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Now I get to wear sunscreen - I hope.

The weather has not been very condusive for outdoor riding. This past weekends ride was an indoor spin class at 24 Hour Fitness. If you haven't ever taken a spin class, I recommend giving it a try. It kicks your ass. The only time I have ever sweat that much was in a Bikram Yoga class where I think I walked out wetter than if I had jumped in a pool. This week's weather is much nice and will get in at least 2 outdoor rides which I am really looking forward to.

Why do I ride?

Why do I ride...because I can. Because I know what it's like to watch a loved one endure chemo. Because I have lost someone to cancer. I do this because I want to save someone else from that experience. So when people ask me why.... it's to save a life.

The day I became inspired

My sister Sarah, who inspired me to compete in this amazing adventure.

I Can't Beleive It's Been A Year

One year ago today my dad lost the long battle with lymphoma. This weekend my cycle team will ride in honor/memory of him. Below is the blurb my mom put together as an introduction for the team. Bill Crawford was a husband, dad, and grandfather. He loved his family beyond measure and that love was returned in full. He also loved his friends and made legions on his journey through life. In 1994 Bill began to feel weak and tired and found a lump in his groin. After a few tests it was confirmed that he had lymphoma. Although a die-hard Cal fan, he spent several months at Stanford Hospital where he underwent an autologous stem cell transplant and chemo treatments to battle Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Thanks to advances in research and medical treatments his life was extended almost 15 wonderful years.Those years included the weddings of his children, adventures with seven grandchildren and countless gatherings to celebrate and enjoy all of life’s great gifts with extended family and lifelong friends. He made the most of every moment.In 2002 Bill again experienced fatigue, he was weak and extremely anemic, sure signs of MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) a pre-leukemia. Bill received the occasional blood transfusion, took maintenance medications and continued living every moment, never showing any signs that cancer returned. While most patients with MDS live a few months Bill fought for another 6 years of life.On March 19, 2008 Bill passed away from complications of pneumonia. Bill was a great fan and supporter of his children’s involvement in Team in Training. They have completed Triathlons, Marathons, and Century Rides to raise money in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders. Bill’s indomitable spirit is with us in all we do, and today we honor him again.If you are looking for a way to make a difference in the life of a patient or their family as they take on the fight for their life please make a donation to LLS. I am training for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride too. Click here to:Support his cause!

Fight'n the Irish

Today was a good long ride that ended up being longer than planned. When the team coordinated todays ride to start and end in downtown Denver, no one realized that we would be impacted by the Saint Patricks Day Parade. Who knew that Denver has the 4th largest St. Paddys day parade in the country. The challenge is that we started on this side of the parade and wanted to get on to that side of the parade. "Denver's Finest did thier job and wouldn't allow us to cut through the parade route so we had to ride around the parade adding an extra 5 miles coming and going. Once we got on the correct side of the parade route, we had a great ride on a beautiful day from Downtown Denver to Downtown Golden along the Clear Clear trail. The ride was capped off with a celebration for our team hero, Leanne, a recent Lymphoma survivor. Amazing food and beer to replenish the lost carbos from todays 50 miler. I'll sleep nicely tonight.

Till next time,

Hugh

To shave or not to shave - you get to decide.

To shave or not to shave - You get to decide.
I am training to ride in a 100 mile bike ride this summer as a fundraiser for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. While I have been riding bikes since before helmets were a requirement, real "Lance Armstrong" style bike riding has never been something that I have put a lot of time and effort into. Well, this past summer I committed to my sister Sarah that I would join her in taking on this 100 mile challenge in memory of my dad who passed away this past year from Lymphoma.

Joining the cycling culture has been a real eye opener for me. Cycling is a very tribal sport; you take cues from the leaders — the pros — they all shave their legs. Shaven legs are touted as a rite of passage and is considered a performance-enhancing procedure. I may never be able to ride anywhere near as fast as the greats of cycling, but, I can always buy the same equipment and wear the same gear. However apparently I now have to shave my legs to be considered a real cyclist.

Here’s the dilemma….I don’t think I want to immerse myself that deep into this culture. That is why I am going to let you decide and vote if I should or shouldn’t shave my legs. For every donation of $50 to my fundraising effort, you will get one vote to decide the fate of my precious leg fuzz. I will tally the votes you send me through e-mail, donation comment or Facebook on March 31st and follow your guidance. Photos will be posted.

To vote/donate please visit my fundraising website http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/ambbr09/hcrawford

Now go vote to save lives!