Why I ride
Hello to all my friends and family. I’m turning 77 this July, and for the past 37 years, I’ve been participating in the Courage Classic for Children’s Hospital Colorado! I embarked on this journey when I was 40.
As you may know, I’m one of the founders of the Courage Classic bicycle fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Colorado. Each of you has been receiving these donation requests annually for the past 37 years. Your generosity and support have been invaluable to me, and I am deeply humbled and grateful for all of your unwavering support.
Over the past 37 years, we’ve faced numerous hardships and challenges during this incredible journey. From freezing rain and snow (yes, it can snow in the Colorado mountains in July!) to flat tires, accidents, scorching heat, and running out of food and water, we’ve encountered every weather condition imaginable, both good and bad. Despite these obstacles, we’ve persevered and made it through to the end of each year.
I’ve had the privilege of riding with each of my family members on a tandem bike, and for several years, I also took one of the Team Courage kids with Cerebral Palsy on the tandem with me. Unfortunately, his mom informed me that his legs simply couldn’t handle the ride anymore. However, he’s now a Para-Olympian, competing in the Para-Olympics on a snowboard! He’s achieved remarkable success, becoming a three-time World Champion, a six-time World Championship medalist, and an ESPY award winner. In March, he represented the USA in the Milan Cortina Para-Olympics. This is the reason I ride! I’ve witnessed countless miracles, including kids overcoming cancer, learning to walk, recovering from brain injuries, burns, and even devastated families fighting back and triumphing against incredible odds. While not all make it, many do, and your contributions play a crucial role in making these miracles possible.
This year, I’ll be turning 77 years old, just a week before the ride. I reside in Florida most of the year and spend some time in the Chicago area, but neither location has hills or altitude. Consequently, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to ride Vail Pass, Fremont Pass, and Battle Mountain.
I’m determined to continue my journey until I can no longer do so. Yes, I’m incredibly passionate about this cause! My passion began in 1990 when I started riding after the birth of my daughter, Shelley. Shelley eventually became a nurse at Children’s Hospital and met her husband, Chase, who is also a nurse at the Courage Classic. They embarked on a few years of exploring the traveling nurse program. Now, they have two beautiful identical twin daughters, and Shelley has returned to Children’s Hospital Colorado.
My other daughter, Rachel, was born with jaundice and a thyroid condition that was successfully treated at Children’s Hospital. This experience instilled in me the incredible care and family support that this hospital provides.
I’m grateful for your visit to my personal fundraising webpage and for your generous donation today. You can easily make an online donation by clicking the green link at the top of this page. It’s a quick, safe, and convenient process. Plus, your contribution will make a significant difference for a noble cause.
Your donation will help Children’s Hospital Colorado patients thrive and survive.
Thank you in advance for your unwavering support.
