Day 24, January 28, 2002
JEFF'S UPDATE
Our last day on our Coast to Coast Ride for Cancer with our families here to celebrate!! Not only was this the last day in incredible weather, but it was extra special for me by having my Mom and Dad, my in-laws, my wife and children, and my good friends the Carlberg's here to join Kevin & I and our support crew. As a special hello, I want to say hi to my brother Kenn & his family, and Diane's sister Connie Kennedy and her family. Specific to Kenn who was such a big part of the first half of this ride, I thought of you as I dipped that wheel in the Atlantic brother!!
Today's portion of the ride was dedicated to my Dad who survived cancer and Kevin's Mom who unfortunately passed away from cancer when Kevin was 23. This brought even more meaning and importance to the day for me and brought home the importance of the mission to everyone who has suffered or succumbed to this terrible disease. Dad I am so glad you are alive and here to join me for this special day.
Words alone cannot describe the day today. The weather was simply the best we have had the entire trip. Everyone who had equipment to get on a bike road, rode a bike today. We took the A1A coastal road down to St. Augustine, and were greeted by the City Police who gave us a police escort with lights blazing through the historic city to Anastasia State Park. At the park we walked across the sandy white beach to dip our front wheels in the Atlantic Ocean, a very emotional moment that was captured by the local television stations and newspapers. Paul Williamson, from the City of St. Augustine presented Kevin and I with a pin of the City, and from there the team cleaned up, and had a wonderful celebratory dinner in the beach at Beachcombers restaurant. Nothing like sitting on the outside deck, overlooking the sand and surf as the sun set and the full moon rose to close out an absolutely 100% perfect day.
I have many thoughts, many reflections, and many points that I want to make but today and tomorrow [Jan 28th/29th] will be a day of reflection. Then on January 30th Kevin and I will do a special update closing out this portion of the mission, and linking into the second part of this year's cancer support activities the Gear's 24 spin to be held on February 22nd in Mississauga.
To all who are following us, I hope you all feel part of this very special day. Your words of encouragement, your web comments, your donations to the two charities we are raising money for, and your special letters have meant so much to this trip and to me personally. Your support has helped me not only get through the Coast to Coast trip, but I think helped me grow as a person and for that I thank each and everyone of you.
I look forward to giving you our trip update tomorrow. Again your support means so much to us.
Jeff
KEVIN'S UPDATE
There is an old Chinese proverb that says that every long journey begins with the first step. This dream started with the first pedal stroke in San Diego 24 days ago and 24 days later covered 3000 miles, many new friends, and a new Coast to Coast community.
Everyone involved had a common goal in mind, which was to combine our efforts to try to make a difference for cancer. Hope and faith to reach our goals can only happen successfully with a team effort and support from many.
Dipping the wheels of my bike in the Atlantic Ocean today was a powerful and emotional moment for me. It would not have meant anything if I wasn't accompanied by my fiancˇe Rose, my sister Alison, by the support team, and by other athletes who have accompanied Jeff and I on portions of this trip.
Nobody should have to face challenges alone because with support and love, one's chances of success are drastically increased.
The most special part of this trip was riding for all the people who have suffered or succumbed to cancer. Your stories gave Jeff and I the strength to finish our Coast to Coast ride. Everyone who participated in this trip did so because of those stories. I suffered very little on this trip compared to how I suffered when cancer took my Mom. I don't want anyone to go through what my sister Alison, my brother Jim, and I went through.
There is strength in numbers. I believe that together we can make a difference and that is why we will keep fighting cancer.
This ride was part 1 of 2 events Jeff and I are doing to do our part to help in the fight. Part 2 is the Gears 24-hour spin ride on February 22nd at the Hersey Center in Mississauga where I hope the more than 1,000 spinners will raise over $500,000. The more people who are there will directly relate to how successful we will be.
We are all part of a community who wants to live without the fear of cancer.
Kevin Wallace