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Tag Archive - Livestrong

Why you should donate to Movember on the birthday of a man named Corky.

November 23, 2010 in Family and friends, LIVESTRONG, Social media with Comments Off

Yes, Corky.

Rumor has it, some family/friend/local in a sleepy South Dakota town called the infant version of my father-in-law a real “Corker”. Corky was soon to follow, and it stuck. I bet many of his own friends would take a second to ponder his traditional first name.

For those who know Richard, please take a second to tell him happy birthday in this post. I’m looking forward to a fine celebration this week, sir. Especially since I’m growing this ‘stache in the name of men’s health, and you’re a cancer survivor working his way to all clear.

This month I wove a nose ribbon in the name of Movember. It’s a movement to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancers, and it supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG. The latter has been a charity I’ve supported numerous times in the past, because I believe they exist to help.

Walking about with a multi-colored lip sweater hasn’t been an easy feat. Strangers tend to double take. I’ve noticed workmates sort-of stare and almost coil in fear of this freakish hair creation. A hockey teammate blurted out “dude, is that a sweet ‘stache?”

You betcha.

My new nose neighbor has been effective. It’s a conversation starter and a laugh device all in one. People who know me now know that one in six men will develop prostate cancer. That’s a staggering fact.

They also find out that people can battle, like my father-in-law Corky.
And my friend Jeff Andrews.
And Aaron Bell’s dad.
Same with Tiffany Cannon’s old man.

Stacey and I started thinking about all the people we know who have (and continue to battle) prostate cancer, and the list is vast.

It pays to be in the know, so I encourage every male reading this to get a physical. Ask your Doc about PSA levels and your health. Also ask him about your options. If you know me, and you’ve seen my mustache, you likely heard me say that you don’t need to be prodded by Dr Longfinger any more. How cool is that?

Please consider donating to my team, Geeks With Balls. We’ll take your pocket change, your lunch money, a round at the ole ballgame – whatever you can give will be amazing. I’ll make it up to you the next time we meet, friend.

You can also go direct to my page and donate. Either way, you are the coolest.

Thanks in advance. Please high five a man in your life, he deserves it.

And Happy Birthday, Corky!

Thank you for supporting LIVESTRONG

June 6, 2010 in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG, Mountain Biking with 2 Comments

My friends and family are amazing. To know that you have the desire to empower people affected by cancer means quite a bit to me.

After my last post, several people made last-minute donations. To all of you who opened up your wallets, my heartfelt thanks and gratitude:

Matt Smith
Kristin B – in memory of her father
Denise and Guy Netherey
Mike Hemme – In honor of Noreen
Scott Adair
Mark Giardina
Kurt Pennypacker – in honor of Uncle Jame Merello
Kristin Garcia – in honor of Sandra Marines
Kelly Doyle
Joe and Margaret Udell
Jodi Henderson – in memory of Heather Munsel
Jeff Hermann – in memory of way too many people to list
Jean Ashley – in honor of all the survivors
Danny Stipp
Christian Gray – in memory of Phyllis’ Grandbaby
Bruce Turner – in memory of Ineke Lauran
Mike Cacciabondo
Brian and Tiffany Galligan (Blake and Mason, too)

The day was wonderful. Hot and dry – the course was loose and fast. I enjoyed a call up in front of the whole SS class. Those who weren’t listening in the cattle chute said “why is he going up there” and “who’s that guy”? I quickly let them know it was because I helped raise fund for LIVESTRONG and that was all they needed.

It’s not about the race, but I finished 23rd out of 42. I shaved six minutes off my fall time on the same course, albeit the terrain was very wet last year. The images in this post are free from Ingot Imaging, but here are some great shots of me from Liz Keutz, too. Who knew I smiled so much while in pain?

The staff from LIVESTRONG was extremely nice. If you ever get the opportunity to be a part of their micro-donation grassroots effort, you should give it a thought. The barrier to entry is low, and the perks are high. All told, the LIVESTRONG racers at the Mellow Classic raised over $27,000.

Live strong, friends. Thanks again.

Mellow Classic / LIVESTRONG update

May 26, 2010 in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG, Mountain Biking with 2 Comments

Yeah yeah yeah, so I said I was going to update this blog more before the race this weekend and, well, life got in the way. Plus I heard a joke the other day that writing blogs was so eight years ago and it made me feel old. Heaven forbid…

The Mellow Johnny’s Classic race is on Sunday for my class (singlespeed) and I’m stoked to ride again at Juan Pelota’s ranch. I get to ride out there Friday night, too. Gonna be great.

Best of all, thanks to some amazing people I’ve met my donation milestone. But – that doesn’t mean we should stop. I’m hoping many of you will make a low $10 donation to LIVESTRONG. After all, it’s not about my milestone, it is all about helping a quality organization help people living with cancer.

I just read that 81 percent of every dollar raised went directly to fund programmatic expenses in 2009 for LIVESTRONG. That’s pretty amazing, especially for an organization that has raised over $325 million since it’s inception.

So if you think cancer sucks, please donate to LIVESTRONG through my page. I promise to think of you and anyone I’m riding for (in your honor) during the race. Believe me, I’ll be suffering. Not near as much as the survivors or those living with cancer, but it is going to be a tough slog in dry and hot conditions.

Thanks to all who have given so far, y’all rule:
Mark Giardina
Kurt Pennypacker – in honor of Uncle Jame Merello
Kristin Garcia – in honor of Sandra Marines
Kelly Doyle
Joe and Margaret Udell
Jodi Henderson – in memory of Heather Munsel
Jeff Hermann – in memory of way too many people to list
Jean Ashley – in honor of all the survivors
Danny Stipp
Cristian Gray – in memory of Phyllis’ Grandbaby
Bruce Turner – in memory of Ineke Lauran
Mike Cacciabondo
Brian and Tiffany Galligan (Blake and Mason, too)

Live strong, friends.

Image credit to good friend Ken Dawson, from last year’s race.

Spare a sawbuck for the LAF?

May 5, 2010 in Austin, Texas, Day in the life., LIVESTRONG, Mountain Biking with 3 Comments

Here we are on Cinbco de Mayo and I’m already behind in my fund-raising goals for LIVESTRONG (the Lance Armstrong Foundation). Doyle fashion? To be sure.

But it’s also in my repertoire to occasionally raise money and donate funds to a worthy cause. It’s been awhile, but this spring I feel compelled to raise at least $250 for LIVESTRONG. And you can help me get reach my goal with a simple $10 donation.

It’s a much smaller ambition that I had in 2001 and 2002 when I raised over $10,000 a year with Ole Mike Cacciabondo. The yearly reward for our hard work (as Peloton Project members) was a long weekend in Austin. We got to ride with Lance and connect with this amazing city. Now that I live here, I’ve come to see firsthand just how valuable the LAF is to our town, and even more so to the cancer community.

People affected by cancer visit the LIVESTRONG websites every day. Heck, every minute. It’s the first step for many, and a true inspiration to anyone who’s on the journey to recovery. Since I’ve become the Interactive Director at HC&B Healthcare, I’ve had the opportunity to work with two huge oncology organizations, and everyone in the field knows the prowess of the LAF. They are on the forefront of the cancer movement – helping many with information, resources and even funding cancer research.

In years past I would ride in honor of people I knew who were affected by the disease. But this year I plan to race in the Mellow Johnny’s Classic – a UCI Pro Mountain Bike Race that happens on Juan Pelota‘s ranch. I’ll draw inspiration on the trail from all the people I know who’ve beaten cancer – there are so many of you.

Racing on Juan Pelota's ranch last year. Photo: Jason Smith.

If you feel like you could spare $10, please donate on my LIVESTRONG page. I’m hoping to get one person a day for the month of May, and as you know I’m already late. So please feel free to donate even if you see another person has donated today.

Thanks in advance for considering it. You rule!

Joe

P. S. I’ll update here a bit more frequently this month. Updates to training and fund-raising, kid’s birthday fun and race results/day-of events.

Mountain biking at Juan Pelota’s ranch – my take on the Mellow Classic course

November 16, 2009 in Austin, Texas, Ridin', Social media with 2 Comments

I learned about the Mellow Classic on Facebook – my friend sent me a link. Next thing I know I see something on Twitter. Then on Bike Mojo. People are abuzz and I jump – gonna race my single speed True Fab all over Lance Armstrong’s ranch.

Hell yeah. Mountain biking someplace new AND social media in action. Dig it.

This campaign is smart on so many levels. The proceeds will go to the LAF, and that’s reason enough to man up. Lance is selling his home and this publicity is cheap. And I really just appreciate the everyday outreach from the official race blog and @MellowClassic Twitter feed – both are helpful and timely. Kudos to the amazing crew at Mellow Johnny’s.

This past weekend I had the chance to ride at Juan Pelota‘s (translated: one ball’s) ranch. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and was glad to see some familiar faces (like Jody Hunt on the right and John Fruehe below in the creek) and meet some new friends (Todd, a fellow True Fab rider).

Driving out to Dripping Springs is a gorgeous trek. Once you hit Fitzhugh it’s all Hill Country splendor – livestock, cacti and scrub cedar as far as the eye can see. And rollers, damn if you don’t get a sick feeling knowing you’ll be climbing those things on your knobbies.

If you’re driving out, be sure to allow plenty of time. There’s going to be a lot of traffic, and the road is 20 mph in places. I assume they’ll add signage. The lack of adequate street markings showed with cars doubling back often. Bring your GPS, not that it will matter much.

The start gate is a nice cattle feed, complete with flags for our country, state and military folk. You don’t see this everywhere, but you do in Texas. After a quick tour of a trail next to parking and registration, you get dumped directly into single track. If you’re in it to win it, don’t get caught behind some non-technical folks here. This section features plenty of off-camber and large ledges that are all doable with momentum.

After this you’ll enjoy a slow, steep climb and then it all blurs together on me. Singletrack. Doubletrack. Fast downhills in the wide open with a table top to give you the extra push you need. Most climbs were accented by an obstacle, usually a turn upwards. Be strong and pedal hard when the dirt turns north.

One lap is 8 miles and 1,000 feet of climbing.

Yeah, no big deal if you’re a Coloradan or something. But on the 2.3 fat knobby tires and a 34×19… it was tough. My second lap was better than the first, and for that I’m thankful. But I’m still debating on hitting up my LBS for a 20 back there. Either way, think low-tread, fast tires. I saw 29ers and 26ers and people quick on both. Same with the guy on the fully rigid 29er and another on Lenz with 5″ travel. I think the large rims rolled really well out there.

The trail reminds me of a good hybrid of what we have in Austin. Some of it was wide open, like Reimers. Some places had nice obstacles, like City Park and sweet ledges with drop offs, like the BCGB. Other places it was smooth sailing like Walnut Creek. Most of the trail is semi-worn, and only a few new sections exist. You’ll know them by their cushy feel and fresh-cut tree limbs. Oh, and the pavé – how unique to come up on this section.

I’m looking forward to this weekend. My Chicago pal, Ken Dawson, is coming to town and he’s stoked. Cody Baron at Hammerhead Bikes is setting him up with a SS 29er and I have to say – he’s the nicest guy in the bike business. I love my local bike shop (they’re on Twitter, too.)

Here’s some other items of interest that I found:
- Bjorn Selander jumps into Dead Man’s Hole at the ranch (I so want to do this.)
- John Fruehe posts a ton of pics on AustinBike.com.
- Food will be served up by local favorites, Hat Creek Burger Co.

Let’s ride! If you’re out there this weekend, stop me and say hello, yo.