouraged me to "fly" and I did! Also my 2013 jersey. Bringing it back, full circle. Wings in 2013 and wings in 2015 to cross the finish line. 

My ID for the weekend. I love it because it has our team name!