I have always been a passionate cyclist since I was 10. Yes, like many, I had a Schwinn Varsity bike as a youth. I rode that thing everywhere and long before full suspension, carbon fiber bikes, I was riding that 10-speed like a mountain bike down the fire trails off the top of Mt Wilson, 5,000' above my home town of Pasadena, CA. I've ridden in many centuries and rode the locally renowned "Death Ride" in the Sierra's near Tahoe. But nothing inspired me more than the movie "The Race Across the Sky", a documentary that came out last fall. It chronicled last summer's Leadville 100 mountain bike race, which is claimed to be one of the most challenging endurance races in the mountain biking community. An out and back race that begins and ends in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado, it covers 100+ miles and 15,000+ feet of climbing...all above an elevation of 10,000 feet. Rarified air, indeed!
The key to the movie is the people in the race. Yes, there was Lance Armstrong, who the previous year rode his first Leadville and was so inspired by the thrill and challenge of the race that he came out of retirement to once again ride in the Tour de France. There is also Dave Wiens, 6 time winner of the Leadville 100. But most importantly, there were the touching and motivating stories of "average" passionate cyclists who entered this race to make a difference in theirs and others lives. The day after watching this movie I told my wife, Beth, half kiddingly, that I would enter the race. Riders are completely selected by lottery and getting "in" was very remote, so it seemed an innocent gesture. I told her that I needed an "excuse" to get a new mountain bike.
Fortune or fate, I got the email one day that I was selected to ride in the Leadville 100. After reality set in, I realized that, as much as riding a bike is somewhat of a selfish "solo" experience, I needed to make this ride about something or someone else. Instant flash of inspiration as I recalled the chance meeting the day before with Diane Nares, a business colleague and friend I've known in San Diego since I moved here 20 years ago. She and her husband, Richard, had sadly lost their son, Emilio, at age 5, to leukemia 10 years ago. Inspired by his fight to live, they started a local charity in his honor- the Emilio Nares Foundation. This inspiration now provides support to those families that have been hit with childhood cancer. I instantly called Diane and told her of this crazy race in the Colorado Rockies and asked if I could ride in honor and support of Emilio and to raise money for their charity. She and Richard said "Yes!" and so a few weeks later, here I am on their website, working to raise awareness and funds for their charity while I also start on my adventure in training towards my ride on August 14th at Leadville.
At the time of this posting, I just finished riding 100+ miles in the rain, wind, sleet and cold at the San Diego (yes, it rains here too!) Gran Fondo. How "perfect" the day was as an inspiration and sneak peek into the challenging conditions I most likely will encounter with the unpredictable weather conditions at high elevation. So it's time for me to start training! Its time for you, too, to "Dig Deep", as Leadville 100 founder, Kenneth Chlouber, says, and support my ride by donating to the Emilio Nares Foundation.
Donate at these levels and we will recognize your gracious support. If you prefer anonymity, we will respect that as well.
Buck-a-Mile Club : $100
Riding-In-Support-Of Club : $200
(Donate at this level, or higher, and dedicate your donation
in support and honor of someone you love and care for.
This name will go on a specially designed jersey that I will
wear on the ride in Leadville. You will be sent a special commemorative "Ride Across the Sky for Emilio" cycling jersey from "Hincapie Sportswear".)
Nickel-for-a-Foot Club: $628.50
Supporter (you set the amount!)
Thank you to those company's that are supporting my training efforts to accomplish this ride and to raise money and awareness in support of ENF.
Emilio Nares Foundation | PO Box 86165 San Diego, CA 92138
I have always been a passionate cyclist since I was 10. Yes, like many, I had a Schwinn Varsity bike as a youth. I rode that thing everywhere and long before full suspension, carbon fiber bikes, I was riding that 10-speed like a mountain bike down the fire trails off the top of Mt Wilson, 5,000' above my home town of Pasadena, CA. I've ridden in many centuries and rode the locally renowned "Death Ride" in the Sierra's near Tahoe. But nothing inspired me more than the movie "The Race Across the Sky", a documentary that came out last fall. It chronicled last summer's Leadville 100 mountain bike race, which is claimed to be one of the most challenging endurance races in the mountain biking community. An out and back race that begins and ends in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado, it covers 100+ miles and 15,000+ feet of climbing...all above an elevation of 10,000 feet. Rarified air, indeed! 
