07-10...It's almost over, the fundraising that is...I'm so proud of each and every one of my donor team...which became the "SASSY 16" on the morning of Gran Fondo 7! Thanks David and Jennifer for your support! For some of you, this will be news: I got lost on the race route! The College asked me to do a Live Remote with Fox News in Grand Rapids, so I didn't leave with the 40/80 group...and guess what...the police guarding the VERY FIRST TURN were not in place and the corner was not marked in any way...so I just kept peddling...there was nobody to follow and nobody around to ask... My 40 mile trip became 44, so in the words on one friend who says I always give 110%, that day it was totally true! I finished in the bottom 5% of all 40 mile riders, BUT I FINISHED STRONG!!! Next year I will definitely do better, even if only to not miss that crutial first turn! What a beautiful day it was, though, terribly terribly TERRIBLY WINDY!!! I was pretty much alone until I got to the 40/80 rest area..where there were only a very few riders left hydrating. Staff was even closing up the food table...uh oh? The 80 milers past me no fewer than 5 times...their peletons went by with the sound of a locust infestation...that buzz was intense! I did get lots of encouragement from everyone who passed me, telling me I didn't have far to go to finish! It was a great relief to finally see the city again, and eventually get to The Bob...where I was almost blown off my bike by an errant cyclist who cut me off yards from crossing under that impressive finishing gate. I thought of all of you during the ride, glad to have all your names in my back pocket. Again, to all of you, many heartfelt thanks for your continued support for me and the greater cause of Skin Cancer Research. You made it worth the effort. Until next year...stay safe on the roads and keep safe in your skin by using SPF. Warmest Regards, Terrie
06-20...Final preparations are done, on the bike, that is...908 miles and 80 hours of training! The GREAT NEWS today is that we added two more members to the Donor Team...Thanks Emily and Diana, for your kind and generous gifts today! Money well spent towards finding treatment and cures for Skin Cancer. In honor of these two new donors, I added an additional $20 each... Team Ride Sally Ride is solidly in 5th place for all Teams raising funds...not bad for a non-corporte entity! You All Rock! If you find yourselves in Grand Rapids, near The Bob, around noon on Saturday, be sure to look for me...I'll be the one (hopefully the only one) wearing a terrific Old Bay cycling jersey! Elizabeth gave it to me last Christmas and I've been saving it for this special occasion. Wish me luck on my first competive 40 mile event. I'm hoping to average 13 mph (though my best is around 12.5)...hoping the excitement of the day, better driving conditions and nicer weather will all come together for the perfect ride! Thank you all for your continued and unstinting support. It is the reason why I ride. See you at the finishing line! Warmest Regards, Terrie
06-03...We are 13 members strong for Terrie's Donor Team! In your honor, I donated $20 additional for each of you! We are still #2 for Team Ride Sally Ride, but no longer in contention for the top "bragging rights"... On a happier note, I am oh so close to passing 700 miles (and nearly 62 hours) on the road! Feeling more and more prepared for the 40 mile event! Just hoping for a warmer morning on June 22, as I'm going in short sleeves! Thanks again to everyone for the continued support as the big ride grows near...
05-31...What a journey...Today I did my third 40+ mile training ride, and in about the recommended time too! I've made ~60 hours of training time and almost 675 miles distance...much more than last year...which is saying something considering how awful the weather has been (rain, wind, slog)... I even had to "wash" my bike today...there has been so much mud and water my bike was covered in muck! :D My personal donor team is now up to 13 wonderful members! Our team, Ride Sally Ride, is solidly in second place for team donation to MSU Skin Cancer Research. I hope you have been enjoying the personal posts here... There may be only a few more as June 22 is now just around the corner! Still hoping for 3-4 more donor members for my personal support team! Any amount would be gratefully appreciated! All for now! Now, go out and enjoy your day!!!
05-23...Yesterday was a great day in one respect...I completed over 50 hours of training time! Feeling more and more prepared for the 40 mile "big ride"... Mother Nature continues to confound though with rain, wind, and puddles on trails and roads. Team Ride Sally Ride is back to #2 overall for MSU Skin Cancer Research funding this year. Thanks to everyone for their continued support, emotionally and through such generous donations!
05-17...I am excited to report that today I passed 500 miles and over 46 hours of training time on my new bicycle! I have also done my second 40+ mile training ride, and in the time designated as the average (3 hrs 34 min) for the upcoming Gran Fondo event! I am also very happpy to let everyone know I have met my second fundraising goal and have 12 current donors on my personal support team! I am hoping to add at least 4-5 more people so I can match or exceed the team I had in my first Gran Fondo last year. Your donation, IN ANY AMOUNT, is so very much appreciated. Even if you can't support the event or the research at this time, please keep me and our team, Ride Sally Ride, in your thoughts. We will appreciate having your emotional support on the roads on June 22, 2019.
05-06...OH WOW, BIG NEWS! My donor team is now 12 members strong, and I've reached my second fundraising goal! Thank you so much, Linda (and Don) for making this possible. This is such wonderful news, mostly because it means there are more much needed funds to fight the BIG fight agains skin cancer (melanoma)...I am so proud and thankful for my family and friends who have supported me and this very important effort from MSU in Grand Rapids. It dwarfs my training record to date...you are all so amazing! I will continue to train for the Big Ride, in hopes of being worthy of your generous support.
05-05...I can actually walk this morning, which is a miracle. Did my first ever 40+ mile ride, which is also the distance I hope to ride for Gran Fondo 7. Such hard work, adding neighborhoods and the cemetery for extra distance and elevation. Hoping the actual course is a bit easier, with smoother uphills and downhills, and fewer obstacles which required physically carrying the bike over them...also, fewer stop signs and lots less traffic...one can hope anyway. I am within sight of my second fundraising goal...thanks so much to a dedicated and generous donor team!!! I am at 357 miles and over 32 hours training time... Feeling good about the progress on the new bike, but still stripping the gears on ocassion and forgetting where the brakes are...ugh... For now Team Ride Sally Ride is #1 among all teams doing fundraising! You are all awesome to make this possible!
05-04...The donor team is now up to 11...great news! Training is over 315 miles and almost 29 hours on the new Absolute "wonder"... Thanks Dee for joining my support system for the Big Ride!
05-02...OH WOW...my donor team has grown by two more members, one who wishes to remain anonymous and Holly + Doug... Thank you all for your continued and generous support of MSU Skin Cancer Research at GRRC. I hope to take a training ride again today, with the plan to get a single ride of at least 35 miles either Friday or Saturday. Weather will be improving so I have hope of a safe and pleasant session.
04-30...last day of April and it feels like late winter instead of spring...AND it just keeps raining...total training miles 285/26 hours to date...about 8 weeks until the big ride! Thanks to everyone for your continued emotional support as well as your very generous donations in support of MSU Skin Cancer Research! Time to break out the sunscreen...the sun will eventually show up!
04-26...Yesterday had my longest training ride yet...30.66 miles! We are at 8 donor team members! Thanks to everyone who has joined my support team so far. Trail to Potter Park, north of Mt. Hope is now under construction, so getting to the next stretch will require traveling west on Mt. Hope to a pretty neighborhood "cut through"... Used the hills in the nearby cemetery for practice. Over 270 miles and almost 25 hours so far...
04-21...Just getting home and unpacked...wonderful training days in Littleton, NC, near my sister-in-law's vacation home at Lake Gaston. Henry and I put in four days on their roads around the creeks and coves...and wow were they hilly. Lots of elevation gains during these challenging rides. Learned a whole lot about how to better work with the gears, front and rear. My training totals are now over 220 miiles / 20 hours on the road! Thanks, Kathy, for joining my donor team...now we are up to 8 members! Way to go!!! More news after I get the laundry done...I'm totally out of cycling clothes.
04-09...The donor team has grown again...thanks to Amy, John and Val for becoming part of this important group! We are now 7 strong!
04-05...supplimental update...the Team Ride Sally Ride donor team has grown by 2 more members this morning! Thanks ever so much to Sandy and Julie! Your continued support means so much to me!
04-05...quick update...I have reached the 10 hour training point, with over 100 miles on the books. Early spring weather has been challenging, both for wind and low temps. The donor team is growing, with interest in Team Ride Sally Ride. We are so excited to have more team members than our inaugural year of 2018...Thanks to everyone for their emotional and financial support.
04-01... A little research this morning left me with a surprise... Last year I trained over 51 hours for Gran Fondo 6 on the "Sears Blue Time Machine"...so I think I will need to up the previously stated anty for training time this year. Currently I thought I could only get in 12-15 hours, but I certainly will need to do more... The new bike is in the shop getting its "warranty" tune-up and some tweaking on the handle position and the seat height. AND, my donor team has grown by another "knock me over with a feather" donation from Laura and Ralph. For those of you who know them, their support is even more amazing. Their most generous contribution has gotten me even closer to my $1000 fundraising goal. Last year my initial goal was half that, and with generous help and support, I exceeded even my wildest hopes. This year, I'm "going for broke" and hope for even more help for MSU Skin Cancer's Research Team. You are my emotional support and donor team and I can't thank you all enough for every moment of thought and help you give. More news after I get the bike out of the shop! Terrie
03-31...Whoops they did it again! Thanks Diane and Duane for joining the donor team supporting me and Team Ride Sally Ride! It means so much to us. Not sure when the next training ride will be...weather has turned typically Michigan, with cold and eventually snow flurries in the near future. My new bike goes to the shop tomorrow for a post-purchase tune-up. Hoping for the good news that the front derailer will become smooth. It is not fun feeling like I have to "fight" the bike to change gears. As a newbie on the gear scene, this will be a relief. Again, thanks to D & D for their generous support! PS...have 308 training minutes already!
03-29...We had a beautiful afternon of cycling from home to Holt High School and back yesterday...weather in the 60's, light but persistent breeze and lots of traffic...so glad for the bike paths when available. Both of us have lots of work to do to get into shape for the upcoming 40 miler on June 22. So appreciate your thoughts and support of Team Ride Sally Ride, which is currently the #3 fundraising team to date... Thank you all for your generous donations...keep 'em coming! Hoping for a quick bike ride this afternoon, though the temp is about 15 degree cooler...
03-28...Great News...I have received my first official donation toward my overall goal to raise $1000~ Thanks so much Gerda and Carl...your support always means so much!
03-26...What a great day for my first training ride! 11.4 miles in 65 minutes! It was probably 42 degrees, sun shining and a light breeze. Still, without full finger-tip coverage, my fingers got cold. The bike has some minor derailer trouble...the little gears are pretty smooth to change, but the BIG one in front is still rough. Some time soon, it will need to go into the shop for a tune-up. My initial training goal for the 40 mile distance is 30 minutes training time per mile...or at leaset 20 hours. I'd really like to do 40, but for now, this seems reasonable and attainable. Really hoping for warm, dry days, after such a long, icy and snowy winter. We didn't have a lot of precip, but it just never left~ lost about 4 weeks due to difficult road conditions. I did do a 7 week walking program which culminated in a 5K walk/run this past sunday...hoping it has helped get my legs ready for additional work on the bike. Thanks to everyone for your continued support for me as rider and for your generous donations (absolutely any amount is greatly appreciated.) If you are viewing this page, it is an easy "walk" over to the donors link from here. So, thanks for reading. Will keep everyone posted again soon! Terrie
Greetings from the Definitely Cold White North...It is only 3 degrees on a brisk Saturday in January 2019... The new bike is tucked away in the basement so I'm headed outside, on foot, starting Monday, to participate in the Blue Cross Winter Warm Up Challenge. Goal is to lose a pound a week for 8 weeks, gain some much needed stamina and have fun with friends. Not asking anyone, yet, to donate to MSU Skin Cancer Research but hope everyone will be smart with sun protection, even now, as the sun is still out there and so is the risk. More updates soon. Everyone stay warm and take good care! Terrie
Hello Again Friends and Family... It is January 10, 2019 and I'm thinking about warmer and dryer days when I can start training for GRAN FONDO 7 !!! There is a new bicycle in the basement and the "Time Machine" has been officially retired. My new bike is awating a name, though the nick-names Purple Flash or Violet Vibes are being considered. It is worrisome to have so much to learn...left and right brakes...which one is the correct one to apply first??? all those gears... 3 on one side and 9 on the other? What's a girl to do???
Like last year, I'm looking for any and all donations in support of MSU's Skin Cancer Research Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Every penny, dollar and kind wish for my succes on June 22, 2019 is so verty much appreciated. So, all for now. Hope we all survive the winter with many bright moments for health, happiness and good will. Terrie
Good Morning Sears Blue Timemachine Donor Team, Family and Friends... The big day is almost here, with reception, high carb dinner and the starting line just hours away! My total training time is 51 hours 3 minutes, so over 2 hours for every mile I plan to ride on June 23~ The donor team is up to 15 participants...your names all appear on my list that I will proudly attach to the bike later today! Thank you all for your continued and unstinting support of Skin Cancer Research at MSU Grand Rapids campus! and my ride on the very vintage bicycle! Will keep you posted on how all went tomorrow! Love you all, Terrie
June 16...Just one week to the starting line! Made my first ride down, up, down and up again on College Road...to and from MSU...phew... The worst part is the heat right now... Great News too..my donot team "Blue Timemachine" is now up to 15 members! Thank you all for your continued and generous support for me and MSU Skin Cancer Research. I discovered there is a Facebook page for MSU Gran Fondo...check it out. I saw that Sparty will be a participant again! Certainly a great effort for any school mascot to ride a bicycle and be so cool while doing it! Team Ride Sally Ride is #8 in overall fund raising for this event. Again, thank you all so much for your support of this very important and worthwhile research to concor skin cancer in our lifetime!
June 13, 2018...Only 10 days to go and I think I'm close to ready. Have received permission to use "Blue" as my bike on the 25 mile course... With almost 40 hours of training, and my average distance well above 10-12 miles, I want to try for the longer distance. (My team mate and husband has warned me that the hills might be "interesting" but I'm not against just getting off "blue" and walking up a troublesome hill or two.)
Thank you all for your continued interest and support in the worthwhile goal of ending skin cancer, treating it and eventually curing it for good. Your donationas will help make all of this possible. The talented and dedicated research team at MSU is glad for your help!
The long range forecast for the starting line is 60+ degrees and sunny... It may be a bit warm, but it sure will be a beautiful sight, all those happy cyclists riding in support of greater health and understanding of a difficult disease entity.
Thank you all for supporting me, Team Ride Sally Ride and the fund raising goals of our individual members.
Warmest Regards...Terrie
June 9, 2018...It is now Lucky 13 on the number of "Timemachine" team members! Thank you, Amy, for becoming the newest finishing line sponsor for me and Team Ride Sally Ride. I have been given permission to use "Sears Blue" for the 25 mile ride...My current training time is 35.8 hours and over 192 miles...I only have mileage records for April and May with Strava, my new phone tracker app... Training began for me in late March when it was still cold, snowy and dark outside. Sure has been nice to ride in sunshine and warmth. Thank you all for your continued support and good wishes. The start is coming in just two short weeks...can't wait to earn your kudos. You deserve all the praise for so generously supporting me and most especially the cause of MSU Skin Cancer Research in Grand Rapids. Terrie
May 31, 2018...
Good Morning Sears Blue Timemachine Team!
We are up to "Terrie's 12" for generous donors on board for support of MSU Skin Cancer Research! WAY TO GO!!! Still, I'm not quite to my fund raising goal...and there are just a few days left for me to reach it. I will be starting again with training runs on the "old blue bike" in anticipation of the starting line. Our team, Ride Sally Ride, is back in 7th place, after briefly making it to #6... I am no longer in the top fund raisers, :>(, but that can always change... As an important reminder, be sure to use your SPF 30 or higher sun screen...it has become very sunny and warm and the need to protect yourselves is always important. This single step can save your skin and your life! So, Go Team...thank you all so much for your continued support. I will be proud to represent you all at the finishing line on June 23!
Keep on moving and remember the sunscreen! Terrie
Good Morning Timemachine Support Team!
My donor team has grown to 11 members, welcoming Emily L. and Karen! My latest time training number is 1553 minutes... I had the tires checked on the bike and they are "good to go"...the weather checking is still intact and I should be able to use them as original equipment for my first ever Gran Fondo! There are 45 days left for me to meet my fund raising goal... As always, your generous support is why I ride. Thank you everyone for your generous support of MSU Skin Cancer Research initiatives. Terrie
Happy Monday Morning April 30...
It has been a busy week of "stay-cation"... many bicycle rides which have made me more ready for the big day, June 23. Last ride was 13.3 miles which included a drive out to the local high school. Saw two busy families of geese with goslings! So close it was necessary to drive slowly as to not upset the parents. Thank you to my ever growing sponsorship team...up to 9 now! Way to go donors! Dee, Julie, Diane and Duane, Carl and Gerda, Sherry, Linda Sh., Melissa, Jen and Sandy! I am still happy to welcome all others at any donor level! Every single dollar is helpful. Please consider supporting me and my team "Ride Sally Ride" and the Sears Blue Timemachine! Thanks so much for your help and interest. Terrie
Hello Again Everyone!
It is 59 days to go and I still need to raise at least $65 to meet my goal... It has been wonderful to have such a great level of support so far!!! My donor team continues to grow: it is now up to 6...so my "six" is covered!
The Sears Blue "Timemachine" needed a repair today...the rear inner tube finally gave up the good fight. Went to Meijer and picked up two replacements just in case the front one also goes out. I'm also up to 750 minutes of training time! The free Strava app to track my rides and progress is a very helpful tool. Yesterday's ride was 8 miles in 49 minutes. The Family Fun Ride is 10-12 miles at this year's event, so I am making good progress toward that goal. Again, Thank you very much for your continued interest and support of my first ride in Gran Fondo ever! Terrie
This will be my first attempt, EVER, at riding a bicycle in a race. My "ride" is being mocked, but I am very serious about this...our Gran Fondo team, lead by Henry Barry, is named for my mom, Sally Fielden, who passed away, in part, due to a very weird and unexpected diagnosis of melanoma. The "ride" I am using is one I received from Mom when I was not even a teenager...so it is a vintage bike, coaster brake, one speed, complete with bambi bike bell, with original paint and tires! Though my bicycle is not being taken seriously, PLEASE do take this disease seriously and support research by contributing to the effort...every single dollar helps. No donation is too small. Your kindness, with those gifts from countless others, add together for future succes in defeating a terrible and potentially preventable death. I am participating in the family friendly distance of 10-12 miles. You may donate per the mile or in one lump sum. I plan to go all 12 miles...the course is yet to be determined. For anyone wishing to join the team, you are most welcome. The event is in and around the beautiful city of Grand Rapids, MI. Sure would like to see you all there at the finishing line for me and the "old bike"... Sincere appreciation to everyone who takes the time to read my message and especially those who will contribute to this amazing research endeavor~ Warmest Regards, Terrie
Most of us have known people who have personally fought the battle against cancer. Through modern treatments and much grace, some have survived. Others have not. The MSU Gran Fondo is my opportunity to get some skin in the game and provide hope for nearly 70,000 people in the U.S. expected to be diagnosed with melanomas of the skin this year.
Funds raised from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Gran Fondo support skin cancer awareness, prevention and research at MSU. These dollars are funding pilot studies – investigative, next-step research that tests findings and enables a scientific study to continue.
On June 23, 2018, the streets of West Michigan will be paved with good intentions. And here’s where I need your help. I’ve made a commitment to make the MSU Gran Fondo much more than a ride. My hope is that you will join me in supporting a mission that is more than skin deep. 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to support skin cancer awareness, prevention and research at MSU. Together we can make a difference. Thank you!
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