Canadian Charity

Quick shout out to my Canadian coworkers and vendor/partners.  I made a last minute request for donations to this weekend's event in Calgary and have already raised $3,300.  Great job Calgarians!

Brief History of My Events

2012:  Calgary, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2011:  Calgary, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2010:  Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2009:  Denver, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2008:  San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2007:  Cleveland, Dallas/Ft Worth, Phoenix, San Diego

2006:  Chicago (Volunteer), Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego

2005:  Boston (Walker), Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego

2004:  San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix

2003:  San Diego

Breast Cancer, eh?

OK, so once again I have been, shall we say, lax in my updating of my blog.  Primarily, this is because Facebook has become my "update from the field" communication of choice.  If you want to stay connected with images and status updates from the seven, yes 7, cancer events I am doing this year, please friend me on Facebook (just click this link).  Yes, there is other junk there but, hey, it is who I am.


So, the title, "Breast Cancer, eh?"  Yes, I am now in Canada.  I moved to Calgary last year and did my first Cancer event with the Boobs on Bikes here in Calgary in July 2011.  In 2012, I am supporting three events here and four back in the US.  In Calgary, we have the Underwear Affair for cancers below the waist, the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 200km bicycle ride for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the big one, the Weekend to End Women's Cancers which is a 60km, 2 day "stroll" through Calgary.


The ACF has announced that this may be the last year of the Weekend to End due to declining turn out and the reduced fundraising from the community.  We are doing our best not to lose this vital stream of communication for Calgarians and the valuable money raised for research and treatment.  So far, my loyal family, friends and coworkers have helped me raise nearly $1,500 for this year's Weekend which I hope will convince the organizers to leave the event in Calgary for future years.

2011 Breast Cancer 3-Day Season

I seem to be really good at posting when I start a season, then sort of fall off the pace.

The 2010 was a spectacularly wet season for my events.  Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego were the wettest 3-Day's I've ever done on Route Safety (my walk in Boston was wetter still, but walking in it was easier for me than riding and crewing).  The one thing I learned from my beautiful walkers in 2010 is that there spirit cannot be washed away.  No matter how wet we got, the smiles, singing and cheering continued.  We had a blast in every city.

Now I am building my donation pages for 2011.  So far, I have confirmed San Francisco, Phoenix and San Diego.  I will select a fourth city but I don't want to decide which one just yet.

As always, I greatly appreciate all donations made to this quality organization fighting this horrific disease.  This year will mark the 10 year anniversary of Sally's passing.  That is hard for me to believe.  She lived almost 40 years and has already been gone 10 years.  That is just wrong.  Perhaps this year will be the medical breakthrough year.  Perhaps this year we fund the right projects at the right times to find the silver bullet.  Fingers crossed.

And so it begins...

The bike is packed and I am getting into my rain gear.  It is wet in Seattle.  I mean REALLY wet.  Wettest September they have had in a long time.  We are hoping for a good Friday and maybe, just maybe Saturday.  Wish all of the walkers luck in this event -- I think they may need it.

Welcome to 2010!

Happy new year everyone!  Towards the end of the 2009 3-Day season (cool that we have our own season, isn't it) I made my selections for 2010.  As of now, I am registered for and intend to MotoCrew (Route Safety) in Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix and San Diego.

I say "as of now" because if I don't find work pretty soon, that may change.  You got it, MORE events, not less.  If I am not working, why not ride around and crew more cities?  Perhaps back to Denver, Dallas, Cleveland, Chicago or even further east and north.  Who knows.  My cross-country trip in 2009 made me want for more riding time.
 

So, here is my history and 2010 plan:

2010:   Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2009: Denver, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2008:   San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego

2007:   Cleveland, Dallas/Ft Worth, Phoenix, San Diego

2006:   Chicago (Volunteer), Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego

2005:   Boston (Walker), Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego

2004:   San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix

2003:   San Diego

Each year I pick one event for which I fund-raise.  The rest I self-fund to augment the random friend who donates.  As with last year, my donation link on this blog and in my emails will point to the Arizona walk where I support Team THRIVR, Greg and Jen Hoffmann's team.  Read back through this blog and you will find out all about the Hoffmann's and Team THRIVR.

So, if you have some spare change and need a safe place to invest it, please click on my link above!  Thank you and see you on the route!

San Diego 2009

As usual, the San Diego event was amazing, awesome, huge and successful. The group raised over $9,000,000 for breast cancer research in a time when the economy was down, travel was challenging and our healthcare system is revising rules that many of us feel are dangerous and backwards thinking. The walkers, crew and community came out to show support and create a truly wonderful weekend.

I have many great memories of this event, not the least of which is the celebration of my birthday on Sunday -- by 4,000+ close friends! Who could ask for a better birthday party?

I saw friends that I have known for many years and from many cities around our country. I met new friends who promise to be be back next year and become old friends. I returned to a Route Safety Crew who has been together for many, many years.

I look forward to seeing you all again in 2010. I have registered for Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix and San Diego. Who knows, if I am not working, maybe I will registerer for more.

Arizona 3-Day, Best Weekend EVER

What an awesome experience. While I have done many of these 3-Day events, I have never been on a team before and never been a part of something as special as Team THRIVR. In memory of team founder Jen Hoffmann, we laughed, hugged, cried, hugged, talked, hugged and danced. Then we hugged some more. Thank you Greg Hoffmann and all of the THRIVRs out there.

As always the crew in Phoenix was fantastic. Chuck and Steve kept everyone on task and the crew worked like a well oiled machine.

Ebony & Ivory performed as usual and everyone did their thing to cheer on and protect the walkers.

The walkers in Phoenix are amazing. Cold, hot, rain, shine, they just keep on smiling and dancing. No one (and I mean NO ONE) complained at all. Personally, the route does little for me, but the people here make it all worthwhile.

And sometimes one shirt really says it all.

The Arizona 3-Day is upon us

I am in Phoenix and the bike is ready. Today is crew day, my 23rd time to learn why we are here and how to use a Nextel radio. Seriously guys, I think I get it by now. Oh well, it is a chance to see all my 3-Day friends in Phoenix again.

I had a great dinner with Greg Hoffmann and some of Team THRIVR, my official team in AZ. I have never really been part of a team before, but in honor of our dearly missed Jen, it seemed appropriate. I am honored to wear my Team THRIVR shirt to the crew meeting today. Tonight I will hook back up with some of the team members for another memorable dinner at Nello's before heading to the hotel for a few hours of sleep. Friday mornings come early on the event as we arrive around 4am to help traffic control for the walker drop offs. If you are walking tomorrow, wave as you go by me. I shant be hard to find in my flashing, pink bunny ears.

San Francisco 2009

The long road trip is (nearly) over as is the 3-Day in San Francisco. The event was, in a word, awesome!

While the starting, camp and ending sites were the same this year, some of the route changed for the better.

As always, starting at The Cow Palace means the first few miles are less than spectacular. But, once we leave South City the walk includes gorgeous beaches, cliffs, park trails and forrest settings. Yes, there are hills; it is, after all, San Francisco. But the beauty of the area is well, well worth it.

We camp in Crissy Field which is at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge on the San Francisco side.

Day 2 is equally amazing as we leave Crissy Field and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, down the paths and through Saulsalito. Again,

views of the islands, the bridge and the harbors are amazing. We walk through Mill Valley and then loop back over the Bridge and return to camp. Another beautiful day seeing the best of the Bay Area.

Day 3 completes our tour of the west Bay by showing us much of the city itself. We take the walkers through residential neighborhoods, through Golden Gate Park, past the Japanese Tea Garden, down the Haight district (including my post of guarding the Haight/Ashbury intersection), through the government center and down into Little Italy, finally ending at the marina.

This year's walk was down in headcount from last year as many have been. We hope to see a return to the strong numbers we have seen in the past. Even with our smaller numbers and tough economic conditions, this fabulous group of walkers and crew raised nearly $4 million for breast cancer research and treatment!

It is time for the San Francisco teams to celebrate -- which some started a little before completing the walk.

End of the world as I know it

Today I reached the end of the road as they say. My ride to Denver started in San Diego on Aug 11. I had a great ride there (see below) and an awesome event in Denver.

I left Denver a few days after the 3-Day closed and headed east. I've visited friends and family in Denver, Chicago, Ann Arbor and Boston. I then traveled North East to Bar Harbor, ME where my bike and I rode the high speed ferry 150 miles to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. I've been in NS ever since riding around the island and onto Cape Breton for the Cabot Trail.

Tomorrow signifies the start of my ride home as I round the point of Cape Breton heading for Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Thunder Bay and many other places too cold to be riding right now. On or before Oct 1 I will arrive in San Francisco for the 3-Day event there before finally heading home.

Thank you 3-Day walks for allowing me to do the ride I have always wanted to do -- one corner of North America to the Other!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Great company, awesome donation

Most followers know that I ALWAYS have a pink pig on the back of my bike for the 3-Day events. Pink for breast cancer, pig to represent my Harley "hog". You also know I give the pig up for adoption by a walker. I give the pig to a walker who touches me and helps me remember each event uniquely.

A few years ago I bought several as I have troubles finding a pig I like to have as my passenger. I have been using a pig called "Snout" from Aurora Plush Toys (Aurora World) but that little guy is discontinued. While at the event in Denver I contacted Aurora asking where I might find more.

To keep this short, they had no more Snout but had run a promo for an almost identical pig called Pookie. Alas they said they were out of THAT pig too but would check the warehouse. During that time, Mala at Aurora read this BLOG and contacted me immediately. They had found 32 Pookies in the back and wanted to DONATE them to me for these events. Awesome! The pigs were never expensive but combined with the Harley clothes I use to dress them, it put a small dent in what I had available to donate to walkers. Now I have enough little partners for 8 years of events at my current rate. Of course, that could change. :-)

Thank you Mala and Aurora for your very generous donation to Komen for the Cure!

Aurora Plush Toys

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

In the wind

I am, as we say, in the wind. A general destination ahead and lots of time to get there makes for some very relaxing riding. With my next event in San Francisco nearly a month away, I am heading out on an adventure. There will be very few BLOG updates during this ride but my Facebook feed will get daily updates and pictures. If you wish to follow me there, please send a friend request to me -- michael@landesman.com

The end of DEN

The rebirth of the Denver 3-Day is done. The event was not without challenges but we made it through with good weather and happy walkers.

The route was gorgeous with mountain, lake, and river vistas and neighborhoods of spectacular mansions full of beautiful people. Excellent law enforcement support from Cherry Hills PD and others enhanced the whole experience.

It was great to see so many friends from the AZ walks. I'm sorry we lost Craig this year as he would have been a welcome addition to our team. He will be missed in AZ as well.

To Jim, my favorite power walker from OR, I'm sorry your couldn't finish but I'm glad your OK and I look forward to seeing you on a route sometime, somewhere.

And to Mr. and Mrs. August, you guys are amazing. I've never seen anyone fight or come back from red tagging so aggressively. You finished and that is a testament to your dedication.

Dan, it is always great to see a Motocrew member in sneakers and a coconut bra on the route. Congrats on finishing your first event from the other viewpoint. Nicely done.

That wraps up my Denver event. A few days hanging out in Colorado then on to the next leg of my great adventure. If the weather and lack of a job holds, I should be in Halifax, Nova Scotia in a few weeks then heading back west to attend the San Francisco 3-Day in October.

Day 2 is here

What, I hear you say, happened to Day 1? Well, we got busy. It is a small event with only 650 +/- walkers which is understandable given that this is the first year returning to Denver and a tough economy. Certainly hoping for a stronger showing in 2010.

BTW, who knew it got so damn cold in Denver? :-). Hot day yesterday on the route with beautiful skies. Very warm last night night when I climbed into the tent but 2:10am, not so much. OK, add some long underwear. 3:30am. Damn. Add more clothes. 4:00am. Shit. Nothing left to put on. 4:15am. Just give up and get up.

OK, I am passed that now. Great breaksfast, good people, happy walkers.

OK, Let's Go!

And away we go...

The bags are repacked and I am heading to bed. Up at 3am, heading for Opening Ceremonies at 3:30, first cars dropping off walkers at 4, Opening speeches at 6:30 and the walk is underway by 6:45am. Wish the walkers well and come out and cheer if you are in Denver!

Denver Crew Day 2009

I got tired of the "Tough Guys Wear Pink" shirt that has lasted me for 6 years and 20 events.

And so it begins...

The crew arrives in dribs and drabs, the hotel staff still seem confused and the walkers are already smiling and thanking the crew. It is 3-Day season for me. This is what it is all about.

The bike has the appropriate accoutrements, my boob helmet is at the ready and my pink shirts are hanging in the closet. Tomorrow morning we will meet for our training, my 21st such session, and get a chance to meet our route safety team. Some of the coolest guys from the AZ 3-Day are here in Denver but we are missing a few others. Chuck, get well, we need you to lead us in AZ in November.

Park and Fly

The bike is safely parked at the Harley dealer in Denver and they are actively siphoning my savings as they perform maintenance and add one helluva loud airhorn. ;-)

In a few hours I fly back to California to meet up with my family for the annual beach vacation which is, conveniently, 2 miles from my house. Then, the final meeting with my client on Tuesday and a short Southwest flight back to Denver. 3-Day season, here I come!

I am so looking forward to this event in Denver. We should have somewhere near 1,000 walkers and a full-sized Route Safety team which means I can hug the walkers 5.5x more frequently than I can in San Diego! How cool is that?

Wowowee

Today was a Wow day. Starting from Ely, NV I continued on The Loneliest Road in America, Hwy 50 to Utah.

Once I hit Utah, however the scenery changed significantly. This is the Wow part since my route took me through Red Canyon, skirting Bryce and other lovely areas. I made a big horseshoe around the canyons and actually said Wow out loud a few times. I don't think anyone heard me over the XM Stereo and my pipes. No worries, I know I said it.

Tomorrow I continue East but I am ahead of schedule, so I will start looking for alternate routes. Just to kill time, you understand. I don't want to, I have to.