We had about 60 people attend our kick off meeting at REI on Sunday March 29th. During the business part of the meeting, Sandy, our excellent treasurer showed us how our dues are being wisely spent. Then Barb Watson stepped down as the president of the club and Doug Miller was elected to the position.

Pat and Lynn from Tandem Cycle Works talked about their trips to Ireland and Italy. They are going to Ireland again so contact them for additional information on their trips. (www.tandemcycleworks.com). Then the passionate men from Siciclando active holidays (www.siciclando.com) showed us a stunning video outlining some of their opportunities to tour Italy.

This was a tour of a lifetime that almost didn’t happen. The first leg of our journey was delayed in Colorado Springs. We rearrange our flight from Dallas through London Gatwick with a bus transfer to London Heathrow. We arrived safely at Gatwick but without luggage. We were told we couldn’t file a lost luggage until we arrived in Prague. At lost luggage in Prague a very nice gentleman informed us that somehow our luggage arrived on another flight. No one knew which flight or by which airline. We were quite relieved.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation Peloton Project 7th Annual Ride for the Roses was a success and a lot of fun.  Without the support of you, our family and friends, we would not have been able to participate.

There were over 6,500 riders registered to ride in the event, though the final count of how many rode on Sunday has not yet been released.  All 50 United States and 25 other countries were represented by the participants.  $7.3 million was raised for the foundation.  That exceeds the $7million goal set to commemorate Lance Armstrong’s 7 Le Tour de France victories.

Thanks to all of you our family was able to contribute over $2065 to the LAFoundation.  We each registered with the minimum $150 and put everything else under Jim’s name which meant he was one of 386 participants who raised more than $1000 and earned a LIVE STRONG jersey.

On Saturday there was the LIVESTRONG Kids Event

We registered to participate in the Family Adventure Challenge Race.  Jim, Victoria, and Katherine made up one team and Rebecca and Stephanie were another team. 

The event started shortly after 8 a.m. at Auditorium Shores in Austin.  It was a great event with 17 challenges to try.  Teams had to complete 11 challenges in order for the children to earn their medals.  It was fun, and sometimes messy, with events like wheelbarrow races t a plate of whipped cream, painting with you nose, and filling a tennis ball container with water poured from a Frisbee.

Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Pappy were there to watch, encourage and document the fun.