Charity for Bubba

So Tom called and before I could ask how he's feeling, since he's doing Radiation followed by more Chemo, all I could hear from him was I rode here, I ran there...  He has been doing group rides, running 5k's all while doing his treatment.  Lance did it too only Tom has 40 years on top of Lance when he got Cancer, Tom is amazing.

I got an email from Tom yesterday, it would appear he has selected Livestrong to be the beneficiary of our Charity Ride.  I have called them and hope to hear from them soon.  If anyone has had any experience fundraising for them, please contact me via email at et3surge@gmail.com .

Tom followed up the email today with the following in exactly the same case:
chemo, done today.  nine down, one to go.  May eighth will be the last.  Chemo brain sent this message------------------Tom

LMAO, we had this conversation about Chemo brain, he said when we visited him that while on Chemo he has trouble remembering things etc.  But somehow, his Chemo Brain remembered it enough to mention Chemo Brain, Tom you are one hilarious guy!!

Serge

OK now that I've got some attention.  First of all, my heart and soul goes out to the runners in Boston and more importantly the spectators that took the brunt of this brutality.  Like 911, we will not forget, we will not allow this to dominate our lives and we stand behind you.

Now on to happier subjects, I have been working on the routing, loading some Google .KML files into Topofusion and wow, this will be awesome.  When I look at the overhead images of what we plan on doing it looks AWESOME!

The colors are based on Mountain Bike and Multi Use options along the route.  The route is portions of many of the trail systems that surround the Bay Area, these are EPIC trails as well as some fire roads and some connector trails to connect each system along the San Francisco Bay Ridge.  The gaps on the pictured route are the challenge for me and Robert logistically, we need to create those connections as well as consider overnights and restocking areas.

Robert is well versed in overnights bike packing as well as carrying large amounts of gear like, stoves, water purifiers, sleeping gear etc..  I have done a bit of bike packing but I'm no expert, in fact my bike bags are made by me, if I were smart I'd buy one of the cool guy bags from Revelate or Porcelain Rocket.  Our charity portion is yet to be determined but please stay engaged, any penny we get will go 100% to a great place.

Tom has undergone some recent Radiation therapy and will follow up with more Chemo.  Afterwards, as much as I'd like to see him on the trail, we will find out where he is in his treatment.  Send him some love at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bubbatommyraybryan no cost, just tell him to eat damnit!!  LOL

Alright more to come guys, oh and if you get a chance to see the Banff Film Festival, DO NOT MISS ERNEST!!!

Serge

Pancreatic Cancer and Bubba Ride 2013

Many of you are wondering what a Bubba Ride is and why I'm doing it.  I will try to explain as briefly as possible.  As Bubba said the other day "what, did you need an excuse to ride?"

In 2006 I decided to ride the Leadville Trail 100 and as a flatlander at sea level who had decided to take on this endeavor less than 12 months earlier, this was huge.  I arrived in Leadville about 10 days before the race, and I walked into what used to be the "Proving Grounds" coffee shop.  I met a group of men, all in riding gear, all well past 50 years old, all of them looked like the "Veterans" I had heard about.  One of those great guys that I will always consider mentors in the world of Ultra Endurance sports from then on out, was Tom "Bubba" Ray Bryan.

Basement full of awards and bikes

Smiley Tom!

  Tom has been one of the best guys I've met in my many visits to Leadville and I believe he has affected many of us the same way.  His humor is infectious but don't take him lightly, Tom is as hardcore as they come.  He has competed in some of the worlds toughest footraces, such as The Western States 100 several times.  He has numerous podium finishes at cycling events as well.  In a later post I will try and capture some of these achievements in detail.

In 2012, I saw a post by one of the other guys we met that day, William "Doc" Wenmark, also an extremely accomplished athlete, businessman and a mentor to many to say the least.  Doc told all of us that Tom had had a crash on his mountain bike, he thought he had hurt his ribs, but Ginger his wife insisted he go to the doctor.  Tom had no broken ribs, what he had was Stage 4 Cancer of the Pancreas and these Pancreas were pissed off, thus the pain.  Tom has since undergone Chemo, a very aggressive Chemo and due to his strong body he made it through quite well, albeit a little thin.  This resulted in a very positive but not completely clear result, prompting a current batch of Radiation therapy.

Bubba, has a new race, his race against Pancreatic Cancer.  Bubba will IN FACT beat this, I'm sure of it, he's one tough guy.  So in his honor a few of us decided to do the first and hopefully not last Bubba Ride.  Bubba Ride will hopefully be an annual event that is not a sanctioned race, hopefully can be different each year and even better if done with different people in different places each year.  

2013 the Bubba Ride will be myself, Robert Tuma and possibly a couple other riders yet to commit.  The ride will consist of a ride that inspired me a few years ago, done by Yuri Hauswald (Gu/Marin) and Austin Mcinerny (Executive Director NICA/Bay Ridge Trail Council), covered in Bike Magazine March 2011.  We will hopefully start approximately July 12-18, well that's all our vacation time will allow this year, and Robert has to make it to Leadville soon after.

What we hope to do is raise some money for Bubbas charity of choice (stay tuned), after all he'd be here with us if he wasn't at the doctors office.  I hope to see some of you supporting us, others following our progress, but most of all CHEERING Bubba on for a speedy recovery.

Stay Tuned

Sergio