HOPE Ride

The Hope Ride is finished!! We rode 335 miles over 4 days to raise money for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodges in Cincinnati and Cleveland! I had a great time, and thanks to the donors for the over $2100 donated to the cause. I'll share a few pictures with you from the trip.

This was the machine I'd been training on, and the one that would get me all the way to Cinci:

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

All the riders left the start in a big bunch and rode through downtown Cleveland with a police escort.

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

We rode right by Lake Erie within the first hour.

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

On the second day, I rode a century (100+ miles) for the first time. I had a buddy Steve who rode with me for the last half of the day, and we made good time together. he called me Andy Schleck, since I was such a strong climber.

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

Day 3 started out well, with our whole team - The Chain Gang - together in the morning...

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

but by the first rest stop they were all in the pits for repairs.

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

Day 4 brought us all the way to Cincinnati, for a big meet up before riding in together.

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

We had a big banner to sign...

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

... so we could say who we were riding for.

From 2009-08 Pan Ohio Hope Ride

Finally, we rode together into the Hope Lodge! The guy leading in this group is a cancer survivor.

Thanks again to everyone for all your support! I look forward to doing it again next year!