Day 3: Rhinebeck to Albany

Eighty miles, 2,600 feet of elevation, 5 hours of pedaling. Hot hot hot!

Wheels up at 6 a.m. to mitigate risk of heat stroke.

The essential chores after arrival always take time: rehydrate, shower and wash bike clothes (simultaneously), charge devices (bike computer, light, phone, etc.)

The food on the ride is always excellent, but dinner tonight reminded me again of why I, along with hundreds of others, do this ride. Next to me at dinner was Ginger, from Maryland. On her left wrist were six black bracelets with white letters spelling out names of friends and relatives lost to cancer. On her right, a dozen multicolored bracelets with names of all those close to her who are currently dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Across from me was Dale, from Pennsylvania, who recently lost his son to glioblastoma (the cancer that also took my wife). Unlike Monica, who died four and a half years after diagnosis, his son was dead in 30 days. His father had no time to say goodbye.

Everyone in that room has such a story.

After dinner, we heard a presentation on the latest research we are funding, which includes a promising immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer, which in 2023 cut short the life of the vibrant young daughter of a friend.

Funding research like this is why we are riding 560 miles this week.