Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride.

This is the 3rd year of the Duke Multiple Myeloma Bike Ride, and the 3rd year I've been a part of it. This year they offered 3 different distances so that people of all abilities of riding can come be a part of this great cause. There were: 100K, 50K, and 25K routes and this year I decided on the 50K. The routes are very hilly and a nice workout. I did the 100K route last year and knew that this year I was not quite ready for those hills, and distance. I love being on my bike, but I've been running more lately and haven't gotten as much distance in.

My ride was great. I rode with my friend Bill and Elaine, and we enjoyed the beautiful views of the route. I think the biggest hill on our ride was Mt. Sinai, and it was a doozy. We got to talk to other cyclist along the way and I got to meet a few other people who's parent(s) have been dealing with Multiple Myeloma as well. It was nice to be around people who know what this cancer can do to people. My Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in February 2007, and had her stem cell transplant in October 2007. She is currently in remission from the cancer, but is dealing with the many after effects of the chemo and drug treatments to put her cancer into remission.

My friend Kim and her Mom rode the 25K route which started an hour after the 50 and 100K routes. Unfortunately their ride was not as pleasant as mine. Kim's Mom (Linda) got spooked by a motorist honking their horn, while she was going about 18 mph down a hill and ended up flipping her bike. She was taken to Duke Medical Center where she had a broken elbow, facial fractures and bleeding on the brain. Thankfully the doctors at Duke were able to help her and she has had surgery on her face and elbow and is doing fine now.

MY RANT= If you've never been on bicycle riding in traffic you may not realize how much little noises effect cyclist. Please do not honk your horn at us while we are riding. We assume that you are about to run into us and we tend to panic. Most of us are clipped into our pedals and not able to just put our feet on the ground when our actions cause our bikes to fall or flip....which means we go with our bikes. Please realize that your car has brakes. Yep it sure does and if it doesn't than you should get it looked at. Be considerate of cyclist (as we should be of motorist) while sharing the road, know that if you get to close to us and knock us over it's not just a little tap it's a life. We are real living breathing human beings out there, enjoying the fresh air, and getting some great exercise. Cycling is not easy, but those of us who love to do it love the challenge we put our bodies through to make it up those hills and against the winds. Take a minute and remember that we are people too.