Raise One For Anne

 Like most neurological disorders/diseases those who live with them face constant challenges. The one in 26 Americans who have been diagnosed with Epilepsy are no different. They have no way of knowing when their next seizure might come. Even if their seizures are well controlled with medication, the medications can make you feel like "you are not you". I know Anne struggled with this at times. The medication, of course, can be very expensive. Those with frequent enough seizures often cannot obtain or lose their license to drive a car. That makes them reliant on public transportation or friends and family to take them to work or complete everyday errands most of us take for granted. The hours and days post-seizure can be a blur as their brain tries to put itself back together. Frequent seizures can also make sleep difficult and lack of good sleep can increase frequency of seizures.  These are just the challenge I know about from Anne's 25 years of dealing with seizures be...

Each year we do this, in whatever current incarnation suits us, it starts to get more real when we start logging longer days on the bike. The last two Sundays, we’ve ridden 50+ miles each. Getting out butts accustomed to “seat” time is tough during the Winter. But the Spring finally looks to be happening in Central Ohio, so away we go! Training. Brainstorming fundraising ideas. Making notes about logistical stuff for the long day. We’ve got time but it all needs to happen.  We are looking for people to share the draft in July(looking hard at 7/23). Let me know if you are interested. In the meantime, be well. If you want more pretty pictures from our rides, follow us on Instagram @raiseoneforanne.

We had a really successful 2021 both riding and fundraising, $6492! So, what challenge have we cooked up for this year? This will likely be our most aggressive challenge in the 5 year history of Raise One For Anne. Remember, in 2019 we rode 165 miles in one day from Grand Rapids, MI to Frankfort, MI. That took us about 14 hours including stops, a crash, and roadside bike maintenance. This year we are going to attempt cover at least that distance in 12 hours. That's right, 165 miles in 12 total hours , including stops. Our stretch goal is 170 miles.  By my estimate, we will have to spend at least 10 hours on the bikes to hit our goal! How and where are we going to accomplish this? Training, training, and more training Careful route selection to minimize time spent at stop lights etc.  Riding various loops that will bring us back near a central point every 1-2 hours for water, food, and bathroom breaks. Sample Loop 1 The loops/laps will originate from a park near Columbus, OH. ...

 Once again we will be accepting donations via Epilepsy.org and their Athletes vs. Epilepsy program. We're off to a great start via a fb fundraiser and donations via the Epilepsy site with over $2000 in donations! Here is the... LINK

  We know where we're going! No, we will not be crossing the Atlantic Ocean but we will be visiting our old "friend", The White Pine Trail on JUNE 12th  to ride from Rockford to Paris, MI and back. On the northern most point of the ride we will stop to visit a 20 foot tall replica of The Eiffel Tower in  Paris Park . I can't wait to have my picture taken next to this monument to making use of idle hands.  The total route is 105 miles (click that to see a map) from the staging area in Belmont(That's not technically Rockford, I know but I have reasons. Number one being the staging area has actual bathrooms.) to Paris and back. For those unfamiliar with the trail, the section between Sand Lake and Big Rapids is unpaved/gravel. It's not the roughest track I've ridden but it's certainly not smooth tarmac. Other than that and the distance the route is pretty nice. With only 2200 feet of climbing over the 105 miles, the journey will be flat by any cycling sta...

Six months removed from our last Socially Distanced Century, a fresh batch of optimism is upon us. We are in good health and have started riding outdoors again. Lisa and I have both received Dose 1 of the COVID Vaccine(Yah Science!) with Dose 2 pending in the coming weeks. We are looking forward to eating at some of our favorite restaurants again. We definitely can't wait to give some people hugs. And importantly, in the context of Raise One For Anne, we can think about planning rides during which we can be joined by other people.  Lisa and I did enjoy, after they were finished, our five century rides last year. But we missed sharing beers with family and friends after the rides. Or having someone like Patrick sitting on the front and sucking up the wind for us.  One of the best windbreaks I know. That brings us back to the question in the post title: What the heck are we doing?  The short answer is we don't know. The Epilepsy Foundation hasn't opened up the Gear Up For E...

As usual, I’m tardy in doing the updates. We completed the last of five 100 mile rides on September 19. It started on a chilly morning but we kitted out for the occasion. Knee warmers and full fingered gloves were definitely a necessity. Look how happy those pre-ride faces are! The first 45 miles of our ride took us through downtown Columbus and out to Three Creeks Metro Park on the Southeast side. After a pit stop and a snack, we rode back to the house. The weather had warmed up. We executed our planned bike change and even did some wardrobe changes. Here we are before the last 60 miles: Mentally it was strange riding from the house after having already put in close to 3 hours on the bike. My brain reset but my legs were arguing the opposite. Stiff winds out of the East made the going slow in spots but we made it to our planned stop about mile 65. We were both feeling the wind, the time, and the miles around mile 90. As I was moving for a turn on the front I told Lisa, “If I start goi...