Let the riding begin...

I want to keep track of all the miles I ride in gratitude for the generous donorations made to Huntsman Cancer Foundation in memory of my dad, Arn. B. Gatrell. I will try to keep a running log of where I rode my bike for you. I put in some early season miles to prepare, but I have plenty of miles to ride to make up for all of this inspiring generosity!

(All rides start and end at my apartment in the Avenues in downtown Salt Lake City unless otherwise noted.)

Marissa Johnstun, Matt Curtiss, Jose Javalera, Mike Davis- your donation sent me out to my favorite place to go as a kid, Lagoon (on 4/3/08). That's 40 miles to thank you all for your donations

Holli and Brian Yoho- your donation took me from my apartment to the top of Emigration canyon and back...feel the burn...that's 10 miles UPhill and 10 miles down to say thanks!!

Jan Rupp- I was inspired by your very generous donation and I rode an early season 100 mile ride on 4/12/08 all the way to the BYU campus in Provo, UT and back just for you...what was I thinking? The weather was perfect and the ride went smoothly at least. It's too bad I missed a little spot of sunscreen on my wrists. You can get quite the burn when you're outside for 6 hours straight. Thank you for motivating me!!

Janeal and Jerry Langton- so the $200 donation set me back a little bit as far as miles go...okay, a lot...but I have a very special ride set aside for you in May in Southern Utah to say a very special thanks. I'll keep you posted!

Jenny Hawke, Ramona Stirling- Jenny actually rode these miles with me, but we took a good 50-miler out to 12300 South on 900 East and tortured ourselves by climbing all the way up to Wasatch Boulevard to come home. It's always lovely to take a good long ride with friends! Thanks for your donations

Phoenix and Russell Gatrell- again, very inspired by yet another generous donation. Your $100 had me riding out to Lagoon and back...TWICE (on 4/5/08, 4/10/08). Plus I had to ride out to my Mom's by Big Cottonwood Canyon and back to make up the remainder (that's 40 + 40 + 20...THANKS!)

Venita Gatrell- this is my Mom...she's the one who will be my support crew for the big race. To thank her for my donation I rode out to her place near Big Cottonwood Canyon (~25 miles), rode to work and back plus up and down Emigration Canyon (~35 miles), rode up to Ruth's diner (~10 miles) PLUS I donate the 1 hr 40 minutes I spent on the trainer today (why does it snow in APRIL!!!) and all the dozens of hours I spent on the trainer this winter because my Mom is the best and she deserves them all! Love you mom!

Training Miles to date: 385 road miles (+ indoor trainer hours)