Local cyclists organize Columbia County Cancer Ride Why we’re riding… Just one week before I was scheduled to move across country with my family in 2001, I got a call from my Dad in Spencertown. My wife Ida and I were leaving the home we’d been working on for 14 years inthe panhandle of Idaho, so that we could bring our five year old son Adrian closer to family in New York. We planned to stay with Dad until we found a place of our own. “I’m starting some treatments, and I didn’t want you to worry when you got here if I appear a little sick,” Dad said. That was classic Jim Drake. Veteran community organizer for the Industrial Areas Foundation, Dad had a way of getting people’s attention with just a few words. He didn’t mention cancer during that conversation in May, 2001, but I knew something serious was up, or he wouldn’t have called. I sat on the edge of my bed when I hung up, and cried. Arriving in Spencertown a couple weeks later, everything seemed normal. Dad was mowing the lawn, playing with Adrian and putting on a brave face. Four months later, on Labor Day, he was gone, succumbing to pneumonia brought on by an inoperable lung tumor. We were devastated. He was only 63. In 2004 I helped raise $5500 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation through a letter campaign. I was overwhelmed by the letters and donations that poured in from my friends, Dad’s friends and my family. This experience was capped off with a dream ride with Lance Armstrong in Austin, Texas, the hardest 100 miles I’ve ridden to date, but by far the most meaningful. Shortly after Dad passed away, my sister-in-law, Joan Jones was diagnosed with breast cancer. Given bleak odds of survival, she fought like a champion and survives today, as feisty and full of life as ever, a true inspiration to me. She’s also an avid cyclist. More recently, I had my own run in with skin cancer. Though not life threatening, I did have three pretty traumatic surgeries and six weeks of radiation to my nose. Thankfully I’m cancer free at present. So why do I ride? I guess it’s my way of feeling free. When I ride I feel like a kid again, carefree, unchained from daily responsibilities, light, healthy and happy. It’s what I do to put my troubles behind me for an hour or so. When I learned about the Lance Armstrong Foundation, I was already a huge cycling fan, but Lance’s story was so compelling, I had to get involved. About the time I was receiving treatment for my skin cancer, my friend Chris Oathout’s mother, Jeanne Gardner passed away from breast cancer. Tragically, Chris’s uncle died from cancer a short time later. Chris’s wife has also battled cancer, and thankfully is doing well. Chris raised funds and participated in a run in Jeanne’s name last fall for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, but he felt like doing more. He suggested doing a benefit ride, even though neither of us had any previous experience coordinating an event like this. So far it has been a tremendous learning experience. This ride is our way of bringing honor to two people we love and miss everyday. It is our way of giving back, just a little, as thanks to those who gave us so much. And it is our way of inviting you to get more involved as well, as a rider, volunteer or donor. Fighting cancer is personal, but no one should have to do it alone. The Livestrong foundation that Lance Armstrong created, brings resources directly to cancer survivors, and acts as an advocate for survivors on a global scale. We’re proud to be able to help in this cause. We hope you’ll join us, Matt Drake Chris Oathout