What an amazing day! I am humbled by what has happened and extremely grateful for all the kind words and encouragement at the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge yesterday.

On the start line of the 2010 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge

As far as the results go, it wasn’t the quickest race I’ve ridden this year but I didn’t set out to go fast. I wanted to experience the ride and this amazing city we live in. I took a whole bunch of pictures on the ride to share with you. (Thanks to Fotopix for some of the other photos to)

Heading down the M1

I say it every year but if you ride the cycle challenge for one reason and one reason only then let it be to ride down the M1 on a bicycle. The last time I rode the race was a good few years ago and we did a tiny little loop in the Joburg CBD.

Nelson Mandela bridge from the M1

Nelson Mandela Bridge

We got off at Carr street, rode over the Nelson Mandela bridge, and then up through Braamfontein and out of the city. The loop through the city this year was spectacular. Through Doornfontein past Ponty, then up onto the M2 west. Off there back into the city through the Ghandi square, over the M1 north double decker section and then into Newtown and over the Nelson Mandela bridge. That little loop alone made all the training worth it.

I had taken it really easy up until there but then hammered it past the zoo and up through Rosebank. I remembered the trek up Jan Smuts Avenue last time round as being quite tough but thid year I sailed through that part of the route. Before I knew it I was at halfway and was still feeling strong.

I had to stop just after halfway for a scheduled TV interview with Supersport. I was actually amazed at how fresh I was feeling after 50kms. The stretch up to the N14 was hot but the new road surface on Malibongwe made the going a bit easier up towards the N14. I stopped for a bit of a chat just before getting onto the N14 and then again just on the N14 where the PinkDrive folks were standing and cheering.

I met up with my dad not to far from there and he was battling a bit so I decided to ride the last thirty odd kilometres with him. I probably could have gone a lot faster up the N14 but my dad was cramping so that mad going quick not possible. It was however a great experience to ride the last bit of the race with him and for us to cross the finish line together.

My Dad & I on the N14

My Dad heading towards the finish

As far as the charity initiative goes what an amazing and humbling experience. The final tally isn’t in yet but it looks like its close on R250 000 was raised for the PinkDrive by the efforts of everyone who rode in pink on the day. There were a total of 200 of us on the road and everyone I have spoken to had a great experience and the spectators and organisers I spoke to also said we stood out really well in our Pink gear.

I was touched by many people on the road yesterday. I heard stories of unbelievable courage of people fighting and overcoming cancer. I heard one story about people who had come into contact with people who knew my mom before she passed away. Their kind words about my mom really reinforced the reason why I am doing this. I can honestly say I was in tears more than once on the road yesterday. One story in particular has had such an effect on me and I wanted to share it with you.

One of the first emails I got after starting putting this whole thing together read exactly like this:

Hi Brad

My name is Ashleigh Ballantine and I am 14 years old.  I will be riding tandem with my dad, Rob.  We have both registered for the Pink Drive.  I am over half way in collecting my R6000.  My gogo (gran) died from breast cancer due to late detection.  My mom was diagnosed early and she is fine.  No-one should die from late detection.  This is why I am doing the fund raiser.

Thanks for arranging it.

Love Ashleigh

That is how it started and I just had a feeling this story was going to be special. A few weeks later I got an email from Ashleigh’s mom Kim to say that that not only was Ash and Rob going to ride but that Ash had raised enough money so that Kim and Ashleigh’s older sister Natalie could ride too. Kim sent me a mail with the story of her struggle with breast cancer  and how Ashleigh took it upon herself to get he money in. This is the email that Ashleigh sent out to prospective donors:

My name is Ashleigh Ballantine, I am 14 years old and as you probably know my mom, Kim, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and she is one of many who has survived this life threatening disease.  Some people like my gogo (gran) Lizann, were not as fortunate.  To help prevent this from happening 94.7 is having a Pink Drive.  The website is www.cyclechallenge.co.za/pink.asp.  Each cyclist that wants to be part of this drive needs to raise R3000.00.  This money will be used to buy a mobile breast cancer clinic.  This clinic will educate many people and assist with early diagnosis.  Breast cancer is a curable disease.  My dad, Robin, and I are cycling on a tandem and therefore need to raise R6000.00 by October 5th, in order to be part of this fundraiser.  We are doing this for my mom and Gogo.  We want to give the breast cancer fighters hope and create awareness.  If 60 people give R100.00 each we can reach our goal.  Please support us either by contacting Ashleigh or Kim. You can also speak to my mom about doing a direct transfer if you wish.  Let’s make this happen.

Ashleigh Ballantine

Ashleigh went on to raise more than R17 000 and the donations for the PinkDrive are still coming in! She raised enough that her twin brother Ryan was also able to ride in Pink as well to support the cause.

Ashleigh & Brad after the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge

Ash asked me to sign her PinkDrive cycling top after yesterdays ride. To be honest I felt like she should be signing mine!  I didn’t sign her top yesterday because I want her to be able to cycle in it again but what I am going to do for Ash is get her another one and get the entire team at 94.7 to sign it for her. Watch this space for developments.

Here is an exert from an email I recieved from Kim this morning:

Hey Brad

Thanks so much for raising awareness and for the privilege of being involved in something like this. It was such a celebration of life for all of us.  I had all my cancer tests today and got the all clear again.  So awesome.  Not only is my cancer clear, but since chemo I have a voice again (something I did not have for 5 1/2 years), can swallow, taste and smell. My kids are all fluent in sign language and are just such an inspiration.

Much love

Kim

If that story doesnt bring a tear to your eye then I’m afraid nothing will. I am so proud to have ridden the race alongside the Ballantine family and so should you.

If I may take this time to thank each and every person involved in making yesterday possible. To Tanya Harford (the race director) for letting me do this and her team for being so understanding and helpful especially Nicole Dada (I owe you lots and lots of wine. Thank you). To everyone at the PinkDrive, thank you for all the effort and always going out of your way to make things work.  To the entire team at Primedia broadcasting for the help. To the folks that sponsored  us, the corporate and the individual sponsors, thank you. This would not have been possible without the support and generosity of every one of you. A special thanks needs to go out to Garmin (Mich I wish I could put into words how much I have appreciated your support, personally and from Garmin’s side). To Debonairs Pizza, PVM & Appeltizer for the goodie bags. Thank you to to KTM South Africa and Cycle Lab for the KTM Strada 3000 I rode the race on and to Matt from Oakley for the the Oakley Radars.

To all the celebrity riders, thank you for lending your support to a cause that has touched so many of you.

And then last but definitely not least I want to thank each and every person that went out and raised money for the PinkDrive through this initiative. You have no idea how your enthusiasm and passion, courage and conviction has touched me. We didn’t reach the million rand I set out to raise but what we did do is lay the foundation of something great. Next year we can build on the successes of this year and improve on the short comings. There have been tons of people asking if we are going to be doing the same thing at the Argus next year and that is a testament to what you have achieved at this years cycle challenge. In five or ten year’s time when we have thousands of people riding in pink you can say you were the first. The amount of awareness created yesterday for the prevention of breast cancer was staggering. Early detection saves lives and I can tell you that your efforts yesterday will save lives. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done. Thank you. My mom would have been extremely proud of what you achieved.

Mich from Garmin

The red sock guy

More pink

On the start line

Time to ride

Off Mich goes

More of the start

Love the pink wig

The Sea of Pink

Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge Medal

Here is the data that my Garmin 310XT recorded from my ride:

I’ve been putting my initiative for the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge together over the last couple of months. (Click here if you are a cyclist and you would like to get all the details of the Pink Drive Cycle Challenge Initiative) and it is rolling out quite successfully.

I do need your help though. You may or may not know that I lost my mom to breast cancer in May this year. Two weeks later I took on the Comrades Marathon in her memory as well as in support or in memory of a whole bunch of people affected by this dreadful disease as part of my 89 Memories 1 Race Initiative

I’m at it again but this time I will be riding the 94.7km for anyone suffering from cancer or who has lost the battle. Each kilometre will be for someone. If you would like to support this initiative all you need to do is sms the words ‘race 1′ and the message ‘in support of *insert your loved ones name here* or in memory of *insert your loved ones name here* to 42030. The sms will cost you R30 and in doing so I will ride one of the 94.7 kilometres for your loved one.
If you would like to donate more than R30 you can visit my fundraising page on Race 4 Charity and click on donate (you are able to do an EFT or donate using your credit card.

I will post the messages on this page so please keep checking back here to see how I am progressing.

Below is the list of people I am riding for (their names are next to each kilometre):

1. In memory of my Mom, Lynthia
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95. In memory of my mom, Lynthia

I’ve been working on a charity initiative for the 2010 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge. Once again we are trying to raise some money for the Pink Drive. If you would like to know more, visit the Pink Drive Cycle Challenge website.

Pink Drive Cycle Challenge Charity Initiative

It has been two and a bit weeks since Comrades 2010 and although my work schedule has been pretty crazy I’ve had some time to digest the events that unfolded on the road to Durban on 30 May 2010. You may or may not know what happened but in a nutshell I missed the cut off at 60km (29km to go) and was pulled off the road. No excuses, I just wasn’t good enough on the day but will be back in 2011 fitter, leaner and stronger to finish off what I started.

In the meantime though its time to set a few new goals for the rest of this year and the first bit of 2011. I have been saying in the build up to Comrades this year that once it was done I would be keen to give a triathlon a bash. I still feel that way but obviously the long term goal is Comrades 2011.

So here is what I’ve come up with as goals between now and 16 June 2011:

1. Complete a couple of the Energade triathlons which start in October.

2. Run the Soweto marathon in November.

3. Ride the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in November (and at the same time try and raise R1 000 000 for the PinkDrive)

4. Complete the half iron man in East London in January

5. Run the Johnson Crane Marathon.

6. Swim the Midmar Mile in February.

7. Run the Vaal Marathon in March

8. Run the Two Oceans and/or Loskop Ultra’s in April

9. Complete the Comrades Marathon in June 2011.

Some of this list may change between now and then but at least it’s out there. I’ve learnt that unless a goal is out there you’re never going to achieve it!

Please see the details below of my charity initiative for Comrades 2010.

You may or may not know my mom passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in the early hours of Sunday morning, the 16^th of May 2010. I have received hundreds of messages of support from family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers. I am trying to reply to each and every one of them but if I haven’t been able to get to yours yet my apologies. My Mom was an amazing woman who was loved by many.

My dearest Mom,

Even though I knew the end was coming it is still a huge shock to know you’re no longer with us. You were the best mom anyone could ask for. You were ever the peacemaker and diplomat and always put your family’s needs ahead of your own.

I like to think that my great taste in music eventually rubbed off on you but to be honest I have great taste in music because of you. I will always be grateful for that.

I’m going to miss not sharing all our news. You were always the first person I would call whenever something happened in our lives, good or bad. You never judged me when things went wrong and always celebrated like the good news was your own. You were my sounding board and cheerleader. I am so lucky to know how proud you were of me. I know this because at any opportunity you’d tell complete strangers what all three of your kids had achieved.

Often I would just call to read you something funny because I loved to hear you laugh. You had the best sense of humour. I am going to miss your laugh so much.

You were so accepting and I’m so grateful of the relationship you had with Christine. I know you loved her like one of your own kids. Ethan and Gracie adored you to. We are all going to miss you terribly.

You played the hand you were dealt with such strength and dignity. I don’t think any of us knew how much pain you were actually in. You accepted your fate with such grace. I am relieved your suffering is over but am going to miss you so much.

I love you Mom.

2010 Comrades Marathon - The Ultimate Human Race

The 2010 Comrades Marathon is happening on Sun 30 May 2010. Just writing that makes me nervous. But the truth of it is that as a novice I don’t think you think you will ever be ready. You may or may not know the reasons why I am running this year’s race. My mom is losing the battle to breast cancer as I write this and I wanted to do something to make a difference to people fighting this horrible disease and also for the families of those who have lost a loved one to it. Breast cancer does not have to be terminal and if it is picked up early it is in most cases curable. I have decided to support the Pink Drive and to raise money for breast cancer awareness. I think they do a fabulous job. I’m not going to go into to much detail as to what they do but if you want to check them out go to http://www.pinkdrive.co.za

Running Comrades as part of the Comrades Marathon Associations celebrity challenge provides a great platform to raise money for the Pink Drive. We have set up an sms line that if you sms the word ‘run’ to 4 222 0 you will donate R30 to the Pink Drive. The other fundraising initiative we are running is the 89 Memories – One race initiative.  The Comrades Marathon is 89km and run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban and this year I will be running each kilometre for someone that is either fighting the battle against breast cancer or in memory of someone who has lost the battle to breast cancer.

That is where I need you come in. I need your help. I need 89 individuals, families or businesses to sponsor each one of those kilometres. Maybe a colleague is battling with breast cancer and you want to pass a hat around the office and sponsor a kilometre then I’ll run it for them. Maybe you’ve lost your wife, mother, daughter or niece to breast cancer; I would love to run a kilometre in their memory. I would obviously like to raise as much money as I can (I know I’m greedy but it is for a great cause) so I need to put a minimum amount on the sponsorship for a kilometre. I have decided to make it R100 but if you can afford to donate more it would be highly appreciated. Ideally I’d like to try and raise R89 000 – That is R1 000 per kilometre.  So if you can donate that please do and if you can do more we would obviously be massively grateful. I am running in Toyota’s colours this year and in return they have agreed to double whatever I raise. If you would like to sponsor a kilometre please send an email to 89memories@bradbrown.co.za I will also include your loved ones story and memory on my blog and a picture of them too. If you would like to sponsor a kilometre or just to make a donation to our 89 Memories initiative the Pink Drive Bank details are as follows:

Bank: Nedbank

Account Name: PinkDrive (Comrades)

Account Number: 1825 011 109

Branch Code: 182505

Branch Name: Clearwater Mall

Reference to use: 89 Memories & Your Name

If you are not in South Africa and would like to donate the Swift Code you would require is NEDSZAJJ

What I am also challenging you to do is make a list of 89 memories of the person you know. Whether they are fighting the disease and are going to beat it, if they, Iike my mom, are terminally ill or if they have lost the battle and passed away. It’s really tough to do. I know this because I’m putting together this list together for my mom.  It’s a very emotional process and in the build up to comrades keep checking back here or subscribe to my rss feed to see the memories I will always treasure of my mom. Even though she is still with us, I want her to know what I will always remember about her. Also if you would like to is send those 89 memories to me, I would love to post them on www.bradbrown.co.za

It is going to be a very emotional day and I want you to be a part of it. I will be tweeting my progress as well as updating my Facebook profile from the road. You can follow me on Twitter or on Facebook.