TNT Upstate NY/VT Cycling Team: Kickin' Cancer's Ass All Over The Place!

13 Herdies Ready to Kick Cancer's Ass!

Well, this ride will surely go down in the TNT record books! Even with five flat tires (a record in itself) which made the scheduled 48 mile ride a lot longer than anyone would have expected, everyone still finished with smiles on their faces. I saw great teamwork out there throughout the day, which made me very proud to be a part of such a wonderful group.

The SAG WAG got utilized to its fullest potential this week, clocking in with 75 miles by the end of the ride. I'm sure glad I filled up before I came!

For those of you who weren't there, Cycling Mentor Aaron, and Coach Mel revealed a secret project we had been working on...a logo for The Herd. The logo will be included on the Tahoe TNT team jersey's this year along with a few other surprises, which is a first for us, and very exciting!

Coach Mel with Cycling Team Mascot Licky presenting the new TNT Cycling Team Logo.

Virginia gets the gold star for the day, helping both Donna and Len out with their flat tires on three separate occasions. It was too bad Aaron wasn't around to see her in action...I think she might just be another McGyver in the making! Thanks Virginia for being so helpful out there this weekend.

So, in case you were wondering, the five flats go tooooooooo..........
Judy, Donna, Len, Brian, and Len once again. I hope those are all out of our system and it's only smooth sailing from here on out.

Len with flat tire #1

This weekend cycling teammate Cailie presented us the Mission Moment. Cailie got us fueled up and motivated with positive energy and hope that we are getting closer to a cure. Her message reminded us that no matter how tough it gets, we can never give up. You must keep going. Keep fighting.

This is why Cailie rides with TNT:

Hunter with Cailie's daughter

Sydney Boles and his grandson, Biruk Currin.

"I started riding with The Herd in 2011 after my father, Hunter Currin, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Because of the type of leukemia he had and my father’s age, he was given about a 30% chance of surviving the initial 4-6 week inpatient treatment. Against all odds, he did. I believe it was because he was strong going into treatment and because over the years the drugs have gotten better. Treatment isn’t easy, and he did suffer. But what was not survivable a decade ago is now because doctors understand the disease better and the drugs are easier to tolerate or can be given in doses that are more specific to the individual because the disease and how the drugs help the body fight the disease are both understood better. I credit LLS for funding the research that has made much of these improvements in treatment protocols better.

A few weeks ago, my father hit the 2 year post-diagnosis milestone. It was huge and unbelievable. Then in the last week, his treatment was ended as his remission seems to be holding strong. Last summer my father was able to get out on his sailboat a couple of times, which for me was what made his treatment “worth it” for him. Sailing is his passion and for him to be able to get back out on the water made him seem truly healthy. This year I hope he can not only be back on the water, but racing again!

While my father’s recovery is important for him and for me and my siblings, I think it is perhaps most significant for the next generation. A grandfather is a special person for children and my father is his grandchildren’s only grandfather. My father has taken each of his granddaughters on a special trip when they turned 16 and his grandson very much wants such a trip with him! My daughter has shared her high school graduation with my father and will have those memories always. My niece is graduating from high school this year and will likewise have memories of her graduation that include her grandfather.

Fathers and grandfathers are special people and I feel so very lucky that my father has successfully fought ALL and is with us to celebrate the big life events and the little daily happenings. I will continue to ride with TNT and raise money for LLS to help fight cancer so families and friends can share their lives and live longer and healthier."

Thanks Cailie for motivating and inspiring us! Here are all of your smiling faces as you reached the top of Copeland Hill.