Posts Tagged ‘Palmetto Peloton Project’

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Bye, bye, $5000

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

I try to live a balanced life.  As a Christian I also try to follow the Biblical command to “be anxious for nothing… let your requests be made known to God.”  However, Christians aren’t perfect… I’m certainly not!  So I have to admit I was starting to get pretty anxious the last couple of days.  Once again though, God showed He is perfect in my weakness.

Fund raising is not my strength!  I’m one of those people who would much rather work to earn the money than to ask other people for it.  You might think that is admirable, but I think it is a weakness.  My pride that made me uncomfortable asking people to give to my Ride For Mike, robbed people of the opportunity to participate.

I’m thankful to announce that the goal of $5000 has been reached — and surpassed.  The amount we have been able to give to the Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride has reached $6430!  Much of that was through one gift that came in yesterday, but once that one came in several others followed.

Yes, I was anxious Wednesday morning.  Like most everyone else, things are tight for the Pait household now days.  I was committed to making sure that the $5000 goal would be reached, but I honestly wasn’t sure where in my wallet it was going to come from.

I finally gave in.  I told God that He was in control of this and if it was going to cost me then it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.  If He was not going to choose to supply on the front end, then I would trust Him to take care of me going forward.  I guess you could say I was resigned without much faith!

“Oh, me of little faith.”  God took my weak, mustard seed sized faith and once again reminded me of who He is.  I’m sure my agnostic and atheist friends will say it is just coincidence.  That is fine.  However, I don’t believe things just happen.  I also believe in a personal, great, and good God.  It just so happens that so often He uses people to do His work — He gives them an opportunity to participate in and enjoy His acts of mercy and grace.

I’m not apologizing for the sermon on a cycling site. :-)   I would be wrong not to express my thanks to God and to those who He moved to take part in this project.  Thank you to all of you.

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Momentum

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

As the days pass and the Palmetto Peloton Project’s Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride gets closer, I can feel the momentum building within the team – and within me.  I can tell that the ride is starting to have the correct effect on me because of my maturing view of the ride.  This year’s event will be more meaningful than ever.

Last year I did have a desire to remember my friend Mike.  It was the first thing that moved me to attempt the ride.  However, another driving factor was simply the epic nature of the ride.  It was another one of those things that I could do to push myself on the bicycle.  It was another “notch in my belt”, so to speak.

This year as I draw near to the event, my mind spends much less time thinking about the actual riding and more than on the people for whom we are doing it.  This has been even more gripping in that we have lost two of our warriors within recent days.  It makes the ride seem so much more urgent.

The funny thing is that I almost feel as though somehow reaching Austin will bring an end to cancer.  It is as though we need to get on the road and make it to the finish line before someone else has to face the pain.  Of course, that isn’t how it works.  Yet, that is the spirit with which I find myself approaching these long hours in the saddle.

The desire to ride is driven by the hope that the money raised will be one of many drops in a bucket that will overflow and see a quenching of the fire – or at least a portion of the fire called cancer.  The more I think of that possibility, the more excited I become about the ride.  The more plans I finalize, the more I recall the awesome experience of lining up for the LiveSTRONG Challenge ride with so many survivors and warriors surrounding us.

I will remember those warriors we hoped would be with us and those who will.  One of those who will not be there was featured in a recent article in the Anderson Independent Mail.  I believe the article captured the spirit of our ride well.

ANDERSON — Cyclists participating in the Challenge to Conquer Cancer relay will honor a late Anderson man by taking his bike along with them on a trip to raise money for cancer research.

Scott Shuey, who died of lymphoma on Oct. 5, was a physical therapist for Shuey Physical Therapy in Anderson. His wife, Kim, said he had been looking forward to participating in the second annual relay, which begins on Oct. 18 and is sponsored by the Palmetto Peloton Project in Greenville.

Kim Shuey said her husband’s lymphoma was diagnosed on Sept. 11, 2008. She said that thinking about the gesture to take his bike along brings her to tears.  Read More…

Here is the update on my fundraising.  I am now up to $2100!  I am so appreciative of those who have given — especially Lora McCaskill, the wife and best friend of my buddy Mike.  I’m not only riding for him.  I’m riding for her and little Grace.

Here’s hoping this ride as it begins and finishes will be part of the momentum to a new phase of success in fighting this disease.

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Getting ready for the big one

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

It hit me this morning as I was getting ready for the day that this time next week, I will be somewhere on the road between here and Austin, Texas.  I’ll be honest, my mind is aware of it, but it has not yet become a reality.  It seems that the hardest thing about this trip is getting ready for it!

A trip like this takes a lot.  There is the money, of course.  There is a lot more involved as well.  Consider that the people taking this trip are all having to take time off from their normal activities to participate.  For those employeed by someone else it means they will be giving up vacation time.  For the self-employed, it means they will give up opportunities.

That is where my mind is right now.  I’ve got so much to get done before I can leave with a good conscience.  I’m trying to squeeze in meetings in every nook and cranny.  On top of that I’ve got some projects I’ve got to get to certain benchmarks before I can hop on my bike.  It’s leading to some late nights and NO riding.

If I can tie up these loose ends and have my email box somewhat under control before I leave, it is going to be a great week!  That is my goal, to throw my leg over that bike and roll out having left things in good shape for my family and those depending on me.  The worse thing would be to have something hanging over my head for me to mull on during the long hours on the bike.  I’d rather be thinking ahead and planning for the future.

What does it take logistically for someone to make a trip like this?  Well, I’ve earmarked Saturday as my day to pull all of that together.  However, over the next couple of days I’ll list out some of the things that we are doing to make sure the trip goes smoothly.  You never know, you might need to know this stuff because you may join the Palmetto Peloton Project’s Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride in 2010.

By the way, I’ve now crossed the $2000 mark.  I had hoped to raise more than this from outside sources, but I am thankful to those who have given to my RideForMike.com and especially to the Wall of Love.  Friday I’ll make up the difference on any that is left.  Thank you for joining with me.

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Next stop… the Land of Lance

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

It is October 1st.  That means only 17 days remain before I leave on the Palmetto Peloton Project’s Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride from Greenville, South Carolina – “The Hills of Hincapie” – to Austin, Texas – “The Land of Lance.”  Honestly, I haven’t been that excited about it… until now.

I’m putting the fund raising portion behind me.  I certainly welcome any gifts people wish to give (donate here signifying “Jonathan Pait” as your designated rider), but I set this day as my deadline.  I won’t be bugging you about it anymore.  However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be hearing about the ride!

The attention of this blog will start turning toward this epic ride.  I’m sure it will be the focus of this entire month.  Over the next few weeks, I will be recalling some of the experiences of last year’s ride and talking about my plans and hopes for the 2009 event.

This year we have five teams.  I’m on the Green Team.  It includes Jerry Page, Bo Zimmerman, Megan Snyder, and myself.  We’re going to have a fun time, but I sure will miss Team One from last year.  Joey Sullivan and I are the only returning members of that cast.  Joey will be joining the Yellow Team this time around.

This year my main hopes are for safety and that our team will get along well together – both as individuals and riders.  After that, I’m aiming to enjoy the time in Austin as the Beautiful Redhead will be joining me there this year.  Finally, I hope I’ll once again get to ride with Lance like I was able to do during last year’s LiveSTRONG Challenge 90 mile ride.

This is the last day I’ll ask you
to help me raise $5000.
$1355 raised so far to fight cancer.
Give to the fight today!

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Riding for Mike and more

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Cancer wasn’t something that touched my life very specifically growing up.  For the most part, my extended family was free of the disease.  None of my immediate family members had to face it.  It was something that happened to people farther outside my sphere of relationships.

Then, in 2006 that changed.  My friend, Mike McCaskill – who was a decade younger than I, was diagnosed with a brain cancer.  My bubble of immunity was shattered.

Mike’s friends joined in the battle with him.  My part was to determine to engage in a charity ride in his honor.  My plan was to raise money for the fight and then present him with a special jersey I had made.  It was my hope to be an encouragement and do something substantive at the same time.

I never had a chance to present the jersey.  Mike died before I participated in the 2007 ride.  My participation in that Palmetto Peloton Project ride was in Mike’s memory – not to honor his continuing fight.

It was at that time I determined to attempt a significant charity ride in memory of Mike each year.  That led me to participate in the first ever Palmetto Peloton Project Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride in 2008.  It was my way to keep Mike’s memory alive and keep me motivated to be aware of others who are fighting against this killer called cancer.

Since that time, I have come upon many other friends – and now extended family members – who have been pulled into this fight they did not choose.  My fund raising alone  probably has done very little to help them.  However, participating in the Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride has changed forever the way I see cancer and those fighting it.

My short ride across the country is an insufficient way to show my love and concern for those friends and family members facing these battles – or living each day supporting a warrior or missing a loved one whose battle has ended.  I ride for Mike… and so much more.  www.rideformike.com

3 days left to help me raise $5000.
$1185 raised so far to fight cancer.
Give to my fight today!

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Hey, Mr. Spandex Man!

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Last night I met for our last formal meeting before the Palmetto Peloton Project’s Challenge to Conquer Cancer teams head out on October 18 to ride from Greenville, South Carolina to Austin, Texas where we will participate in the LiveSTRONG Challenge there.  It was a good meeting and I’m starting to feel a bit more excitement about the trip.  It brought back some good memories of last year… I’m ready to make some more.

Ron (our fearless organizer) handed me my jerseys that I will be wearing during the ride.  A couple of t-shirts were included along with some arm warmers and a windbreaker vest.  Laying it all out on my bed brought a radio show I heard recently to my mind.

It was a conversation between some morning show guys about cyclists.  They were mentioning the normal complaints about cyclists.  Then they started going off on cyclists about what we wear.

Their impression is that we wear our spandex outfits because we want people to see how “fit” we are.  In their words, “Okay, I get it.  You’re more in shape than I am.  But why do you have to wear all that spandex? Why can’t you just wear regular clothes?  You don’t have to look like a racer.”

5 days left to help me raise $5000.
$1135 raised so far to fight cancer.
Give to my fight today!

Well, for those of you who do not ride – or only ride on your cruiser, etc., let me explain to you why we wear what we wear.  We’ll start with the shorts.  We don’t wear them to show off our legs.  At least I don’t!  Here are some of the main purposes behind them.

1) The most important part of the shorts is the chammie.  This is a pad made into the shorts that protects your more sensitive areas.  Unlike your typical shorts, there are no seams in that area.  Riding in typical shorts would be extremely uncomfortable on a road bike!  Chaffing, loss of circulation, and blisters would be the result of “wearing regular clothes.”

2) I mentioned there are no seams on the shorts.  Actually, there are, but they are strategically placed so as not to cut into your skin or rub in areas that have lots of movement.  The compression aspect of the spandex also helps with circulation.

3) We don’t like to think of crashing, but it does happen.  It is more likely to happen with racers, but recreational cyclists are not immune to a fall here or there.  Cycling gear helps protect the skin by serving as a second skin as you are sliding across the pavement.  Regular shorts would just slide up exposing more raw flesh for destruction!

What about those jerseys?  Well, for a recreational cyclist it is true a cycling jersey would not be as needful as the shorts, but there are a couple good reasons for them that I would like to mention.  Also, many times they have another sentimental purpose as well.

1) Most cycling jerseys are cut specifically for the positions you hold while riding a road bike.  They are also form fitting.  Go 20 mph down a road with a loose t-shirt on and you will find that doing so for any amount of time will start to beat you up.  The flapping can become quite uncomfortable.  Not to mention the chaffing in some sensitive chest areas!

2) One of the main reasons I use a cycling jersey is for the pockets.  One of the down sides to the shorts is they don’t have pockets — not that you would want something heavy knocking around on your legs while you ride!  A good cycling jersey will have three expandable pockets on the back lower portion.  It is amazing how much you can stuff in there!

3) Many times cycling jerseys represent something important to the rider.  Take my P3C3 jersey that I received last night.  It represents something important to me.  I also treasure my Assault on Mount Mitchell jersey and some of the charity ride jerseys I have.  You probably have that favorite t-shirt.  Well, cyclist often have that jersey.

It is true that some of us ride around in true racing kits.  These are normally outfits where the shorts and jerseys match with logos of sponsors all over them.  I wear my POA Cycling Team kit – or uniform – every time I am on the bike.  It isn’t because I am trying to show off that I am a big time racer either.

Most teams have rules that you are supposed to wear the kit while on the bike.  This is for the purpose of honoring the arrangement with the sponsors who help us enjoy our habit.  Sure, we’re rolling billboards, but it is worth it as a way to show thanks to those supporting us — especially when our kits are as cool as the POA Cycling Team ones!

What can get kind of messy is when you have two competing purposes.  Until the final race of the year, I’m wearing the POA kit… even when doing P3C3 events.  Then when I’m done, I’ll shift over to the P3C3 jersey.  Once I’m back from Austin… I don’t know… maybe I’ll get one of those black and yellow LiveSTRONG kits.

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6 more days to reach our goal

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

No article for today. Just another request asking for your help as I seek to raise $5000 for the Palmetto Peloton Project’s Cancer to Conquer Cancer ride from Greenville, South Carolina to Austin, Texas. It is all a part of the LiveSTRONG Challenge. Thank you to Michael Reem who gave to the project just yesterday.

I only have six more days before my October 1st deadline.  Got a good amount yet to go!  Your help would be greatly appreciated.  It is very easy.  Just go to the donation page and choose “Jonathan Pait” from the rider list.

6 days left to help me raise $5000.
$1135 raised so far to fight cancer.
Give to my fight today!

I’m not sure if I can adequately express how much I would appreciate your support. Of course, I’m committed to meeting the goal regardless. The ride will go on.

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If you enjoy LowCadence.com, join my fight

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

NOTE: This is an archived article from September, 2009. I appreciate all that gave to this endeavor, but realize that the links, etc. are out of date.

There are less than thirty days before the Palmetto Peloton Project Challenge to Conquer Cancer ride leaves from Greenvile, SC to Austin, TX.  I agreed to go on the ride soon after finishing last year’s first ever attempt for the project.  It was a wonderful experience, but I have to admit that my focus has been on other things.

Well, I’m having to do some thinking about it now!  Last year I was pretty nervous about participating because I didn’t know what to expect.  Most likely, I was over prepared.

This year, I know what to expect, and I’m starting to get nervous again!  I don’t believe I have prepared nearly enough.  Now, that doesn’t mean I think I can’t make it.  What it does mean is that I realize that it could be pretty painful.

Check out the website for my ride – RideForMike.com.  You can also learn more about the P3C3 organized ride at P3Ride.org.  The Palmetto Peloton Project has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight cancer.  I’m glad to be a part of it.

I do need your help.  I have set October 1st as the deadline for raising the funds necessary to meet the required fund raising goal.  Please, consider giving to this worthy project.

Join the Fight!

Join the Fight!

You can also give directly through the P3C3 donation page.  Any other means of donation would also be appreciated.  Just contact me at jonathan@pait.org.

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Join me at the Wall of Love

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

With the Assault on Mount Mitchell over, I can turn my attention to my next big endurance challenge.  Only this time the challenge tests more than just my physical endurance.  It will also test my faith in seeing something monumental accomplished.

If you are a regular reader of LowCadence.com, I ask you to please take a moment and consider this post.  What I am going to ask of you is a tangible way to give me some encouragement while at the same time accomplishing two other more important things – 1) show your respect for a friend or relative fighting cancer, and 2) join their fight by donating toward causes that seek a cure and offer support.

Once again I will be taking part in the Challenge to Conquer Cancer Ride in memory of my friend Michael McCaskill who passed away in 2007.  The headquarters for my participation in the ride is the site RideForMike.com.  My hope is that 500 other people will join me in adding names to the Wall of Love.

I am asking you to join me be giving at least $10 to the cause.  For each $10 you give, you can place the name of an individual you wish to honor or memorialize on the wall.  Every name that appears on the Wall of Love will also go with us on our 1400 mile trip from Greenville, SC to Austin, TX.  Each image you see on this digital wall represents a car magnet that will be placed on our support vehicles.

Join the Fight!

Join the Fight!

500 of those will turn a minivan yellow!  Just click on the image above or go to RideForMike.com.  You can also follow the instructions below.

  1. Go to the P3Ride.org donation page and designate your support to rider Jonathan Pait
  2. Contact me at jpait@me.com with the amount you designated and the name(s) you wish to appear on the wall
  3. Check back to the Wall of Love after 24 hours and see your names listed

Right now we are at $250.  Only $4750 to go!  I’ll need your help to make it happen.  Join me at the Wall of Love today.

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My Ride for Mike – the 2007 P3 ride

Sunday, September 2nd, 2007

The bed felt great last night, but the sleep was fitful. Laying there the stiffness in my shoulders and back were noticeable. Finally the ibuprofen kicked in and sleep came. 5:15 came all the earlier.

Happily, I woke up with less stiffness. A quick shower and I was off to McDonald’s to get my favorite morning pre-ride meal: a steak, egg and cheese bagel along with some black coffee. After getting back home and putting my stuff together, I was out the door to make it do the starting line for the Palmetto Peloton Project by 6:30.

The sky was overcast and the air was cool. If it didn’t rain, this was going to be a perfect day! You might think you want sunshine, but I’ll take a cool overcast day.

After some announcements, we rode off in the brightening morning shortly after 7:00. I started off near the front – maybe 30 or so riders ahead. We were going at what I figured was a good pace, but I wasn’t sure. I had forgotten my computer! I would be riding this one blind.

By the time I reached the overpass of Poinsett Highway, I was sitting in third. I eased off though as we neared the base of Paris Mountain. I said to myself, “Ride you own ride, don’t get caught up with the pace of those around you.” So, I put it in the granny gear and just took my time on the climb. Yep, I got passed several times, but I kept my cadence. I didn’t have my computer, but I had done this enough to know how my pace feels.

I passed a couple of the people back before reaching the KOM. Then we head down the other side. I connected with a guy in a Clemson kit and I came off of Paris with what I figured to be 10 or so riders in front of me. At that point I connected with two other riders and we stayed together back to the start-finish line.

As we passed beneath the sign, I asked the guy beside me, “What was our time?” He replied, “1:09.” My plan was working! Now, if I could just do that again, I’d be in business. It seemed possible because we had a group of about five riders and if we formed a pace line, maybe we could make it easy on all of us.

About that time, the rider who had given me the time had a flat. His friend eased off and we were down to three. Then by the time we reached Pete Hollis, the other two riders dropped back. Now it was just me. Of course, going alone on this route was nothing new for me. So, I just dug in and went on alone.

Turning off of Pete Hollis onto Old Buncombe, I could see the other five riders up ahead. I tried to take my time to bridge the gap, but I did want to catch them. Two lights later I caught them and something about me catching them made them decide to turn up the wick. I felt like saying, “Hey, I just worked to catch you guys! Give me a chance to catch my breath!”

We continued our pace line over Poinsett. It was fun. However, I started figuring my place in the group and realized that I was getting set up to pull the group up that last part of Buncombe before Paris! I tried not to think they were doing it on purpose :-)

I did as much as I could, but just about at that point my body started tiring. Just past Choice Hills Baptist Church I pulled over and said, “Sorry guys, that’s it for me.” Off they went leaving me in the dust. I arrived at the base of Paris for my second climb alone.

Oh boy, I had set in my mind to try three laps. The way I was feeling at this point, I was thinking I would be glad to just get two! The ride was uneventful, though I ended up getting passed by I think three people before the KOM. Once we got there, I noticed they had stopped by the side of the road and I just kept going.

At the Big Lots parking lot I stopped to get some fluids. They were very kind, but I could tell they were wondering why I was in such a hurry. “I’m trying to make it by 9:30. What time is it?” “It’s 9:13,” came the reply. Ooooo, that was going to be tough. Still, the banana and Powerade gave me a kick and I felt pretty good.

The hills on Main gave me a test and I figured at that point I wasn’t going to make it. Still, I kept at it all alone. As I came into Cleveland Park I was overtaken by a rider I remembered from earlier in the ride. I hung with him for a bit, he left me, and then I caught up with him just as we crossed the finish line.

I had no idea what the time was, but as we rode by ride coordinator he said to us, “If you’re going to go for three – now is the time to go.” I actually thought about it. By the time I neared the traffic light I decided against it. It was enough for me to know that I had given enough in those first two laps to make the third possible. Once I stopped, I figured I had come in at around 9:34.

44 miles in just around two hours and thirty minutes. I have to be pretty happy about it.
I can remember several times when the going got rough thinking, “Mike didn’t quit.” I kept thinking of him and pushing on. Thanks to all of you who donated to my Ride For Mike. I’ll be doing another ride in his memory next year – but I’m not sure it will be the Palmetto Peloton Project.

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