Lance Armstrong's "Race for the Roses"
(This was the first benefit for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It was a lot bigger than we thought it would be, and yet it was small compared to what happened in the years to come...)

March 22, 1997

As I loaded up the TCRC design computer into the van on a dark Saturday morning, I recalled the weather forecaster's predictions: a mild day with partly cloudy skies, to be followed on race day with a cold front moving in, and possible showers -- ugh! As day began to break, though, it looks like the weather guys were going to be wrong again, and by the time I pulled into the Hyatt Regency Hotel (race "headquarters") in Austin, Texas, blue skies and mild temperatures were the order of the day...

A whole lot of motion was going on at the registration area as race director John Korioth alternated between organizing volunteers and handling one crisis after another via his ever present cell phone. We had conversed several times by email, and we seemed more like old friends than new acquaintances as he showed me where I could set up.

A steady stream of people were making their way through the registration process as TC2 member Dave Gorman drove up from San Antonio to help out for the morning. We kept busy handing out brochures for TC awareness and answering questions, and fellow TCer Ari Blatt stopped by to say "Hi" -- all the way from Canada! Around lunch time I went to the airport and picked up long time TCRC contributor Doug Bank, who flew in just to attend the event - now that's support!

The afternoon was a mad house to say the least as Lance and some fellow sports celebs arrived for a few hours to autograph anything and everything put in front of them! We were in the middle of the crush and got a lot of info out to the masses as they paraded by to meet Lance and gang.

The evening was spent at Lance's where he hosted a Race for the Roses party for those who had been involved in getting the event put together. I was very fortunate to finally meet Dr. Craig Nichols and some of his fellow docs from the world renowned Indiana University TC Department. Also, we had the opportunity to talk with (former Olympic Speed Skating Champ and now orthopedic surgeon!) Eric Heiden. Eric has always been an inspiration to me as to what you can do if you dedicate yourself to the task, and I can tell you he's as nice a guy to meet as you could ask for.

Sunday and Race Day! Doug and I made our way on a glorious Austin morning to Zilker Park, where we were joined by now several thousand riders for the big event. Three different rides were in progress: a 10 mile fun ride, a 25 mile loop through the outskirts of southwest Austin, and the 100 miler for the big hitters! Riders were entered in categories ranging from Top Gun to Survivor(!), depending on your own personal estimate of skill...I chose Top Gun for the 25 miler at the last second -- I had to see what I had in me...the 100 was still a little more than I felt I had in me, chalk it up to chemo and I'll get 'em next year!

Austin is hilly, something I had not really trained for in the flat area where I live...the bad part is that going up them is really a b*tch...the good part is that going down them is a riot! Several times I was in the middle of a pack of riders, zooming downhill at over 50 mph, when it dawned on me that one flat tire and we're all a pile of metal with some arms and legs sticking out! A little over an hour and 15 minutes later, and we were done....tired, but feeling great!

We had a few hours lag between the end of the ride and the post ride party, so Doug and I walked the streets of downtown Austin for a while before heading over to the Austin Music Hall. Lance had 4 bands lined up, headlined by The Wallflowers, with Joe Ely sitting in. I have to tell you that I can only report that the first half of the party was great, and have been told that the second half was even better -- exhaustion got the better part of me and I had to head for home earlier than I planned, should have "combat napped" in the afternoon...

For those were able to attend, many thanks! For those who couldn't, all I can say is I highly encourage you to make plans for next year, it's truly a weekend to remember and only going to keep getting better!

The RftR's Start!

The registration/autograph crowd en masse	Eric Heiden signing autographs
Lance signing his life away!	Chris and Ari	The sparse but effective TCRC booth!
Chris and Doug	Lance in a lighter moment	Celeb group photo
A mountain bike penny farthing!	Chris prior to start	Eric Heiden pre-race
I heard they finished first	Ari, ready for the 100 miler	Award for best shirt of the day! (Cancer Researcher)
Chris awaiting the start	Dr. Nichols from IU	Bicycle built for 1,2,3!
Scene from the post ride party	Chris survives!	Even the band's got in the TC act