tour de cure 2007
team think-urban.com

George Sadallah, Jacob Samblanet, Les Somogyi, Alana Cheplowitz, Jay Cheplowitz, Cory Oakley, Kerry Riggs, Mary Cheplowitz, Morgan Reichert, and Halle Cheplowitz

[the teams experience]

   The week leading up to the Tour de Cure we, Team Think-Urban.com, were making final preparations for their 30-mile and 12-mile bike rides in support of the American Diabetes Association. Taking last minute bike rides to gain a little extra conditioning, making custom team t-shirts, and getting down to the wire to reach our $2,000 company goal were just a few of the tasks our team members were wrestling with. On Saturday June 16, 2007, some of us arrived at Westerville North High School at 7:00am for the 30-mile ride while others strolled in at 8:00am for the 12-mile ride. By 8:00am, six riders from Team Think-Urban shared the asphalt with over 100 other riders for the 30-mile trek through several cities and villages just north of Columbus, Ohio. While they were coming up to the 10-mile marker the remaining four members took to the 12-mile path. Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes later the last riders from the team crossed the finish line with legs burning, sweat dripping, and an indescribable thirst.

   First and foremost, on behalf of Team Think-Urban.com and the American Diabetes Association, we would like to thank those of you who joined and donated to help us raise $2,078.63. All the teams came together to raise over $52,500.00. We would also like to thank all the corporate sponsors who not only donated their time but also food and beverages before, during, and after the ride. Thanks also should go out to those that volunteered to run the booths and rest stops to re-hydrate and feed us throughout the day.

   The team has already agreed to take this challenge on again next year, hoping to raise more and ride farther. If you are interested in joining our team, please visit our team page here. It’s never too soon to join and start preparing for the 100-, 60-, 30-, or 12-mile ride, each of which can be a challenge unto itself.

This event not only gave us, as a company, but us as a group of friends to push our limits, some farther than the other but none-the-less it was something small compared to those living with diabetes.

[a different experience]

   I was excited for this ride for several reasons. First it gave me the opportunity to do something good for the community, my family, and myself. Several of my family members have been living with diabetes for most of their lives. My cousin and grandfather are just two of the many people that have been affected by this disease and have done it well despite other medical conditions that have affected their lives.

   Secondly, it gave me an opportunity to purchase a new bicycle, maybe not the right bicycle for the job but a new one none-the-less. I have been in the market for the bike since purchasing my first bike as a adolescent and this event was the spark that ignited the fuse. I bought a mountain bike and signed up for the Tour de Cure not realizing that the 30-mile ride was going to be harder on a mountain bike than it would be on a road bike. My tires are about two inches wider and a great deal heavier than the traditional road bike. Being the 22 year old college student that I am,

   I went into the ride thinking that it was going to be nothing until I saw about 20 other riders passing me with ease on their road bikes. The other five team members I started with and ahead of were now pulling away farther and farther as the ride went on. I found myself alone only with thoughts. The thoughts kept coming through of people with diabetes and their struggles, continuously administering insulin, and checking sugar levels. Reaching that 15-mile mark and the one rest stop was a brief but much needed time of recuperation. Fluids were what I needed, considering the clear skies and an approximate temperature of 80 degrees, to keep moving. The constant encouragement from not only my team, but also random riders I didn’t even know.

   It was time to keep going, but with a bit of a head start from my team. It seemed as if I was riding at a good pace and for once I was passing people, but that wasn’t the case for long. Those darn road bikes started creeping up on me and to make it worse, it was my team members. Not just any team members, but my boss and two of his riding friends, all three of which have at least 20 years of life experience on me. While they slowed down to ride with me for a bit, two began to pull away while my boss joined me and my slower pace. I came to realize the difference in our bikes while we came to a large hill; thankfully we were going down it and not up. Our bikes didn’t just look different, but they rode different. I was peddling my heart out and was in the highest gear giving me the maximum speed. And just as I thought no one could go any faster, my boss is coasting past me on his road bike. I came to realize he hit 50mph coasting down this hill once the ride ended. That little explosion of speed that I exerted took energy that I didn’t have completely out of me.

   The last few miles were the hardest. Catching up to my boss, Jay, only because of a stop light allowed us to cross the finish line together. It was a sight for sore eyes, as we were greeted by several volunteers from the event with cheers and congratulatory praise. I had done it; no, we had done it and we did it with the help of so many peoples support, mentally and monetary. One of the best parts of the day, other than the finish line, food, and water that was provided, was pushing myself to finish the race though I couldn’t feel my legs. They kept moving and they didn’t stop.

-this article was written by jacob samblanet

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