Lance Armstrong's
Ride for the Roses Weekend
May 27-May 31, 1999Of all the weekends I have had, of all the memories I have had... in my life, these memories stand out and are right up there with anything I have ever done. I fully realize that it was only last weekend and of course they should stand out. However, I want to point out that this event was a life changing experience!!!! How can you not go to this event and not be changed. I am not a cancer survivor, yet I have had the unique opportunity to be around those who have survived. I have heard their stories, been touched by their experiences, and have been reminded in a very big way how precious life is!
You do not have to be a survivor to realize how precious life is! I think we just get too wrapped up in our daily life to realize the value of life and all of it's wonderment. Regardless of your health condition or life situation I plead with you to savor life, be kind to your fellow man, and sieze the day!
One lasting memory I have which stands out (and believe me there are many) is this:
The first night we are all gathered in Sean's suite. Here we are unpacking and assembling our bikes. Rick orders up not one but two bottles of Champaigne and we all gather around toasting to each others health and happiness. We also toast to life and our continued health. Here I stand toasting with some of the most amazing individuals drinking to our health and cannot help but stand their in awe.... life finds a way! We all should strive day by day to make a difference and make the most of our lives. If I were to paraphrase from Zen it would be this: "Yesterday is frozen in time and cannot be changed. Tomorrow has not yet come and cannot be changed. It is only this very moment that we can change. It is only this very second that we can change and live in."Go out and live this very moment.... Carpe Diem to us all....For more information about the Lance Armstrong Foundation I encourage you to go to his webpage at http://www.laf.org
I am forever grateful to the following people that I have met (in no particular order and please email me if I forgot anyone....):
- Miles at LAF
- Sarah at LAF
- Chris Brewer at LAF
- Kelly Davidson
- Doug
- Chuck
- Rick
- John & Michelle
- Mauro
- Sean
- Anthony
- Gene
- Tim
- "Pepe"
- Brian McBride
- Ron "Wookie" Kiefel
- Lance & Kristin
- Miguel
- and EVERYONE who was in some way a part of the Ride for the Roses Weekend.
Seemingly Random Photos
- Thursday, May 27, 1999 - After the LAF Gala Sean and John hanging out in the lobby of the Omni
- Friday Morning, May 28, 1999 - A little breakfast with some (but not all) of my amazing LAF friends. Seated from left to right are Mauro, Sean, John, Michelle, me, Rick, and Chuck.
- Monday, May 31, 1999 - At the airport and ready to go.. I wish the weekend could have lasted forever... but at least these amazing LAFers are here to see me off. Liz, me, Miles
May 27, 1999 - Gala Dinner
- Kelly Davidson and her family attend the Gala Dinner.
- Mauro & Big Mig finally meet. I see Mauro who I met a short while earlier. I go to his table and say "bring something to sign and don't ask questions". I lead him to Big Mig and see his eyes grow as big as saucers
- Lance and Kelly chat with John and Michele Phau.
- Lance, Kelly, and John & Michele Phua pose for the camera.
May 28, 1999 - Expo
- The most adorable sunglass bearing kid gets an autograph and then another.
- A little girl queues up to Miguel Indurain's position for an autograph.
- Both leave the stage with their posters in hand.
- Autograph seekers pose with Lance.
- These autograph seekers show off their collection.
- Miguel Indurain busy at work signing autographs.
- A look at the autograph line and a close up of the line.
May 29, 1999 - Kids Ride
- Kelly Davidson and Lance are inteviewed for TV.
- Lance looks to Kelly for an answe for TV.
- Kelly fields the question herself..
- Lance gets ready to ride with some top level contenders.
- Everyone waits as #257 adjusts his helmet.
- Mike Ward and Jim Och' decide to join the ride.
- Miguel Indurain poses for the camera with a 1st Grade weelsucker!
- Lance Armstrong awaits another competitive pack.
- Here is the BMX winner that Kristin Armstrong talks about in her journal. Here is the kid with a cell phone and full BMX outfit.
- Kristin and Kelly give Lance a little pre-ride advice.
- Lance poses with some 1st Graders with Kristin and Kelly looking on.
- Miguel Indurain rides with a 1st Grader.
- Motorola director sportif Jim Och' rides with the 1st Graders.
- Wallflower guitarist Mike Ward rides with the 1st Graders.
- Eric Heiden rides with the 1st graders
- The 3rd Grade class poses while they are waiting to ride with Lance and guests.
- The 3rd Graders start with Lance.
- Miguel Indurain signs some autographs for this boy and this girl.
- Eric Heiden signs an autograph before the start.
- Peleton Project members pose for a photo during the ride.
- Miguel Indurain talks with other participants before on of the rides.
- Kelly and Lance pass through the Start/Finish line.
- Kelly and Lance get ready for the race ahead.
- Kelly sits down after her big ride. I will never forget what she says next "We beat Miguel by this much!"
- Lance poses with some future Tour de France stars Img1 Img2 Img3
May 29, 1999 - Group Ride with Lance Armstrong & Miguel Indurain - Ok... I've got to come clean. I spent most of the 1.5 hour ride either on Miguel's wheel or right besides him. Nobody wanted his wheel... so what was I supposed to do? Let a draft like that go to waste! Not me! Miguel is first of all one of the nicest people I have met... and secondly a great tow!
- Yeah... I was "this close" to one of the greats!
- "Pepe" and Gene Pose for the camera.
- Pepe's leg poses for the camera... a detail of his Olympic dream. Good luck and God Bless "Pepe". I hope that a guy this nice gets the opportunity to represent America in the Olympics.
May 29, 1999 - Lance Armstrong's House
- In the lobby waiting to go to Lance's.
- Fellow Peleton Project rider Ritchie poses on Lance's back porch.
- Chuck Andrews get's his point across.
- Lance introduce's himself to us.... like we needed any introduction.. and our fabulous musical guest.. Alternate shot
- So it is not the best Lance photo... but he does receive the VeloNews Award for best North American Cyclist of 1998.
- So we are all gathered around drinking when Greg LeMond decides that Chuck is taking too long in the bathroom. Chuck opens the door quickly and is slightly annoyed at the person knocking on the door for 1 minute until he sees it is Greg LeMond. A grin comes to his face when he sees Greg LeMond. Needless to say Greg goes into the bathroom and Chuck knocks on the door for a minute in retribution to Greg.
- Brian McBride spends some quality time with a little Peleton Project member.
- Miguel Indurain poses with Lance's grandmother.
- The LAF thanks the Peleton Project as we leave Lance's house. They also were stuffing us with desert as we left.