First of all, I've been overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. I can't believe you have all donated over $2500! Secondly, I can't believe you have motivated me to ride almost that many miles by mid-July. I appreciate all of your support! If you're waiting for a time to donate, the time is now!
Lance & Laurie Gatrell: My dad's little brother and his family were super generous, so it took me an extra long time to put in their miles. I did one of my favorite, and most beautiful, rides for them. I rode out to Draper, up and over Suncrest, up American Fork Canyon, and down the other side to Sundance. This time, instead of riding down Provo Canyon I rode back up the Alpine Loop AND back up and over Suncrest. Man, that was a lot of climbing (and 106 miles!). To continue their miles I rode up Emigration Canyon, down the back side and up to the top of Big Mountain and back (40 miles), plus I rode out to work another day (14 miles). The most trying miles took me to work, then out to Big Cottonwood Canyon and up to the Spruces campground. I met my husband, Lance, at the bottom and we drove home from there (40 miles). That's about as many hills as I can do in 200 miles. Thanks Gatrell crew!
Lisa Lindberg: Lance's aunt kindly donated on both of our webpages (Thanks!). To thank her for her donation I did a ride to work and back (14 miles), and today I rode out to my pregnant sister, Anna's house to play with her kids so she could take a little break (36 miles), which is totally perfect for Lisa because she is ALWAYS going out of her way to help others. Thanks Lisa!
Lois Paxton: I continue to be shocked by donations from people I'm not sure that I know. I'm assuming this may be one of my Dad's former patients, but I am just guessing. At any rate, I put in a good climb for her. Her donation took me to a new place I haven't ridden before. I rode to the top of Emigration Canyon, down the other side and to the top of Big Mountain. My rides usually stop there, but I went down the other side to the East Canyon Resort (unfortunately they were out of power; it would have been nice to take a pit stop!). I then climbed back up and over Big Mountain and Emigration back to home (50 miles). Thanks Lois!
Macheala Jacquez & Doug Bunting: These are both co-workers of mine and I am very grateful for their support! For Macheala I rode out to work and back and to the base of Emigration Canyon (20 miles; for a lovely "Mellow Monday" ride some friends have organized). Doug's donation took me to the top and back home (25 miles). Thanks for your support!
Kristin & Brock Bryant: Kristin is my older sister, and I was very surprised to get her donation because I realized that I forgot to send her an email (my email list was not very complete for my first emails apparently). It means a lot to me to have her support. I got up bright an early to put in her miles before work (out the door by 5:30 am!). I rode out to Big Cottonwood Canyon up to Solitude Ski Resort before I ran out of time and had to turn around. Her miles got me about to the base of the canyon (50 miles). The remaining 18 miles be going towards my aunt and uncle's donation (my LAST donation to ride for at this point...I will likely have their miles done early next week, so now is the perfect time to donate if you were waiting for the perfect moment!)
Training Miles to date: 2425
Hours in the saddle: 128
(FYI: if you're wondering why the miles don't quite add up, my husband, Lance, donated $100 and I'm saving those miles up for the actual race since he's my #1 fan.)
LOTOJA here we come! I am raising money to fight cancer in memory of my Dad. I am riding 1 mile for every dollar donated and want to keep donors up to date on where I rode my bike to thank them. You can donate at: http://www.active.com/donate/lotoja08/ELindbe76
In Memory of Arn B. Gatrell
1950-2006