A Recap of POPs in 2013
On Saturday, December 28, I did my final ride in 2013. I drove down to the Sedona Cottonwood area for a ride through Page Springs and then up to Sedona and back to the car. This ride was similar to our year here at POP’s. The distance and course were good with some fun downhills and challenging uphills.
In January, Shannon and I met Roy and Lynn Roden in Casa Grande. Roy has PD and they were riding down the West Coast and then across the Southern US to Florida…..and you thought we were crazy! We rode with them from Casa Grande into Tucson. Carl Ames was there so you know we had a good time. Roy and Lynn now live in Tucson and work at the PWR Gym – a gym dedicated
to helping those with PD keep moving. If you are ever in Tucson, you have to
stop and say hi. I promise you will leave there feeling better.
The amazing Roy Roden!
Also in January, the Team volunteered at the Davis Phinney Foundation Victory Summit in Phoenix. This was an incredible event where almost 1,000 individuals impacted by Parkinson’s gathered to learn from the experts and, more importantly, from each other. Our good friend Carl Ames was recognized as the Local PD Hero by DPF. Carl does not let PD stop him and I don’t think it even slows him down. He remains positive and is always doing something to encourage others diagnosed with PD. Doesn’t he look studious and official? Way to go BOLT!
We had a great time working with our friends from DPF and look forward to their next event. Here is our Team and the DPF Team all intermingled. Just the way it should be – two groups with the same purpose working together so well you can’t tell who belongs where. One of our goals is to get all PD groups working together for the common good.
I love this picture. It is on the side of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center van. Another great group of people we worked with during 2013. In February they had their annual Walk the Fight at Tempe Town Lake in Phoenix. This is how I want to be, excited and with a look in my eyes that tells PD – “Don’t mess with my people!”
In May, the POPs team was at it again – this time at the Arizona Multiple Sclerosis two-day ride in Sedona, AZ. The team put three riders on the road and staffed a rest stop. You see, we may be Pedaling Over Parkinson’s most of the time but we want to help those impacted by other diseases also. Who knows, maybe the funds we raise to find a cure for MS will also find a cure for PD. Wouldn’t that be amazing – knock out two diseases with one pedal stroke!
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In June, we also confirmed our plans to ride again. In 2014 we are riding down the Pacific Coast Highway from April 28 – May 24. We will start in Vancouver, BC and finish in San Diego, CA. Want to ride with us or meet us along the way – we would love it! Send a note to shane@popsride.com and let us know when to expect you. Below is our shirt for the 2014 ride. You can order your own in the store on www.popsride.com.
We can’t remember 2013 without remembering the 19 firefighters taken in the Yarnell Hill fire on June 30.
In July, we learned about a team of four riders riding across the country. This was a special group of riders as they went to high school with Davis Phinney and were raising support for his organization. I had the opportunity to bail on work for a day and ride with them from Sedona to Flagstaff. If you are unfamiliar with this stretch of road, it climbs about 3,000 feet in 20ish miles and the scenery is incredible. Flagstaff welcomed the Friends of Phinney with a powerful downpour and some cool weather.
In August, we went to Colorado to ride the Copper Triangle. This is a one day 70+mile ride over three mountain passes with 2500 of your closest cycling buddies. Always a challenge and always a good time. Shannon, Carl, Jordan (Carl’s son), Joey Gregan and myself all rode. Pops, Mona, Kyle and his family were there to cheer us on. While there, Joey thought we should take a busload
up there next year. What a great idea! Stay tuned as Joey has this way of making things happen.
The rest of the year has been filled with fundraisers – both to help offset the costs of the 2014 Ride and to raise funds for grants. Our Board of Directors has developed a grant process and we are excited about directly helping those impacted by PD for this is why we Ride. You can submit a request by going to www.popsride.com.
Oh yeah, you are probably wondering why this is titled, Closet Training. Closet training is sneaky. You workout – either on your own or with a personal trainer – and don’t let anyone else know what you are doing. We do it to gain strength and surprise our opponents. I feel as though this is what POPs has been doing the last couple of years – learning, developing relationships and getting ready
for our time. Our time to help You. You – the ones impacted by Parkinson’s. We say “our” a lot but it is really about You. You are the reason we do what we do. You are constantly on our minds and drive our decisions. POPs has been training and we are ready to make a difference. 2014 is looking like a good year!
So, that is 2013. We are looking forward to 2014 and our Ride from Vancouver, BC to San Diego. Hopefully, we will meet some of you along the way and make new friends also.
Take Care, Stay Active and always keep the rubber side down.
Respectfully,
Shane Stutzman
President
Pedal Over Parkinson’s, Inc.
