The worst part about being hit by a car while cycling in Santa Monica on May 5, 2012 (including the broken bones and the pain from a splinter that broke off my L5/S1 disc and lodged in my r. sciatic nerve)  was not being able to ride on my bike, i.e century rides (100 miles on a bike) with Team and Training (TNT) for nearly one year. And then, six months later being unable to participate in my first TNT East coast event (with my TNT team-the National Capital Chapter) in the Seagull Century because of a severely torn right meniscus two weeks before the ride. It was disheartening. In my periodic self-pity, I thought, “Who am I to bitch and complain?” Mine are temporary setbacks when the people whom I riding for (those with Leukemia, Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma) are struggling everyday to stay alive and endure as much chemo and radiation treatments, and blood infusions, so they can be around for as long as they can will it for their children, their spouses, their parents. That is why I ride with TNT.

Besides teaching and writing (both about which I am passionate), cycling gives meaning to my life, i.e. turn the pedals to help others. It is logo-therapeutic for me. (aka Viktor Frankl in his incredible book Man’s Search for Meaning). The people whom I ride with, the Mission Moment stories that we share about their family members and friends who are struggling, or have passed away as a result of a blood cancer, the humor and jokes exchanged, the attention to my physical conditioning as I attempt “to ward off” aging (if that is possible), all of it gives me strength, and hopefully with the few dollars that I can raise will help extend or save a life. I am so grateful.

The first photo here was taken at our 25-mile SAG stop so we could refuel.   It was on our Nokesville ride, 45 miles, our 2nd major ride of the season training for the Jamestown Gran Fondo Century ride on June 8 in Williamsburg, VA. These are committed great people, fit, fun and determined.

This is the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Maryland. It was taken on Saturday, March 22, 2014 where we rode. Our 3rd major training ride. 51.24 miles, 2,912 feet of climbing.

And here are my cycling statistics from the Sugarloaf-Poolesville ride last Saturday. Just click on the site: http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=301882

And finally, my TNT webpage. If you want to help, please do not wait until tomorrow. Please read about my two honored teammates (whom I rode for): Dayle Zukor and Jacob Alexander Macias. You will marvel at these two people. http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/jamestn14/jweiskoizx

Thanks for Reading & Listening. Please make a small donation.

In Peace & Always Hope, John