Lance Armstrong was right:

It's Not About The Bike.

Riding as a team captain for AARP Utah.

I just finished my fifth MS Bike Ride and the title of Lance Armstrong’s book chronicling his battle with cancer rings loud and true: It’s Not About The Bike. Spending two days on the road with 2800 other spandex clad cyclists would make you think otherwise. But what really matters isn’t whether you ride 10 miles or 100 miles. It doesn’t matter whether you ride a $5,000 carbon fiber race bike or a rented mountain bike. What counts is the dollars you bring to the party, all of which go to find a cure for MS and provide a better quality of life for those living with it.

Our small but strong Team AARP.  I'm the only one who didn't do 100 miles!

As I watched rider after rider pass by me (with my 12 mile per hour average speed), it gave me great satisfaction knowing my bib number was 106, meaning I was number 106 out of 2800 riders in amount of money raised. While it took me more than three hours to ride 40 miles, I smoked 2694 riders in dollars raised. And I had just as much fun as anyone out there. It’s such a beautiful ride. Best of all, the ride will raise over $1.5 million dollars for MS research and quality of life programs here in Utah.

Cache County fairgrounds, getting ready to head out, 6:30 a.m.

But I also rode with a measure of sadness. My neuropathy stricken daughter just had major surgery to rebuild her right foot, which collapsed due to muscle weakness. She was home, just one day out of the hospital, and every mile was filled with concern for her pain and suffering. But she would have been crushed if I hadn’t ridden. She knows how much I love to participate in the MS Ride. It’s one of the highlights of my cycling year. I’m hoping that some good Karma will find its way to her, helping her to heal and regain her mobility. Neuropathy makes healing difficult, so we need many blessings and good luck on our side.

 One big reason why I ride: for  my daughter.

I also rode with gratitude for my family and friends who supported me with their generous donations. I know there are many great causes out there, and I appreciate them for agreeing to get involved in this one. I’ve already signed up for the 2012 MS Bike Ride, to be held next June 23 and 24. If you want to find out more about this excellent event, click here to visit the MS Bike website. Then take a look through the gallery of photos on the MS Bike Facebook page, and you’ll see hundreds of smiling cyclists. Better yet, sign up and come ride with us. You’ll discover firsthand why we’re all smiling.