Update: Jeremiah Bishop has joined "The Kilmer Challenge" along with Ultra-Cyclists Wes Wilmer & Reid McClure!

Cannondale Factory Racing's Jeremiah Bishop, one of the top professional mountain bike racers in the US, has joined "The Kilmer Challenge"! Jeremiah will be travelling on the day of the challenge (November 11th), so his ride might be a short one, but he wrote "I am glad to help. Best wishes to David and his Family." 

Please consider sponsoring Jeremiah's efforts to help David Kilmer in his battle with 3 rare blood cancers here http://tinyurl.com/KilmerChallengeSponsor

Ultra-Cycling ace Wes Wilmer has also joined "The Klimer Challenge" benefiting The David Kilmer Cancer Fund. In 2006, a then 50-year-old Wes Wilmer pedaled a 333-mile route that covered the length of Virginia from south to north in 19 hours and 22 minutes. How far will Wes be able to pedal on November 11th? Please consider sponsoring Wes here http://tinyurl.com/KilmerChallengeSponsor and then stay tuned ... 

Reid McClure is another accomplished Ultra-Cyclist and he wrote that in The Kilmer Challenge "I will try to match my best 12 hour Ultra Marathon Cycling Association Race total of 231 miles achieved during Calvin's Challenge (Dayton, Ohio) back in May." Please consider sponsoring Reid here http://tinyurl.com/KilmerChallengeSponsor and root for him on the 11th!

For more information regarding The Kilmer Challenge benefiting The David Kilmer Cancer Fund, or to join the event as a Rider or Sponsor, please click here or visit the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/297184140394422

Thank You and Blessings to you from, David, Susan and Julia Kilmer.

bicycle heroes, doping and a proven remedy

Since it was revealed that cycling heroes Armstrong, Hincape, Landis, Hamilton and others all participated in elaborate doping programs (see this NY Times article for details), a lot of their fans are feeling deflated.

Recalling the heroic performances of these cycling greats had been fun, stimulating, inspiring ... but now what? What are we to feel when we look back?

Yesterday I put these questions before my therapist. Without fail, whatever the issue, he always helps me put things into perspective and feel better. Let me introduce you to him ...

His name is RUMBLEFISH

RUMBLEFISH said to me

"You can spend your time looking backward or trying to ride a bicycle backwards, but neither are easy, comfortable or natural.

I'm going to suggest to you the same remedy that my colleagues and I have been prescribing for decades ...  

Go on a bicycle ride.

Personally, I feel it's most potent to bicycle ride in the woods, but to each his own."

I thanked RUMBLEFISH and then took his advice.

I went on a lunchtime ride ... and I returned with a face-stretching ear to ear grin!

In fact, I felt so good afterward that yesterday evening I took my kids on a night ride in the woods. The kids started feeling excited as soon as I mentioned that we were going riding.

Isn't that incredible! Just *thinking* about bicycle riding can make a person feel good!

If you've read to this point you may be beginning to feel better already, so please build on that, and ... go outside and ride!

Team Roanoke Personalized Bicycle Frame Stickers - Want one?

It's pretty cool to have your name on the top tube of your bicycles. And, in addition to looking great, it personalizes your ride and adds a low level of security.

And, it can let people know where you're from, or what team you're on.

I'm interested in setting up an inexpensive way for Roanoke area cyclists to order personalized "Team Roanoke" frame stickers.

Something simple like an image of the Roanoke Star followed by the persons name (or whatever 

text print they'd like).

Below are some super rough conceptual drafts. If I can get these, or something similar, made up relatively inexpensively - would you want one?