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4/19

  Yesterday was the big press conference everyone was waiting on. I suppose there is always some sadness about seeing a great athlete retire, but it’s pretty cool to see them do it on their own terms as well. Being a dad myself I certainly understand.

   We rolled into Augusta Sunday evening and did our usual tech scout to get the lay of the land, where the press conference would be, find the best local places to eat and which bar has the coldest beer. We hadn’t strolled around long when we met a familiar face, Angie from last years Bike Atlanta. She was sitting with her friend, Jennifer, out by the river walk. We soon discovered that Angie and Jennifer were the first official TdG Podium Girls. They said they started out calling them Hostesses, but they’re really just Podium Girls. We hope by next Sunday, they’ll be zipping up a yellow jersey on Lance. Angie was nervous about being the official zipper because they didn't give her a rear zip jersey to practice on. Jennifer was just looking forward to being on the stage with some cute cyclists.

   This morning we got up early and booked it to Macon to setup for the day. We had the booth up hours before the race even started and immediately had a crowd that lasted all day! It’s always cool to collect some donations for a worthwhile cause, but meeting the people and hearing the stories at events like this are what motivates us. We met a cute couple that will be giving out LiveSTRONG wristbands to everyone at their upcoming wedding. There are cancer stories that we hear as well, some happy, some sad, but all of them reinforce the need for us to be promoting the LAF to fill the need for survivorship support. One girl today had come by the tent last year and spent some time chatting. She came back today to let us know that four months after we met last year, she was diagnosed with cancer and told that she had it for quite some time. She just wanted to come back and say thanks for what the LAF was doing, never realizing that she would be a survivor.

   It was a very busy and successful day and we’re now in Rome, having already driven almost as many miles as the entire Tour de Georgia race will cover.

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