Wow! We are exhausted but exhilarated from the past weekend’s Tour de Pink activities! We had great turn-outs for everything and the energy and enthusiasm from the participants and volunteers who joined us to kick-off Tour de Pink – we are less than one month away.
Tour de Pink survivor and novice training rides!
We had our first of four survivor and novice training rides last Saturday at the Rice University Riding Loop. Seven new cyclists – including one breast cancer survivor! – broke out their bikes and helmets (some for the first time in decades!) to start training for Tour de Pink. Most of them had the goal to make it through the 12 mile route on ride day, but with the guidance of the Training Ride Captain Donna Plewa-Allen and many of our dedicated “Safety Mentors” (who are experienced cyclists who are out to give support) many of the novice riders are upping their goal to at least 23! Bike Barn was also out bright and early in the morning to give a free demonstration on gears and proper bike maintenance. Bike Barn is incredible! We have three more training rides to go – every Saturday morning until Tour de Pink – and we would love to see any of you out there who need more time and support on your bike! For more information please visit: https://secure2.convio.net/prp/site/SPageServer?pagename=train.
Packet Stuffing
Oh me, oh my! Right when I don’t think that we can be more efficient or hard core – the Pink Ribbons Project staff puts me in awe with their organization and skill. On Saturday morning staff and more than 40 volunteers were giving a 100% at our packet stuffing! And… get this… in 2.5 hours they stuffed 2000 packets for the participants and cyclists of Tour de Pink 2011!! It was simply incredible! I arrived after the training ride to a group that was there for already two hours and still going strong!! Thanks to the staff for being so prepared and to our presenting sponsor SoftLayer for providing their amazing office space in downtown Houston.
Tour de Pink Kick-Off Party
Can anyone say BBQ???? We had A BLAST at Blanco’s last Sunday kicking-off Tour de Pink with delicious BBQ, an awesome band and the best supporters ever! Many thanks to Michael, Cindy, Christie, Mark and Susan for joining our current and past top fundraisers, sponsors and volunteers! All our food was provided by the amazing people at SoftLayer! Their competitive BBQ team drove in from Dallas the night before, cooked and smoked the food all night long and then dropped off 15 racks of ribs, 40 pounds of brisket and 40 pounds of pulled pork to Blanco’s the next day! Truly remarkable hearts and recipes!! Our guests loved the food, The Slags – an amazing band from Pasadena, and the camaraderie! We also raised more than $10,000 from the Pink Prime prize of a brand new iPad 2. Merry Kay Engbrecht who has captained the Carrizo Oil Pink Pit Stop for the past six years and is going to ride this year raised $5000 in one day!
Pink Staff: Stephanie, Rozlind, Loubel and Kristi
AND…
The SoftLayer SLAYERS Val Stinson, and Cook Team from Dallas, Kelley, Steve (aka) Skinman and Sparky!!!!
(not shown: but still very much appreciated, Catherine)
…and for more please visit our Facebook page!
Have a wonderful week. – Loubel
