The following Ride Report for Team Chad & Dad was originally posted in 2002.

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TODAY WE RIDE!!

The Ride To Cure Diabetes
October 26, 2002 - Death Valley, Ca.
Trip Report - Two riders - One goal...
(along with about 250 other riders - same goal)

A CURE FOR DIABETES

Last Updated Wednesday Oct 30, 2002 - noon EST

Now its time to get to work. Here's Chad and Dad at the starting line - ready to do what they came to do.

Let The Ride Begin

Most of the Northeastern NY gang is smiling. That's 'cause they don't know what lies ahead.

The ride to Badwater (17.7 miles) was rougher than expected. Chad and Dad along with 250 or so other riders hit headwinds of around 20 miles an hour. But as you can see - Chad is still smiling and so is dad (below).

Dad urges Chad to try to keep up.

...then Chad yells back to Dad - "You're going the wrong way!" At which point, Dad turns around and follows Chad on to the next checkpoint at Mormon Point.

At 31 miles into the ride, Charlie (Dad) stops at the Mormon Point checkpoint to buy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They were $7.95 each - but worth every penny. Volunteers tell him that Chad is about 40 miles ahead (just kidding) - he's still waiting for Dad.

Now they need to get to Ashford Mills before the cut off time. But MORE hills, rough road, headwinds and RAIN make it rough for the old man. Chad forces the pace and gets Team Chad and Dad to Ashford Mills (checkpoint #3) at 45.4 miles with plenty of time to spare.

The climb up to Jubilee Pass was steep at times... Dad needs to take two walking breaks. But digs deep down inside and finds the energy to ride the rest of the way (encouraged by cheering from on top of the hill).

52.5 Miles Congratulations - and now we have to (gulp) go down the hill.

So Chad and Dad went back down the hill. WOW what a ride. On the way down, Dad realized why none of the other riders answered him as they passed (whilst he was climbing up the hill). He kept asking - how much further. All they said was "AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH !!!!!". On the way back - it stopped raining. The sun came out and temperatures finally approached 90 degrees (or at least it felt like it).

105 Miles later, Chad and Dad arrived at Furnace Creek.

October 24, 2002 - Travel Day - Thursday October 25, 2002 - Friday - Tuneup Ride October 26, 2002 - Saturday - The Big Hurt October 27, 2002 - Travel Daze Sunday and a Bit of Monday