TNT Upstate NY/VT Cycling Team: Superb Job Herdies! SU-PERB!

Last Saturday's ride was not only beautiful and scenic, but also very challenging to say the least. For all that came out to ride with The Herd, you sure did us proud! After completing that ride, you should all feel very confident for what is to come in Lake Tahoe... Let's put it this way, if you made it through that ride, I can pretty much guarantee you will be just fine out there on June 2. You must have all enjoyed it too, because no one gave Aaron a lashing at the end, or maybe you just save those special for me. =)

We decorated the Sag Wag with our Mission Moments throughout the season so far, and while I was waiting for you all to come around for your rest stops I had quite a few visitors curiously reading what they all said. Of course, no one wanted to talk to me, for whatever the reason, but they did stop.

A few weeks ago, we rode for Catherine's sister Louise. Here is what Catherine had to say about her sister and why she rides for TNT:

Catherine and her sister Louise

For Louise Carosi Doyle
Why am I raising money for cancer research and why am I riding my bike 100 miles around Lake Tahoe? Both of these questions have the same answer: because my sister, Louise, has or hopefully had, stomach cancer. I will never forget how upset, scared, and
angry I felt when she told me. “I have cancer,” three words that have forever changed our lives. I watched Louise go from an active, vibrant woman to a sick person. Chemo and radiation sapped her of all of her energy. Her stomach was surgically removed so eating became a whole new adventure. At one point she weighed only 102 lbs. I felt helpless. All I could do was watch this horrible disease take hold of her. That was when I decided that I was going to do another event with Team in Training for Louise.

My sister can be a bit stubborn (some say so am I) =). I should have realized that cancer would be no match for her! She endured many rounds of chemo and radiation, the complete surgical removal of her stomach, and many, many days of feeling and being sick. The way I see it, if Louise can get through all of that, I certainly can deal with a little discomfort on a bike ride. I am doing this because of all the times I remember as a child Louise being there for me. From holding my hand when I was scared of the bottle rockets on the Fourth of July, to showing me around Philadelphia when she went away to college. The biggest reason I am doing this is because I don’t ever want to hear those horrible three words again. And, I am happy to report that Louise’s last PET scan came back clean!!! Lets all hope and pray that it stays that way.
- Catherine Carosi Bologna

This week we also rode for Mentor Donna's kitty Micki who she had to unfortunately put down last week due to a very aggressive form of oral cancer. Donna had Micki for 13 years and has very fond memories that she will carry with her always. Micki was blessed to have such a special momma looking after her, I'm sure she will watch over Donna always.

We also rode for Olya's mother-in-law who's cancer has returned for a second time. Olya had said that the doctor's have told her the chemo she had before would be nothing in comparison to what is to come. Please send Olya's mother-in-law positive thoughts and prayers as she begins another battle against cancer.

Here are some photos of The Herd barreling up the Cat 3! Wait, where's Olya...was she faster than the speed of light!?
GO TEAM!