Welcome to Deidre's Dream

An unsupported bicycle ride across America to benefit cancer survivors and their families 
Click here if you would like to support our effort

What it's about

Help me help cancer survivors to Livestrong like my wife Deidre did. Deidre was a woman who accomplished anything she set her mind to. Neither chemotherapy nor radiation slowed her down. Her love of life, family, and friends will never be surpassed.

When she decided to take up cycling, it lead to dozens of centuries (100 mile ride in one day). When she decided to learn to swim competently it lead to her winning her age group in the 2006 Los Angeles County Triathlon Championship Series.

When she decided to be a mother and wife, she set an example for the rest of the world with her capacity for love, caring, nurturing, and support.

Please help me continue Deidre's legacy of love and living life at it's fullest by supporting my ride across America and contributing to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Chris Bredenberg, our friend and neighbor from Santa Fe, and I will be riding from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL beginning on or about May 10, 2008. We are aiming at a 35 day crossing. Our ride distance will be approximately 3,200 miles.

Our efforts won't bring us the pain and doubt that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Though diminishing over time, as life returns to something a little more predictable and with an ever more urgent need to live it, none the less the doubt is ever present. Deidre's courage and relentless fight to live continues to inspire me, and others who knew her.

Deidre died September 10, 2007 after a long and brave battle lasting nine and one half years but she lives in the hearts of all who knew and love her.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Day 14 Las Cruces, NM to Fabens, TX

May 23

Las Cruces, NM to Fabens, TX

83.5 Miles
1145 ft of climbing

Map:


http://www.mapitpronto.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=routePlanner.viewDBRide&rideID=1701

Today was the first day since the breakdown that we're back in sync with our originally planned route. We've only added two full pedaling days because of the short day when we broke down and another when we stopped in Three Way. Because we're in sync again, I'll start posting links to the maps I created before we left. Cut and paste the address above (beginning with http://) into your browser address bar to load the map.

We are now over 935 miles from San Diego and have climbed over 36,000'.

The day began with weather reports of diminishing winds. We started by riding twenty miles with the wind in our faces blowing 10-15 MPH but it was not a significant factor after that.

I was also pleased to see Chris try a new nutritional strategy. He had a good strong day today. He ate pretty much everything available at the hotel's continental breakfast and took some for later.

It was a pretty and pleasant ride today. Rather than ride along the border in El Paso, we opted to head North through Anthony Gap and across Fort Bliss.

At our first water stop of the day we learned quickly about Texas size abundance. It was a McDonalds, Churches Chicken, Subway, convenience store, gas station. And everything was available in extra large.

After settling in, showering, and watching the first few minutes of the basketball game, we walked next door to the diner as they were locking up for the night. We thought we'd be safe to head for dinner at 7:30 but I guess dinner happens early around here.

When we first rode in to town, Fabens looked to be a nice little place with an auto parts store, movie rental, and a couple of cafes but then we had to turn North and ride a couple of miles to the motel at the I-10. The last few hundred meters are uphill. After showering up I didn't really feel like riding the two or so miles to find more closed cafes and then coming back up that hill.

We'll see how ramen and PB&J sandwiches work to get us to lunch tomorrow. No pizza delivery in Fabens.

I was glad to get some pictures posted yesterday but I must have hit a daily upload limit or something because the site wouldn't accept more. Those were just from San Diego.

Tomorrow winds are forecast at 10-15 increasing to 20-25 during the day gusting to 30. Out of the South. Ouch.

More to come.

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