Ride for the Roses in Austin

It was an action packed weekend. Mark, Debbie and Sharon first got to attend a special welcome BBQ at the Salt Lick and had a great time mingling with all of the other riders, Lance and Jake Gyllenhaal! Mark also got to attend an exclusive one on one autograph signing with Lance Armstrong. He got to spend 3 minutes with Lance and talk about his experiences, get him to sign a jersey, share his connection with Klaus Barth and have some laughs. To see the photo series from the signing, check out this link and keep clicking on the next photo. The resemblance between the two is amazing...


http://www.kreutzphotography.com/default.asp?LOC=%2FKPhoto%2FPhoto%5FViewPic%2Easp%3FDID%3D24%26FID%3D3337%26GID%3D925%26IMG%3D250%26PAGE%3D%26PWD%3D%26SRCH%3D%26TYP%3DPUB

The biking trio then got to attend a kick off dinner complete with good food and lots of inspirational stories. While they all attended the dinner, the rest of us tried to see the famous bat cloud at the bridge, but it was kind of a bust! We did get to see a sea turtle and enjoy some awsome BBQ at Stubbs.

The day of the ride was a bit rainy. A bus came to take all of the riders to Riverbend Park which was outside of Austin a ways. Since we were driving, I got directions to the park from the concierge; however, he didn't know where Riverbend Park was, so he googled it and we found it was in San Marcos (about 45 miles south of Austin). The cheering crew headed out about a half hour behind the riders, following our newly obtained directions. About an hour later of confusion and lots of gas station stops where no one knew what we were talking about, we realized that the Riverbend Park we were sent to was an RV park and NOT where the ride started!!! (have a funny photo for proof) At last we got back on track and caught up with the riders. They had shortened the ride to 70 miles, not 100, because of the rain and Mark claimed it was one of the easiest rides he's ever done. Deb and Sharon made great time too and were the 3rd and 4th females to make it over the finish line! We wrapped up the evening with a celebration party (in a big down pour) and had a great Tex Mex Dinner to wrap it all up. Big success! Thanks again to everyone who helped get Mark to Austin from your generous donations and support!!!

Mark is still doing great! He's still on monthly chemo, but all MRIs have been clean and improving!! We have our next one scheduled for 11/08/06. Still living STRONG!!