About Me

Profile

Why I Ride

I ride for my dad, who lost his second battle to Hodgkin Lymphoma when I was nine years old, and for my Omi, who passed away after her battle with lung cancer. Losing my father to cancer in the fourth grade was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. I have special memories of riding with my dad in his big, diesel truck to his construction sites while singing American Pie, Brown Eyed Girl, and Mambo No.5 at the top of our lungs. I loved to paint his toenails whenever he fell asleep around the house, and laughed until my stomach hurt when he unknowingly wore sandals the next day. I used to run and jump onto his back when he did push-ups, cheering him on during his workouts. Even when he was sick, my dad kept me entertained. He let me shave his head when chemotherapy took its toll on his hair. In the hospital, he gave me permission to paint his toenails to cover their discoloration. I miss him so much, and cannot wait for my ride to Alaska, knowing he will be with me every mile.