At just under $26,000 raised for the National Brain Tumor Society, we consider the Dura Mater Hill Climb a complete success. When measured by awareness created instead of money raised, we consider this ride a rousing success. With 94 individual donations to the ride, our reach extended far beyond our riders and volunteers.
Between our 27 riders and 13 volunteers, Witter Gulch was conquered, the first of two hard climbs. Of course, our cyclists also managed to conquer all 25 mini croissants and 25 mini chocolate croissants that were donated by our favorite French bakery, Trompeau (located at 2950 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113).
After Witter Gulch, riders had the option to go and tackle Lininger Road in Golden. Though some chose not to attempt this second punchy climb, others (calling out Shawn B and Kevin E, you beasts!) decided to double down on it and climbed it twice.
We need to interrupt here to say a huge thank you to each of our volunteers and riders as we could not have had such success without them:
To our riders, thank you for taking the time to understand what this ride meant to David and me, and for coming out bright and early ready to hit the road, and for listening to every word David shared before the ride. His words captured his truth and I know that many of you were as touched as I was by his authenticity.
To Steve and Robert, our photographers, we cannot thank you enough for coming out and taking pictures of our ride. It means the world to us that we have such amazing shots to remember this event.
To Emily and Janet, who manned our water stop, thank you so much for coming out and sharing Emily’s story with our riders. I know that you changed the way our riders view brain tumors.
To Jose and Josh, who were the rest stop. Thank you so much for bringing out so much stuff (from tables to tents), and for making sure all of our riders had cold water and snacks at the top of Witter Gulch. Not to mention, taking some very fun pictures of riders hanging out at the stop.
To Luke and Laura, who delivered all the BBQ from Piggin’ Out and helped set it up, thank you!
To Tim and Ty, one of our sag cars, thanks for delivering both the croissants and one of our riders, not to mention saving a couple of others from burning out on our tough climbs.
To Theresa, who spent most of her day running behind me and getting everything done and for the amazing picture of the cows you took. Thank you most for making me slow down enough to have a little bite to eat!
To All Stars Ink, I know you weren’t actually a volunteer, but your donations elevated our ride. From the posters, stickers and flyers, to the volunteer shirts and VIP hoodies, we cannot thank you enough.
And a huge thank you to Ellen, our first volunteer and the facilitator of all things sag for the ride. Ellen coordinated with me on everything, recruited volunteers and photographers, and showed up with enough Almond Butter Balls to feed every cyclist in a 50-mile radius. If you want her recipe, just let me know. Ellen, please know this ride would still just be an idea in my head if you hadn’t decided to help. Thank you.
This one isn’t a volunteer either, but a thank you is due to Jared Pendergraft Designs. Jared helps us with the design work on all our shop kits and was able to help me create the DMHC designs from posters to jerseys. He was able to update my idea of using the vintage European hill climb posters into the very cool DMHC design. The power of the jersey design, for me at least, was exposed in the team photo. So amazing!
This last thank you might be obvious, but here it is. Thank you Scott Albertson for living your entire life dedicated to doing what was right, what was good and for inspiring those who touched your life to be a better version of themselves. I know that David and I are inspired every day by the grace and strength you show going through this... Please know this entire ride is our way of thanking you for being the type of human that we should all aspire to be. We love you immensely.
Now back to our regularly scheduled ride recap: For our first ever charity ride, Nice Bike decided to waive all registration fees in lieu of donations being made to the National Brain Tumor Society. There was no minimum amount to raise, nor minimum amount for each cyclist to donate. We asked only that cyclists recognize our passion for the cause.
By making the emphasis on the cause, we were able to have open discussions with each registered rider about why we chose this cause, and why we are so passionate about raising money and awareness for the NBTS.
In 2018, the estimated number of people who will be diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor is around 26000. For those 26000 people there will be limited options after their diagnosis. As David said in his speech the morning of the DMHC, the individuals who will face a diagnosis like David’s dad, will not be the same people after the diagnosis. The people they will be after, will be different. They will have the option of medical procedures that may only add months, and they won’t be months of living, but of enduring.
The DMHC raised money directed at those future patients, at those people who will have their lives ripped apart by GBM. Research for drugs directed at GBM specifically, could change these limited options we now have, and give the possibility of living not just enduring. They might give us the opportunity to stop discussing the survival median (the average length people take to die) and start talking about survival.
But, the NBTS doesn’t just raise money and awareness for GBM patients, but for all Brain Tumor patients. And we felt so lucky to have had a pediatric brain tumor survivor come out and support our ride. Emily Zimmermann was diagnosed with a brain tumor in Sept 2008, and for her father who joined our Nice Bikers in the ride, the DMHC marked a bittersweet anniversary. All our riders who stopped at our water stop to meet Emily, came back changed. They couldn’t say enough good things about meeting Emily, chatting with Emily and learning her story.
Each one came back and thanked us for having met her. But we, of course, can’t take any credit for Emily. We can’t take credit for the minds that she opened, the hearts that she touched, or the overall good cheer she shared. But we can be so thankful that she is willing to share her story and that she has directed her life to motivating others. If you weren’t one of our riders or you just missed out on getting to talk to Emily, please go to her website https://www.brokencrayonsejz.com to show her your support and to learn that broken crayons still color.
